Students

March 19, 2020 by Morganne Aaberg

When the public schools across Indiana and Indiana University made the decision to close because of the COVID-19 virus, it quickly became clear that it would not be possible to teach in-person lessons to my students at the Indianapolis Suzuki… Read more ▶

December 19, 2018 by Karen Kubin

This might seem like a stretch, the claim in this title. I mean, your teacher is fabulous, of course: friendly, knowledgeable, skilled—but a superhero? Not exactly! What you do not realize is that she is deep undercover, like Bob Parr… Read more ▶

August 21, 2018

Eight Costa Rican Suzuki students and their families (21 total!) traveled to the Chicago Suzuki Institute in Deerfield, IL, this past June. What a great boost to the Book 1 and 2 classes and the beginning orchestra! Photos courtesy of Rosella… Read more ▶

August 1, 2017 by Alan Duncan

Recently my daughter was helping me sweep the driveway. Storms and high winds had left lots of debris in the driveway and she came out, broom in hand, to help me clean up. With only a few minutes to spare… Read more ▶

September 18, 2013 by Renee Riddle

Pablo Casals, the world famous cellist, once said, “Perhaps it is music that will save the world.” The students of the Barcel Suzuki String Academy, located in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are learning the impact music has on the… Read more ▶

September 6, 2013 by Cecilia Calvelo-Hopkins

As you plan for your winter concerts and special events, don’t forget to think of this project—Suzuki Americas 2014! Read more ▶

June 14, 2013 by Mary Hofer

See the progress of Mary Hofer’s voice students through the years—inspiring! Read more ▶

June 12, 2013 by Libby Felts

A reminder of something that makes the Suzuki method extraordinary: its power to cross cultural and geopolitical boundaries to bring together people who share the common bond of creating beautiful music Read more ▶

February 21, 2013

Shaping Our Future Together, Vote on the Board Ballot by April 10, Student Writing Contest, Summer Institutes Are Approaching!, Nurtured by Love New Translation, Leadership Retreat & Parents as Partners Read more ▶

February 20, 2013

Polish up your best poetry and nonfiction essays and send them our way. We want to see your many talents! Winning pieces will be published on the SAA website, in the Minijournal, or in other publications. Read more ▶

December 19, 2012 by James Hutchins

The Perpetual Motion Suzuki Strings were honored to perform Christmas, Hanukkah and Suzuki pieces in the Capitol building rotunda for the State House by Candlelight concert. Read more ▶

December 14, 2012 by Jessica Wong

My nine-year-old daughter, Natalie, and I attended the Hartt Suzuki Institute this summer for the first time. What a rewarding experience it was for both of us! Intense, but also intensely FUN. And nothing short of transformational. Read more ▶

September 1, 2012 by Kathleen Schoen

On Monday, June 28, a young recorder player named Bryan Duerfeldt performed on the stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, along with the other 2012 US Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Read more ▶

August 6, 2012

Gavin George, nine-year-old Suzuki piano student of Mary Craig Powell, is the focus of a newly-released short documentary from the Prodigies series by THNKR. The film follows Gavin as he prepares for a major performance for the Daughters of the… Read more ▶

July 24, 2012

One hundred Suzuki string students from Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin took the field of Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sunday, July 22, to perform the national anthem, directed by Suzuki violin teacher Joseph Kaminsky of St. Louis, before the… Read more ▶

June 1, 2012

1st Place Winner Daniel Su, age 6 Lexington, KY Daniel has been studying piano one year with teacher Jennifer Brooke (J.B.) Taylor. 2nd Place Oliver Setiyadi, age 8 Broomfield, CO Oliver has been playing violin for four years. His drawing is titled “A World of Music.” 3rd Place Caera… Read more ▶

May 1, 2012 by Deborah Moench, Ramona Stirling

The connection that began this adventure started in Turin, Italy at the Suzuki World Convention in 2006. After hearing a concert where the Rocky Mountain Strings performed, Koen Rens invited RMS students to go to Belgium for a workshop with his students. Read more ▶

March 21, 2012 by Irene Mitchell

At four months, her parents they noticed that Emily wasn’t cooing, babbling or responding like other babies. They had her hearing checked, and the diagnosis was profound deafness. Emily’s cochlea was non-functional, preventing any sound from being transmitted from her ears to her brain. Read more ▶

September 16, 2011

Gavin George, 8-year-old Suzuki piano student of Mary Craig Powell will be performing on From the Top on Sunday, September 25 at 7PM. He is the youngest student ever chosen for this prestigious show and he is truly something for… Read more ▶

August 26, 2011

SAA Board of Directors Chair Dr. Mark George appeared with students of the Music Institute of Chicago on Windy City Live on Thursday, August 25. The performance can be seen here: http://windycitylive.com/episodes/Learning-with-the-Suzuki-Method/8326125 Read more ▶

August 11, 2011 by Sara Kuhns

It is dusty. There is a strong smell of pine coming from the rosin lying next to me. My velvet blanket covers me as I wait for my owner to take me out of this dark, musty coffin. Read more ▶

August 11, 2011 by Nicky Williams

When someone asks me what is in my instrument case, they would think I would say my violin, but I answer, something I love to do. Read more ▶

August 11, 2011 by Ellis Miskell

It was late when I got home, and I knew I would stay up late trying to finish my mountains of homework. But, if I could redo the events of that evening, choose a different path that would have allowed me to get home earlier, and complete my work by eight o’clock, I wouldn’t. Read more ▶

August 11, 2011 by Kennedy Munn

If my violin could speak it would say, “My Kennedy you make lovely music when you focus and play. When my strings are in tune with rosin on my bow, I’m ready to perform with you at your recital show. Please be gentle and try not to… Read more ▶

June 1, 2011

1st Place Winner Joseph M. Evans, “Max”, age 14 Downers Grove, IL Max has been playing violin for 9 years and his teacher is Daina Volodka.2nd Place Caera Ozawa Burns, age 5 Sunnyvale, CA Caera plays cello with Barbara Wampner.3rd Place Simona Sulminas, age 5 1/2 Riverside, IL Simona… 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 ▶

May 18, 2011

Thank you to all who participated and entered the Suzuki Student Writing Contest. We received more than 50 entries, and each one was a joy to read. It’s magnificent to see some of the many talents of Suzuki students on… Read more ▶

March 25, 2011 by Maude Durand

After conducting Suzuki orchestras and participating in an exchange program between Montreal and Edmonton, Cristian Gort had a great idea of having a concerto competition for Suzuki students. Cristian Gort is a conductor who has worked with several ensembles, in Amsterdam,… Read more ▶

March 25, 2011

The SAA would like your students’ nonfiction and poetry submissions for upcoming publications! Winning selections may appear in the SAA Minijournal, on the SAA website, or in other SAA publications. Entries are due April 15, 2011. Submissions may address, but are… Read more ▶

June 1, 2011

Design the cover for next year’s Minijournal! Submissions are due by January 17, 2011. Criteria and Requirements Students who wish to enter their artwork must study with an SAA Teacher member. Students must be between 4 and 14 years of age. Material submitted must… Read more ▶

December 20, 2010

Mikaela Schneider, a sixteen-year-old Suzuki student from the Milwaukee area, performed in four concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with Marvin Hamlisch, December 9-12. She also performed with Hamlisch and the Dallas Symphony December 4th and 5th. Mr. Hamlisch… Read more ▶

December 17, 2010 by Lisa Toner

My interest in getting students to practice effectively was born in 2006 when I was an undergraduate and new studio teacher. Read more ▶

September 21, 2010 by James Van Reeth, Vanessa Vari

Young musicians from both North and South America joined together at this year’s “Teamwork” Conference to form two outstanding string orchestras—Suzuki Youth Orchestras of the Americas I and II. Each child arrived at the conference very well prepared, having worked… Read more ▶

August 27, 2010

Daniel Coyle was a keynote speaker at our 2010 conference. Be on the look out for the next ASJ with conference summations. Here are some of his great tips on training your brain: Daniel Coyle: Letter to Students: Cliffs Notes for… Read more ▶

August 27, 2010

The 2010 Conference Student DVD is now available online. It includes the SYOA 1 & 2, Flute Performing Ensemble, and Piano Concerto performances. If you pre-ordered a DVD at the conference, it should be on the way to you. If you… Read more ▶

July 19, 2010

1st Place Winner Sophia Abusamra, age 8 Rochester Hills, MI Sophia studies violin with Mark Mutter and piano with Gail Gebhart. 2nd Place Mary From, age 8 Bellingham, WA Mary’s violin teacher is Sandra Payton. 3rd Place Justin Ghofrany, age 8 Sertling, VA Justin studies violin with Mariam Gregorian and Davis… Read more ▶

April 20, 2010

Shenandoah Valley Elementary School, taught by Loren Abramson, performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra last weekend. Loren Abramson was recognized as SLSO’s 2010 Educator of the Year. Read more at St. Louis Today: Shenandoah Valley performs with St. Louis Symphony Read more ▶

April 16, 2010

6-year-old Suzuki piano student Gavin George will be featured on The Early Show (CBS) on Monday, April 19. He is estimated to appear at approximately 8:45 AM, but we can’t count on that time. The show runs from 7 to 9… Read more ▶

March 8, 2010

Six-year-old Suzuki Pianist Gavin George has been named a Gold Medal winner in the competition sponsored by The American Association for Development of the Gifted and Talented. Gavin will perform in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 18… Read more ▶

December 7, 2009

Aber Suzuki Center student, soprano Mikaela Schneider, 15, of Greendale, WI, a student of Suzuki voice teacher Mary Hofer, sang Schubert’s Ave Maria with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at their holiday concert this past weekend. Guest conductor Marvin Hamlisch (also… Read more ▶

November 5, 2009

Student participants are still needed for the following events at the 2010 SAA Conference next May: Bass: SYOA 1, SYOA 2, Bass Choir Flute: Masterclass, Performing Ensemble Guitar: Masterclass, Non-Preformed Chamber Recorder: Masterclass, Recorder Consort, Non-Preformed Chamber Applications are being accepted until November 30. See the… Read more ▶

June 1, 2009

1st Place Winner Mia Lei, age 8 Potomac Falls, VA Mia has studied violin with David Strom and Mariam Gregorian. 2nd Place Danika Kunimoto, age 12 Edmonton, AB Danika’s violin teacher is Bonnie Gregory. 3rd Place Abby Friesen-Johnson, age 12 Denver, CO Abby studies flute with Gail Seay. Honorable Mention Hannah Arnott, Age… Read more ▶

March 17, 2009 by Elizabeth Cain Nelms

Thirty-one flute students from five studios in the Denver area performed on the February 7, 2009 program with Denver Pops Orchestra. Accompanied by the orchestra, the students performed two J.S. Bach Minuets, #15 G major from Suzuki Flute Book 1… Read more ▶

October 21, 2008

Design the cover for next year’s Minijournal! Submissions are due by January 1, 2009. Criteria and Requirements Students who wish to enter their artwork must study with an SAA Teacher member. Students must be between 4 and 14 years of age. Material submitted must… Read more ▶

September 19, 2008

View videos of the Latin American Suzuki Ensemble’s performance at the 2008 Conference heritage event on Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MP3 audio is available for download. A DVD can be purchased from the online store. The Latin American… Read more ▶

June 1, 2008

1st Place Winner Elizabeth Miles, age 12 Parkland, FL Elizabeth has studied violin 7 years with teacher Tina Raimondi. 2nd Place Hannah Newman, age 6 West Chester, PA Hannah’s piano teacher is Diane Umile.3rd Place Nicole Lime, age 13 Bossier City, LAHonorable Mention Magali Toy, age 12 Toronto, ON Magali studies cello… Read more ▶

April 16, 2008

Amy Zhang, student of Noelle Perrin, won 1st prize in the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Artist Competition in November, 2007. Allison Hawkins, student of Wendy Stern, won 2nd prize in the MTNA Senior Performance Competition in November, 2007. Allison… Read more ▶

June 1, 2008

Design the cover for next year’s Minijournal! Submissions are due by January 1, 2008. Criteria and Requirements Students who wish to enter their artwork must study with an SAA Teacher member. Students must be between 4 and 14 years of age. Material submitted must… Read more ▶

June 12, 2007

Shannon Bouchard, a student of Kelly Williamson, performed the Hue Fantaisie with the Westmount Youth Orchestra (Montréal) this May, having won their concerto competition in February 2006. She will be playing it again on their tour to Germany this summer.… Read more ▶

June 1, 2007

A big thank you to everybody who participated in the 2007 Minijournal cover design contest.1st Place Winner Aislinn Ozwa Burns, age 9 Sunnyvale, CA Aislinn has been studying violin since age two, with Cathryn Lee. 2nd Place Eliza Block, age 11 Tacoma, WA Eliza has been studying… Read more ▶

March 20, 2007

Student submissions are requested for the 2007 Suzuki Minijournal Story Contest. Entries are due by April 15th, 2007. Read more ▶

June 23, 2006

Shannon Bouchard won the WYO’s concerto competition in February (competing against thirteen other performers on violin, cello, piano, flute, and clarinet). As preparation, Shannon and Kelly performed an evening concert at Place Kensington including works by Hue, Bolling, Doppler, Ravel,… Read more ▶

March 30, 2006

Congratulations! Two Utah flute students won the National MTNA Woodwinds Competition Finals in Austin: Helen McGarr, student of Laurel Ann Maurer, won the Junior Division; Gabriella Roderer, student of Cindy Henderson, won the Senior Division. Read more ▶

December 20, 2005

Seven current students, two alumni, and two parents participated in the Voices for Hospices world-wide concert event on October 8th. Kelly Williamson’s studio contributed the Doppler Andante for two flutes and piano, a movement from a concerto for five flutes… Read more ▶

August 23, 2005

Shannon Bouchard and Arielle Lewis Weigens performed Gary Schocker’s Tapestry Sonata, which was likely a Montreal premiere—the piece was written in 2004 and has not yet been recorded (except by the Trio Electric Schockers, composed of Shannon and Arielle, and… Read more ▶