Egypt’s First Independent Suzuki Music School Outside Cairo Opera House

The Cairo Suzuki Music Center was founded by Dr. Mona Fikry in 1997, beginning as Egypt’s first independent Suzuki music school outside the Cairo Opera House and initially offering a piano class. A pioneer of the Suzuki Method in the country, Dr. Mona Fekry brought her deep classical training and her passion for nurturing young musicians to create an environment where music is not only taught but lived.

Expansion to Violin Education with Georges & Samuel Mohsen

In 2007, the Center expanded its program with the opening of the violin class, led by Georges and Samuel Mohsen. Their addition marked a new chapter for the school, bringing the same Suzuki philosophy of learning through encouragement, repetition, and community to the world of strings.

2001 – Arabic Translation of Nurtured by Love by Dr. Mohsen Edward

The commitment of the family to the Suzuki Method extended beyond teaching. In 2001, Dr. Mona Fekry’s husband, Dr. Mohsen Edward, translated Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s famous book Nurtured by Love into Arabic.

Misson

Nurturing Young Musicians and Lifelong Love of Music

At the Cairo Suzuki Music Center, we follow the vision of Japanese violinist and educator Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, who believed that “Every child can.” This approach recognizes that talent is not an inborn gift for the few, but a potential in all children that can be developed through the right environment. Lessons are designed to respect each child’s individual pace, encouraging progress without pressure while inspiring perseverance and self-discipline

To meet the needs of today’s young musicians, The CSMC have adapted the Suzuki philosophy in several ways:

• Early integrating music reading: Although Suzuki’s original philosophy delayed music reading, we introduce it earlier and separately. Beginners may attend theory or “reading readiness” classes alongside their instrumental studies to build their reading skills, while also developing ear training through listening and singing.
  
• Broader repertoire: While the core Suzuki repertoire is still used, we supplement it with other musical styles, especially Romantic and modern works. In the piano program, Dr. Mona introduces composers such as Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninov earlier and more extensively than in the official Suzuki curriculum, giving her students a deeper engagement with expressive and technically rich works from a young age. In the violin program, Georges & Samuel expand the repertoire further, incorporating Romantic and modern era works, alongside popular styles such as Disney songs, contemporary pop, and Egyptian music.
  They also emphasize the early integration of technical exercises and scales, helping students build a solid foundation for technique and musicality from the start.
  
• Teacher flexibility: Our teachers are encouraged to blend supplementary materials into the standard Suzuki literature to suit each student’s individual needs.

Lessons are designed to respect each child’s individual pace, encouraging progress without pressure while inspiring perseverance and self-discipline.

For almost three decades, our mission has been to create a warm, welcoming space where children can grow, support one another, and discover the joy of making music together. Over the years, we have witnessed our students learn, overcome challenges, push their limits, and build lifelong friendships — all while developing a deep love for music that extends far beyond the classroom.