About the Studio
The Ottawa Suzuki Strings Institute (OSSI) is an ensemble of young violinists, violists, and cellists from two to twenty years of age. These young string players recieve their music education in Ottawa, Kansas, at the Carnegie Cultural Center in a program directed by violinist, Alice Joy Lewis. Their music study is based on the Talent Education approach of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.
The Ottawa Suzuki Strings have partnered with the Ottawa Community Arts Council to establish and maintain the Carnegie Cultural Center in Ottawa.
General Information
- There are no auditions for a select touring group; every student is welcome to work to be a tour-caliber performer
- The program is in its 42nd year, having been founded in 1966 by Alice Joy Lewis
- Ottawa Suzuki Strings, Inc. is a 501©3 organization. Donations to the group are tax deductible
- We host two summer music events in Ottawa annually in June — a 10-day SOUND ENCOUNTERS program for advanced string players and a 5-day Suzuki Institute Mid-Southwest program. These programs draw registrants internationally and from across the United States. Concerts are open to the public without charge.