Pam Brasch

Why do we have an appointed board and not an elected board?

The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) does not have an appointed board as you suggest. Our by-laws state that, “At least two of the vacancies created by the expiration of the [Board of] Directors’ terms shall be filled by a majority vote of the voting members from the nominees presented by the nominating committee and approved by the Board.”

The Board of Directors of the SAA has developed a process for electing new board members known as the endorsed slate method. Over a…

Read more of Ask the Experts #22: SAA Board »

The International Suzuki Piano Committee, working with Mr. E.L. Lancaster of Alfred Publishing Company, met in Boulder, CO, in November 2008 to begin work on revisions to Suzuki Piano Method Books 4-7. History was made for Suzuki Piano as a result of our decisions for the revisions of these books. All five regions of the ISA (SAA, ESA, PPSA, TERI and ASA) voted in favor of changes and additions to the repertoire to provide greater stylistic variety to the Suzuki Piano Repertoire. SAA Teacher Trainers are very excited about the changes and look forward to the publication of these new books.

Read more of Revising Suzuki Piano Books 5-7 »

Tour the SAA office in Boulder, Colorado and meet a few staff members.

Featuring: Marilyn Kesler, Pam Brasch, Beth Stanley, and Jenny Ferenc.

Read more of SAA Office Tour in Boulder, CO »

The 2009 Annual Membership Meeting was broadcast live on the web on April 4th, 2009 from the SAA office in Boulder, Colorado. It features the new teacher development video “A Suzuki Teacher’s Pledge”, a tour of the SAA office, and lots of news and trivia.

Broadcast correspondents: Diane Schroeder, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Lamar Blum, Ruth Engle Larner, Mark George, Marilyn Kesler, Carol Ourada, Beth Titterington, and Pam Brasch

Read more of Annual Meeting 2009 »

With the post-Conference details wrapped up and plans underway for 2010, it’s certainly time to extend boundless gratitude to the many members, families and friends who helped make the 13th Conference one of our best. (Of course they do get better every year!) Names of many of our sponsors, coordinators, donors and student participants are included in the reports and articles features in this issue. Only with the dedicated service of legions of volunteers is it possible for a relatively small association to present events of the scope, complexity and richness that characterize SAA Conferences. On behalf of the Conference Team, Board and staff, I salute all who donated their time, resources and talents to expand our vision of what Suzuki can accomplish throughout the Americas.

Read more of From the Executive Director »