About Us

The Teacher

He is a graduate from Talent Education Institute Matsumoto, Japan with a degree in piano pedagogy and piano performance. There he studied for 4 years under the tutelage of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founder of the Suzuki Method, and Dr. Haruko Kataoka, co-developer of the Suzuki Piano Method. Mr. Suganuma is an early childhood education specialist, a developer of a pedagogical piano method, and the creator of several intellectual properties.

He has more than 20 years teaching experience to adults and children (as young as 2) in piano performance and music education. He organizes public charity concerts for the elderly, teaches group and private piano instruction, as well as special classes of Mathematics & Music relationships.

His professional experience include:

• Judge for the National Federated Festivals and the Florida Music Teachers Association.
• Summer music program instructor, Dr. Philips High School, Orlando FL (1987)
• After school piano instructor at Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa FL (1988-1990)
• Executive Board member of Tampa Music Teachers Association (2004-2006)
• Member of Friday Morning Musicale, Tampa FL
• Committee Member of National Federation of Music Clubs, Bay Ridge District

The Piano Studio

The studio has side-by-side grand pianos in a 250 sq. ft. carpeted learning environment, with a seating section to accommodate observing guest. There is an activity area where students enjoy learning music theory through games and multi-sensory instruction. Our studio is equipped to digitally record and produce CDs of student performances for auditions or personal keepsakes. Adjacent is a waiting room and media center for recital video reviews and a listening library with over 8,000 musical selections. Japanese custom is practiced in this studio and all are asked to remove their shoes before entering, with exceptions to those that require them.

The Academy

We are a State Certified Minority Business Enterprise. Academy of Musical Arts is dedicated to fulfilling the learning necessities of each student, with an objective to develop educational systems structured for all learning styles. We service the students by continuing to refine and develop through the practice of reflection and application. Our teaching system is flexible that caters to the needs of the student without compromising the structure of the lesson plan. At the academy, research is an on-going process where there is continued development, design, and innovative production for educational teaching systems and products. The Academy of Musical Arts offers structure in an organized learning system. Click here for more details.

What does the tuition include?
Your Tuition includes 35 private classes, 3 recitals, DVD movies of each recital in HD format, Recital Evaluations, Monthly, Mid-term, and Annual Progress Reports with graphs, and the privilege to participate in National Federation of Music Clubs Annual Music Festival.

What days and hours are the classes?
The Academy is open for classes Monday through Friday. Lesson times are usually scheduled after 3:00 p.m. Children not attending school or attending half days can be scheduled earlier in the day.

How long and how often are the lessons?
Children 5 years old and under will have a 30 minute lesson. Students 6 and older will need 60 minutes. Lessons are scheduled once a week.

When can I enroll?
New students entering may begin lessons anytime during the year when classes are in session. The Academy of Musical Arts calendar generally follows the Hillsborough County Public School calendar. See the Academy of Musical Arts calendar on the home page.

What will my child learn?
Aside from learning piano performance, your child will have the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge of basic music that include scales, arpeggios, chords, note reading, rhythm, harmony, and theory. Additionally, your child will have the opportunity to develop life skills. For more info visit our Top 10 Reasons to Study with the Academy page.

What kind of music will my child learn to play?
Beginning students learn folk songs from the North American culture. As the student advances, the repertoire moves to European classical and American contemporary composers.

How long does the average child take piano lessons?
In this school, the earlier a child starts the longer they will continue lessons. The average length for children beginning under six years old is 7 years. (On the other hand, students beginning older than six, on average, study for half the amount.) The longest length a student enrolled in this academy was 16 years. The average among the longest length of study is about 10 years.

What is the advantage starting piano lesson at a young age?
Children who start young, learn fast and readily incorporate practice as a part of their daily activity. More experience contributes to high performance skills compared to their peers.

Science shows that the brain of a 3-year-old has twice as many brain "wiring" connections than the adult brain. If they are not used repeatedly, they are eliminated. Early childhood education increases the degree of neuroplasticity (the brain ability to reorganize neural pathways based on new experiences). Additionally, studies found that the musician brain have larger corpus callosum (the part connecting the left and right hemisphere of the brain) which may result in enhanced communication between the two halves of the brain.

Do you teach adults?
Yes. We offer a 12 week beginning course.

History

The Academy of Musical Arts has its roots in the Suzuki Method. Originally, the school started as a Suzuki Method piano school, adhering to the same standards and style in which it is conducted in Matsumoto, Japan. Early on, cultural differences made it necessary to add features to the program so that the students and parents could learn more effectively. Through the years, the program continued to be enhanced with the creation of specialized teaching aids, a theory book, and a beginning piano method with a repertoire to match the pedagogical system. In the mid-90's, the program ceased as a Suzuki Method when the differences were so much greater than the similarities.