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, apprenticeships, or through other SAA approved Long-Term Teacher Development programs. Decisions are based primarily on merit, with consideration also given to expressed need. Priority is given to the study of the core units (Books 1-10) and the practicum. Awards are 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, 2010 and May 31, 2011. 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 2010 teacher scholarship application. Scholarship applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2010.

Requirements for short-term scholarship applications

Awards for short-term unit study range from $300 to $500. Note: All information and materials received will be regarded as confidential.

1. A 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.)

  1. Completed application.

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

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

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

  5. DVD recordings 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 video.) 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.

Note: Applicants who are awarded scholarships will receive automatic audition approval though the level at which they are applying; See audition requirements for details. SAA office is not able to retrieve past Audition or scholarship video recordings previously submitted.

Requirements for long-term scholarship applications

Awards for long-term study generally range from $400 to $800. Please see list of SAA-approved Long-Term 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 approved SAA Long-Term University Training Program.

  3. Specific plans for long-term training, including location and estimate of costs.

Specific Scholarships

Included among the available scholarships are awards from the following special funds (amounts vary):

  • Gwendoline Thornblade Scholarship
  • Joe Cleveland Memorial Scholarship
  • Virginia Cowan Carson/Jennifer Jabs Memorial Scholarship (Available only to 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
  • 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 violinists or Suzuki teachers studying conducting)
  • Margery Aber Memorial Scholarship (short-term or long-term violin training)
  • Milton Goldberg Memorial Scholarship
  • Jeanne Beile Memorial Scholarship
  • Named scholarships offered through SAA’s Premier Business Membership (approximately 8)
  • College student scholarships—up to three available to college students wishing to study Suzuki pedagogy at a summer institute
  • Latin American Scholarships—Latin American teachers wishing to study at summer institutes in US or Canada
  • Practicum course—available to teachers who meet Practicum course criteria
  • Up to three scholarships available to teachers in northern Canada

Last updated December 7 2009