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About Me

My name is Simon Griffiths.  I have been a violin teacher for more than 40 years.   I have taught beginners from the age of 3 years old all the way to adult.  I have had students pass diploma exams with Royals Schools and Trinity College.  I have had students that have gone on to do violin performance at University.  I started violin at 9 years old and when I was 10 years old I started Suzuki Violin lessons in Hamilton, NZ.  In 1983 I went to Matsumoto, Japan to study at the Talent Education Institute with Dr Suzuki and Miss Mori.   I attended Auckland University and Ithaca College in upstate New York.  I have done Suzuki Teacher Training with many teachers in the USA, Australia and NZ.  My wife, Stacey Shuck and I ran a successful violin studio in Pt Chevalier, Auckland for 25 years until Stacey's untimely passing in 2021.  In mid 2025 I moved just north of Whangarei. 

Violin Lessons with Me

Although I have been involved with Suzuki Associations in NZ, Japan and the USA for 40+ years I am no longer a registered Suzuki teacher.   I will continue to use the Suzuki Repertoire for Books 1 and 2 for beginners but will then select repertoire according to each individual student's needs and interests.  I will draw from the vast violin repertoire of different styles from all musical periods.  I will focus strongly on learning to read music at the appropriate time according to age and level. I can also help with basic music theory.  I enjoy developing meaningful relationships with my students and will always strive to make the learning environment positive and joyful.  There is no failure in music learning.

Violin Lesson Details


Lesson - Venue

Lessons will take place online, at my home at Opuawhanga 

or at a central Whangarei location yet to be arranged.


Lesson Lengths

Lessons for young beginners usually last  20 minutes.

Older beginners will have 30 - 45 minute lessons.

Advanced students will have 1 hour lessons.


Lesson Fees

Lesson Fees will be based on $65 per hour.

Lesson Fees will be invoiced at the end of each school term for the lessons taken during the term.  Lesson fees will be due within 7 days of receipt of the invoice.


Tuition Structure

Lessons will follow the school terms and holidays.


Online Lessons

Online lessons are held using Zoom.  A laptop or desktop computer with a good internet connection is required. Lessons using phones or tablets are discouraged.


What to have at every lesson

Pencil and notebook

Music and music stand

A device to record practise points (phone/tablet etc.)


Violin Studio Policies

Attendance and missed lessons

By agreeing to have lessons with me you agree to booking a weekly time slot for the whole school term.  You will still need to pay for this lesson time even

if for some reason you are unable to make it at that time.  When possible, and depending on my schedule, I may offer a make-up lesson during the same calendar

week as the missed lesson.  If you cannot attend a make-up lesson during the same calendar week as the scheduled lesson you will be charged for the missed lesson.

You will not receive a credit for cancelled lessons unless you and your child are attending an educational or musical event, or are seriously ill.

If you are planning to take extended time off from lessons, e.g. for a vacation, please let me know in advance as soon as you can so that I can adjust my schedule accordingly.

Note: You must give at least 48 hours notice if attending an educational or musical event and 24 hours notice in the event of an illness.


Behavioral expectations

Learning the violin is a privilege, and lessons must be treated with the respect they deserve.

 If a student’s behavior during a lesson does not reflect this, I reserve the right to end that week’s lesson at any point. 

You will be credited the price of the lesson.


Expectations for caregivers of young students

Music lessons are a collaboration between the teacher, caregiver, and student, so there must be a commitment to

learn and engage from all three parties. Particularly in the early stages of learning, a caregiver must be present

at all lessons to take notes.  In online lessons, caregivers may need to act as the teacher’s “hands”,  following

instructions and helping the student as needed.  This is non-negotiable.  It is expected that a caregiver will need to practice at home during

the week with all beginners until an age and/or level is reached that makes it possible for them to work effectively on their own.  

Caregivers must take responsibility for ensuring regular practice and listening. Students will not excel without regular practice.


Practicing and listening

Regular practice and listening must occur for progress to be made. Students should be practicing at minimum of

4 - 5 days a week (lessons count as practicing!) and listening to their newest repertoire on a regular basis.


Student ending lessons

If you decide to cease lessons with me please discuss this with me first.


Teacher ending lessons

From time to time, there may be students who I feel would be better suited to a different teacher. If this occurs, I

will set up a conversation with you and we will decide on next steps together.


Communication

Please communicate with me. I am more than willing to work with you to find a solution for any issues that may

arise, but you must communicate with me in order to reach a resolution.

What to have easily accessible/bring

 Pencil and notebook

 Music and music stand

Tuition structure

Lessons will run year-round, with a 3-4 week break in December-January and an optional—but highly

recommended—5-6 week break during the summer.