History and Philosophy

Queens Music Academy started as Sunnyside string school when Ms. Choi started to teach violins and cello with couple neighborhood children in 2009 spring. now it has grown to have more than 10 teachers teaching all instruments 7 days a week and open throughout the whole year!

QMA is a comprehensive music school and offers complete children’s music program, ages 3 through all ages, who wish to develop performance skills and an understanding of music theory and literature. We welcome children at all levels and also offering a wide variety of programs. Classes include: private lessons for all orchestral and band instruments, as well as piano, voice, guitar, and composition; rock bands and string ensembles and Suzuki piano, violin, and cello classes.

We welcome you to join our musical family and explore the many opportunities available to students enrolled in the program.

Choi Fairbanks
Director of qma

Our philosophy and methods follows by Dr. Suzuki and Shirley Givens.

The essence of his philosophy may be found in the following quotes from his many writings:

"Character first, ability second".

"Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited".

"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets beautiful heart."

"Where love is deep, much will be accomplished."

"My dream is for the happiness of all children. I feel respect and friendly feelings for everyone. In particular, I cannot help but feel respect and warm feelings for young children. And my heart brims over with a desire to help make all the children born upon the earth fine human beings, happy people, people of superior ability. My whole life energies are devoted to this end."

"Man is the son of his environment."

"I have no doubt that people are born with hereditary physiological differences, but I believe that a person's abilities grow and develop depending on the stimulation from outside."

"I firmly believe that any child can become superior, and my confidence has never been betrayed."

"An unlimited amount of ability can develop when parent and child are having fun together."

"Music is a language that goes beyond speech and letters - a living art that is almost mystical. This is where its emotional impact comes in. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven - without exception they live clearly and palpably in their music, and speak forcefully to us, purifying us, refining us, and awakening in us the highest joy and emotion."