Welcome!
Here at the Suzuki Music School of San Jose, our core belief is that every child can learn. It is that core belief, and therefore the overwhelming support we as teachers and parents give that help the students grow into bright, musical, well-rounded people.
Our Community
The Suzuki Music School of San Jose focuses on the foundation of our students- their fundamentals of music and great instrument technique, yes, but also the phenomenal and life-changing personal development that comes from developing intrinsic motivation, perseverance, work ethic, and empathy. We use positive psychology and have loads of resources for parents to utilize at home so that practice is successful.
Our school offers its students not just individual instruction and attention, but builds a community of learning through regular group classes, events, and recitals. We engage with other area teachers and students in play-ins, masterclasses, and group performances. Music is a language and it is meant to be shared.
​
The Suzuki Music School of San Jose is located in Historic Japantown, San Jose.
The Suzuki Philosophy
Beautiful Tone, Beautiful Heart
- Dr. Suzuki
Growth Mindset
Every Child Can Learn!
Every child is born with talent, and that talent can be developed into musical skills, cooking skills, language skills, sports, mathematics, science, painting, etc. Dr. Suzuki focused on the violin because his family owned a violin manufacturing company and all played the violin. It could have just as easily been the 'Suzuki Chess' method or the 'Suzuki Rugby' method. The basic premiss is the same: We believe every child can. This Growth Mindset (to use a modern buzzword) is instilled in every parent and child that come through our doors.
Language Development
Ability Develops Early
Google 'How to get my baby to talk' and you'll see hundreds of recommendations to talk to your baby or sing to your baby, and do it early! Surround them with the sounds of your voice, the voices of loved ones, even in utero. The same concept can be applied to learning music. Start early, and listen often. For those too young for lessons, we offer Suzuki Early Childhood Music classes, our Early Years classes.
​
Nature vs. Nurture
Environment Nurtures Growth
Everything from the pace of lessons and group classes to the activities in each one, and the guidance for home practice is designed to nurture the child's growth and development. A positive, nurturing environment is integral to learning.
Our Teachers
Ms. Terra is a Suzuki violin, viola, and early childhood music educator. She has a Masters degree in Pedagogy and Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelors degree in Violin Performance from Arizona State University. She taught classes and applied lessons at the University of North Texas, and was the String Project Assistant Director there.
Ms. Terra is the director of the Suzuki Music School of San Jose, and directs the String Project at San Jose State University. .
​
Ms. Terra's Suzuki journey began when she was 8 years old. Since she began teaching the Suzuki method, she has been an active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She receives regular training and is committed to life long learning.
​
Some of her biggest influences have been her own teachers, Dr. Katherine McLin, and Violaine Melançon, as well as her teacher trainers, including Beth Titterington, Judy Bossuat-Gallic, Charles Krigbaum, and Danette Warren.
​
When Ms. Terra isn't teaching, she's out hiking or biking with her family, petting her 2 cats, or gardening.
​
