Suzuki Institute hopes for harmonious scholarship fundraiser

When Joyce Mizer opened the Suzuki Institute School of Music in 1989, the school was a one-student operation with a dream: Help children adopt a love of music.

Since then, the school has grown to an enrollment of nearly 250 and a teaching staff of nine professionals from across the country and the continent. And its mission has expanded to create a place of learning for all children, regardless of their financial situation.

In the past 10 years, Mizer and her husband, Darryl, have awarded around 200 scholarships to students, whether that means helping them rent their instrument or pay tuition.

“It breaks your heart when you see a child come in that really wants to have music in their life, and for the parents to walk out because they can’t afford it,” Joyce Mizer says. “It’s a horrible reality that shouldn’t be there yet it is.”

Mizer says music is a great tool for children to have because it helps them not only do better in school but improves discipline, self esteem and other valuable life skills. She believes they need it in their lives — and she will do everything she can to ensure they have it.

The demand seems to go up every year, Mizer says, and although she and her husband have been able to carry the extra costs for the past few years, things are getting too costly.

“We’ve put a lot of our own money into this the past few years, between $7,000 and $10,000 a year just to have these children continue, but we can’t do that anymore,” Darryl Mizer says.

Their solution is what they hope to be the school’s biggest fundraiser yet. Suzuki will host a silent auction fundraiser Feb. 3 featuring hors d’oeuvres, beverages, live music by the students and an auction with everything from original jewelry to cosmetic surgery.

Last year the school hosted a yard sale for its annual fundraiser, but the parents opted for a more formal silent auction with the hopes of bringing in more money in this time of need.

“We need to make it happen this time or it doesn’t happen,” Joyce Mizer says.

Asked about the success of her scholarship students, Joyce Mizer’s eyes brighten. She tells stories of students who almost had to quit lessons but were able to continue with the help of a scholarship — and went on to join professional orchestras, get their masters in music (one at Harvard), and for one, play with some of today’s biggest country music stars.

Joyce Mizer wants to help as many children from lower-income families as she can, but at the core of her passion is a desire to affect every student’s life.

The Suzuki method is child-focused, she says, and is known for a more nurturing approach rather than the strict, stereotypical music school setting many people experience. This method allows students to learn instruments at a younger age and then learn to read music at their own pace.

Offering both private and group lessons, she says her approach is all about making her students happy and teaching a love for music. 

“With so many different things happening in the world, we’re just so grateful that we have a place where kids can come and find a whole different attitude — one of positive reinforcement that builds up the child and helps them realize the potential they have.”