String Academy at K-State
Developing young musicians.
Training exceptional music educators.
The String Academy at K-State provides one-on-one instruction for students of all ages and levels of experience studying the violin, viola, cello, or bass. The Academy is a teacher training program, where students receive musical instruction under the guidance of apprentice teachers, supervised by master pedagogues.
The Program
Private lessons are a proven way to support the success of young musicians in training. The String Academy at K-State provides 12 lessons each semester culminating in a recital demonstrating the growth of all students in the program. Instruction is provided by advanced graduate and undergraduate string students at K-State under the supervision of Dr. Syneva Colle.
Fall 2026 lessons will be held weekly Monday through Thursday beginning August 31, 2026. All lessons will be held in Nichols Hall on the K-State campus. The tuition for each semester is as follows:
30-Minute Lesson - $25/lesson - $300/semester
45-Minute Lesson - $37.50/lesson - $450/semester
60-Minute Lesson - $50/lesson - $600/semester
50-Minute Beginning Violin Class - $150/semester (Instruments Provided)
Tuition may be paid in one payment due no later than August 31, or in three equal installments due no later than Aug. 31, Oct. 5, and Nov. 2.
Any make-up lessons will take place no later than one week after the missed lesson. Teachers will not be required to make-up any lessons canceled less than 12 hours prior to the scheduled lesson time.
Students receiving private instruction must obtain their own instrument and any required music.
Registration
We are currently updating our registration system to better serve you with a more streamlined registration process! Please check this website for updates after June 1, 2026. You can also reach us with questions at stringacademy@ksu.edu.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Syneva Colle Hernández, Director & Teacher Supervisor
Professor of Cello and String Education at K-State, Dr. Colle cares about making music accessible to communities of all ages. As a Teaching Artist with the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, she coached young musicians from elementary through high school ages. She served for twelve years on the faculty of the W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville, TN, and brings over twenty years of private teaching experience as a cellist and pianist.
Suzie Johnston, Administrator & Violin/Viola Instructor
Suzie Johnston is a passionate teacher who focuses on child development through music. A teacher with over twenty-five years of private instruction experience, Johnston has received registered training in the Paul Rolland and Suzuki Pedagogy methods. She believes that every child can learn in a caring environment that is tailored to their individual learning style.
Questions?
If you have any specific questions about the String Academy, you can reach our team at stringacademy@ksu.edu.