Intro to Violin Level 1
Mini Strings
Ages 3–5
Mini Strings is designed for young musicians ages 3–5 to explore the violin and begin building a strong musical foundation. Through games, movement, listening, and making music together, students develop early musical and violin skills in a fun and encouraging group environment.
As students grow in confidence and develop their skills, they'll have opportunities to move into the next level of group classes, with each level building on what they've already learned. Over time, students can continue into private lessons while still making music and learning alongside their peers.
No previous musical experience is needed — Mini Strings is where it all begins!
9 weeks · $15/class · $135 total, paid up front (or 3 payments of $50)
Mondays, 5:00–5:40pm
6 State St, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Sep 14 · Sep 21 · Sep 28 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 26 · Nov 2 · Nov 9 · Nov 16
(No class Oct 12 — Indigenous Peoples' Day)
Meet Ms. Emily!
Emily is the heart of MiniStrings! A lifelong musician and teacher, she grew up with two music-teacher parents and has been teaching violin and viola through the Suzuki Method since 2003. She describes herself as “a teacher who also performs,” because helping young people discover music is truly what she loves most.
With our youngest musicians, Emily brings plenty of joy, patience, movement, and play into the room. She believes that children learn music much like they learn language — by listening, experimenting, repeating, and having the people around them be part of the experience. Parents and caregivers are an important part of MiniStrings, too!
Emily holds a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in Suzuki Violin Pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Texas Tech, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nope. No violin needed to get started. In your first class, you’ll be making box violins — a Suzuki tradition that gets little hands ready to play before ever picking up the real thing.
When the time comes, Ms. Emily will help you figure out the perfect size violin.
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No, they are not. The 9-week session is designed as a low-pressure, high-fun introduction to the violin. Think of it as a chance to explore the instrument, fall in love with music, all without the commitment of a full lesson schedule.
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The Suzuki Method is a world-renowned approach to music education developed by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki.
His idea is every child can learn music the same way they learn to talk - through listening, repetition, and lots of encouragement.
So how does it actually work?
Instead of jumping straight to reading music, Suzuki kids start by hearing and imitating — just like learning your first words. Songs are introduced by ear, parents are involved as "home teachers," and the focus is always on joy over pressure.