Mrs. Susan Crosser

Susan Crosser helps parents develop character in their children through piano music instruction. Her passion is sharing the beauty of life through music with young and old through the inspiring philosophy of Shinchi Suzuki. Energized by the joy she receives from working with students and their families, she believes every child can learn to play piano successfully with this method. Susan has been teaching piano for over 45 years, specializing in the Suzuki Piano Method since 1980.

Susan studied with Haruko Kataoka, co-founder of the Suzuki Piano Method and also other outstanding Suzuki trainers including Doris Koppleman, Yasuko Joichi and Mary Craig Powell at the Ameican Suzuki Institute, University of Wisconsin and Chicago Suzuki Institute. Her Suzuki piano pedagogy Levels 1 through 7 and beyond are registered with the Suzuki Association of Americas.

She is a life member of the Suzuki Association of Americas and St. Cecilia Music Center and is an active member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, Music Teachers National Association, Michigan Music Teachers and Piano Teachers Forum of Grand Rapids.

As faculty member of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, she served as instructor and director of the Suzuki Piano Program for 30 years. She is a frequent guest piano clinician for Suzuki Workshops in the midwest including Michigan State University, Oakland University, Rockford College of Illinois and Bethel College of Indiana. She serves as adjudicator for events such as N.F.M.C. Festival, Music Teachers National Association and competitive scholarships and has presented at the Suzuki National Conference.

She developed and served as instructor of the music history program at the Stella Royce Music Camp at St. Cecilia Music Center for 8 years. Susan is also a licensed Musikgarten instructor and a graduate of Calvin University and Cornerstone University. Her students solo with orchestras, win piano competitions, earn scholarships to accredited college and conservatory music programs, publish hit CD’s, become music teachers, church worship leaders and tour as national and international performing artists.

In addition to teaching piano, Susan has served as accompanist for GR Community College Suzuki Strings Outreach Program, vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles, and has directed church youth choirs. Susan has raised four Suzuki musician children, two violinists and two pianists, three of whom have become Suzuki teachers. Her home studio students range in age from toddlers to adults.