Conference 2012

September 18, 2013 by Stacy Smith

As a first-time attendee, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’m now convinced that planning to attend SAA events the weekend before Memorial Day for professional development is one of the best things I can do, both for myself and for my teaching. Read more ▶

September 18, 2013 by Christine Goodner

I am a goal setting type of person—perhaps it’s a result of being a Suzuki violin student since the age of three. I love making goals, working to meet them, and sometimes, revising them along the way. Looking forward to… Read more ▶

March 18, 2013 by Susan Baer

What are your strengths? How can you put those to work for the benefit of your fellow SAA members? Read more ▶

December 14, 2012

Videos and Handouts from SAA’s 15th Conference, 40 and Forward—sign up now! You are sure to find inspiration, useful ideas, and thoughts to ponder and discuss with colleagues and studio families. Read more ▶

December 14, 2012 by William Starr

First SAA President Bill Starr speaks about the founding of the Suzuki Association of the Americas 40 years ago. Keynote address from the 2012 SAA Conference. Read more ▶

October 24, 2012

In celebration of its 40th anniversary and over 50 years of Suzuki education in the Americas, the Suzuki Association of the Americas proudly presents this special event. This concert DVD showcases a selection of young student performers representing several instrumental disciplines and stages of study. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Loren Abramson, Patricia Purcell

The SAA 15th Biennial Conference was a huge success from many perspectives. The days of May 24-28, in Minneapolis were full and inspiring. The Keynote addresses were enlightening and inspiring for all members: Laurel Trainor reviewed research from cognitive and… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Susan Baer

A Kaleidoscope of Talent One of the highlights of the 2012 SAA Conference was the Kaleidoscope Concert. Just as the name suggests, the concert provided a colorful and diverse display of children of various ages, on a variety of instruments, and representing… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012

The Suzuki Association of the Americas presented the 2012 Creating Learning Community Awards on Saturday, May 26, during a ceremony at the SAA 15th Biennial Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Recipients were Pamela Reit: “The Heart and Soul of Green Mountain Suzuki”… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Deborah Moench

The lights dimmed in the Grand Ballroom, and a hush fell over the audience as they anticipated the entrance of Tf3. Thunderous applause welcomed musicians Zach De Pue, Ranaan Meyer and Nick Kendall (grandson of American Suzuki pioneer John Kendall).… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Susan Baer

The conference sessions for violinists provided a menu of irresistible treats. There were so many intriguing titles that it was impossible to see everything on my list of top picks. On the flip side, no one complained of opting to… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Janse Vincent

At this historical conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of the SAA, the viola sessions were right in keeping with the spirit of celebration. From those focusing on Bach to the traditional viola reading session, we were honoring the past while… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Arlette Aslanian-Townsend, James Van Reeth

Members of the Suzuki Youth Orchestras of the Americas (SYOA) presented their concert Sunday afternoon. The audience was treated to an experience rich with quintessential Suzuki tone, electrifying energy and exemplary musicianship. Outstanding conductors Emmett Drake (SYOA 1) and Kirsten… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Libby Felts

Bassist Nicholas Walker, guest clinician for bass at the 2012 SAA Conference, sat down to speak with me following Time for Three’s performance at the conference. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Lucy Shaw, Andrea Yun

With the beautiful hall of the Minnesota Orchestra as the setting, fourteen young musicians were featured in concert at a first-of-its-kind event for the SAA. The Kaleidoscope Concert brought together talented students from around the country performing pieces from and beyond the Suzuki repertoire. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Kathleen Schoen

The recorder events at the recent SAA Biennial Conference had a very international flavour, with participants from Bermuda, Brazil, and Canada as well as the United States. Teachers and students worked together with our clinician, Renata Pereira, to perform a… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Malgosia Lis

I have known of Gavin George for a while, I have heard his teacher Mary Craig Powell talk about him; I have listened to his recording on YouTube. I knew he was a very special boy, who loved piano and… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Malgosia Lis

As of writing this, ten days have passed since the 15th SAA Conference, and I am still living on cloud nine! I seem to be talking about the conference to anybody who is eager (or seems to be eager to… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Wan Tsai Chen, Lynn McCall

“Dr. Suzuki, you seem to be more interested in the success of the early childhood programs than anything else. Is that right?” Suzuki replied, “Yes. It is so important, the early training. It is difficult to get support for this… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Sandra Payton, Carol Waldvogel

International Ensembles committee members Carol Waldvogel and Sandra Payton had a great time attending to the needs of the three groups chosen to perform at the International Ensembles Concert on Saturday night. Harpeth Suzuki Strings (Franklin, Tennessee), Concorde Strings (Guelph,… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Karin Hendricks

I had no idea how cool this was going to be,” Ann Shurtz said to me during the catered snack break on Thursday afternoon. Ann was a first-time attendee at the Eleventh International Research Symposium on Talent Education, a pre-SAA… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Nikki Lemire, Jill Whitman

The Suzuki harp teachers in the Americas, though one of the smallest groups represented at the conference, were nonetheless encouraged and engaged in the several harp sessions and master classes given by the presenters. Guest clinician Karen Gottlieb, from San Francisco,… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by MaryLou Roberts

There were many memorable moments at the 2012 SAA Conference, 40 and Forward! It was a great time to share our love and passion for teaching, try some new music for guitar ensemble, listen to our colleagues, and dream of… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012

This year’s conference offered a veritable feast of information and inspiration, not only in rich instrument area presentations, but also in the General Sessions category. Each session was a gift from the presenter to all present. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Jessica Meyer Foskitt, Carlynn Savot

Chamber music at this year’s conference consisted of two groups, a harp duo, The Timpanogos Duo, and a string quintet, The Quint-Essentials. Both groups were highly polished and poised. They rehearsed on their own, had classes with members of the… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Cynthia Ferris

The 2012 SAA Conference was an amazing four days for the flute teachers. We had twenty-eight teachers from nine US states and two Canadian provinces, as well as fourteen students ages 9–19 from six states and Argentina. Our session topics… Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Nicole Castleberry Clouser, Tracy Rowell

Summary of Bass sessions at the 2012 SAA Conference. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Marilyn George

More than 110 cello teachers attended the 2012 Conference in Minneapolis. They were treated to a buffet of stimulating cello sessions. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Kathleen Schoen

A group of Canadian teachers met over lunch at the SAA Conference in May, to discuss our shared issues. We have one: distance. And we have a lot of it. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Susan Baer, Marilyn Kesler

As teachers, we are always giving, but in return we are blessed with gifts well beyond our sacrifices. Churchill wrote, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Maybe this is the reason so many of us continue teaching well beyond a retirement age. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Deborah Moench

The 2012 SAA Conference, “40 and Forward!” was a landmark event that featured quality, quantity, and a passion for learning and sharing. After two years of brainstorming and planning, it was thrilling to see and feel real people gather together in real time and a real space, ready to go forward! Read more ▶

July 13, 2012

Certificate of Achievement Congratulations to the 2012 Certificate of Achievement Recipients: Gloria Apellaniz, piano, Colorado Daniel Gee, violin, Texas Jessica Meyer, violin, Connecticut Amy Matherly, violin, Massachusetts The SAA Certificate of Achievement recognizes teachers with a commitment to life‐long learning and self‐improvement. Check your training profile to… Read more ▶

June 20, 2012 by Kathleen Schoen, Thomas Wm Schoen, Heidi Schuller, Joanna Smulakowski

These short videos presented at the conference provide a wonderful introduction to the Suzuki Method, and how it can benefit the larger community as well as individual students. The Expanded Suzuki Triangle: Nurturing the Student within the Community by Kathleen & Thomas… Read more ▶

June 13, 2012

In this issue: Conference Pictures! Group Class Techniques Workshops Suzuki Method World Convention 40th Anniversary ASJ Articles Due July 1 A Star for My Father Upcoming Events 192 new members joined the SAA in May. Welcome! Conference Pictures! Lots of pictures from the SAA Conference in Minneapolis are available… Read more ▶

May 29, 2012

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May 1, 2012 by Libby Felts, Nicolas Kendall

I spoke with Nick (grandson of American Suzuki pioneer John Kendall) as he was preparing for Time for Three’s March 8 debut at Carnegie Hall as soloists with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Read more ▶

March 21, 2012 by Susan Baer, Sarah Wilson

I’m not sure how it happened, but somehow, that cute little girl who began taking lessons with me at the age of three has become my friend and my colleague. Read more ▶

December 15, 2011 by Susan Baer

I’m a sucker for a good old American dream story. That’s the kind where somebody starts with nothing, and through determination and hard work, creates something fabulous. It makes me happy to be part of a society that values that… Read more ▶

October 31, 2011

The 2012 Conference Team is excited to announce very special guest performers for the 15th Biennial Conference, 40 and Forward. Time for Three (Nicolas Kendall, Ranaan Meyer, Zachary DePue) will be the featured performers at the SAA conference on Sunday… Read more ▶

May 25, 2011 by Isabelle Aboaf, McCall Andersen, Sally Gross, Leah Keane, Deborah Moench

I attended as a first violinist in SYOA 2 this past year, the fourteenth biennial conference. SYOA was the best experience I have had throughout my musical education. Read more ▶

May 20, 2011

134 new members joined the SAA in April. Welcome! In this issue: SAA Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Visick Suzuki Student Writing Contest Results American Suzuki Journal Call for Submissions Student 2012 Conference Opportunities SAA Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Visick This new Suzuki E-News feature will spotlight a different SAA… Read more ▶