Updated 4/15/26 to include Statement Regarding Suzuki Brass Teacher Training

This page offers an overview of the requirements, logistics, and processes for courses that are part of the SAA’s Teacher Development program. If you have questions or need clarification, please email us at [email protected]. While exceptions are offered from time to time to the requirements below, we ask that all Trainers, Festival Directors, Institute Directors, and any other course organizers support us in creating a strong learning community by following the processes below. Please note, there are slight differences in the Teacher Development Program in North America (US & Canada) and Central & South America (Latin America). You can view the rules specific to Latin America at this link. Use the links below to jump to each section.

I. Philosophy of Suzuki Teacher Development

II. Prerequisites and Requirements for all Courses

• Overview Table
• Every Child Can! or Filosofía
• SAA Membership
• Video Auditions

III. Instrument-Specific Unit Courses

• Overview of Requirements
• Entrance Expectations and Requirements
• Preparation – Memorization, Recordings,
• Readings
• Overview: Basic Requirements & Registration
• Course Set-up and Format
• Guidelines for Teaching Strategies
• Specific Guidelines for the SAA Practicum Unit
• Special Guidelines for Viola Study
• Statement Regarding Suzuki Brass Teacher Training
• Regional Considerations

IV. General Topics

• The Training Sequence
• Consultation
• Certificate of Achievement
• Course Applications
• Rosters
• Auditing Courses
• Scholarships

V. Additional Courses

• Teaching Strategies
• Suzuki Principles in Action
• Revisiting Unit 1

VI. Life-Long Learning

• Supplementary Courses
• Enrichment Study

VII. Suzuki Early Childhood Education: Prenatal and Baby/Toddler Years

• Overview
• Prerequisites
• Revision of Repertoire and Recordings
• Course Set-Up and Requirements
• Helpful sites

I. Philosophy of Suzuki Teacher Development

The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) is committed to Dr. Suzuki’s belief that every child can be educated and that high ability can be nurtured in every child. With this commitment in mind, the SAA has designed a comprehensive Teacher Development Program to assist teachers in creating the best possible learning environment for their students, an environment that puts a priority on the development of fine character along with excellent ability and musicianship.

Teachers enter the Teacher Development Program with well-honed playing skills, thorough musical knowledge and a strong interest in teaching children. The Program’s carefully organized curriculum is presented by experienced SAA-registered Teacher Trainers who guide participants through the Suzuki™ Method repertoire, Suzuki philosophy, pedagogical concepts, and practical teaching techniques. With the courses organized in line with students’ unit by unit progression through the repertoire, the teacher is expected to begin their Suzuki teaching journey and return for further training as they hone their skills.

Along with the pedagogical skills for working effectively with students of all levels and different learning styles, the program provides opportunities for an ever-deepening understanding of the Suzuki Philosophy and an increasing awareness of the influence that Suzuki teachers have on their students’ families as they fulfill their responsibilities as nurturing educators. Mutual respect among colleagues, a generous spirit of sharing and a belief in the value of Suzuki™ teaching as a profession are the indispensable underpinnings of all areas of Suzuki Teacher Development.

The SAA has formulated requirements to ensure high standards for teacher training, and to make possible the recognition of such training. As teachers grow in experience and take advantage of the many opportunities for life-long learning that are provided within the Suzuki community— conferences, retreats and workshops as well as unit training—their commitment is recognized through a central course registration system. Registration of courses is not regarded as certification: certification as such is not offered by SAA. However, teachers have the opportunity to participate in the SAA’s Certificate of Achievement Program.

The course offerings regulated by the SAA fall into the following categories, each category having its own guidelines and requirements:

• Every Child Can! An Introduction to Suzuki Education (ECC) © or Filosofía
• Core Units
  • Instrument-specific courses, each based on a single book of Suzuki repertoire
  • Teaching Strategies, effective January 2025
  • SAA Practicum (instrument specific)
• Recommended additional Units
  • Suzuki Principles in Action© (SPA)
  • Revisiting Unit 1
  • Supplementary courses
• Enrichment courses

These courses must meet the requirements outlined in this document to be eligible for SAA registration. SAA-approved training is available through study with registered SAA Teacher Trainers in violin, viola, cello, piano, bass, flute, guitar, recorder, harp, voice, organ, and brass, as well as in Suzuki™ in the Schools and Suzuki™ Early Childhood Education.

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II: Prerequisites and Requirements for all Courses

Overview: The SAA encourages well-trained musicians with a strong interest in working with families to consider beginning Suzuki pedagogical training through the SAA Teacher Development Program. Entering the Suzuki teaching profession requires a well-rounded, mature and balanced approach to educating the child and the parents/guardian/caring adult, as well as excellent instrumental skills and musical knowledge. In addition to providing grounding in the Suzuki philosophy, both Every Child Can! ™ and Filosofía help the applicant decide whether Suzuki teaching is a good fit. *For the purposes of this document, parent is being defined as any adult, caregiver, guardian, grandparent, or whoever is supporting the child in the learning process.

The table below provides an overview of courses, their prerequisites, and their format. ECC and Filosofia are the only courses for which SAA Active Membership is not required. When Unit 1 is listed as a prerequisite, it is understood that the prerequisites for Unit 1 must also be met.

Every Child Can!™ (North America)

For teachers beginning the SAA Teacher Development Program in the US and Canada, their journey will begin with the Every Child Can! (ECC) course, a 6- 8-hour course designed to introduce the participants to Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy, to the SAA, and to what Suzuki teaching as a profession may mean to the participant. ECC is open to all adults who are interested in Suzuki education (teachers of general music and other educational disciplines, potential teachers, college students, parents, administrators, etc.).

• To enroll in ECC or any SAA Teacher Development course, a person must be at least 18 and graduated from high school. There are no instrument proficiency requirements for ECC, and no audition is required. It is not possible to audit ECC.
• ECC in person can have 2 – 30 participants.
• ECC online can have 2 – 15 participants.
• An SAA fee will be charged, whether the course is completed or has been previously taken and registered. Enrolled individuals who do not complete 100% of the course will be marked as “incomplete,” and the course will not be registered with the SAA. Visit our fees page for up-to-date information.
• ECC course materials were designed and copyrighted by the SAA to provide specific guidelines for consistency of content and delivery. For further information about course guidelines and hosting requirements, visit this page.

Filosofía (Latin america)

For courses offered in Latin America, all training starts with Filosofía. This course consists of 15 hours of pedagogy and 8 hours of observation over five days. Like ECC, Filosofía is open to everyone and provides the needed background for unit study in any Suzuki^® instrument area.

• To enroll in Filosofía or any SAA Teacher Development course, a person must be at least 18 and graduated from high school. Filosofia is the prerequisite for participation in a Unit One course taught in Latin America, in person or online. No exceptions. It may be substituted for ECC as a prerequisite for Unit 1 taught in North America.
• The In-person maximum is 50 participants.
• The online maximum is 24 participants.
• The course must be offered over a minimum of 5 days.

SAA Membership

Teachers interested in taking training through the SAA Teacher Development program are asked to become Active Members before enrolling in any and all courses apart from ECC or Filosofía . Join the SAA to begin your training! Teachers in Latin America are also required to be Active Members. To view pricing for membership, visit the previous link. Under the Suzuki trademark agreement, all Suzuki® teachers must be members of their regional association. SAA’s region includes North America, Central America and the Caribbean countries, and South America.

Students enrolled in university can receive a membership discount for Active Membership. Those in Long-Term Suzuki® Pedagogy Programs at universities will receive their discount code from their Teacher Trainer. All other university students, whether music majors or not, may request a discount code by sending proof of their student status to [email protected].

Additional Fees: Teacher Trainers pay annual fees beyond membership, including licensing fees for those who offer ECC.

Auditions: North America

The following information applies to all instrumental core courses and other Suzuki repertoire-based courses offered in North America. An exception is made for students enrolled in an SAA-approved university degree program with an emphasis on Suzuki pedagogy. Core courses include Units 1 through the highest book level course for the instrument as well as SAA Practicum. ECC is not included as a core course. Audition repertoire is available at this link. You can view the Teacher Audition Guide at this link.

• The SAA considers training to be professional pedagogical study, intended for trained musicians. A video audition is required of everyone registering to participate in an SAA-approved Teacher Workshop in North America.
• Auditions must be submitted no later than 14 days before the start of the course. We recommend submitting auditions 6-8 weeks before a course to allow ample time to receive results and secure a spot on the roster. Applicants must pass the audition to gain access to a course and to earn the course credential.
• Teachers entering the program can audition at the level where they feel most comfortable: Basic, Intermediate, or Comprehensive. Requirements for each level are included in the SAA Teacher Audition Guide. The guide provides further details, including fees, formats accepted, the list of required audition repertoire for the various instruments, and rules for reapplication.
• For those auditioning on multiple instruments, separate auditions are required for each instrument.

Exceptions and special circumstances:

• Violin & Viola: Applicants who play violin and viola may audition on their preferred instrument. If the audition is accepted, they may train on their preferred instrument through the unit (book) approved by that audition and through Book 2 only on their second instrument (violin or viola). An instrument-specific audition is required for training in Book 3 or beyond.
• Those students enrolled in SAA-approved Long-Term University Suzuki Pedagogy programs whose major is performance, music education, or music pedagogy are not required to complete the SAA audition during their studies.
• Teachers who completed and registered a course before 2006 may repeat the same course without an audition. If teachers in this situation wish to take a course beyond the level previously completed, the audition requirement will apply.
• If you have any further questions about accommodations, special circumstances, or needs for various reasons, please write to us at [email protected].

Auditions: Latin America

For Latin American Courses, there are two options for entrance auditions, depending on the country.

• Some programs follow the system described above where video auditions are submitted to the SAA. Visit this page for current audition fees from Latin America.
• Other programs ask the participants to send auditions to the Course Organizer, Teacher Trainer, or Festival Director. These are then sent to the trainer to decide if the participant can actively enter the course. The trainer evaluates the auditions anonymously.

III: Instrument-Specific Unit Courses

Overview: SAA Teacher Development unit courses are available for all SAA-approved Suzuki™ instrument areas for which core repertoire has been or is being developed. Currently, in the Americas, these include violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, guitar, recorder, harp, voice, organ, brass, Suzuki™ Early Childhood Education (SECE), and Suzuki™ in the Schools (SiS).

Each core unit concentrates on one Suzuki book level (Book One, Two, etc.) or, in the case of either SECE or SiS, one level of study. The content will follow the syllabus for the instrument being studied and will include performance of the repertoire, supervised observation, discussion, and completion of assignments as given by the Teacher Trainer. In addition to their focus on Suzuki repertoire and instrumental technique, unit courses will also include additional topics as appropriate. These may include review and application of Suzuki™ philosophy, parent involvement, listening, home practice, private and group lesson formats, learning styles, learning by ear, note- reading, studio setup, and other skills basic to the Suzuki approach. Instrument unit courses follow an instrument-specific syllabus. (Development of syllabi is still in process for a few instruments.) Syllabi for Trainers can be found at this link under heading III. Teaching Unit Courses.

Participation Preparation for Courses: North America

It is expected that Teacher Workshop Participants (TWPs or Participants) purchase the Suzuki Volume and recording prior to the course start date. Participants will be playing the repertoire being studied in class. Participants are expected to prepare the repertoire for the book to be studied to the point of fluent performance. In order to get the most from the Book One course, participants are expected to memorize the repertoire. Additionally, participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s book Nurtured by Love.

Trainers may be in touch with the participants prior to the first class with additional expectations for preparation. During the duration of the course, a Teacher Trainer has the option to add assignments and other reasonable requirements in addition to ongoing daily work outside of class hours. Participants should schedule their time to allow for this important work. For in-person courses, strings and woodwinds are expected to provide their own instruments.

Participation Preparation for Courses: Latin America

Memorization is required for unit courses in Latin America. The Trainer will listen to each participant individually. There is some variance in the advanced books in each instrument area as to how much of the book needs to be memorized. The Festival Director, Teacher Trainer, or Course Organizer should be consulted if there is a question.

• For all instruments, all pieces in Books 1-4 are required to be memorized.
• For voice courses, memorization of Book 1 in the teacher’s own teaching language is required; for all other voice units fluency is required for all Conservatory-common language repertoire (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian). This will change as additional Voice books are published.
• For violin courses, the following pieces are also required to be memorized:
  • Book 5: One of the slow Vivaldi movements (A minor or G minor), first movement of Vivaldi G minor, Country Dance, Veracini Gigue, and Bach Double
  • Book 6: La Folia, Fiocco Allegro, Rameau Gavotte, plus two contrasting movements from the Handel Sonatas (movements may be from the same or different sonata)
  • Book 7: Mozart Minuet, first movement of Bach a minor, and Corelli Allegro
  • Book 8: First two movements of Eccles Sonata, Tambourin, one of the Largos (Bach, Pugnani or Veracini) plus the last two movements of Veracini Sonata
  • Books 9 and 10: First movements memorized, including cadenzas (Joachim)
• For other instruments, consult the Teacher Trainer for the course.

Overview for participants: Basic Requirements and Registration of Courses Completed

The following requirements for satisfactory completion and registration of courses should be covered by the Teacher Trainers for each participant prior to class:

• Pre-requisites complete
• Pre-course preparation – memorizing repertoire, listening to reference recording, etc.
• 100% attendance requirement
• Appropriate class participation
• Completion and submission of observations and other class assignments
• If all requirements are met to the Trainer’s satisfaction, they click the link “Mark completed?” next to each registrant who has completed the course including assignments. If the Trainer cannot verify the completion of all requirements, they will consult with the participant.
• The roster should be marked complete as soon as possible after the course and within ten days after the course. If the trainer or course sponsor is collecting payment directly, the SAA Office will send email invoices for course participation fees. Course registration fees are exempt for participants in Latin America.
• It is recommended that participants allow for time between unit courses to allow for opportunities to process the ideas learned from the material studied and use them in their studios before proceeding quickly to the next unit of study. This is especially important in the earlier units of study.
• Participants should take only one unit course at a time.

Course Set-up and Format

Class Sizes

In-person repertoire-based courses may not exceed 15 participants. Anyone who is in the classroom should be listed on the SAA roster. Auditors must also be included within this maximum count, be listed on the roster, and pay the SAA course participation fee.

Online courses – Limit of 10 participants for all book units, Supplementary and Overview courses, SiS levels, SECE Revisiting Stage 1, and all others, except as otherwise noted. Auditors are included in the online course, a maximum of ten.

Hours & Days

Unit 1

North America:

• The course must be offered over a minimum of 8 days.
• A minimum of 28 hours of class time (lecture and demonstration) is required, including a suggested 2 hours of guided observation and discussion of the Trainer’s own home studio students, either live, by recording, or a combination.
• 15 additional hours of guided observation of student lessons with follow-up discussion
• The daily schedule for in-person courses should be 2-6 hours of class time. Daily schedule for all online should include a maximum of 4 hours (plus observation).
• It is expected that live lesson observations at the Unit 1 level be provided whether the course is being offered live or online. If this is not possible, the Teacher Trainer must be informed well in advance to have adequate recordings or live observations for participants.

Latin America:

• Minimum of 28 hours of class time (lecture and demonstration), to include a suggested 2 hours of guided observation and discussion of the Trainer’s own home studio students, either live, by recording, or a combination.
• Since the Latin American prerequisite is the 15-hour Filosofía course, Unit 1 is offered over a minimum of six days in person or seven days online. Additional days are encouraged when possible.
• Since Filosofía includes 8 hours of observation, the Latin American Unit 1 observation requirement is 8 hours.
• Daily schedule for in-person courses should be 2-6 hours of class time. Daily schedule for all online should be no more than 4 hours (plus observations).
• Live observations of lessons at the Unit 1 level should be provided daily whether the course is being offered live or online. If it is not possible for the institute or course sponsor to provide live observation opportunities, the Teacher Trainer must be informed well in advance in order to be prepared with adequate daily recording or live observations for participants.

The SAA reserves the right to request clarification of the schedule to ensure that requirements for hours/days and content are being met in North, Central, and South America

All other repertoire-based units: Unit 2 and above, Supplementary, and Overview courses

• A minimum of 15 class hours of lecture/demonstration and 8 hours of supervised observation are required over at least five days.
• Institute Director or course sponsor and Teacher Trainer must ensure that students at appropriate levels will be available for demonstration lessons and/or arrange in advance for the Trainer to provide recorded lesson observations.
• It is expected that the Teacher Trainer will give participants instructions for the observations and observation note-taking process. The Trainer is expected to provide for discussion of what has been observed.
• It is recommended that Teacher Workshop Participants not be scheduled for more than 6 class hours per day.
• In an institute/workshop setting, the option exists for a Participant to complete two back-to-back, consecutive units beyond Unit 1 over no fewer than nine days with no other allowable reductions in the required hours or content requirements.

Formats

Units may be taken over consecutive days or within a more flexible time frame, as arranged by the Teacher Trainer or course sponsor. Minimum days/hours per unit must be met, and observation opportunities must be included as a part of all training situations. Units set up over a period of weeks or months are commonly offered during the academic year and may be delivered in a one-on-one situation or for a small group. Applications for such courses must still be received at least six weeks prior to the start of the course and must provide a clear start and end date for course content and observations. It is highly recommended that online courses be spread out over multiple weeks.

Specific Guidelines for the SAA Practicum Unit

The SAA Practicum focuses on honing the art of teaching. It was developed to enhance the SAA’s level-by-level unit training. Classes are instrument-specific: e.g., SAA Practicum Unit in Violin, in Cello, in Piano, etc. The Practicum may be taken at any time after Unit 1. (Note: Viola is sometimes included with Violin.)

• The Practicum may not be taken simultaneously with another unit course.
• Course length must be a minimum of 5 days.
• A minimum of 15 class hours of lecture/demonstration and 8 hours of supervised observation required.
• Class Size: 2-5 participants
• Participants must have a current Suzuki studio and must have completed a minimum of ECC and Unit 1.
• Participants must bring recorded lesson segments of their home teaching
• In addition to viewing and discussion of recorded material from the participants’ home studios, the Practicum participants may have the opportunity to teach on-site students with guidance from the Teacher Trainer. In an institute situation, the lessons with the Practicum course participant will be extra, not part of the regular Institute curriculum. The students should be informed that they should play a different piece from the one they are studying with their Institute teacher.

Criteria for Practicum Recordings:

Participants in Practicum are to prepare two recordings:

• A complete 30-minute lesson
• One 30-minute segment containing materials of their choice: consecutive lessons of the same student, a group lesson, a reading lesson, a challenging student, lesson segments at different book levels, etc.

For each recording, participants will likely need to record many lessons over time and evaluate them considering these criteria, selecting portion to include in Practicum:

• The angle of the camera must clearly show the student’s hands.
• The closest camera placement should be used, to including the student’s entire body. For Voice, there must be space to see any movement.
• The teacher should be visible during much of the lesson.
• Whenever possible, include the parent as well.
• Try for the best possible sound and video quality.

Special Guidelines for Viola Study

Auditions

• Violin and viola auditions are interchangeable through Unit 2.
• The Basic Viola audition allows the applicant to take Viola Units 1-4 and Violin Units 1-2.
• The Basic Violin audition allows the applicant to take Violin Units 1-4 and Viola Units 1-2.

NOTE: Units 5 and above require submission of the Intermediate and/or Comprehensive audition.

Reciprocity

• Reciprocity between violin and viola exists for Units 1 and 2 only.
• TWPs continuing with Viola-specific training are required take Viola Unit 3 (and Units 4 and up on Viola) *Note Requirement effective as of January 2022

Additional Viola Information

• For all participants in viola training, Units 1-4 are required to be taken in sequential order. This requirement is effective as of January 2022.
• Under the above guidelines, Viola Overview 1-3 is no longer needed/offered.
• If the (discontinued) Viola Bridge course was taken before 2022, it qualifies a participant to enroll in Viola Unit 5 with an intermediate or comprehensive audition on file.
• Both Violin and Viola Teacher Trainers may teach Units 1-2 interchangeably. In the first two books, a violin trainer may teach viola or a viola trainer may teach violin if the trainer feels comfortable in that capacity.
• The name of the class (e.g., Violin Unit 1 or Viola Unit 1) determines what instrument the participants bring and the trainer plays. For courses listed as Violin/Viola Units 1 or 2, which may be offered at some workshops or Institutes, the participants are to bring the first instrument listed in the course title but are encouraged to bring both instruments, as the Trainer may demonstrate on both. Such courses will be registered according to which instrument is listed first in the name of the course.

Statement Regarding Suzuki Brass Teacher Training

Suzuki Teacher Trainers on brass instruments are appointed on their main instrument only: that is, the brass instrument on which they have completed their Suzuki Brass teacher training. Consequently, there are Suzuki Trumpet Teacher Trainers, Suzuki Trombone Teacher Trainers, Suzuki French Horn Teacher Trainers, Suzuki Euphonium Teacher Trainers and Suzuki Tuba Teacher Trainers.

Despite the stipulations in the paragraph above, a Suzuki Teacher Trainer on a brass instrument, regardless of their main instrument, is allowed to invite teacher trainees on other brass instruments to their Suzuki teacher training courses up to ESA Level 3 (and corresponding levels for the SAA), since the repertoire and playing technique are relatively similar for all brass instruments at these levels.

At future ESA Levels 4 and 5 (and corresponding levels for the SAA), Suzuki brass teacher training takes place on each individual instrument. The brass teacher trainer working at ESA Levels 4 and 5, works only with trainees on the teacher trainer’s main instrument. Possibly several teacher trainers with different main brass instruments can collaborate on the same course at these levels.

Suzuki Brass is a small group within the Suzuki community and the number of teacher trainers is even smaller.

Without sacrificing quality, everything should be done to encourage the development of the entire group of brass instruments.

Regional Considerations: Regions Beyond The Americas

Teacher Training is region-specific. The International Suzuki Association (ISA) approves regions and allows each region to govern its training.

SAA Teacher Trainers must be invited in order to offer courses outside the SAA region (North, Central, and South America) and follow the requirements of the inviting region.

In order to accept training commitments in the SAA region, Teacher Trainers from other ISA-approved regions must be invited and sponsored by an approved SAA training event. Primary consideration should be a specific need that cannot be met by an SAA Teacher Trainer. The organization sponsoring the visiting Trainer must write to the SAA ([email protected]) and submit the request form (Application for Visiting Teacher Trainer) to the SAA for approval. This is considered a one-time approval.

A visiting Teacher Trainer must be in good standing in their region and is expected to be an Active SAA member; the sponsoring organization is responsible for paying the fees involved. Visiting Trainers are required to follow SAA Syllabus and Teacher Development Guidelines; the training will be registered as SAA Training.

Any teacher wishing to enroll in training offered by a different region must have written permission from both regions involved and follow the rules and requirements set by each region. Decisions regarding recognition of training taken outside the participant’s home region will be made by the home region.▲

IV: General Topics

The Training Sequence

While the SAA highly recommends that all instrumental unit courses be taken in order, the first 3 units (for viola, the first 4 units) must be done in order after ECC or Filosofía.

Teaching Strategies is a prerequisite for Unit 3 as of January 2025. It is designed to come after Unit 2, though it can be done for the first time after Unit 1. It is a course worth repeating many times, as it provides feedback on your teaching.

After Unit 3 (for viola, unit 4), the other units may be completed and registered out of numerical sequence, provided that the requisite audition has been accepted.

The SAA recommends leaving space between courses to allow for reflection and solidification of skills, repertoire, and knowledge. For SECE courses, one year of teaching experience is required between each stage of training.

Suzuki Principles in Action™ (SPA) and the SAA Practicum Unit may be taken any time after ECC and Unit 1, after the teacher has completed a minimum of one year of Suzuki teaching.

Consultation

Near the completion of Units 1, 2, and 3, the Trainer is expected to meet with each participant for a brief (10-minute minimum) consultation. This provides the opportunity for the participant to ask questions and for the Teacher Trainer to offer suggestions. For Books 4 and beyond and for the Practicum, consultation is optional but recommended.

Participants in Latin American courses are required to play the repertoire of the book being studied by memory individually for the Trainer before the end of the course. The 10-minute consultation is also included during these sessions.

Certificate of Achievement, Levels 1-3

The Suzuki Association of the Americas is committed to excellence in teaching and to establishing standards within the framework of the Suzuki philosophy. Recognizing teachers committed to life‐long learning and self‐improvement is part of SAA’s commitment to excellence.

The Certificate of Achievement program provides the opportunity for the Suzuki teacher to demonstrate excellence in teaching in the early book levels. The process was developed within the framework of the Suzuki philosophy and was designed to encourage self‐evaluation and professional growth. While the SAA Certificate of Achievement Program is not a certification, it provides a viable measure of achievement and commitment beyond the basic registration of units. By engaging in this process, you will not only grow as a teacher, but contribute to the growth and professionalism of Suzuki education.

Course Approval and Registration Process: Organizations, Institutes, & Course hosts

Course Applications

Teacher Development courses may be offered as by SAA-approved Organizations as workshops, at institutes, or at festivals. These Organizations may be schools, festivals, Suzuki programs, chapters, country associations, individual Teacher Trainer studios, etc. SAA-approved Institutes follow specific Institute Guidelines. New organizations who would like to offer Teacher Development courses need to be set up as an Organization with the SAA. To do so, please contact the SAA at [email protected].

Approved Organizations have access to the SAA website. The following rules apply regarding Organizations:

• Organizational contacts must have active SAA membership
• All workshops should be submitted for approval at least six weeks in advance by the hosting Trainer or Organization. Upon approval, courses are posted in the Events section of the website. Institutes follow a different timeline, available here.
• Courses are typically approved by SAA staff between 2-7 days working days. Once approved, your event will appear on the SAA website. If you wish to edit a course, whether pending or published, please contact [email protected].
• A Country Association pre-approval process applies to courses in Brazil, Mexico, and some other countries.
• During June, July, and August, in North America, courses may only be offered at SAA-approved Institutes. Exceptions may be reviewed and considered in small-instrument situations or in remote regions. Email [email protected] for consideration.

Course set up

Course Hosts submit all event details via the Submit a New Event page. On this page, the Course Host will indicate how payment is to be made by the course: SAA processes payment with registration or the Course Host processes payment separately. Learn more below under the heading Payment Process.

Event requests should be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the course start. It will take 2-7 business days for the SAA to review and approve courses submitted on the website. Institutes follow a different timeline, available here.

Course Hosts can view their upcoming courses and rosters on the Sponsor Landing Page once the courses are approved and set up by SAA staff. Course hosts should review the roster before the course begins. On the first day, the course host or trainer should verify that all participants are listed on the roster as well as noting anyone listed on the roster who is not present.

Payment Process

When submitting an event for approval, course payment can be set up in two ways. Note that course participants always need to join the SAA roster either from the SAA Events list or from an event link shared by the course sponsor. The SAA system will automatically check to ensure participants are registered members, have accurate pre-requisites, and have passed any necessary audition requirements.

The table below summarizes key differences between the two payment options.

SAA Processes Payment (Preferred)

1. When participants enroll in a course on the SAA website, they will pay their tuition and SAA fees in one total payment. The SAA fees will be deducted from the price of tuition, and the balance will be sent to the Course Sponsor. The SAA website will automatically ensure course participants submit necessary auditions, have up-to-date prerequisites, and are registered members of the SAA. If a participant wants to audit the course, they can email [email protected]g
   
2. From the Sponsor Landing Page, the Course Sponsor determines how they receive payment from the SAA: Stripe or check (available only in the US).
   • If the Course Host chooses payment by Stripe, funds are available in stripe within 2-5 business days, depending on their bank and connection. Please note the first payout may take up to 7 days. Visit this page to learn additional detail about Stripe Payouts.
   • If the Course Host chooses payment by check, the SAA will send payment to the Course Host within two weeks, less fees, following completion of the roster.
     
3. At the end of the course, the Teacher Trainer, or the Course Host in coordination with the Teacher Trainer, should visit the course roster and mark students as complete (or if incomplete, leave them unmarked). Course Rosters can be found on the Sponsor Landing Page. Course credentials are issued immediately when the roster is marked for completion.

Payment through course host

1. When their course is approved, Course Hosts should add the event link for the course to their website and other advertising materials so that all course participants are directed to enroll in the SAA roster BEFORE submitting payment to the course host. Event links are found on the Sponsor Landing Page.
   
2. After enrolling in the course on the SAA website, participants will receive a link or note in their confirmation email directing them how to pay. The Course Host submits this information when they submit the event request.
   • If you have any troubles with this, and/or would prefer to submit a list of participants to us, please email us at [email protected]. If Course Hosts or Trainers elect this option, please note, they are responsible for ensuring all prerequisites are met.
     
3. Course hosts should review the roster before the course begins. On the first day, the course host or trainer should verify that all participants are listed on the roster as well as noting anyone listed on the roster who is not present or any duplicates. Please write to us to let us know of any roster issues: [email protected]
   
4. At the end of the course, the Teacher Trainer, or the Course Host in coordination with the Teacher Trainer, should mark students as complete (or if incomplete, leave them unmarked) in the course roster. Course Rosters can be found on the Sponsor Landing Page. Course credentials are issued immediately when the roster is marked for completion.
   
5. At the end of the course, the SAA will send an invoice for course fees.
   • Payment by check is still possible, if needed. All checks must be sent in USD with a note identifying the payment to:
     Suzuki Association of the Americas
     24901 Northwestern Highway
     Suite 312
     Southfield, MI 48075

Additional Details

Directors and course sponsors are asked to inform each enrollee of all prerequisites (including training guidelines and membership, prerequisite, and audition requirements) in their marketing and informational material for the course. SAA strongly encourages all course participants join the SAA roster before submitting any registration forms or payment to course sponsors.

Teacher Trainers, please stay informed about all requirements and lend support to Course Hosts, and to lend assistance with set up, rosters, and other details, as needed.

Course participants may log in to the SAA website to access any needed proof of completion of individual units and/or a resume of all courses completed, available from their profile.

For courses in Latin America accurate, rosters need to be marked at course completion; however, SAA fees do not apply. At some Latin American Festivals, in addition to SAA registration, courses finish with a presentation of diplomas from the organizing institution.

NOTE: Current members holding registration forms for completed units (paper registration forms) which were not submitted prior to the introduction of the online process may be submitted through Dec. 31, 2016, along with the current applicable registration fee. After that time, older forms will not be processed under most circumstances.

saa enrollment, administration, and participation fees

For a complete list of SAA Fees, please visit this page.

Auditing Courses

Audit status may be appropriate in some circumstances. It is an appropriate option for teachers repeating a course previously completed and registered, when the teacher is unable, due to a variety of circumstances, to complete the observations or other requirements. Repeating courses as a participant is always a worthwhile option, when possible. Auditing may also be recommended for school teachers who need basic information for teaching in instrument areas outside their primary instrument.

• Auditors must be SAA Active members and have taken and registered ECC
• Auditors must be included in the total course count.
• Auditors do not receive the course credential when completed. Audited units do not count as prerequisites for subsequent units.
• Teachers who wish to repeat a course as a Participant (rather than auditor) may do so.
• Institutes are encouraged to charge the same fees for auditors as for participants. Note: SAA-required course fees ($20USD/person/course) are required of both participants and auditors.
• The degree to which auditors are included in class activities should not impinge upon the participants’ opportunities to participate. Trainers are advised that it may be necessary to make a distinction between participants and auditors in some situations.
• Auditors do not turn in observations and do not receive Consultations.
• Teacher Trainers have the option to consider auditors as non- participating observers. However, observers not qualified as, or registered as Auditors are not allowed in SAA Teacher Development courses.

Scholarships

SAA is committed to providing scholarships to qualified teacher course participants at all levels within the limitations of its financial resources. SAA’s Scholarship Program has been in effect since the early 1990s. The program is dedicated to increasing diversity within our corps of teacher members, wider access to training throughout our region, and greater inclusion of teachers in all geographic areas of our region, all instruments, and all levels of study.

Please visit our scholarship page to learn more.

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V: Additional Courses

Estrategías/Teaching Strategies

Suzuki Principles in Action™ (SPA)

SPA is a two-day course designed to help teachers incorporate Suzuki’s principles effectively in their teaching. The course focuses on how to teach, not what to teach, and allows for the sharing of ideas among teachers of all Suzuki instruments and specialty areas. It is based on Dr. Suzuki’s belief that knowledge is an important first step, but “knowledge plus 10,000 times” is what produces ability. This important principle, which teachers frequently explain to their students, applies equally to the art of teaching.

Course Prerequisites:

• Suzuki teachers who have taught at least one year and completed/registered ECC and Unit 1 (or 1A and 1B) can take the course. It is highly recommended as a useful way to prepare for the SAA Practicum course. Unlike Practicum, it is a cross-instrument course.
• Maximum enrollment is 15 participants; minimum is 10.

Preparation and Follow-Up

Pre-course and post-course assignments are required in this course. The pre-course assignment is sent when the teacher registers to take the course. The post-course requirement takes place one month after the course ends and includes submitting a recorded teaching segment for comment by the course Facilitator.

Course Set-Up, Format, and Requirements

• SPA takes place over a minimum of two days
• Typically, the course site and onsite arrangements are hosted by a local organization, school, or individual and offered through and managed by the SAA. SPA is facilitated by an SAA Teacher Trainer who is trained as a SPA Facilitator.
• Registration takes place online through the SAA website. Enrollment closes 2 weeks before the course. SAA provides the course materials for participants.
• 100% attendance and completion of pre-course and post-course work is required. Auditing the course is not permitted.

Registration

The participant’s SPA course is registered automatically when all requirements are met, and the Facilitator has responded to the post-course work.

Revisiting Unit 1:

Course Description (the following description may be used for publicity purposes)

The Revisiting Unit 1 course is designed for teachers who have registered a minimum of Unit 1 and have at least one year of Suzuki teaching experience. It aims to strengthen and update a participant’s teaching by approaching the repertoire and its concepts from a fresh perspective. Discussions cover the foundation of Book One, including application of the Suzuki philosophy, teaching points, layering of skills, addressing challenges of the beginning student, and more.

The format of the course includes lecture, small group discussion, student observation, possible role-playing, and playing demonstration of the teaching points and concepts. Participants will receive an online questionnaire from the SAA, to be completed prior to the start of the course.

Entrance Requirements

Suzuki teachers who have completed and registered ECC! and Unit 1 (or 1A and 1B) and have taught at least one year are eligible to take the course in their instrument area. It is not intended to replace Unit 1.

Setting up the Course:

Estrategías (in Latin America):

Many festivals offer Estrategías (Teaching Strategies) courses. These can be attached to a Unit course or offered as a separate stand-alone 10-hour course. In Latin America, the Estrategías course is a fundamental part of the formation of Suzuki teachers, and it should be a component of all training programs. It has been added to the training program as a requirement in all courses beyond Unit 1 at Festivals in Peru and several other countries. In Latin America, Estrategías must be completed as part of Unit 2 or after Unit 2 and before continuing onto Unit 3.

Teaching Strategies (in North America):

In North America, beginning January 1, 2025, Teaching Strategies is a prerequisite course for Unit 3. Teaching Strategies is essentially a teaching masterclass in which participants have the opportunity to share a short lesson recording with the class and receive feedback. In some cases, the participant may teach a live student and receive feedback after the student’s lesson.

• Current guidelines include 10 hours and 10 participants, whether in person or online.
• Teaching Strategies may be offered as a stand-alone 10-hour course, or it may be incorporated into any unit as part of a 33-hour course, consisting of 15 course hours, 10 hours of Strategies, and 8 hours of observation.
• It is designed to be taken after Unit 2, but can be taken after Unit 1.

• Specifics: 15 hours of class time; 3 hours of observations.
• Maximum of 15 participants in person; suggested minimum of 3 participants. No auditors.
• Format:
  • In-person course must be a minimum of three days with no more than 6 hours per day, and may be offered at institutes, workshops, home studios, or other venues. Institutes may offer the course over 3-5 days within, before, or after the main institute events. Workshops and/or home studio courses may offer the course on consecutive days or spread out over a longer period of time.
    • Online: Maximum of 10 participants; recommended hours per day – 4 maximum over 4 or more days excluding observation.
• The Trainer may send out a pre-course questionnaire to help plan the course. The Trainer is encouraged to contact participants in advance with any additional information or expectations.
• Teacher Workshop Participants may not take Revisiting Unit 1 simultaneously with another Unit course.
• Revisiting format may only be offered for Unit 1. Since Unit 1 is a longer course and very foundational to successful Suzuki teaching, this review course provides clarification of and in-depth consideration of essential Unit 1 topics in a shorter, less costly timeframe.)

Teaching Strategies is considered a core course.

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VI: Lifelong Learning

The Suzuki teaching method is most successful when teachers work and share in a learning community and adopt a commitment to the value of life-long learning. To this end, the SAA encourages a variety of Suzuki-based courses that stimulate teacher participation and interaction and bring a broad spectrum of ideas to the teaching process. These courses are to offer further opportunities to emphasize particular pedagogical aspects directly related to Suzuki teaching and Suzuki repertoire.

Supplementary Courses

Course Set Up, Format, Requirements, and Registration

Supplementary Courses follow guidelines for other unit courses regarding membership, audition, length of course (15 class hours over a minimum of 5 days + 8 hours of observation), and registration of units. For Overview/Review courses, prior registration of all units covered in the course is required. The Teacher Trainer may determine any additional qualifications and requirements for participants, which must be stated in the announcement and registration materials for the course.

• In-person: 15 participants maximum
• Online: 10 participants maximum

Supplementary course topics:

Study with Japanese Master Teachers: This category provides a means for registering a short-term study in Japan or with a guest TERI teacher or master teacher/Teacher Trainer. These opportunities often provide unique perspectives on the Suzuki method and may be technique courses, masterclasses, group classes, etc. They do not replace core courses.

Overviews/Reviews: Overviews are essentially review courses taught in a survey style, focusing on at least three books of Suzuki repertoire. The Overview may survey the development of a technique or a certain area of learning, such as right or left-hand technique, musicality, etc. Participants must have registered for the units covered in the Overview course. (It is expected that Overview courses will not include Unit 1. Revisiting Unit 1 fills the need for a review course.

Group class teaching: ECC or Filosofía and Unit 1 are the minimum prerequisites. Additional prerequisites may be determined by the Trainer when the course is posted.

Supplementary literature and materials: Prerequisite is Units 1-4; additional requirements to be determined by the Teacher Trainer.

Some Supplementary courses may be offered under the Enrichment requirements if they do not meet the Supplementary requirements. Overview courses may not be offered as Enrichment Study.

Enrichment Study

Enrichment Study includes any continuing education class/lecture of at least 10 hours, based on material relevant to or specifically designed for Suzuki teachers. It must deal with material other than Suzuki core materials/units. The teacher does not need not be affiliated with the SAA.

Entrance Requirement: These courses are intended to supplement Suzuki teaching. ECC/Filosofía and Unit 1 are prerequisites for all enrichment courses. A current SAA Active Membership is required. In-person and online maximum is 20 participants. Occasional exceptions may be made to enrollment—for example, if the course is offered to a larger faculty or to all members of a Chapter Affiliate.

Course Content: Course options might include Kodaly, Dalcroze, or Orff classes, master classes, parent education seminars, conducting classes, and topics other than Suzuki unit/core material.

Set up & Format: Enrichment courses may be offered at institutes, workshops, home studios, or at any similar event.

Course Credentials: Enrichment courses allow SAA members to build a well-rounded course of study. Enrichment classes follow the same roster setup process used for unit courses and are subject to SAA fees.

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VII. Suzuki Early Childhood Education: Prenatal and Baby/Toddler Years

The Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) training courses are part of a comprehensive teacher training program approved by Dr. Suzuki and the International Suzuki Association. The SECE Prenatal through Baby/Toddler years course content includes:

• The study of prenatal and postnatal learning environment
• The Baby/Toddler class curriculum and goals
• Music and equipment used in classes
• Prenatal class curriculum
• Parent education

Overview:

Each of the 5 stages of SECE training focuses on the common curriculum and a curriculum recording. Each stage of training will include performance of the repertoire, supervised observation, participation in the demonstration classes, discussion, and completion of assignments as given by the Teacher Trainer. In addition to their focus on the SECE repertoire, each stage will also include additional topics as appropriate. These may include a review and application of Suzuki philosophy, parent education, current and applicable research to SECE, and strategies for adjusting the SECE activities for all ages and developmental stages of babies and toddlers.

Prerequisites:

• Completion and registration of Every Child Can! or Filosofía
• SAA membership by the time of course start
• SECE candidates must be able to sing in tune, keep a steady beat and must have studied the songs and rhymes of the original English language version of the SECE curriculum. Candidates must be prepared to perform the songs and rhymes during the SECE training and lead activities in the SECE demonstration classes.
• SECE core training (Stages) is not offered online.

Revision of Repertoire and Recordings

Starting in May 2021, there will be several opportunities for SECE teachers to take an SECE Curriculum Revision Course. The courses will be available to any SECE teachers who have previously registered a minimum of ECC and SECE Stage One training with the SAA. Revisions to the SECE curriculum have been underway since July 2020 with a focus on bringing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to the Suzuki Early Childhood Education Classroom. The SECE Curriculum Revision Courses will be taught in teams of two Teacher Trainers. Each online course will be 5 hours long, over one day, with a maximum of 30 participants. When SECE Stage Training resumes, only the Revised Curriculum will be used. All SECE classes should be using the Revised Curriculum before or by January 1, 2022. The planning for a Revised Curriculum Recording is underway.

Course Set-Up and Requirements

• Minimum of 5 days, 30 hours in total, including one baby toddler demonstration class per day.
• Training should not exceed 6 hours per day.
• Consultations are provided.
• The 5 Stages of SECE training must be taken in order (Stage 1, Stage 2, etc).
• Before establishing an SECE class, teacher participants will take SECE Stage One training.
• A period of 9 – 12 months is required before taking each next consecutive stage of training.
• Each Stage is registered with the SAA when completed.

helpful sites:

• ISA SECE Information
• SAA SECE Page
• SAA Trainers SECE

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