Teacher Classes 

  • To help train successful Suzuki teachers, the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) has set up a teacher development program.
  • Teachers interested in studying the Suzuki philosophy, pedagogy and other aspects of the method enroll in courses corresponding to each book. 
  • Registration fee will be refunded if class is cancelled.

Click on a heading below to see more information.   

 

 Important Information for all Teacher Training Participants
  • Every Child Can! (ECC!) must be taken prior to beginning Book 1 training. 
  • Training for Books 1, 2 and 3 must be completed in order. After that, books may be studied in any order. 
  • Auditions are required prior to beginning Book 1 training. Audition requirements can be found on the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) website.
  • For all teacher training courses except ECC participants must: 
    • Be an active SAA member, 
    • Be 17 or older,
    • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent. 
  • All participants will be performing in class. 
  • All participants (excepts pianists) are required to bring their own instruments. 
  • 100% attendance is required in order to register a course with the SAA. 
  • No videotaping is allowed in class. 
  • All participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s book Nurtured by Love. 
  • After May 31, registrations will only be accepted if space is available in the course you wish to take. Late fees will apply.
  • $50 tuition rebate will be given to teachers who sign up for two Suzuki core units. (SECE, Practicum and Supplemental courses not included)
  • Course Cancellations 
    • ASI may cancel teacher training courses if enrollment is insufficient.
    • Please enroll by May 31 so that a course you wish to take is not cancelled.
    • If a course you enroll for is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, you will be notified
      by June 29 and your registration fee will be returned.
    • If you choose to purchase a non-refundable plane ticket before June 29, ASI will not be liable.
  • Two college credits per unit, undergraduate or graduate, are available through UWSP Continuing Education. 
    • Registering for credits means substantial savings for out-of-state teachers (around 50%). 
    • Contact the ASI office for details. 
    • You must notify us by June 1 if you plan to take teacher training for college credit. 
  • UWSP offers undergraduate and graduate music degrees with Suzuki emphasis. 
    • Scholarship assistance is available during the academic year for highly qualified applicants. 
    • Contact the ASI office for information.

 Class Offerings
​Class Date
 Course Name​ ​Instructor
​July 22, 2018 (9 a.m. -12 and 2-5 p.m.) ​Every Child Can!  Pat D'Ercole
July 29-August 4, 2018​ ​Bass 5  Virginia Dixon
​July 29-August 4,2018 Cello 2  Nancy Hair
July 29-August 4, 2018 ​Harp 2 Delaine Fedson Leonard
​​​July 29-August 4, 2018 ​​Piano - Revisiting Book 1 Annette Lee
​​July 22-28, 2018​ Flute 2 ​​Meret Bitticks
July 29-August 4, 2018 ​Viola 4 Sarah Montzka
​July 22-August 4, 2018​Violin 1​Pat D'Ercole
​​July 22-28, 2018 ​Violin 2 Nancy Lokken
July 29-August 4, 2018 ​​Violin 3 Nancy Lokken
​July 22-28, 2018 ​Violin 4 ​Nancy Jackson
July 29-August 4, 2018 Violin 5 Nancy Jackson
​​July 22-28, 2018 ​Violin 6 Alice Joy Lewis
​​July 29-August 4, 2018 ​Violin 7 Ann Monztka Smelser
​​July 22-28, 2018 ​Violin 8 Carol Dallinger
​July 29-August 4, 2018​Violin 9​Carol Dallinger
​July 29-August 4, 2018​Development of Technical Skills Across the Suzuki Violin Rep
- Book 1-6

Alice Joy Lewis

​July 22-28, 2018 ​Violin Practicum ​Ann Montzka Smesler
​July 22-28, 2018 ​Voice 2 ​​Mary Hofer
​July 29-August 4, 2018​Voice 3​Mary Hofer
​​​July 22-28, 2018 ​​Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Stage 1 Sharon Jones
​July 29-August 4, 2018 Suzuki Early Childhood Education Stage 3 Sharon Jones
​ ​ ​

 Every Child Can! (ECC!)
  • July 22, 2018, 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 2:00-5:00 pm
  • $125 
  • For teachers, prospective teachers, parents, and others interested in the Suzuki philosophy and method
  • Required first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Development Program
  • Six-hour course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning
  • Taught by Pat D'Ercole

 

 Book 1
  • 28 hours of instruction
  • 15 hours of observation 
  • $775
  • Must take Every Child Can! (ECC) prior to beginning Book 1
  • Must complete the SAA audition process prior to beginning Book 1 training
  • Latest deadline is 10 days befor the start of the course, however ealier 
    auditions have benifits and incentives. See the SAA audition deadline
  • Read Dr. Suzuki’s Nurtured by Love 
  • Memorize Book 1 repertoire
  • Must take Book 1 before completing other book levels 

    •  Revisiting Unit 1 for Piano

    The Revisiting Unit 1 course is designed for teachers who have registered a minimum of Unit 1 and have at least one year of Suzuki teaching experience. It aims to strengthen and update one’s teaching by approaching the repertoire and its concepts from a fresh perspective.

    • Discussions cover the foundation of Book 1, including:
      • application of the Suzuki philosophy
      • teaching points
      • layering of skills
      • addressing challenges of the beginning student, and more.
    • Format of the course includes lecture, small group discussion, student observation, possible role-playing, and playing demonstration of the teaching points and concepts
    • Participants will receive an online questionnaire from the SAA, to be completed prior to the start of the course.
    • Entrance Requirements:
    • Suzuki teachers who have completed/registered ECC! and Unit 1 (or 1A and 1B)
    • Have taught at least one year
    • 15 hours of class time
    • 3 hours of observations (An additional 5-12 hrs. of observation are possible leaving you free to do observations of choice)
    • Maximum of 15 participants; suggested minimum of 3 participants
    • No auditors
    • No other course may be taken simultaneously
    • Piano Revisiting Unit 1 July 29 - Aug 4 will be facilitated by Annette Lee.
    • $445

     

     Books 2 & up
    • 15 hours of instruction
    • 8 hours of observation
    • $445
    • Books 1, 2 and 3 must be taken in order. After Book 3, further book training may be completed in any order.
    • Book 5 and above must have completed the SAA advanced or comprehensive audition.  
    • Prepare repertoire to be studied to the point of fluent performance. 
    • Memorization is not required, but is recommended. 
    • Read or re-read Dr. Suzuki’s Nurtured by Love and Ability Development from Age Zero.

     

     Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Stage 1

    SECE Stage One introduces child development from birth to age 3.

    • Topics include:  
      • The importance of the Suzuki approach to early education. 
      • The prenatal and postnatal learning environment. 
      • The baby/toddler class curriculum and goals. 
      • The equipment used in class. 
      • The team teaching approach. 
      • The sequence of the baby/Toddler class curriculum.
      • Teaching strategies.
      • A brief introduction to prenatal music stimulation.
    • Daily written class observation assignments are given each trainee. Each trainee has an opportunity to lead an activity in the daily baby/toddler class during the training week.
    • 25 hours of instruction and observation
    • $500
    • July 22 - 29, 2018
    • Taught by Sharon Jones
    • Prerequisite reading is Nurtured By Love and Ability Development from Age Zero by Dr. Suzuki, and Lullabies, Actions Songs and Rhymes (Handbook and CD) by Dorothy Jones.
    .

     

     Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Stage 3

    This stage assumes teacher experience in the classroom and addresses how new ideas are developed. Study includes:

    • Baby/Toddler class curriculum and goals (including new ideas for stimulating more excitement in classes)
    • Discussion about how teachers can help parents to become excellent observers of not only their own child but the others in the class
    • Techniques for encouraging celebration of each small achievement.
    • Documentation and a brief look at the Reggio Emilia approach to documentation
    • Ongoing research in prenatal stimulation
    • Examination of the teacher’s own resources for Suzuki ECE
    • There is a minimum of one written assignment required during this week.
    • Each trainee has an opportunity to lead an activity in the daily baby/toddler class during the training week.
    • 25 hours of instruction and observation 
    • $500
    • July 29 - Aug 4, 2018
    • Taught by Sharon Jones
    • Stage 1 and 2  are prerequisites

     Violin Practicum
  • The SAA Practicum Unit™ is a short-term unit developed to enhance the SAA’s system of short-term workshop training.
  • While unit core training mainly focuses on Suzuki repertoire and instrumental technique, the emphasis of the Practicum is on honing the art of teaching.
  • Topics to be explored will include communication skills, teaching strategies, diagnostics and observation.
  • In a nurturing and supportive environment of peers, using video footage from their home studio and on-site teaching, participants will practice self-assessment skills to identify their strengths in teaching and those areas in need of improvement.
  • In keeping with the SAA’s commitment to life-long learning, the Practicum will provide teachers with an invaluable opportunity at any stage in their development. 
  • The practicum may be taken any time after Book 1. 
  • Violin Practicum will be presented by Ann Montzka-Smelser
  • Class maximum of five
  • $475
  • July 22 - 28, 2018 

    •  

     The Development of Technical Skills Across the Suzuki Violin Repertoire Books 1-6
    • Presented by Alice Joy Lewis
    • $445
    • July 29-Aug 4, 2018 
    • Prerequisite: Violin Books 1-6
    • Bring your instrument and music stand
    • Course includes:

    Left Hand Considerations:

    • Developing facility in various keys
    • Preparation for and development of vibrato
    • Shifting
    • Double-stops

    Bow Hand/Arm Considerations:

    • Balance
    • Development of various tone colors through use of weight, speed, and point of contact
    • Preparing for a variety of bowing styles including:
      • staccato
      • detache
      • legato
      • martele
      • sautille
      • ondule/bariolage
      • spicatto

     Institute Observer
  • Available for teachers who wish only to observe the teaching of students enrolled at the American Suzuki Institute. 
  • Observers may not attend Teacher Training classes. 
  • Observers are free to design their own schedule.  There is no course work or performing participation requirements. 
  • Any adult who is not enrolled in a Teacher Training classes, or is not the parent/guardian of an enrolled student must enroll as an observer. 
  • Observer fee: $200 per week or $40 per day, no registration fee required

    •  

     Free Midday Lectures
  • Three to four lectures per day scheduled Monday-Thursday at 11:05am and 5:05pm. 
  • Attendance is optional, unless assigned by the teacher trainer of your class. 
  • Topics may include Suzuki Philosophy, communication, parent-child interaction, goals, early childhood development, working with teenagers, or instrumental techniques and musicianship. 
  • You will receive a schedule of lectures upon check-in.
  • An opportunity for added value unique to the America Suzuki Institute

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