Call for Proposals: 2027 Leadership Summit

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Timeline

  • Call for Proposals – now open: Friday, May 15, 2026
  • Call for Proposals Closes: Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.
  • Notifications for Acceptance: October 2026

Please read ALL requirements and guidelines prior to submitting your proposal.

Have a question about submitting? Email [email protected].

Requirements for Session Proposals

  1. All proposals will only be accepted through this online submission process. Session Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM PDT on Saturday, August 1, 2026. 
  2. All presenters AND co-presenters MUST BE current SAA members when submitting the proposal and at the time of the presentation and are expected to register for the full conference. Submissions by and including nonmembers (including introductory members) will be rejected. You can check membership status, become a member, or renew: https://suzukiassociation.org/membership/
  3. All proposals must be complete to receive consideration. Proposals that are incomplete or do not meet the guidelines will be declined.

Because these submissions are reviewed in a BLIND, PEER-REVIEW process, DO NOT include your name or any identifying information, including any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) within the proposal’s content (title, marketing description, abstract, and professional service activities).

Session Proposal Guidelines

  1. Sessions will be presented live at the Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL, between February 25-27, 2027. All presenters are expected to register and attend the conference in person to present.
  2. The review committee will not accept session proposals that are solely performance based or those that promote individual commercial products. Commercial materials may be used in a session for educational objectives, but they cannot be used for promotional purposes. Taking orders or selling products during the session is prohibited.
  3. Music Industry Showcase Sessions (sessions promoting commercial products) are available for purchase and must be reserved separately. Music Industry Showcases are NOT handled through this platform. To learn more, please contact [email protected].

Session Information

Because these submissions are reviewed in a BLIND, PEER-REVIEW process, DO NOT include your name or any identifying information, including any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) within the proposal’s content (title, marketing description, abstract, and professional service activities).

  • Session Title (5-10 words)
  • Session Description (250-300 words)
  • Marketing Description (50-75 words)
  • Session Formats (select one)
  • Primary and Secondary Focus Areas (select two)
  • Specific instrument area (select all that apply)
  • Target Instrument(s) (select all that apply)
  • Demonstration Group Information
  • Additional Presenters
  • Presenter Qualifications
  • Equipment Needed
  • How does your proposal connect to the theme “Embodying our Vision: Continuity and Change
  • We receive more proposals than can be accommodated at the summit. Would you be willing to present in a different format at a later date?
  • Have you presented at another SAA Conference?
    • What year(s) did you present?
  • Have you presented this session anywhere else or do you plan to?
  • Voluntary demographic data
    • Age
    • Race/ethnicity
    • Gender Identity
    • Areas you teach in
  • Anything else you want us to be aware of

Learning Formats

Learning formats support a range of instruction that give attendees the option of choosing different content, materials, and methods that match their objectives.

Each session block will be 45 minutes. If you wish to leave time for questions, please include that time in your 45-minute time allotment. For Lightning Sessions, there will be two presentations placed in each presentation block; a 15-minute presentation with a 5-minute Q&A.

  • Lightning Session (20 minutes) – A TED style talk given by 1 person that explores a single idea with practical teaching or performing tips, projects or state/student chapter ideas to exchange.
  • Performance and Lecture (45 minutes) – A blend of lecture-based instruction, interaction, and case studies
  • Workshop and Lecture (45 minutes) – Hands on learning experience with the speaker; attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments to participate
  • Panel Discussion (45 minutes) – A facilitated conversation with a group of experts and the audience (REMINDER: All panelists are presenters and must be submitted in the proposal)
  • Demonstration Group (45 minutes) – Watch and learn with a group focusing on skills (demo group size limits apply; the presenter must provide their own demonstration group)

Primary and Secondary Focus Areas

What is the focus of the content in your proposal? The conference committee aims to provide a program that serves the needs of SAA’s diverse community of teachers.

Presenters are required to pick two focus areas of their proposed sessions: one as the primary area for the proposed session and a second as a secondary area:

  • Institutes and Festivals
  • Performance 
  • Wellness 
  • Studio Management 
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility
  • Adult Teaching and Learning
  • Reading, Music Theory, or Composition
  • Parent Education
  • Group & Ensemble Classes
  • Research
  • Creativity
  • Artistry
  • Instrument of Voice-Specific Teaching Techniques
  • Suzuki in the Schools
  • Suzuki Early Childhood Education 

Primary & Secondary Topic Areas

The following is a list of sample topics for sessions to consider for the summit or conference.

  • Advocacy
  • Arranging and composing
  • Audition prep and college applications for teachers and students
  • Beginner, intermediate, and advanced instrument techniques (including musicianship)
  • Body awareness, physical wellness, performance anxiety, & injury prevention
  • Chamber music
  • Community engagement/outreach for youth and adult programs
  • Curriculum
  • DEIA/Social Justice
  • Eclectic Styles
  • Engaging warm-ups and rehearsal strategies
  • Grant writing and funding ideas
  • Improvisation
  • Inclusion/accessibility
  • Individual, group class, and classroom teaching and assessment strategies
  • Instrument purchase, repair, and maintenance
  • Marketing/promotions
  • Mental/emotional health for teachers and students
  • Pedagogy, including secondary instruments and string instruments for secondary string teacher/player
  • Repertoire and Teaching Materials
  • Student motivation and leadership
  • Teacher and program recruitment & retention
  • Teaching in specific locations: rural, town, suburban, urban
  • Technology (LMS and teaching aids)

Notifications for Session Proposals will be sent in October 2026.

You will be notified via your SAA Membership Email Address, so make sure that your email address is correct in the proposal application.

Questions?

Email [email protected]!

Apply Now!