Dear Suzuki Community:

We had a wonderful last month, and I hope yours went well too! I want to send a huge thank you to our Suzuki colleagues at HEB ISD in Texas, who were kind enough to host me during their incredible Spring Festival. It was an astounding experience filled with amazing teachers, young people, and parents. 400 students playing together is a beautiful sound! I’m probably not telling you anything you don’t already know! A huge congratulations to this team, guest clinicians, and the wonderful young people and parents of the HEB ISD Suzuki community.

Be sure to check out our next Suzuki in Action Session, focused on Entrepreneurship. Please also consider writing for our next Journal issue, focused on the theme of Rejuvenation—something we all need a bit more of! Additionally, we’ll have a few announcements in the month ahead, including volunteer opportunities for the conference, a call for proposals, and opportunities for furthering professional development—stay tuned! Finally, in case you missed it, we’ve been working on a new website! We anticipate the website will launch this Summer, and we are so excited to share it with you. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@suzukiassociation.org. See you all soon!

Best,

Angelica Cortez
Executive Director
Suzuki Association of the Americas

	Our Next Community Gathering is Thursday the 27th!

SAA Community Gatherings are a time for us to connect as a community—to hear about recent updates and share time and space together. We hope to see you there!

Las Encuentros de la Comunidad son para conectarnos como comunidad—para escuchar las actualizaciones recientes y compartir tiempo y espacio juntos.

As reuniões da SAA Community são um momento para nos conectarmos como uma comunidade—para ouvirmos sobre atualizações recentes e compartilharmos tempo e espaço juntos.

Les rassemblements de la communauté SAA sont l’occasion pour nous de nous connecter en tant que communauté—d’entendre parler des dernières mises à jour et de partager du temps et de l’espace ensemble.

	American Suzuki Journal

American Suzuki Journal - Call for papers—Volume 51, number 4

For our upcoming issue, we are seeking articles based around the theme of Rejuvenation. Our lives and our teaching flow in cycles. At times we’re fresh and excited, bubbling with creative ideas, performances, and vigor. At other times, we’re at a low point: burned out, spread too thin, and fresh out of ideas. We need a reset and time to recharge. For this issue of the ASJ, we are examining strategies of renewal from many perspectives.

• Pedagogy: How do you refresh your teaching? What resources, repertoire, and techniques do you rely on to spur your creative teaching energies?

• Balance: How do you structure your life to create space for musical renewal? How do you “pump the brakes”?

• Students: How do we guide young people–who might not be aware of their own burnout–to reflect on the cycles in their lives?

• Inspiration: What ideas, musical or otherwise, are your creative touchstones that you return to for renewal?

• Relationships: Who supports you when you need rejuvenation? How do you gather strength from your mentors, family, and friends?

Submissions are due July 1, 2023. Further information and the submission form is here: https://suzukiassociation.org/news/guidelines/ To share ideas, general inquiries, or just to say hi, please contact Andrew Braddock at editor@suzukiassociation.org.

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	The Suzuki Association of the Americas & Alfred Music Present—Suzuki in Action!

The SAA and Alfred Music are partnering to offer members of the Suzuki community a webinar series that aims to create space for those committed to the Suzuki philosophy, music education, and lifelong learning. With opportunities for students, parents, and teachers, each session challenges artists to think creatively and build better musical practices in community with one another. Translations available!

Upcoming Suzuki in Action! Sessions!

Owning Entrepreneurship with Eric Branner

Join us May 1 for the first conversation in our series on embracing and developing your entrepreneurial spirit as a private studio owner. In this webinar, we will provide an overview of essential business knowledge that may not have been covered in your music education, including topics such as cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, defining your mission, setting rates, marketing your studio, managing finances, and optimizing operations. Discover practical strategies to help your studio thrive while maintaining intention towards your best work as a music educator. Bring your questions for a town hall-style Q&A session with Angelica Cortez, Executive Director of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and Eric Branner.

	Revisiting Unit 1 and Stage 1 Courses—Refresh! Recharge! Review!

Consider taking a Revisiting Course to rejuvenate your teaching! The Revisiting offering is available for Unit 1 (instruments) and for Stage 1 (SECE). Whether relatively new in your Suzuki journey or experienced, this is a welcome opportunity to refresh one’s teaching or even review concepts that may have been initially learned online. The course consists of 15 hours of lecture and 3 hours of observation. It is designed for teachers who have registered a minimum of Suzuki Unit 1 (and have had teaching experience) or registered SECE Stage 1 (Note: For those teachers who have not taught SECE Baby/Toddler classes after taking the SECE Stage One course, taking this Revisiting course is recommended before continuing with Stage Two training). The Revisiting courses aim to strengthen one’s teaching by approaching the repertoire and its concepts from a fresh perspective. There will be interactive discussion of the foundational structure of Book 1 or SECE Stage 1, including teaching concepts, layering of ideas, application of the Suzuki philosophy and more. No auditors for this course. Check out the upcoming courses for Revisiting Unit 1 and for Revisiting SECE Stage 1!

	2024 SAA Conference

In case you missed it—Save the Date for our 2024 Conference!

We hope you caught our announcement for the 2024 conference! Be sure to save the dates! Don’t worry—even though we’re in a new location and space, and co-located with amazing string colleagues, the conference is for all members of our Suzuki community!

Please join us March 20-23, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky for a co-located conference with the American String Teacher Association (ASTA). We are pleased to be sharing space with another music-centered organization. Each organization will host its own conference in the same venue, with opportunities for members to overlap. Details about registration, travel, volunteer positions, student opportunities, and call for proposals will be shared in the coming weeks. While we’re sad not to return to Minneapolis in May as we have done for so many years, we are excited to finally come together as a community. We also hope to reunite in Minneapolis at a future date. Our co-location with ASTA brings a wonderful opportunity to connect with new and familiar faces. Keep an eye on our website or join our Community Gathering in April to learn more. As always, any questions can be sent to info@suzukiassociation.org. We look forward to sharing more information soon!

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	Daraja Music Initiative

Teach music in Tanzania this summer with Daraja Music Initiative! DMI provides an interdisciplinary music and conservation education to students in Moshi, Tanzania. 2, 3 and 4-week sessions available June 15—August 6. For more information, visit www.darajamusicinitiative.org

	Advertise with us!

Interested in advertising with us? We would love to work with you. Find out about advertising opportunities here.

	Communication & Feedback

We love hearing from our members! If you have feedback for us, a question to ask, or an idea for us to consider, please either (1) fill out this form, (2) attend a community gathering, (3) sign up for virtual coffee with our Executive Director, or (4) email us at info@suzukiassociation.org.

	Board News

The SAA board met in March and heard committee reports on scholarship funds, as well as an executive report from Angelica Cortez detailing the 2024 SAA Conference announcement. Kay Collier McLaughlin provided a board training session on institutional values, beliefs and behaviors. The “Get to Know You” video series has launched and we are looking forward to introducing a board member each month. Each video will provide a small window into a board member’s Suzuki life experiences.

Check out our next Board member, Andrea Raza!

You can see translations for the video via the captions!

	Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra European Tour—Summer 2023

This June, the Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra (MSSO), under the direction of conductor and Suzuki teacher, Dragan Djerkic, will participate in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival.

This exciting orchestral project, involving 30 string students from Montreal, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo and Vermont, will include performances in prestigious concert halls in eastern Europe, including the Dvořàk Hall in the Rudolfinum and the Smetana concert hall in Prague, and the Musikverein and Konzerthaus halls in Vienna. Another highlight will be a joint concert with the Norwegian Østfold Ungdomsorkester orchestra at Haydnsaal, a concert venue in the Esterhazy palace of Eisenstadt, Austria.

In Bratislava, the MSSO will participate in the opening ceremony of the Bratislava competition in the historic St. Martin’s cathedral. The actual competition venues also include the stunning Slovak Radio building in Bratislava.

The MSSO repertoire includes works by Bartók, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Elgar and Grieg, and the world premiere of noted Montreal composer Leo Purich’s SAMARAS: Passacaglia for Strings, Op.143. This work was commissioned specifically for the MSSO 2023 European tour.

Before leaving for Europe, MSSO musicians will participate in an intensive four-day retreat. Their Montreal send-off concert will take place on Sunday, June 18, in Oscar Peterson Hall.

This exciting MSSO 2023 initiative marks the first European tour of combined Canadian Suzuki classes since the pandemic.

Inspired by the vision of Maestro Dragan Djerkic and supported by a committed team of Montreal parent volunteers, the tour is sure to be a memorable musical experience for European audiences and performers alike.

	Tournée européenne du Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra—Été 2023

En juin prochain, le Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra (MSSO), sous la direction de Dragan Djerkic, chef d’orchestre et professeur de musique Suzuki, participera au Festival international de musique des jeunes Summa Cum Laude.

Ce projet orchestral passionnant, auquel participent 30 étudiants en cordes de Montréal, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo et du Vermont, comprendra des représentations dans des salles de concert prestigieuses d’Europe de l’est, notamment la salle Dvořàk dans le Rudolfinum et la salle Smetana à Prague et les salles Musikverein et Konzerthaus à Vienne. Un autre moment fort sera un concert commun avec l’orchestre norvégien Østfold Ungdomsorkester à Haydnsaal, une salle de concert du palais Esterhazy d’Eisenstadt, en Autriche.

À Bratislava, le MSSO participera à la cérémonie d’ouverture du concours de Bratislava dans la cathédrale historique Saint-Martin. Le concours se déroulera également dans le bâtiment extraordinaire de la radio slovaque à Bratislava.

Le répertoire du MSSO comprend des œuvres de Bartók, Tchaïkovski, Vivaldi, Elgar et Grieg, ainsi que la première mondiale de SAMARAS, Passacaille pour cordes, op.143, l’œuvre du célèbre compositeur montréalais Leo Purich. Cette œuvre a été commandée spécialement pour la tournée européenne du MSSO 2023.

Avant de partir pour l’Europe, les musiciens du MSSO participeront à une retraite intensive de quatre jours. Leur concert d’adieu à Montréal aura lieu le dimanche 18 juin à la salle Oscar Peterson.

Cette initiative passionnante du MSSO 2023 marque la première tournée européenne des classes Suzuki canadiennes combinées depuis la pandémie.

Inspirée par la vision du maestro Dragan Djerkic et soutenue par une équipe dévouée de parents bénévoles montréalais, la tournée sera sans aucun doute une expérience musicale mémorable pour le public et les artistes européens.

	Suzuki Music/Musique Canada

We are delighted to announce!

Suzuki Music/Musique Canada (SMMC) is now officially incorporated as a Canadian not-for-profit organization as of March 6, 2023, marking a historic day for the Suzuki method in Canada. Our journey to this day is the result of more than 30 years of sustained efforts by numerous Canadian Suzuki teachers.

Inspired by Mexico, Peru and other Latin American countries, SMMC will soon be a country association within the SAA.

Fellow Canadian Suzuki teachers and families, this is YOUR organization! To volunteer or to learn more about SMMC please visit the website.

Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer que Suzuki Music/Musique Canada (SMMC) est officiellement incorporé en tant qu’organisme canadien sans but lucratif dès le 6 mars 2023. Ceci marque une journée historique pour la méthode Suzuki au Canada! Cet événement est le résultat de plus de 30 ans d’efforts dévoués de la part de nombreux professeurs Suzuki au Canada.

À l’instar du Mexique, du Pérou et certains d’autres pays d’Amérique latine, le SMMC sera bientôt une association nationale au sein de la SAA.

Chers professeurs et familles Suzuki du Canada, SMMC est VOTRE organisation! Pour devenir bénévole ou pour en savoir plus sur le SMMC, veuillez visiter le site Web.

	Congratulations to Pablo Estigarribia

Pablo Estigarribia won a Latin Grammy award in the field of Tango (piano). Pablo is the son of SAA Teacher Trainer Patricia Passmanter.

	News from Latin America

The Mexican Association of the Suzuki Method (AMMS) held its 2023 Spring Camp

As part of the AMMS Orchestras Spring Camp 2023, several families, students and teachers   lived   an   unforgettable   experience   in   a   space   of   learning,   reflection, coexistence,   emotion   and   lots   of   music.  This   created   the   best   environment   for participating students to develop their musical skills and willingness to interact with all participants.

Students of the Suzuki Mexico Orchestra (OSUM), directed by director Augusto Diemecke, and the Suzuki Mexico Guitar Orchestra (OGSUM), conducted by conductor Víctor Martínez Gardoqui, were present. In addition, the project "My First Orchestra" was presented for the first time, directed by the teacher trainer Fernando Piñero. A large team of volunteer teachers accompanied all students, step by step, in their orchestral development to achieve better results. An organizing team guided everyone so that they could enjoy every moment.

During the camp, participants prepared and performed a closing concert for the event. In the weeks following the Camp, the groups continued with the final concert of the 2023 summer season.

The Suzuki Association of Peru offers the Suzuki Filosofia Course online

During the month of April, teacher trainer Caroline Fraser coordinated the Suzuki Filosofia course. It is a special opportunity both for more people to get to know the philosophical and methodological precepts of learning through the Mother Tongue approach, as well as for those who, even having already taken this course, want to update their knowledge.

Ecuador offered an online lecture on "Practice and Self-Esteem"

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of INEPE’s Musical Talent Education Program, which is part of the Suzuki Ecuador Network, an online lecture was organized for the entire Suzuki community on the continent. The activity, carried out in the form of a panel, discussed the theme “Practice and Self-Esteem”. The guest Teacher Trainer Fábio Dos Santos (Brazil) made a presentation on the topic, to later enrich the panel by participating in the dialogue conducted by teachers from the Suzuki Ecuador Network. This wonderful experience helped to internalize more elements that support the motivation and improvement of the practice at home, keeping the joy in the process.

	Noticias de América Latina

La Asociación Mexicana del Método Suzuki (AMMS) vivió su Campamento de Primavera 2023

En el marco del Campamento de Primavera 2023 de las Orquestas de la AMMS varias familias, estudiantes y profesores vivieron una experiencia inolvidable en un espacio de aprendizaje, reflexión, convivencia, emoción y mucha música. Esto permitió crear el mejor ambiente para que los y las estudiantes que participaron pudieran desarrollar sus habilidades musicales y el deseo de interacción con todos los(as) participantes.

Estuvieron presentes los estudiantes de la Orquesta Suzuki México (OSUM), dirigida por el director Augusto Diemecke; la Orquesta de Guitarras Suzuki México (OGSUM), dirigida por el maestro Víctor Martínez Gardoqui; y por primera vez se presentó el proyecto “Mi Primera Orquesta”, dirigida por el maestro capacitador Fernando Piñero. Un gran equipo de profesores voluntarias acompañó a todos los y las estudiantes, paso a paso, en su desarrollo orquestal para lograr mejores resultados. También se contó con un equipo de organización que los guio para disfrutar cada momento.

Durante el campamento se preparó y presentó un concierto de cierre, para luego continuar en las siguientes semanas con el concierto final de la temporada de verano 2023.

La Asociación Suzuki del Perú ofrece el Curso de Filosofía Suzuki online

Durante este mes de abril, la maestra capacitadora Caroline Fraser coordinó el curso de Filosofía Suzuki. Ha sido una oportunidad especial para que más personas puedan conocer sobre los preceptos filosóficos y metodológicos de la Lengua Materna, así como también para quienes volvieron a tomar este curso puedan actualizar sus conocimientos.

Desde Ecuador, se ofreció una charla online sobre “La práctica y la autoestima”

Por motivo de la celebración de los 15 años del Programa de Educación del Talento Musical INEPE, que es parte de la Red Suzuki Ecuador, se organizó una charla online dirigida a toda la comunidad Suzuki del continente. Esta actividad se realizó a modo de panel, y tuvo como tema “La práctica y la autoestima”. Como invitado participó el maestro Fábio Dos Santos (Brasil) con una presentación, para luego enriquecer el panel con grupos de diálogo liderados por docentes de la Red Suzuki Ecuador. Fue una experiencia valiosa para interiorizar más elementos que apoyen a motivar y mejorar la práctica en casa, con mucha felicidad.

	notícias da América Latina

A associação Mexicana do Método Suzuki (AMMS) realizou seu Acampamento de Primavera 2023

No âmbito do Acampamento de Primavera das Orquestras AMMS 2023, várias famílias, alunos e professores viveram uma experiência inesquecível num espaço de aprendizagem, reflexão, convivência, emoção e muita música. Isto permitiu criar o melhor ambiente para que os alunos participantes pudessem desenvolver as suas aptidões musicais e a vontade de interagir com todos os participantes.

Estiveram presentes os alunos da Orquestra Suzuki México (OSUM), dirigida pelo diretor Augusto Diemecke, e da Orquestra de Violões Suzuki México (OGSUM), regida pelo maestro Víctor Martínez Gardoqui. Além do mais, foi apresentado pela primeira vez o projeto "Minha Primeira Orquestra", dirigido pelo professor capacitador Fernando Piñero. Uma grande equipe de professores voluntários acompanhou todos os alunos, passo a passo, em seu desenvolvimento orquestral para alcançar melhores resultados. Uma equipe organizadora orientou a todos para que pudessem aproveitar cada momento.

Durante o acampamento, os participantes prepararam e apresentaram um concerto de encerramento do evento. Nas semanas seguintes após o Acampamento, os grupos continuaram com o concerto final da temporada de verão de 2023.

A Associação Suzuki do Peru oferece o Curso de Filosofia Suzuki online

Durante este mês de abril, a professora capacitadora Caroline Fraser coordenou o curso de Filosofia Suzuki. É uma oportunidade especial tanto para que mais pessoas conheçam os preceitos filosóficos e metodológicos do aprendizado pela abordagem da Língua Materna, bem como para aqueles que, mesmo já tendo realizado este curso, queiram atualizar seus conhecimentos.

Equador ofereceu uma palestra online sobre "Prática e autoestima"

Em comemoração aos 15 anos do Programa de Educação do Talento Musical do INEPE, que faz parte da Rede Suzuki Equador, foi organizada uma palestra online para toda a comunidade Suzuki do continente. Esta atividade foi realizada em forma de painel, e teve como tema “Prática e autoestima”. Como convidado, o professor capacitador Fábio Dos Santos (Brasil) realizou uma apresentação sobre o tema, para posteriormente enriquecer o painel ao participar do diálogo conduzido por professores da Rede Suzuki Equador. Foi uma experiência maravilhosa interiorizar mais elementos que apoiam a motivação e a melhoria da prática em casa, mantendo a alegria no processo.

Many thanks to our

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