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SAA Teacher Trainers are master teachers who cultivate and nurture the growth of other teachers. They have undergone a rigorous application process to lead and develop our Teacher Development workshops. Becoming a Teacher Trainer offers the opportunity to guide participants in the Suzuki Teacher Development Program as they practice the Suzuki Method and embrace the Suzuki philosophy. Teacher Trainers have been SAA members for at least ten years, commit themselves to lifelong learning, and play an essential role in advancing the SAA’s mission:
The Suzuki Association of the Americas improves the quality of life in the Americas through Suzuki education. We create a learning community, which embraces excellence and nurtures the human spirit.
If you are interested in …
- connecting with a Teacher Trainer, check out the Directory and check the box for “Teacher Trainers”.
- providing feedback about your SAA experience, you can write to us at [email protected]. You can also connect with any member of the Suzuki Training Committee.
- learning about Teacher Trainer internships for Teacher Trainer Candidates, visit this page.
- reading the Teacher Trainer Manual or other related documents, visit this link.
Teacher Trainer Candidacy Application – March 2025
We’ve made some updates to the Teacher Trainer Candidacy application! Here’s a summary of what has changed:
- Submission Protocols: You will submit all your application materials online, instead of mailing physical packets.
- Video Naming Guidelines: Instead of a paper form listing all the performances, you’ll name your video files to convey the needed information.
- Video Waiver Form: A new Video Waiver form needs to be included for all students who are featured in pedagogy or performance videos.
- Flute and Viola Applicant Requirements: There are a few adjustments to the flute requirements (pp. 13 &18) and clarification on the viola requirements (pp. 6, 11-13, 17-18).
If you teach in a language other than English, we respectfully ask that you add English subtitles to your videos to facilitate the processing and evaluation of your application. Please contact us with any questions or if you need additional support.
Take some time to review the updated application, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Guidelines for Selecting and Naming Videos (from Appendix A)
Selecting videos for Submission
As you review your videos and make decisions on which ones to include in your application, please refer to the Pedagogy and Performance Descriptors. These are the basis of your evaluation. While a single video may not demonstrate each descriptor, the collection of submitted videos should include most, if not all, of the relevant descriptors.
Be mindful of the time standards specified in the application.
Check that your Teaching Segments include the student playing something (a measure, a phrase, the first repeat, NOT an entire piece) before you identify what it is you want to work on with them. If you need additional information about Teaching Segments, find it here.
Naming Protocols
When naming your videos, please do not include your name in the file name. Our system will automatically identify you upon upload. Instead, use file names that clearly reflect the content of the video, as shown below.
| Teaching Segments | Applicant Performances | Student Performances |
| 1 – Bk 1 five years or under student 2 – Two sequential lessons.1 3 – Two sequential lessons.2 4 – Middle books lesson 5 -Group lesson | Composer: Piece Name | Bk 1 – Allegro, age 5, 1/8th size If instrument size is irrelevant, such as for piano, please end the file name with the age of the student. |
Submitting Your Teacher Trainer Candidacy Application
If you are ready to submit your application, please email us to request a secure link to our online portal, where you can upload your videos and documents.