Teacher Development

The SAA considers its Teacher Development Program to be in-depth pedagogical study for professional musicians. To qualify as a Participant in the courses, you must submit and pass an audition. When a course is taken and completed, it will be registered with the SAA. Registered courses count towards earning a Certificate of Achievement.

Training Eligibility Requirements

1. Minimum age of 17 and a high school diploma
2. SAA active membership
3. Every Child Can! course (pre-requisite for Book 1; no audition required)
4. Video audition accepted by SAA
5. Books 1 and 2 must be taken in order

Audition Requirements

• Deadlines
• Preparation
• Evaluation
• [url=/download/Audition_Guide.pdf]Audition Application…

Read more of Teacher Audition Guide »

Philosophy

The Suzuki Association of the Americas, Suzuki in the Schools Committee recommends and encourages the utilization of the following aspects of the Suzuki method and philosophy for any elementary or secondary, public or private school program wishing to incorporate Suzuki into their instruction and curriculum.

The aspects are:

• Incorporate the Suzuki philosophy in the child’s life
  • by realizing every child can learn
  • by creating a positive, supportive learning environment
  • by encouraging noble human values and
  • by encouraging positive personal, social and education values
    -…

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“…our trainer created an atmosphere of such camaraderie, respect and understanding that, when the time came, I felt confident and relaxed. It was clear that everyone was there to learn, not to judge.”
—Sarah Bylander Montzka

“…the feedback from both the teacher trainer and my peers was helpful, and it was given in a manner that was supportive and encouraging.”
—Suzanne Greer

We interviewed a couple of Suzuki teachers who recently completed the Practicum. We wanted to know why they took the course and what their experiences were like. One of our interviewees is Sarah Bylander Montzka, a violin teacher from Illinois,…

Read more of The Practicum: What’s it All About? »

More Scholarships

Many Summer Institutes and local Suzuki organizations offer scholarships for students and/or teachers as well.

See the list of other scholarship opportunities.

SAA Teacher Development scholarships are awarded each spring through the SAA’s growing scholarship program. Scholarships provide tuition assistance for pedagogy study at approved Summer Institutes, workshops, or through other SAA-approved Teacher Development programs. Decisions are based primarily on merit, with consideration also given to expressed need. Awards are limited to the study of Suzuki book units and the SAA Practicum and paid directly to the Institute, university or sponsoring agency after SAA receives verification of the applicant’s…

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Every Child Can!© (ECC) is an introduction to Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy and its application to Suzuki education. For parents, teachers, prospective teachers and others, this course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning.

In addition to exploring the elements of the Suzuki approach and its far-reaching goals, it includes an introduction to learning styles, history of the development of Suzuki education, the role of parents, the importance of Suzuki pedagogical training, and an overview of the SAA’s role in supporting teachers and parents. A fast-paced, engaging and inspiring…

Read more of Every Child Can! Guidelines »

Application Forms

• Teacher Training Video Audition

• Scholarship Application

• Membership Form

Upcoming Training

• Every Child Can! Courses

• Summer Institutes

• Workshops (year round)

How to Become a Suzuki Teacher

1. Take the Every Child Can! (ECC) course, an introduction to the Suzuki Philosophy and Method.

2. Submit your teacher training video audition at least 8 weeks before your first Book training course.

3. Join the SAA as an Active teacher member.

4. Take Book training courses:

   • Books 1 and 2 must be taken in order.

   • Unit courses at Summer Institutes…

Read more of Teacher Training »

I love my husband, my daughter, my students, my dog, my garden and my home, but not always in that order. As dear as these are to me, my idea of a vacation is time away from “wife-ing,” mothering, cooking, cleaning, weeding, teaching and picking up after my dog in the yard (no small chore—I have an English Mastiff). Give me a weekend away and I’ll be a better wife, mom and teacher. Give me eleven days away and I’ll deliver world peace, convert whole tribes in New Guinea to Christianity, finally play the second page of Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro without missing a note, and run up Mount Whitney barefooted and backwards while knitting sweaters for children in Afghanistan. Well, OK, maybe I’d just feel I could, but isn’t believing you can do something the first step towards making it happen? (If that isn’t a Suzuki-ism, it ought to be.) If someone had told me, that in addition to getting away from my daily responsibilities, there was a place I could go where I could immerse myself in good music, finally be alone with my thoughts, make new friends, improve myself professionally, and have plain, old-fashioned, goofy fun, I would have thought it was too good to be true. Wouldn’t you? Think again! No travel agency in the world can offer you what a summer Suzuki teacher training course can.

Read more of My Suzuki Training Get-Away Vacation »