The Aber Suzuki Center, located in Stevens Point, WI, is the oldest Suzuki program in the state, and one of the few in the nation affiliated with a university. It is one of only 24 programs across the country that offers long-term, degree-granting training for teachers. It is also the home of the American Suzuki Institute, the oldest Suzuki summer school outside Japan, where hundreds of families take part in one- or two-week intensive Suzuki programs.
Did you know?
of Aber Suzuki Center students are adult learners
Students from 30 Wisconsin Communities are served by Aber Suzuki Center
of Aber Suzuki Center faculty hold advanced degrees and have extensive Suzuki training
About Suzuki Programs at UWSP
The Suzuki programs at UW-Stevens Point were founded by Margery Aber in 1967. The Aber Suzuki Center (ASC) is housed in state-of-the-art facilities in the Noel Fine Arts Center on the UWSP campus as well as satellite locations in neighboring cities.
ASC offers a year-round program that teaches music, using the Suzuki method, to approximately 230 students from over 30 central Wisconsin cities. The Aber Suzuki Center offers lessons and group classes for children and adults in the areas of Suzuki Early Childhood Education, violin, viola, cello, bass, voice, piano, guitar, harp, chamber music, and orchestra offering many solo and group performance opportunities.
Dr. Suzuki stated that the purpose of his approach to educational philosophy was not only to study music, but also to foster the development of well-rounded, compassionate, intelligent, and peace-loving human beings.
Many ASC students continue with lifelong involvement in music, and some go on to pursue professional careers in music. The excellent training available in the UWSP Suzuki programs provides a foundation of skills and depth of character that serves each student well in the pursuit of any life goals they set for themselves.
Every Child has Talent
The Suzuki method of music instruction is based on the premise that all children are born with talent. This talent can be developed in the same way they learn to speak their native language: at home, in a nurturing family centered environment. With the guidance of excellent teachers and the support of parents, Suzuki students learn to make music in the same way they learn to speak – by listening and imitating.
Suzuki Early Childhood Education
Specifically designed for children newborn to age 4, children and parents bond around singing and learning the concepts of high and low, loud and soft, and basic rhythm patterns. When a child graduates from the SECE class, both the parent and child have the foundation to start individual Suzuki music instruction on any instrument.
ASI Tree of Life
The “ASI Tree of Life” is a creation that was commissioned to celebrate 50 years of growth of the American Suzuki Institute. In 1971, Margery Aber, inspired by Shinichi Suzuki, planted the seed for the Institute. In this online version, the names off all of the faculty who have taught at ASI in these first 50 years are listed below the interactive tree. The leaves represent present-day families, alumni and friends whose lives have been touched by ASI and who support the ongoing process of Celebrating the Past – Shaping the Future.
Upcoming Events
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Aber Suzuki Center Faculty and Staff
Ann Marie Novak
- Director of Suzuki Programs
- Piano
