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Please check back for detailed information and forms.

2023 Teacher Development Courses Will Be Offered Online and In-Person (see list below)

All standard audition and course sequence requirements apply  Linc and Peter.jpg

All times are Central Time (US)​​

Classes and observations are offered in the earlier part of the day (see below), but there are many other enriching events in the latter part of each day as well. Whether online or in-person, we hope you will immerse yourself in the "total ASI experience." While individual schedules will not be ready until 2 weeks prior to the Institute, we are offering the general schedule below to help you plan your week(s).

General Schedule:

Meeting for all Teacher Workshop Participants on Sunday evening (prior to the course week) is required

8:00 am-11:00 am pedagogy and/or observations
11:05 am - teacher/parent lectures
1:00 pm-4:00 pm - pedagogy and/or observations
Please note that enrichment course hours are set to allow for participating in Unit courses during the same week.
4:00 pm recitals (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)
Evenings include guest artists, faculty concerts, talent shows, chamber concert, etc.

Courses are offered both online and in-person (10-person maximum). Please see below for details regarding specific courses, trainers, and dates.

Note: Festival C​oncerts take place on the Fridays of both weeks. Teacher Workshop Participants are asked to help with concerts and are invited to play in them. Please plan to stay for this exciting event!

Teacher Development Program


  • 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. 
  • Fee will be refunded only if a class is canceled by ASI.
  • 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 18​​​ 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 video recording is allowed in class. 
  • All participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s book Nurtured by Love
  • Early bird deadline is M​​ay 31. Late fees will be assessed after that time.
  • $40 tuition rebate will be given to teachers who sign up for two Suzuki core units. (SECE, Practicum, Enrichment, and Supplemental courses not included).
  • Course Cancellations 
    • ASI may cancel teacher training courses if enrollment is insufficient.
    • ASI will cancel teacher training courses on June 27 if enrollment is insufficient. Please register as early as possible so we do not cancel a course in which you would like to enroll.
    • If a course​ is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, you will be notified
      by June 29 and your fees will be refunded.
    • Please use the SAA website to check Teacher Training class enrollments.
    • If you choose to purchase a non-refundable plane ticket before June 29, ASI will not be liable.

 Class Offerings

​Class Date
Course Name​ ​Instructor
July 15 and 16, 2023 (1 pm-5pm CST) ​Every Child Can! Collee​n Fitzgerald
July 16-29, 2023
​Bass 1
Virgini​a Dixon
​July 3-5 AND 23-25, 2023
Cello 9/10 (18 Class hours plus individual coachings) - (online only)
Tanya Carey

​July 23-29, 2023
​Harp 2
Phala Tracy
​July 16-22 AND July 23-30, 2023
​Violin 1Amanda Schubert

​​July 17-23, 2023
​Violin 2
Pat D'Ercole
July 24-30, 2023
​​Violin 3
Pat D'Ercole 
​July 23-29, 2023
​Violin 4 (Online Only)
Ann Montzka Smelser 
July 16-22, 2023
Violin 5
Beth Titterington​

  
​​July 23-29, 2023
​Violin 6
Beth Titterington
​​July 16-22, 2023
​Voice2
Mary Hofer
​​July 23-29, 2023
​Voice 5
Amelia Seyssel
​​​July 16-22, 2022
​​SECE Stage 1 (In-person only)
Sharon Jones
​July 23-29, 2022
​SECE Stage 4 (In-person only)
Sharon Jones
​July 17-23 and/or 24-30, 2022
​Kitchen Table Violin Repairs (In-person only)
Dalton Potter

 Every Child Can! (ECC!)

  • July 15 and 16, 2023, 1:00 - 5:00 pm (total of 8 hours)
  • Cost: $150 
  • 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
  • Eight-hour course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning
  • Taught by Colleen Fitzgerald​

 

 Book 1

  • 28 hours of instruction
  • 15 hours of observation 
  • Cost: $820
  • Violin Book 1 taught by Amanda Schubert
  • July 16-29
  • Must take Every Child Can! (ECC) prior to beginning Book 1 (Can be taken at ASI on July 16 and 17, 2022)
  • Must complete the SAA audition process prior to beginning Book 1 training
  • Latest deadline is 10 days before the start of the course; however, earlier 
    auditions have benefits 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
  • Classes do not meet on Saturday and Sunday.

 Books 2 & up

  • 15 hours of instruction
  • 8 hours of observation
  • Cost: $475
  • Books 1, 2 and 3 must be taken in sequence. After Book 3, unit 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.
  • $40 tuition rebate will be given to teachers who sign up for two Suzuki core units. (SECE, Practicum and Supplemental courses not included).

 

 Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE)

In order to create a more inclusive SECE repertoire, the SAA and the SECE trainers have revised the SECE curriculum. 

IMG_0405 (2).jpeg

  • Pre-requisites:  
    • Completion of Every Child Can (ECC!) or Filosofia.
    • SAA Membership - Join the SAA.
    • SECE candidates must be able to sing in tune, keep a steady beat, and must have studied the songs and rhymes of the original English language version fo the SECE curriculum. Cnadidates must be prepared to perform the songs and rhymes during the SECE training and lead activities in the demonstration class.
  • Cost: $550
  • This course is not offered online.
  • Taught by Sharon Jones 
  • Each stage is taught 6 hours per day, over 5 days.
  • Prerequisite reading:
    •  Nurtured By Love by Dr. Suzuki
    • Ability Development from Age Zero by Dr. Suzuki
    • Lullabies, Actions Songs and Rhymes (Handbook and CD) by Dorothy Jones.

 Midday Teacher/Parent Lectures

  • Three to four lectures per day and presented by ASI trainers and faculty. Monday-Thursday at 11:05am. 
  • Attendance at these lectures 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

 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 schedules.  There is no coursework 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: $210 per week; no registration fee required

 American Suzuki Foundation Scholarships

 The American Suzuki Foundation (ASF) is located in Stevens Point. It provides scholarship and support for both the Aber Suzuki Center and the American Suzuki Institute. The generosity of the ASF has helped hundreds of families and teachers to pursue their dreams of musical excellence, whether in the home or in the studio.

The Teacher Training Scholarships are given in honor of Dr. Suzuki's commitment to teacher education and are highly coveted. The awards are of varying amounts and are based on demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Suzuki philosophy. A video audition and recommendations are required.

The American Suzuki Institute is deeply grateful for the support given by the ASF over the years. More information and forms can be found on our Registration Forms page or below.

Teacher Traning Scholarship Recommendation ​​​  (2 recommendations required)

Special American Suzuki Foundation Rebate!  The American Suzuki Foundation is offering five $500 rebates for in-person training to offset the cost of room and board at ASI 2023. Contact the ASI office at suzuki@uwsp.edu by May 1. Please include the following information in your email:

  • The unit you are intending to study. Preference will be given to Unit 1 participants.
  • Why you would like to attend ASI in person this summer.​​​​

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Teaching Improvisation in the Studio

  • Have you wanted to teach your students to freely explore their creativity through improvisation? If so, this enrichment course is for you! Explore your own unique voice - all instruments welcomed.  
  • Cost: $230
  • Taught by Randal Harrison-Hoecherl
  • Course will be taught in-person only
  • All enrichment courses will be scheduled around Unit courses, to allow for participation in both during the same week
​​ ​The American Suzuki Foundation (ASF) is located in Stevens Point. It provides scholarship and support for both the Aber Suzuki Center and the American Suzuki Institute. The generosity of the ASF has helped hundreds of families and teachers to pursue their dreams of musical excellence, whether in the home or in the studio.

The Teacher Training Scholarships are given in honor of Dr. Suzuki's commitment to teacher education and are highly coveted. The awards are of varying amounts and are based on demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Suzuki philosophy. A video audition and recommendations are required.

The American Suzuki Institute is deeply grateful for the support given by the ASF over the years. More information and forms can be found on our Registration Forms page or below.

Teacher Training Scholarship Application and Checklist (registration form required)
Teacher Traning Scholarship Recommendation

 ‭(Hidden)‬ 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 size is a maximum of five
  • Cost: $490
  • July 24-30, 2022

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Cello Teaching Strategies


  • Cello Teaching Strategies is being offered as a 10-hour course, and will be meet approximately 2 hours per day, 
  • Designed to support and guide teacher participants in how to become more effective in their teaching. Strategies will reinforce the positive aspects and offer constructive feedback on each participant’s lessons.​
  • Cello Unit 2 can be taken concurrently or independently
  • Taught by Trina Hodgson
  • Teachers who have active studios will be required to submit videos for evaluation. These lessons will serve as material for constructive feedback from the trainer.  Each session is basically a “pedagogy masterclass” where the participants play their teaching videos, receive positive comments from the trainer on what they did well, be given a suggestion or two on something they could improve as well as what would make the biggest difference in the participant’s teaching, and focus on that point. Pre-requisites are ECC, Units 1 and 2
  • Cost: $230
​ 




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