Teacher Training
The Suzuki Association of the Americas has developed extensive teacher development courses offered at various locations across the country by a select group of registered teacher trainers. The Western Springs School of Talent Education and Naperville Suzuki School faculty includes four of the country’s leading teacher trainers. Additional information, including SAA Teacher Training guidelines, can be viewed on the SAA website by clicking here.
Apprenticeship Teacher Training Courses create a community of teachers who meet together to receive pedagogical instruction from Suzuki Association of the Americas registered teacher trainers. Together, we share solutions to common teaching problems and all of the relevant teaching points, philosophy and pedagogy related to the unit of study. Upon completion of all course requirements, participants' training will be registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
If you are interested in a course that we are not currently offering, please let us know!
This will help us to determine which courses to offer in the future.
We are also pleased to offer a growing collection of observation videos available at realviolinlessons.com. We know that it is often difficult for active teachers to complete their Teacher Training Observations, so we have developed this website as a solution to make teacher training more attainable for current teachers.
2019-2020 Course Offerings
Nancy Jackson, Instructor
October 1, 8, 15, & 29; November 5, 2019
This course will cover all of the musical and technical development of the material in Suzuki Violin Book 4 as well as additional technical exercises including shifting and vibrato. An overview of how to teach music reading to Suzuki trained violinists will also be included in this course. The required 8 hours of observation for S.A.A. registration are built into the course schedule.
Violin Book Four
Ed Kreitman, Instructor
October 5, 2019
Every Child Can! is an introductory course on the Suzuki philosophy and its application to education. For parents, teachers, prospective teachers and others, this course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning. For teachers, ECC serves as the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Development Program.
Every Child Can!
Ed Kreitman, Instructor
October 29; November 12 & 24; December 3, 2019; January 7 & 21; February 4 & 18; March 3, 2020
This course will cover all of the musical and technical development of the material in Suzuki Violin Book 1 as well as Suzuki Philosophy and parent education. Special attention will be given to all basic skills including posture of the body, instrument, bow hold, left hand set up and teaching through the priorities of Posture, Tone, Intonation, Musicianship and learning how to play by ear.
Violin Book One
Ed Kreitman, Instructor
October 8 & 22; November 5, 7, & 19 2019
This course will cover all of the musical and technical development of the material in Suzuki Violin Book 2 as well as a comprehensive understanding of the concept of Tonalization.
Violin Book Two
Sally Gross, Instructor
January 4, 2020
Every Child Can! is an introductory course on the Suzuki philosophy and its application to education. For parents, teachers, prospective teachers and others, this course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning. For teachers, ECC serves as the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Development Program.
Ed Kreitman, Instructor
January 14 & 28; February 11 & 25; March 10, 2020
This course will cover all of the musical and technical development of the material in Suzuki Violin Book 4 as well as additional technical exercises including shifting and vibrato. An overview of how to teach music reading to Suzuki trained violinists will also be included in this course. The required 8 hours of observation for S.A.A. registration are built into the course schedule.
Violin Book Four
Tom Wermuth, Instructor
January 16-20, 2020
This class will cover teaching the materials in Volumes 6 and above, plus additional materials appropriate for students at this level. During this course, trainees will be asked to teach students provided here at Western Springs. Trainees are also required to bring 2 recordings of at least 20 minutes in length, of them teaching a student of level 6 or above. The recordings should show both the teacher and the student. 8 hours of observation are required.
Violin Practicum
Nancy Jackson, Instructor
January 17-19 2020
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 one’s teaching by approaching the repertoire and its concepts from a fresh perspective. Discussions cover the foundation of Book 1, including application of the Suzuki philosophy, teaching points, layering of skills, addressing challenges of the beginning student, and more.
Revisiting Violin Book 1
Nancy Jackson, Instructor
February 4, 11, 18, & 25; March 3, 2020
This course will cover all of the musical and technical development of the material in Suzuki Violin Book 5 as well as additional technical exercises including shifting and vibrato. An overview of how to teach music reading to Suzuki trained violinists will also be included in this course. The required 8 hours of observation for S.A.A. registration are built into the course schedule.
Violin Book Five
Sally Gross, Instructor
February 15-17, 2020
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 one’s teaching by approaching the repertoire and its concepts from a fresh perspective. Discussions cover the foundation of Book 1, including application of the Suzuki philosophy, teaching points, layering of skills, addressing challenges of the beginning student, and more.
Revisiting Cello Book 1
