June 2011

168 new members joined the SAA in May. Welcome!

Upgraded Discussion Forums

Check out our new discussion forums, where you can discuss all things Suzuki teaching and learning. Share tips and advice and connect to other Suzuki teachers and parents around the world!

A few new features:

• You now use the same log in account for the entire SAA website, including the forums. (You used to need two accounts.)

• New post notification emails now contain the full text of the post, and you can reply to the email in your regular email program to post to the forum. Private messages work this way too!

• Adding pictures and files is easier than ever.

Read more about the new forums

Upgraded Online Member Directory

Along with upgrading our discussion forums, we’ve revamped the Online Member Directory and given everyone a full profile page—check out Board Chair Teri Einfeldt’s page for an example. Member profiles will also show up in the general website search (at the top of every page), making finding your colleagues even easier.

We’ve also added a more website privacy settings so you can customize your online experience and control what information you share with whom.

Log in and review your profile settings:

Web Profile Settings

Don’t forget to add a picture and bio for your member profile page, if you haven’t already!

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Suzuki Voice Training Available in Wisconsin

The American Suzuki Institute is currently the only institute in North America to offer teacher training in voice. This year’s Voice Level One Teaching Training will take place July 30 to August 6 at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, WI. The audition deadline has been extended. If you or anyone you know is interested in our program’s offerings please contact Mary Hofer at mhofer@uwsp.edu.

The Aber Suzuki Voice Program has been in existence for over twenty years. For examples of what our program is about please see What’s New at Aber Suzuki Center and Short Term Teacher Training at ASI.

SAA Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Gagnon

This new Suzuki E-News feature will spotlight a different SAA volunteer or group of volunteers each month. We’re grateful for their contributions to the organization, and they deserve recognition! To nominate a volunteer to be featured in the SAA Volunteer Spotlight, email editor@suzukiassociation.org.

This month’s SAA Volunteer Spotlight features Susan Gagnon, chamber music coordinator for the 2010 SAA Conference.

Tell us about yourself—your studio, your background, and how you became involved with Suzuki.

I have been teaching using the Suzuki method since 1983. I took my first teacher training course at the Guelph Suzuki Institute in 1983. At that time they only offered violin training, but three cellists had enrolled for the course, so they had Annette Costanzi teach us. I have since taken training with Gilda Barston, Tanya Carey, Carey Beth Hockett, Rick Mooney, Carol Tarr, Jean Dexter and Catherine Walker. I became a teacher trainer in 2001. I am the Suzuki program department head at the Royal Conservatory of Music and the current Chair of the Suzuki Association of Ontario.

Read the rest of Susan’s interview

Attending a Conference on a Budget

By MaryLou Roberts

I have to admit that before I attended my first conference, I wasn’t sure why everyone was so excited about it. My colleagues thought it was one of the most important Suzuki events for a teacher to attend, saying you get to refresh and deepen your understanding of Suzuki ideas, see people who are leaders in different parts of the country, listen to inspiring speakers, and just get excited about teaching. So I left my children, ages three to thirteen at the time, with some serous “Daddy time” and drove to Cincinnati. I went on trust, and hoped for the best.

I had to do everything for that trip in the same way that I always do: making it the most fun without spending too much. Here are some tips for attending conferences on a budget. These ideas are for implementing now or in the fall.

Read MaryLou’s Conference budget tips

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Ask the Experts #24: Suzuki Method in Canada

By Karen Kimmett

What are the goals or plans for strategic development or promotion of the Suzuki Method for Canada? Quebec? Rural communities? Academic communities?

The SAA keeps an ongoing dialogue with its Canadian teacher trainers as well as with member teachers. Last May the Suzuki Association of Ontario was honored to become the first Canadian chapter affiliate of the SAA at the biennial conference in Minneapolis. We would hope that there will soon be a second Canadian chapter affiliate. The SAA office offers guidance to Canadian institutes and trainers who wish to set up new programs or to have guidance on ongoing projects.

In 2005, the SAA held its Leadership Retreat in Ontario. At this conference, Canadian teachers and trainers met specifically to discuss the ongoing development of the Suzuki method in their country.

Read more about Suzuki Method in Canada

New Book: The Life and Letters of Frédéric Chopin

Four-part series on Chopin by Malgosia Lis, which features original translations of Chopin’s letters by the author and was originally published in the American Suzuki Journal. Now conveniently bound together in a single volume. The 41-page book is spiral bound and includes photos.

You can purchase The Life and Letters of Frédéric Chopin for $12 from the SAA online store.

Student Graduation Certificates

SAA graduation recognition certificates are available for students graduating from any Suzuki book, or for high school seniors graduating from a Suzuki school, program, or studio.

You can purchase Graduation Certificates for $3 each from the SAA online store.

Shipping is not charged on orders of only graduation certificates.

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2011 Minijournal Cover Winners

1st Place Winner

Joseph M. Evans, “Max”, age 14
Downers Grove, IL
Max has been playing violin for 9 years and his teacher is Daina Volodka.

2nd Place

Caera Ozawa Burns, age 5
Sunnyvale, CA
Caera plays cello with Barbara Wampner.

3rd Place

Simona Sulminas, age 5 1/2
Riverside, IL
Simona has been playing violin for 1 year with Daina Volodka.

Honorable Mention

Mia Lei, age 10
Potomac Falls, VA
Mia has been studying violin for 6 years with teachers David Strom and Mariam Gregorian.

A big thank you to everybody who participated in the 2011 Minijournal Cover Design Contest!

You can get a free copy of the 2011 Minijournal if you attend an Institute this summer. Copies will be on sale online for 50 cents in September.

View bigger 2011 Minijournal pictures

July Events

USA

Eureka Springs, AR
Flagstaff, AZ
Claremont, CA
Fairfax, CA
Oakland, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Westminster, CO
West Hartford, CT
Deerfield, IL
Indianapolis, IN
New Orleans, LA
Minneapolis, MN
St. Louis, MO
Missoula, MT
Greenville, NC
Lisbon, NH
Princeton, NJ
Albuquerque, NM
Las Vegas, NV
Ithaca, NY
Columbus, OH
Eugene, OR
Hershey, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Greenville, SC
Austin, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Houston, TX
Alexandria, VA
Rochester, VT
Bainbridge Island, WA
College Place, WA
Stevens Point, WI

Canada

Langley, BC
New Denver, BC
Brandon, MB
Hamilton, ON
Ottawa, ON
Montreal, QC

Latin America

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mexico City, Mexico

All upcoming events

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