Suzuki Principles in Action

What are the principles that SPA reinforces?

The inspiration for SPA came from the need to implement the knowledge gained from unit courses into the reality of day-to-day studio teaching.

Topics include:

• Setting standards of excellence for students at all levels
• Identifying the appropriate time to move ahead in the repertoire
• Incorporating regular, productive review work in daily teaching and practicing
• Incorporating ear training and learning by ear in daily teaching
• Focusing attention on tone development
• Giving productive, balanced, frequent feedback to students
• Communicating effectively and working productively with parents
• Structuring lessons to facilitate successful progress

These are all issues that surface repeatedly in training courses and in communications among colleagues. The course offers thoughtful exploration of these topics—topics that spring from the Suzuki principles that have been articulated in the Every Child Can! course and other Teacher Workshop courses—to help us to move towards a realization of the potential that Suzuki education offers.

Who should attend?

Any teacher—from the very experienced to the novice—who has completed training through Book 1, is an SAA member and has taught for a minimum of one year. Participants must have a current studio due to pre- and post-course work. Teachers of all Suzuki instruments are welcome!

What special values result from taking the course?

SPA provides tools for assessing and evaluating one’s own teaching. Course materials include guides, articles, and activities to reinforce and expand on the ideas presented in the class. The course is required for those applying for the SAA’s Certificate of Achievement , which is, in turn, a requirement for those working toward becoming Teacher Trainers.

Assignments

The course includes required pre-course and post-course assignments, which are submitted online and reviewed by the facilitator. Both assignments require you to video record yourself teaching a lesson and then self-evaluate it.

You will receive a link to the pre-course assignment in your confirmation email. The pre-course assignment is due August 20th.  The post-course assignment will be sent after the course ends and is due October 1st.

Who is the course facilitator?

Patricia D’Ercole is a Suzuki violin teacher and SAA Teacher Trainer. She is the former Director of the Aber Suzuki Center at the UW-Stevens Point where she taught violin to children and Suzuki pedagogy courses. She completed a master’s degree with an emphasis in Suzuki with Margery Aber and, in 1988, studied in Japan with Dr. Suzuki. She has been a clinician in 22 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Finland, Estonia, Peru, Chile and Taiwan. Pat has written numerous articles for the American Suzuki Journal, was chair of the Suzuki Association (SAA) Board of Directors and served as a member of the SAA committees to develop the Every Child Can! course and the Suzuki Principles in Action course. She was the founder and first president of the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin and has been on the planning committee for the International Research Symposium on Talent Education since its inception in 1991 and has served as its coordinator since 1995. Through her leadership, “The American Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: The Suzuki Method in Action,” a collection of videos which chronicles the two weeks of Dr. Suzuki’s teaching at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point in 1976, is now preserved and posted on the web for free viewing by all. In 2002, she was the recipient of the American Suzuki Institute’s Suzuki Chair Award and in 2008 became a Distinguished Instructional Specialist at UWSP. In September 2010, Pat began the UWSP Suzuki Strings Mentoring Program, an online long-term practicum to assist and support Suzuki string teachers in their quest to become a better teacher within the environment of their usual employment. Pat currently teaches part-time at the Aber Suzuki Center. She is active as a teacher trainer at workshops, institutes and the mentoring program.

Facilitator Training

This course will also be used to train future SPA facilitators. Facilitators-in-training will observe the course and will also view pre- and post-course assignments. If you have any questions or concerns, please write to us at the email below.

Registration opens June 1 on this page!

Up to 12 teachers may participate in this online course. The tuition fee is $210 and is due at the time of joining the roster.  The registration deadline is August 15th.