Violin teacher training

VIOLIN TEACHER TRAINING INFORMATION

Classes have limited numbers of participants – your spot is not secured until you checkout and pay in full.

March 15, 2025: Early Bird Registration Deadline for $40 off (automatically applied at checkout)
May 1, 2025: Registration Deadline

Please complete these steps for registration in order:

1. Sign up to be a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) if you aren’t already a member – click here.
2. Submit an audition and receive approval (if you haven’t in past years). Plan ahead and allow enough time for your audition to be reviewed. Click here for audition requirements.
3. Sign up on the SAA roster for your desired ISSI courses – search using your instrument and trainer – click here.
4. Register for ISSI on our website – click here.

We recommend reading the SAA requirements for teacher workshop participants so you know what is expected.

PLEASE NOTE: infants, babies, and children of any age will not be allowed in teacher workshop classes. Please plan accordingly.

Double Unit Pricing: for participants who plan on taking two book units (not including unit 1).

If you would like to make payment arrangements before April 1 (tuition divided into 3-4 payments), reach out to us with your phone number and e-mail before you submit your registration, and we will contact you within a week. Do not submit your registration until arrangements are made.

*Schedules are subject to change in case of emergency*

Every Child Can! with Fernando Piñero (IN-PERSON ONLY)

Price: $150 (down $10 from last year)
Prerequisites: No required prerequisites.
Class Requirements: 8 hours of class time and no observations.
Click here for more information about Every Child Can!

Course Schedule:
Thursday, 6/11

8:00am MST: In-person registration
8:15am-9:45m MST: Class
10:00am-10:30am MST: In-Person Orientation Meeting
10:30am-12:30pm MST: Class
2:00pm MST: In-Person SAA Meeting (optional)
3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Friday, 6/12

10:00am-12:30pm MST: Class

Every Child Can! with Mark Mutter (ONLINE ONLY)

Price: $150 (down $10 from last year)
Prerequisites: No required prerequisites.
Class Requirements: 8 hours of class time and no observations.
Click here for more information about Every Child Can!

Course Schedule:
Thursday, 6/11

8:00am MST: In-person registration
8:15am-9:45m MST: Class
10:00am-10:30am MST: In-Person Orientation Meeting
10:30am-12:30pm MST: Class
2:00pm MST: In-Person SAA Meeting (optional)
3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Friday, 6/12

10:00am-12:30pm MST: Class

Violin Unit 1 with Fernando Piñero (IN-PERSON ONLY)

Price: $725 (down $100 from last year)
Prerequisites: Every Child Can!
Class Requirements: 28 hours of class time and 15 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Friday, 6/12
- 1:30pm MST: Registration and orientation (for those who did not attend ECC)
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Saturday, 6/13
- 10:00am-12:30pm MST: Class
- 12:30pm-2:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop In-Person Lunch (provided)
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Monday, 6/15
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
- 11:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Tuesday, 6/16
- 9:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 9:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 9:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 9:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 9:00am-11:00pm MST: Class
- 2:00pm-4:30pm MST: Class

Violin Unit 1 with Mark Mutter (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: $725 (down $100 from last year)
Prerequisites: Every Child Can!
Class Requirements: 28 hours of class time and 15 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Friday, 6/12
- 1:30pm MST: Registration and orientation (for those who did not attend ECC)
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Saturday, 6/13
- 10:00am-12:30pm MST: Class
- 12:30pm-2:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop In-Person Lunch
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Monday, 6/15
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Tuesday, 6/16
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Violin Teaching Strategies with Linda Fiore (IN-PERSON ONLY)

Price: $465 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Basic” Audition for Units 1-4, ECC! and Unit 1.
Class Requirements: 10 hours of class time and no observations.
Description: Teaching Strategies is designed to support and guide teacher participants in how to become more effective in their teaching. Strategies will reinforce the positive aspects and offer constructive feedback on each participant’s lessons. Current SAA teacher development opportunities for feedback also include Consultations, Certificates of Achievement, SPA, and Practicum. Starting in January 2025, Teaching Strategies will be a prerequisite for Unit 3. Teachers who have already taken Unit 3 will not be required to take Strategies, although we highly recommend it to all teachers.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teaching Strategies.

Course Schedule:

Thursday, 6/11
- 9:30am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 10:00am MST: In-Person Orientation Meeting
- 10:30am-12:30pm MST: Class
- 2:00pm MST: SAA Meeting (optional)
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/12
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Saturday, 6/13
- 12:30pm-2:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop In-Person Lunch (provided)
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)

Violin Unit 2 with Linda Fiore (IN-PERSON ONLY)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Basic” Audition for Units 1-4, ECC! and Unit 1.
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Monday, 6/15
- 8:00am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
Tuesday, 6/16
- 9:00am-11:00am MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 9:00am-11:00am MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 9:00am-11:00am MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 9:00am-11:00am MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 9:00am-11:00am MST: Class
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Violin Unit 3 with Colleen Fitzgerald (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Basic” Audition for Units 1-4, ECC!, Violin Teaching Strategies, and Units 1-2.
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Monday, 6/15
- 8:00am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Tuesday, 6/16
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Violin Unit 4 with James Hutchins (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Basic” Audition for Units 1-4, ECC!, Violin Teaching Strategies, and Units 1-3.
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Monday, 6/15
- 8:00am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
Tuesday, 6/16
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Violin Unit 6 with Erika Lord-Castillo (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Intermediate” Audition for Units 5-8, ECC!, Violin Teaching Strategies, and Units 1-3..
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Thursday, 6/11
- 9:30am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 10:00am MST: In-Person Orientation Meeting
- 10:30am-12:30pm MST: Class
- 2:00pm MST: SAA Meeting (optional)
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/12
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Class
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Saturday, 6/13
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Class
- 12:30pm-2:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop In-Person Lunch (provided)
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Thursday, 6/18
- 8:00am-9:00am: Wrap-Up Class

Violin Unit 7 with Erika Lord-Castillo (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Intermediate” Audition for Units 5-8, ECC!, Violin Teaching Strategies, and Units 1-3.
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Monday, 6/15
- 8:00am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Tuesday, 6/16
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class

Violin Practicum with Fabio dos Santos (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: $465 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: “Basic” Audition for Units 1-4, ECC!, must have completed Unit 1, and must have a current Suzuki studio.
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of observations.
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.

Course Schedule:

Thursday, 6/11
- 9:30am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 10:00am MST: In-Person Orientation Meeting
- 10:30am-12:30pm MST: Class
- 2:00pm MST: SAA Meeting (optional)
- 3:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/12
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Class
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Saturday, 6/13
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Class
- 12:30pm-2:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop In-Person Lunch (provided)
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Class
- 5:00pm-6:00pm MST: Teacher Workshop Orchestra (optional for in-person participants)
Thursday, 6/18
- 8:00am-9:00am: Wrap-Up Class

Violin: Brazilian Music with Fabio dos Santos (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites:
Class Requirements: 10 hours of class time
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.
Description from the instructor:

Discover vibrant melodies from Brazil to enrich your Suzuki teaching! This course introduces a selection of music from composers like Hermeto Pascoal, José Eduardo Gramani, Pixinguinha and Ernest Mahle, in short pieces for violin choir with and without piano. You will gain practical strategies to teach technical and musical skills — including tradicional rhythms and related bowing techniques, in a way that is both fun and challenging for young violinists. Expand your teaching toolkit with exciting new music that can spark their interest in music from other another place in the world!

Course Schedule:

Monday, 6/15
- 8:00am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Tuesday, 6/16
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 2:00pm-4:00pm MST: Class

Violin: Expanding Technical Foundations with Winifred Crock (IN-PERSON & ONLINE)

Price: Single unit is $465 and double unit is $885 ($100 less than last year)
Prerequisites: Unit 1, ECC. Class members would ideally have training and experience thru Suzuki Volume 6 or further.
Class Requirements: 15 hours of class time and 8 hours of intermediate/advanced technique class observations
Click here for more information about Suzuki Teacher Training.
Description from the instructor:
Expanding Technical Foundations for the Suzuki Violinist or Sequences on the Road to Flesch.

The foundations of tone and technique lie securely in the largely baroque repertoire of the Suzuki Violin School, but students often need expanded technical and stylistic fundamentals to be secure in skills that are required in their musical lives. Likewise, teachers need additional ideas to address the growing and changing needs of our students in today’s musical society. There are a plethora of materials but what are solid teaching and learning sequences from the beginning?

In this class, sequences and materials regarding new concepts of teaching tone, scales, arpeggios, shifting, position work, intonation, double stops, bowing and bowing styles, etc. will be covered. Preparation ideas for key Suzuki repertoire technical challenges will be discussed. Join Winifred as she shares concepts and materials that will enhance and support the wonderful foundation of the Suzuki Violin School and broaden a student’s technical and musical base for the road ahead.

This class will be offered in a hybrid structure, but all class members will need to have materials and instruments at hand in order to join us. The in-person choice is recommended if at all possible!

Course Schedule:

Monday, 6/15
- 8:00am MST: In-Person Registration, JDCHS Foyer
- 8:30am-10:30am MST: Class
- 10:30am-10:50am MST: Opening Ceremonies
- 11:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Tuesday, 6/16
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Wednesday, 6/17
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Thursday, 6/18
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Friday, 6/19
- 10:00am-12:00pm MST: Class
Saturday, 6/20
- 10:00am-11:00pm MST: Class
- 2:00pm-5:00pm MST: Class