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2014 Conference Wrap-up
Look for a full wrap-up of the Conference in American Suzuki Journal volume 42, no. 4, and also on our website in the next few months.
Thank you to all who made the 2014 SAA Conference possible! We could not have done it without our amazing team of conference coordinators and volunteers. Special thanks go out to the coordinators of the Latin American Suzuki Ensemble!
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Latin American teachers, students, and families.
A Thousand Hearts and Hands
By Susan Baer
At the 2014 SAA Conference, children from all over the Americas joined together in a celebration of music and commonality. This is a story of gratitude to the many individuals who made it possible.
An idea was conceived. It might have been inspired by a twist in the conversation or a smile on the face of a child. It might have ignited in the recap of a sonata or in the twilight of sleep. But there it was: a seed in the form of a thought that soon became a vision. And then it was shared and validated, and it began to seem like it might be possible to mold the idea into a reality. . . . Read more.
2014 Annual Meeting
Video of the 2014 Annual SAA Membership Meeting is now available online. Click the link below to watch.
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Student Video Availability and Purchases
Most of the student concerts videoed at the Conference require editing and processing and will be available in the coming months, but, as promised, the special final concert, Suzuki Americas 2014, went online right after the Conference, on Monday, May 26. The concert featured folk songs from various areas within SAA’s North, Central and South American region, in addition to selections from the Suzuki repertoire. It was an inspiring and exhilarating experience for all!
The video of the concert is available on the SAA website for all to view and share!
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In Memoriam: Michele Higa George
Michele Higa George, age 57, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2014 due to complications from heart surgery. She was surrounded by loved ones. Michele was born to Charlie Higa and the late Larrie Higa on July 18, 1956. She is survived by her daughter, Emiko George; father, Charlie Higa; sister, Mary Higa Ferguson; brother, Robert Higa; nephews, nieces and extended family. Michele was a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to all. Michele’s God-given talent, compassion, generosity and beautiful heart live on in the thousands of people-students, colleagues, friends, family whose hearts she touched in such profound ways.
Michele served as director of Suzuki Studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) from 1986-2003, garnering national and international attention. CIM became the first conservatory in the country to offer a master of music degree in Suzuki Pedagogy. While at CIM, Michele executive produced the award-winning documentary, Nurtured by Love, and led several tours of students and teachers to Japan.
From the time of her training with Dr. Suzuki in the late 1970’s, Michele maintained a close relationship with the Suzuki family, often serving as translator for the Suzuki’s visits to the United States. She was inspired to bring Suzuki programs to communities with few resources, and as diverse as East Cleveland, Ohio and Arusha, Tanzania. Throughout the course of her life Michele provided training to hundreds of young musicians who went on to lead Suzuki programs on three continents.
Michele was a long-time member and active leader in the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA). She was an SAA Teacher Trainer and received the Excellence in Teaching and Creating Learning Communities Awards. For her young students, she provided excellent musical instruction and enabled profound character development, leading students to perform their music in hospitals, nursing homes and homeless shelters.
For all who came in contact with Michele, they will remember her kindness and dedication to teaching, her magical effect on young children and her relentless drive to fulfill Dr. Suzuki’s vision for the happiness of all children.
A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 2115 W. 182nd St., Torrance 90504. A reception will follow at China Tea House Restaurant, 3314 Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance, CA.
Memorial Concert
A Memorial Concert in celebration of the life of Michele Higa George is being held on Sunday, August 31 at 2 pm at Harkness Chapel on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. All teachers, students, colleagues and friends of Michele and her family are welcome to join us for an afternoon of music and memories of Michele— whose vision for sharing Dr. Suzuki’s belief that “Every Child Can” has touched the lives of numerous children, teachers and families around the world.
For more information about the event, please contact:
Hotels Nearby
Courtyard University Circle (limited rooms at $149—our event rate):
Courtyard by Marriott – Cleveland University Circle
2021 Cornell Road
Cleveland, OH 44106
Direct Line: 216.370.6693
Phone: 216.791.5678
Fax: 216.791.5342
Email: stephanie.mcfearin@concordhotels.com
Michele Higa George Suzuki Outreach Fund
The Suzuki Association of the Americas has established a memorial fund in honor of Michele Higa George, her dedication to the SAA and her service to Suzuki worldwide.
The Michele Higa George Suzuki Outreach Fund will support Michele’s dedication to bringing Suzuki education into the lives of all children through community outreach.
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Summer Institutes
There’s still time to sign up for a Summer Institute! Don’t miss this opportunity to reinvigorate your child’s musical growth, or jumpstart your teaching through SAA Teacher Training.
Why Attend a Summer Institute?
by Mark George
Suzuki education, like parenthood itself, is a journey filled with peaks and valleys. The arduousness of the journey can lead to disillusionment and doubt. While parents, teachers and students, working together, can surmount any challenge, there may well be prolonged periods of disengagement by the student or parent, or both.
Summer institutes are then even more meaningful to students and parents who have struggled in the year prior. A trip to a summer institute has the potential to recharge a student’s interest and give them a much needed boost of consistent practice and instruction. Institute teachers can connect with students in a way that inspires them apart from their perceived shortcomings in their home environment.
Sometimes a summer institute simply serves as a vacation, a place where family time, as well as music, is valued and honored. The result might be a reassessment of the role of music in the life of the family. Whatever that reassessment turns out to be, attending a summer institute is a powerful demonstration that children matter.
Parents must realize that they are not alone in their journey. A nurturing community of teachers, parents and Suzuki alumni is standing by ready to embrace them. The Suzuki community is nowhere more visible than at summer institutes, places where the investment of time and energy by Suzuki families is supported and celebrated. The effort and the celebration are part of the great gift Suzuki families give to their children and to the world.
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News From Here and There
Here’s what we’ve been reading around the web lately:
- The Suzuki method didn’t make me a great violinist. But it did change my life. (Spectator)
- New Evidence of Mental Benefits from Music Training (Pacific Standard)
- Infographic—The Suzuki Method: Teaching Musical Excellence and Positive Personal Development (California Music Studios)
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Upcoming Events
Intermountain Suzuki String Institute
Draper, UT Jun 13 – 21
Every Child Can!
Cello 1
Cello 2
Cello 3
Cello 4
Cello 5
Violin 1
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
Violin 4
Violin 5
Violin 6
Violin 7
Violin 8
Violin Supplementary Pieces
Fry Street Days—An Intensive Chamber Music Experience
Lower Suzuki Book Curriculum
Bass Curriculum
Upper Book Curriculum: Cello, Viola, Violin
Advanced String Camp: Cello, Viola, Violin
Twinkle Curriculum: Cello, Viola, Violin
Absolutely Ottawa!
Ottawa, KS Jun 14 – 22
Every Child Can!
Cello 1
Violin 1
Violin 3
Violin 8
The Expressive Art of French Music: Violin
SOUND ENCOUNTERS: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin, Piano, Suzuki Early Childhood Education Baby/Toddler Classes
Ottawa Suzuki Institute Mid-Southwest: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin, Suzuki Early Childhood Education Baby/Toddler Classes
Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp
Twin Lake, MI Jun 14 – 22
Guitar 1
Piano 4
Piano Practicum
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
Students: Bass, Cello, Guitar, Piano, Viola, Violin
Students: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Students: Piano
Colorado Suzuki Institute
Beaver Creek, CO Jun 14 – 28
Every Child Can!
Bass 2
Flute 2
Flute 4
Guitar 2
Guitar 4
Guitar 6
Piano 1
Piano 2
Piano 3
Piano 4
Piano 5
Piano 6
Piano 7
Piano Practicum
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
Violin 4
Violin 5
Violin 6
Violin 7
Violin 8
Violin 9-10
Violin Practicum
Student Suzuki Session: Bass, Cello, Guitar, Piano, Viola, Violin
Student Suzuki Session: Cello, Flute, Harp, Piano, Viola, Violin, Voice
Louisville Suzuki String Institute
Louisville, KY Jun 15 – 20
University of Louisville Suzuki String Institute: Cello, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Viola, Violin
Festival Suzuki de Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia Jun 16 – 27
Filosofía
Padres suzuki: desafío en equipo desde la primera clase
Estimulación temprana I
Kodaly 1
Estimulación temprana II
Kodaly 2
Guitar 1
Piano 5
Violin 2
Violin 5
Suzuki School of Houston
Houston, TX Jun 19 – 30
Every Child Can!
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
East Tennessee Suzuki Flute Institute
Johnson City, TN Jun 20 – 28
Every Child Can!
Flute 1
Teaching Expression and Musicality from the Start: Flute
Tone Development Through Interpretation: Flute
Students: Flute
Virginia Suzuki Institute
Emory, VA Jun 20 – 28
Every Child Can!
Cello 2
Guitar 1
Piano 3
Violin 1
Violin 2
Kontras Chamber Music Workshop: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Adult Chamber Music and Suzuki Institute: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Prelude Chamber Music and Suzuki Institute: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Suzuki Institute: Cello, Guitar, Piano, Viola, Violin
Jane MacMorran Fiddle Weekend: Violin
Oregon Suzuki Institute
Newberg, OR Jun 21 – 27
Teaching Violin Group Class
Cello 2
Piano 2
Viola 5
Advanced Chamber Workshop: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Student Institute: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Atlanta Suzuki Institute
Roswell, GA Jun 21 – 27
Violin 2
Violin 4
Violin 6
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
Greater Washington Suzuki Institute
Falls Church, VA Jun 21 – 29
Every Child Can!
Cello 2
Wrap Your Brain Around Targeted Technique Practice: Cello, Viola, Violin
Violin 2
Violin 3
Students: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Idaho Suzuki Institute
Caldwell, ID Jun 21 – 29
Every Child Can!
Cello 1
Piano 1
Violin 1
Violin 3
“Developing the Suzuki Violinist from Twinkle to Mendelssohn”
Idaho Suzuki Institute: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Columbus Suzuki Piano Workshops
Columbus, OH Jun 21 – 29
Every Child Can!
Piano 1
New England Suzuki Institute
Standish, ME Jun 22 – 28
Pre-Twinkle thru Teen Artist: Cello, Guitar, Piano, Viola, Violin
Thames Valley Suzuki School
London, ON Jun 22 – 29
Every Child Can!
Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 1
Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 2
Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 3
Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 4
Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 5
Greater Washington Suzuki Piano Institute
Annandale, VA Jun 22 – 29
Piano 1
Students: Piano
Suzuki Association of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA Jun 27 – 28
Every Child Can!
Westchester Suzuki Institute
Purchase, NY Jun 27 – Jul 1
Every Child Can!
Westchester Suzuki Institute: Cello, Viola, Violin
DFW—WOW Suzuki Institute
Fort Worth, TX Jun 27 – Jul 6
Every Child Can!
Cello 1
Cello 2
Violin 1
Violin 2
Lone Star Young Artist Program: Cello, Viola, Violin
Harp Institute
Piano Institute
Chicago Suzuki Institute
Deerfield, IL Jun 28 – Jul 6
Every Child Can!
Cello Group Class Fellowship
Cello 1
Cello 2
Cello 4
Cello 6
Cello 8
Piano 1
Piano 2
Viola 4
Violin 2
Violin 4
Violin 6
Violin Overview: Books 4—6
Advanced Program: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Chamber Program: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Student Program: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Los Angeles Suzuki Institute
Claremont, CA Jun 29 – Jul 4
Violin 2
Student Program: Bass, Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Chamber Music Workshop: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
SAGWA Flute Institute
Alexandria, VA Jun 29 – Jul 4
Flute 2
Flute 4
Flute 6
Flute Japanese Master Teacher
SAGWA Flute Institute
Ithaca College Suzuki Institute
Ithaca, NY Jun 29 – Jul 18
Every Child Can!
Cello 1
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 4
Violin 6
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
Advanced Violin and Cello Program: Cello, Violin
Preludio Violin Program
Austin Suzuki Guitar Institute
Austin, TX Jun 30
Every Child Can!
Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute
St. John’s, NL Jun 30 – Jul 4
Atlantic Canadian Suzuki Institute (ACSI): Cello, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Violin
Austin Suzuki Guitar Institute
Austin, TX Jul 1 – 8
Guitar 1
Guitar Practicum
Suzuki Guitar Institute for Young Guitarists
I Pitch Music Suzuki Piano Studio
Taylors, SC Jul 1 – 12
Piano 1
Piano 2
DFW—WOW Suzuki Institute
Fort Worth, TX Jul 2 – 6
Cello 3
Violin 3
Violin 4
Student String Institute: Cello, Viola, Violin
Chicago Suzuki Institute
Deerfield, IL Jul 2 – 6
Cello 3
Cello 5
Cello 7
Cello 9-10
Cello Practicum
Piano 3
Violin 3
Violin 5
Violin 7
Institut Suzuki Montréal
Montréal, QC Jul 2 – 27
Every Child Can!
Every Child Can!
Cello 4
Cello 5
Piano 1
Piano 2
Chamber Music Session for Strings and Pianists
Main Week: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Great Lakes Suzuki Flute & Recorder Institute
Hamilton, ON Jul 4 – 12
Every Child Can!
Supplementary Music for the Suzuki Flute Teacher
Baroque Style for the Suzuki Flute Teacher
Flute 1
Flute 2
Flute 3
Flute 4
Students: Flute, Recorder
North Carolina Suzuki Institute
Greenville, NC Jul 4 – 12
Every Child Can!
Violin 1
North Carolina Suzuki Institute
Alberta Summer Suzuki Institute
Edmonton, AB Jul 5 – 18
Cello 3
Cello 4
Cello 8
Flute 1
Recorder 2
Violin 2
Violin 3
Violin 4
Violin 5
Junior Student Program: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Senior Student Program: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Beginner Mini-Institute: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Chamber Music Program: Cello, Viola, Violin
Students: Flute
Recorder Student Program
Utah Suzuki Harp Institute
Logan, UT Jul 6 – 11
Harp 4
Harp 5
Students: Harp
Ithaca College Suzuki Institute
Ithaca, NY Jul 6 – 11
Cello 3
Violin 3
Violin 5
Violin 8
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
Green Mountain Suzuki Institute
Rochester, VT Jul 6 – 11
Students: Cello, Flute, Piano, Viola, Violin
Northern California Suzuki Institute
Santa Rosa, CA Jul 7 – 11
Every Child Can!
Violin 3
Violin 7
Northern California Suzuki Institute: Cello, Violin
Suzuki Piano Resource Group
Maumelle, AR Jul 7 – 11
Five Piano and Chamber Workshop
Ogontz Suzuki Institute
Lisbon, NH Jul 7 – 22
Practice Pathways: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Suzuki Institute I: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Suzuki Institute II: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
HNU Suzuki Teacher Training Institute
Oakland, CA Jul 7 – 25
Every Child Can!
Piano 1
Piano 2
Piano 5
Piano Practicum
Piano Practicum
Book 1 Refresher!: Piano
Book 2 Refresher!: Piano
Advanced Teaching Music Reading: Reading with Understanding: Piano
Beginning Teaching Music Reading: From Sound to Symbo: Piano
Studio of Tanya L. Carey
Glen Ellyn, IL Jul 8 – 12
Cello 8
Westminster Conservatory of Rider University
Princeton, NJ Jul 11
Every Child Can!
Alexandria Suzuki Guitar Institute
Alexandria, VA Jul 12 – 20
Guitar 4
Guitar 5
Students: Guitar
Langley Community Music School Suzuki Workshop
Langley, BC Jul 13 – 17
Piano 2
Violin 4
Students: Cello, Piano, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Violin
Montana Suzuki String Institute
Missoula, MT Jul 13 – 18
Students: Violin
Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute
Westminster, CO Jul 14 – 18
Violin 2
Students: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Festival Suzuki de Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia Jul 16 – 27
Cello 1
Cello 2
Teaching strategies: Violin
Desert Suzuki Institute
Las Vegas, NV Jul 18 – 26
Every Child Can!
Pre-Twinkle Camp
Flute 1
Flute 3
Flute 4
Piano 2
Violin 2
Violin 3
Students: Flute, Piano, Violin
Escola de Musica Tio Zequinha
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Jul 19 – 22
Filosofía
Pennsylvania Suzuki Institute
Hershey, PA Jul 19 – 25
Cello 4
Violin 2
Violin 5
Young Artist Chamber Music Program
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
I AM Festival
Indianapolis, IN Jul 19 – 27
Every Child Can!
What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body
Piano 1
Piano 2
Piano 3
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
Students: Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Love Nurtured Music Program
Richardson, TX Jul 20
FiddleBlast! Fiddle Workshop: Violin
Western Springs School of Talent Education
Western Springs, IL Jul 20 – 24
Violin 3
Walla Walla Suzuki Institute
College Place, WA Jul 20 – 25
Cello 5
Violin 4
Master, Repertoire, Orchestra, and Elective Classes: Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
American Suzuki Institute
Stevens Point, WI Jul 20 – Aug 2
Every Child Can!
Every Child Can!
Bass 1
Cello 2
Cello 3
Harp 1
Piano 2
Piano 3
Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 2
Viola 8
Viola 9
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
Violin 4
Violin 5
Violin 6
Violin 7
Violin 8
Violin 9-10
Violin Practicum
Voice 2
Voice 3
Session Two: Violin, Piano, Viola, Cello, Guitar, Bass, SECE: Bass, Cello, Guitar, Piano, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Viola, Violin
Chamber Music Program: Advanced Violin, Viola, Bass, Cello, Piano: Bass, Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin
Session One: Violin, Piano, Harp, Cello, Voice, SECE: Cello, Harp, Piano, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Violin, Voice
Studio of Mark Mutter
Troy, MI Jul 20 – Aug 24
Violin 1
Centro Suzuki de Campinas
Mogi Mirim, SP, Brazil Jul 24 – 27
Filosofía
Ann Arbor Suzuki Guitar Teacher Institute
Ann Arbor, MI Jul 24 – 28
Guitar 2
Guitar 3
Northwest Suzuki Institute
Eugene, OR Jul 24 – Aug 1
Every Child Can!
Violin 1
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
Hawaii Suzuki Institute
Honolulu, HI Jul 24 – Aug 1
Teaching the Bach Suites, Shifting and Vibrato: Cello
Violin 6
Hawaii Suzuki Institute
PhoenixPhest Grande Suzuki Institute
Ypsilanti, MI Jul 25
Every Child Can!
Cello 1
Cello 2
Violin 1
Violin 2
Violin 3
Violin 4
Violin 6
Students: Cello, Viola, Violin
Carolina Suzuki PianoFest
Hickory, NC Jul 25
Every Child Can!
Piano 3
Students: Piano
Premier Business Members
Many thanks to our Premier Business Members:
Alfred Music
CodaBow International, Ltd.
Connolly Music Company-Thomastik-Infeld
D’Addario & Co. Inc.
Jupiter Music
The Potter Violin Company
Shar Music
Super-Sensitive Musical String Co.
Things 4 Strings, LLC
The Suzuki Association of the Americas is a nonprofit organization of teachers, parents, and educators dedicated to the advancement of the Suzuki Method in the Americas.
Inclusion of paid advertising does not imply endorsement of the advertised products, activities, events, programs or positions.
