ASO String Academy

The mission of the ASO String Academy is to provide an opportunity for excellence in the pursuit of high-quality musical education, based on the methods and philosophies of Shinichi Suzuki, Mimi Zweig and Paul Rolland. This is a proven method for developing confidence, creative thinking, and a general work ethic that will assist students' musical and non-musical endeavors. The students of the Academy receive weekly group and private lessons, as well as performance opportunities throughout the semester.

The ASO String Academy is fortunate to have a faculty of world-class musicians and teachers.

New Student? Contact the director kwilliamson@arkansassymphony.org at time of registration.

Offering weekly private and group lessons for violin and cello

  • For violin, we accept students ages 4 -18.
  • For cello, we accept students ages 7-18.
  • Offering group and individual performance opportunities
    • Private lessons once a week (lesson length and teacher assignment determined by the instructor) *please check with instructor before registering for a new lesson duration
    • Teachers for the private lesson might be different from the group lesson

Fees (based on the length of private lessons)

  • 30-minute private lesson: $550
  • 45-minute private lesson: $710
  • 60-minute private lesson: $870
  • Fees include all group and private lessons and activities in the semester

DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE DIRECTOR WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIP OR FOR A COPY OF ACADEMY HANDBOOK

VIOLIN CLASS TIMES

  • Mondays
    • Beginner Violin: Mondays 5:00 - 5:45 PM Classroom 2 with Ms. Katherine
    • Book 1 Violin: Mondays 6:00 - 6:45 PM Classroom 2 with Ms. Katherine
  • Tuesdays
    • Intermediate Class (Book 2-3): Tuesdays 5:00-5:45pm Classroom 2 with Ms. Katherine
    • Advanced Violin & Viola Class (Book 4+): Tuesdays 6:00-6:45pm Classroom 2 with Ms. Katherine
  • Saturdays
    • Beginners Group Class Only (no private lesson): Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 am Classroom 1 with Ms. Katherine

CELLO CLASS TIMES

  • Mondays
    • Beginner Cello: Mondays 5:00 - 5:45 PM Classroom 1 with Ms. Jo
    • Book 1 Cello: Mondays 6:00 - 6:45 PM Classroom 1 with Ms. Jo
  • Tuesdays
    • Intermediate Class (Book 2-3): Tuesdays 5:00-5:45pm Classroom 1 with Ms. Jo
    • Advanced Cello Class (Book 4+): Tuesdays 6:00-6:45pm Classroom 1 with Ms. Jo

2025-2026 Schedule

*Tuition is due by Monday August 18th, 2025.

Parent Meeting & Open House: Saturday August 16th, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Fall '25 Dates: Monday, August 18th - Sunday, December 14th.
No Group Classes Labor Day weekend, August 30th - September 1st.
Fall Break: October 20th - October 26th
Make-up week: Monday, December 15th - December 20th.

Saturday, November 1st - Halloween Concert at 3:00 PM.
Saturday, November 8th - Opus Ball from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Friday, December 12th - Solo Recital I at 5:00PM
Sunday, December 14th - Solo Recital II at 12:00PM
Spring '26 Dates: Monday, January 12th - Sunday, May 3rd.
Make-up week: May 4th - May 9th.

Faculty Contact Information

Katherine Williamson

Director/Violin Instructor

Lauren Pokorzynski

Violin Instructor

Geronimo Oyenard

Violin Instructor

Joanna Klett

Cello instructor