Scholarships

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 acceptance into the course/program. Scholarships will be awarded for training between May 1, 2012 and May 31, 2013. Applicants should note that funds will not be awarded to the same applicant for more than 3 consecutive years, or for more than 3 times over a 5-year period.

Download the 2012 Scholarship application

Applications must be postmarked by February 5, 2012.

Requirements for Scholarships for Unit Training

Awards for unit training range from $300 to $500. All information and materials received will be regarded as confidential. Applicants who are awarded scholarships will receive automatic audition approval through the level at which they are applying if not previously granted. SAA office is not able to retrieve past audition or scholarship video recordings previously submitted.

  1. Current SAA Active membership for a minimum of 3 months prior to application. (Exception: Current undergraduate college music majors must be Active members upon application.)

  2. Completed application.

  3. Three current, original letters of recommendation (excluding family members) enclosed with the application. Two of these should come from a professional mentor or colleague. Teachers applying for a second or third year scholarship (see restrictions above) must include a recommendation from the Trainer with whom they have previously studied as one of their letters of recommendation.

  4. Brief statement of financial need, to include any unusual expenses or circumstances you would like taken into consideration.

  5. Brief resumé or one-page current biographical sketch, including educational and work experience.

  6. Video recordings (DVD) of the applicant performing required pieces for their instrument. Performances must be current within the past 3 years. (See Video Application Guide, which includes the list of specific pieces to be recorded and instructions for making the recording.) Pieces to be performed will be from Book 4 to apply for Book 1-4 courses. For Book 5 and higher courses, apply at the Intermediate or Comprehensive level.

Requirements for Scholarships for University Degree Programs in Suzuki Pedagogy

Awards for study in a university pedagogy degree program generally range from $400 to $800/year. Please see list of SAA-approved university Suzuki pedagogy degree programs. To apply, please provide items 1 through 5 as above, plus the following:

  1. A video recorded performance of two pieces or movements. Repertoire may be selected from Suzuki Book 7 and beyond and/or from the major repertoire beyond the Suzuki literature.

  2. Acceptance to an SAA-approved university Suzuki pedagogy degree program.

  3. Specific plans for participation in Suzuki degree program, including program name, location, length of program and estimate of costs.

Specific Scholarships

Included among the available scholarships are awards from the following special funds: (Amounts awarded vary. Some scholarships are awarded only as funds become available and/or needs arise.)

  • Gwendoline Thornblade Scholarship
  • Joe Cleveland Memorial Scholarship
  • Virginia Cowan Carson/Jennifer Jabs Memorial Scholarship (teachers in CO, WY, MT, or ID)
  • Adam Lesinsky Memorial Scholarship
  • Arline Hunter Memorial Scholarship (short-term or long-term violin training)
  • Clifford Cook Memorial Scholarship
  • Art Montzka Memorial Scholarship
  • Yvonne Tait Memorial Scholarship
  • Heidi Kennel Memorial Scholarship (short-term or long-term flute training)
  • Alberta Denk Memorial Scholarship
  • David Einfeldt Memorial Scholarship (preference given to violists or Suzuki teachers studying conducting)
  • Margery Aber Memorial Scholarship (short-term or long-term violin training)
  • Milton Goldberg Memorial Scholarship
  • Jeanne Beile Memorial Scholarship
  • Morris Offman Memorial Scholarship
  • SAA Premier Business Membership Program Scholarships
  • Latin American Scholarships—Awarded for study at Latin American Festivals and for Latin American teachers wishing to study at summer institutes in US or Canada
  • Practicum course scholarships