Teacher Development Courses
ASI 2025 Dates:
July 20-25 and July 27-August 1, 2025
More information coming in December!
Registration will open in February
Please note that courses and trainers will vary from the 2024 schedule listed below.
Classes and observations are offered in the earlier part of the day (see below), but there are many other enriching events in the latter part of each day as well. Whether online or in-person, we hope you will immerse yourself in the “total ASI experience.” While individual schedules will not be ready until 2 weeks prior to the Institute, we are offering the general schedule below to help you plan your week(s).
General Schedule
A meeting for all Teacher Workshop Participants on Sunday evening (prior to the course week) is required.
8:00 am-11:00 am – pedagogy and/or observations
11:05 am – teacher/parent lectures
1:00 pm-4:00 pm – pedagogy and/or observations
Please note that enrichment course hours are set to allow for participating in Unit courses during the same week.
4:00 pm recitals (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)
Evenings include guest artists, faculty concerts, talent shows, chamber concerts, etc.
Enrichment courses are scheduled around the regular class day, so that it is possible to participate in both an enrichment course and a unit course. The enrichment schedule is as follows: Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 pm and M-Th 5-6 pm.
“Festival Concerts take place on the Fridays of both weeks. Teacher Workshop Participants are asked to help with concerts and are invited to play in them. Please plan to stay for this exciting event!”
Teacher Development Program
- To help train successful Suzuki teachers, the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) has set up a teacher development program.
- Teachers interested in studying the Suzuki philosophy, pedagogy, and other aspects of the method enroll in courses corresponding to each book.
- Fee will be refunded only if ASI cancels a class.
2024 Course Offerings
| Course | Dates | Trainer | Modality |
|---|
| ECC! | 7/13 and 7/14 | Pat D’Ercole | Hybrid |
| The Concerti of Bruch and Mendelssohn | 7/13-7/18 | Brian Lewis | In-person |
| Creative Music Literacy | 7/20-25 | Carrie Salisbury | Online |
| Kitchen Table Violin Repairs | 7/21-27 | Dalton Potter | In-person |
| Unit 1 Voice | 7/14-27 | Mary Hofer | Hybrid |
| Unit 1 Violin | 7/14-27 | Pat D’Ercole | In-person |
| Unit 2 Violin | 7/14-20 | Amanda Schubert | In-person |
| Unit 3 Violin | 7/21-27 | Amanda Schubert | In-person |
| Unit 4 Violin | 7/14-20 | Colleen Fitzgerald | Hybrid |
| Unit 5 Violin | 7/14-20 | Beth Titterington | Hybrid |
| Unit 6 Violin | 7/21-27 | Beth Titterington | Hybrid |
| Unit 7 Violin | 7/21-27 | Terry Durbin | In-person |
| Unit 8 Violin | 7/14-20 | Terry Durbin | In-person |
| Practicum Violin | 7/21-27 | Ann Montzka-Smelser | Online |
| Unit 2 Cello | 7/14-18 | Tanya Carey | Online |
| Cello Teaching Strategies | 7/14-18 | Tanya Carey | Online |
| Unit 3 Cello | 7/14-20 | Laura Shaw | Hybrid |
| Unit 5 Cello | 7/21-27 | Tanya Carey | Hybrid |
Note: Unit courses, unless otherwise noted, take place during the student class schedule, as noted above.
- Every Child Can! (ECC!) must be taken prior to beginning Book 1 training.
- Training for Books 1, 2, and 3 must be completed in order. After that, books may be studied in any order.
- SAA Auditions are required prior to beginning Book 1 training and again to participate in Unit 5 training. Audition requirements can be found on the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) website.
- For all teacher training courses except ECC participants must:
- Be an active SAA member
- Be 18 or older
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- All participants will be performing in class.
- All participants (excepts pianists) are required to bring their own instruments.
- 100% attendance is required in order to register a course with the SAA.
- No video recording is permitted in class.
- All participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s book Nurtured by Love.
- Early bird deadline is May 31. Late fees will be assessed after that time.
- $40 tuition rebate will be given to teachers who sign up for two Suzuki core units. (SECE, Practicum, Enrichment, and Supplemental courses not included).
- A limited number of $500 rebates for room and board expenses are available. Preference is given to Teacher Workshop Participants enrolling in Unit 1 or to those attending an institute in-person for the first time.
- Course Cancellations
- ASI may cancel teacher training courses if enrollment is insufficient.
- ASI will cancel teacher training courses on June 29 if enrollment is insufficient. Please register as early as possible so we do not cancel a course in which you would like to enroll.
- If a course is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, you will be notified by June 30 and your fees will be refunded.
- If you choose to purchase a non-refundable plane ticket before June 29, ASI will not be liable.
ECC!
- July 13 and 14, 2024, 1:00 – 5:00 pm (total of 8 hours)
- Cost: $175 ($150 if taken in conjunction with Unit 1)
- For teachers, prospective teachers, parents, and others interested in the Suzuki philosophy and method
- Required first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Development Program
- Eight-hour course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning
- Taught by Pat D’Ercole
Unit 1 (all instruments and voice)
- 28 hours of instruction
- 15 hours of observation
- Cost: $900
- Violin Unit 1 taught by Pat D’Ercole
- Voice Unit 1 taught by Mary Hofer
- July 14-27.
- Must take Every Child Can! (ECC) prior to beginning Unit 1 (Can be taken at ASI on July 13-14, 2024)
- Must complete the SAA audition process 14 days prior to beginning Unit 1 training.
- Read Dr. Suzuki’s Nurtured by Love
- Memorize Unit1 repertoire
- Must take Unit 1 before completing other book levels
- Classes do not meet on Saturday and Sunday.
Unit 2 and Above (all instruments and voice)
- 15 hours of instruction
- 8 hours of observation
- Cost: $525
- Books 1, 2 and 3 must be taken in sequence. After Book 3, unit training may be completed in any order.
- Book 5 and above must have completed the SAA advanced or comprehensive audition.
- Prepare repertoire to be studied to the point of fluent performance.
- Memorization is not required but is recommended.
- Read or re-read Dr. Suzuki’s Nurtured by Love and Ability Development from Age Zero.
- $40 tuition rebate will be given to teachers who sign up for two Suzuki core units. (SECE, Practicum and Supplemental courses not included).
SECE – Training for SECE stages will not be offered at ASI in 2024. Please check back in 2025!
- Pre-requisites:
- Completion of Every Child Can (ECC!) or Filosofia.
- SAA Membership – Join the SAA.
- 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 fo the SECE curriculum. Candidates must be prepared to perform the songs and rhymes during the SECE training and lead activities in the demonstration class.
- Cost: $605
- This course is not offered online.
- Taught by
- Each stage is taught 6 hours per day, over 5 days.
Teacher Enrichment Courses
Enrichment courses are offered to expand a teacher’s horizons into different areas in music education.
- 10 hours of instruction
- $275
- Courses can be added to your SAA profile
- 100% attendance is expected.
- Course hours are set during hours that allow teachers to participate in a unit course and enrichment during the same week.
- Hours: Saturday/Sunday, 1-4 pm; M-Th 5-6 pm.
- Courses offered in 2024:
- The Concerti of Bruch and Mendelssohn – Brian Lewis (week 1)
- Kitchen Table Violin Repairs – Dalton Potter (Week 2)
- Creative Music Literacy – Carrie Salisbury (Week 2)
- Dive into an innovative course for Suzuki educators with resources for teaching applied music theory to wind and string students through games, creative composition, and improvisation. Explore strategies for introducing chord theory with early arranging and composition skills using folk songs and popular music. The course will include: a structured pedagogy for music literacy benchmarks, applied activities for lessons and group classes, empowerment to create original arrangements for your multi-level groups, original and unpublished group arrangements by Salisbury/McLean, and a comprehensive teacher resource packet in PDF form.
Parent/Teacher Lectures
- Two to three lectures per day, presented by ASI trainers and faculty. Monday-Thursday at 11:05am.
- Attendance at these lectures is optional, unless assigned by the teacher trainer of your class.
- Topics may include Suzuki Philosophy, communication, parent-child interaction, goals, early childhood development, working with teenagers, or instrumental techniques and musicianship.
- You will receive a schedule of lectures upon check-in.
- An opportunity for added value unique to the America Suzuki Institute
Institute Observer
- Available for teachers who wish only to observe the teaching of students enrolled at the American Suzuki Institute.
- Observers may not attend Teacher Training classes.
- Observers are free to design their own schedules. There is no coursework or performing participation requirements.
- Any adult who is not enrolled in a Teacher Training classes, or is not the parent/guardian of an enrolled student must enroll as an observer.
- Observer fee: $230 per week.
SAW Meeting and Attendee Registration
The Suzuki Association of Wisconsin holds its annual meeting at ASI. If you are an SAW member and interested in attending and taking in some of the sights and sounds of ASI, please complete the form below.
- The annual meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 23 at 11:05 am.
- You are invited to observe on Tuesday/Wednesday.
- Please complete the SAW Member VIP Observer Form and be sure to check in at the office upon arrival. Name tags are required for all adults and children on the premises during the Institute.
The American Suzuki Foundation (ASF) is located in Stevens Point. It provides scholarship and support for both the Aber Suzuki Center and the American Suzuki Institute. The generosity of the ASF has helped hundreds of families and teachers to pursue their dreams of musical excellence, whether in the home or in the studio.
The Teacher Training Scholarships are given in honor of Dr. Suzuki’s commitment to teacher education and are highly coveted. The awards are of varying amounts and are based on demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Suzuki philosophy. A video audition and recommendations are required. The American Suzuki Institute is deeply grateful for the support given by the ASF over the years. More information and forms can be found on our Registration Forms below:
Special American Suzuki Foundation Rebate! The American Suzuki Foundation is offering five $500 rebates for in-person training to offset the cost of room and board at ASI 2024. Contact the ASI office at suzuki@uwsp.edu by May 1. Please include the following information in your email:
- The unit you are intending to study. Preference will be given to Unit 1 participants.
- Why you would like to attend ASI in person this summer.
2024 Teacher Training Forms