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 Thursday, September 25.  The post-course assignment will be sent when the course ends and is due December 1st.

Who is the course facilitator?

Teri Einfeldt is the Co-Chair of the String Department at The Hartt School Community Division of The University of Hartford, where she maintains a studio of students from ages 4 to 18. In her role as adjunct professor at The Hartt School, she instructs Master of Music candidates in Suzuki pedagogy. For more than thirty years, Ms. Einfeldt has been shaping these components into a program which is now considered a national model for teaching the Suzuki method within a university setting. In an effort to provide year-round opportunities in the greater Hartford area, in 1988 Ms. Einfeldt founded the Hartt Suzuki Institute, a weeklong summer workshop for children as well as teachers.

Born and raised in Kingston, New York, Ms. Einfeldt began her study of violin at the age of 7 in the public schools. As a child and growing musician, she enjoyed playing chamber music and participating in orchestra. While at Ithaca College, she studied violin with Thomas Michalak, and began Suzuki training with Sanford Reuning, one of a small group of educators who pioneered the Suzuki method in the United States.

A Suzuki Association of the Americas registered teacher trainer, Ms. Einfeldt is a frequent clinician at weekend string workshops and summer Suzuki Institutes throughout the United States and Canada. She has participated and presented at several international conferences of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, at the Pan Pacific Suzuki Conference in Sydney, Australia, and at Suzuki World Conferences in Turin, Italy and Matsumoto, Japan. In addition to her busy teaching, training, and lecturing schedule, Ms. Einfeldt continues to be an active performer. A devoted chamber musician, she also plays frequently with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. She is the former Assistant Concert-mistress of both the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. Not surprisingly, Ms. Einfeldt has designed the Hartt Suzuki program to offer ample opportunities for students to participate in the orchestra and chamber music activities that she has always loved. She delights in beginning young quartets and developing them through high school. In July 2011, Teri ended her position as chair of the Suzuki Association of America after being a board member for several years. She continues to be an active member of the Association. She has also served as Chair of the Teacher Development Committee and the Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA) Committee.

Facilitator Training

This course will 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.

Register here 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 Friday, September 12th.

All transactions are final and non-refundable.