Conference

Prices start at $225

Highlights

Schedule pick-up and walk-in registration begins Thursday, May 24 at 5 pm. Some “warm-up” session will begin that evening.

Most sessions begin on Friday, May 25, at 8:30 am.

All events conclude by 11:45 am on monday, May 28.

In addition to the many daily session, don’t miss these events:

Thursday, pre-conference:

Every Child Can!
10 am—4 pm
Trainers’ Meeting
1-5 pm
11th International Research Symposium on Talent Education, 3-9 pm and Friday, 8:30-11:30 am
Group Class Techniques with Carey Beth Hockett, 6-9 pm

Thursday evening:

Check-in starts at 5 pm
Optional pre-conference activities

Friday:

Sessions begin at 8:30 am
Check-in continues
Keynote from Dr. Laurel Trainor
Bach keynote and other Bach sessions
Opening reception and exhibits
Kaleidoscope Concert

Saturday:

SAA Annual General Meeting
Clinicians’ Concert
International Ensembles Concert

Sunday:

Keynote from William Starr
Creating Learning Community Awards
Flute Ensemble and SYOA Concert
Piano Concerto Concert
SAA Birthday Bash
Time for Three Concert

Monday morning:

Sessions end at 12 pm
Closing Ceremonies
Closing Address from Chair-Elect Marilyn Kesler

SAA 40th Anniversary Celebration
Bach & Suzuki Outreach

May 24-28, 2012
Hilton Minneapolis and Minneapolis Convention Center

Every two years you have the opportunity to attend an SAA Conference. If you let it slip by, you will have to wait two more years for such a privilege. In the meantime, you will have taught two years of lessons without the vision, inspiration, knowledge, and connections you would have experienced at the conference.

How many times have you had a parent ask, “What did my child miss at group lesson?” A paragraph of instruction could not remotely explain the on-site learning the child would have absorbed if he/she had attended the group. It takes “being there!”

Now is the time to make every effort to attend the 15th Biennial SAA Conference, May 24-28, 2012, in Minneapolis!

In addition to a full schedule of sessions, here are some highlights of 2012, 40 and Forward:

Friday Focus on Bach

Keynote concert violinist Kate Lansdale will explore the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in a lecture/performance followed by breakout sessions of Bach master classes and Bach in the Suzuki repertoire. Renowned concert cellist Julie Albers will perform selections from the Unaccompanied Bach Cello Suites.

Outreach

Captivating soloist and teacher Brian Lewis will speak to us about audience and community engagement. Quoting Brian, “Performance should be fused with music education, and I try to show how music study is relevant to other disciplines.” He’ll reinforce this skill as he instructs the violin and chamber master classes and performs at the Clinicians’ Concert.

The groundbreaking, category-shattering trio Time for Three will continue the outreach theme on stage Sunday evening as part of their performance for the Benefit Concert. We’ll learn more about their first music video, “Stronger,” which is bringing a positive anti-bullying message to thousands of viewers.

Clinicians and Special Guests bring years of experience, in-depth musical knowledge, passion, performance, honors and esteemed position, and the joy of sharing themselves with us. Our 2012 lineup is sure to educate, inspire, and challenge.

Heritage

Wise and wonderful Bill Starr will present a keynote, “SAA is 40! Visiting the Past—Vitalizing the Future.” Judy Bossuat-Gallic, Sanford Reuning, and a “Kendall Remembered” panel will prompt us to revisit the ideas and principles that have shaped our teaching.

Concerts

On Friday evening the Kaleidoscope Concert will celebrate our 40th anniversary at Minneapolis Orchestra Hall, featuring Suzuki student soloists from each of our Suzuki instruments. Bill McGlaughlin, host of the popular public radio programs St. Paul Sunday and Exploring Music, will be Master of Ceremonies for the concert with interviews and special guests.

The much-loved Clinicians’ Concert will feature Brian Lewis, Connie Sheu, Renata Pereira, Ann Schein, Nicholas Walker, and Julie Albers!

The Saturday evening International Ensembles Concert has three finely tuned performing groups from New York, Canada, and Tennessee—Buffalo Suzuki Strings, Concorde Strings Performing Ensemble, and Harpeth Suzuki Strings.

A traditional favorite, the Suzuki Youth Orchestras of the Americas will be featured Sunday afternoon. Also joining that concert will be the Flute Performing Ensemble.

With Marilyn Kesler on the podium, the Blue Lake Orchestra will accompany the Piano Concerto in concert.

All the way from Texas, Parker Elementary Performing Strings will perform a concert highlighting the result of talent education in a public school setting and diverse community.

On Sunday evening, Time for Three takes over the stage, our hearts, and pulse!

So Much More!

As a dedicated Suzuki music teacher, you deserve this incredible experience. Reward yourself.

Conference Registration Now Open

January 9, 2012 / Topics: Conference, Conference 2012, Website

Registration for the 2012 Conference is now open online. Prices for members start at $225. Register by March 31 for the early bird discount!

A Star for Don

December 15, 2011 / Topics: Conference, Conference 2012, Fundraising, Kaleidoscope Project / by Susan Baer

I’m a sucker for a good old American dream story. That’s the kind where somebody starts with nothing, and through determination and hard work, creates something fabulous. It makes me happy to be part of a society that values that sort of thing. The story I’m going to tell is particularly intriguing because it’s about two entities, once unknown to each other, and how they became entwined based on their common values—and dreams.

The first character in this story is the Suzuki Association of the Americas. This year will mark the fortieth anniversary of the organization. Started by a small group…