In 1974, the Suzuki approach was introduced to the Rapid City area. After a small beginning, participation grew and in 1980, the Black Hills Suzuki School was formed to accommodate the many interested students. Today the School numbers over 110 students with six teachers on the staff: Liz Benusis, Carol Knowles, Deb Knowles, Elizabeth Knowles, Charlie Savot, and Coral White.

The School performs extensively, with six or more concerts and solo recitals each year. Its students have performed at state MENC conventions in South Dakota and Nebraska, led seminars at the University of Wyoming, the University of Minnesota, the University of Northern Colorado and Montana State University and appeared as featured guest soloists with the Black Hills Symphony and the Black Hills Chamber Society. In celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the introduction of the Suzuki method in the area in 1999, students, staff, and alumni participated in Disney's Magic Music Days at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. In 2003, the Suzuki School performed in the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, SD along with the South Dakota Honors Orchestra, the twenty-two member premier South Dakota High School string orchestra, many of whom were also Suzuki School students. The past five Black Hills Symphony Young Artist competition winners have been Black Hills Suzuki School students.

The Black Hills Suzuki School especially prides itself on its parnership with the Rapid City Area Schools String Department. Together, the two programs have built a string education program whose size and quality are exceptional in a town the size of Rapid City.