Teachers attend the GWSI to refresh, re-inspire and expand their teaching skills and to learn about the Suzuki approach. Teachers participating in the Teacher Development Program must be at least 17 years of age, have a high school diploma and be an active member of the SAA.
Teachers may enroll as a course participant or an auditor. To qualify as a participant, an individual must pass an audition submitted to the SAA. Participants who successfully complete a course will have their training registered with the SAA. For Auditors, an audition is not required, nor will their training be registered with the SAA.
Teacher Development Courses
Teacher Development Courses are conducted by Teacher Trainers registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA). The Teacher Development Program includes:
The following unit courses will be offered at the 2023 GWSI:
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- Violin Unit 1 (in-person) – Taught by RONDA COLE
- Violin Unit 2 (hybrid) – Taught by DAVID STROM
- Violin Unit 3 (virtual) – Taught by ANN MONTZKA-SMELSER
- Cello Unit 2 (virtual) – Taught by ALICE VIERRA
- Cello Unit 6 (virtual) – Taught by SHU-YI SCOTT
The following enrichment courses will be offered at the 2023 GWSI:
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- Demystifying Double Stops: Developing Advanced Technique in Very Small Steps: Violin with CHARLES KRIGBAUM; June 26-30 (online)
- Cultivating Imagination, Humor, and Emotional Connection throughout the Suzuki and Supplemental Repertoire: Violin with TERRY DURBIN; June 26-30 (in-person or online)
- Group Class Teaching Strategies – All Instruments with DR. SHU-YI SCOTT; June 26-30 (online)
The Foundation Course (Every Child Can!©)
The Foundation Course (Every Child Can!©) is an eight hour introduction to Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy and its application to Suzuki education. It provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning and is open to both parents and teachers. There is no pre-requisite and no instrument required.
Unit Courses
Unit Courses, seminars that include the pedagogy of the Suzuki approach and the musical, physical and social development of students, are open to Suzuki teachers or those aspiring to become teachers. Enrollment requires successful completion of an SAA audition. The unit course numbers correspond to the same numbered Suzuki Repertory books.
- Unit 1 Courses are 28-hour courses plus 15 hours of student lesson observation. The Foundation Course, Every Child Can!©, is a pre-requisite for the Book 1 courses. Teachers may register for the Foundation Course in addition to Book 1.
- Unit 2-4 Courses are 15-hour courses plus 8 hours of student lesson observation. Note: Unit Courses Book 1-3 should be completed consecutively and in order. Unit Courses for Books 4 and up may be completed in any order once Books 1-3 are complete
About Our Teacher Development Faculty
Ronda Cole is the legendary founder of GWSI and director for over 40 years. Her former students include 5 current members of the National Symphony, world class soloists Nicholas Kendall and Katie Lansdale as well as members of the Aeolus, Jupiter, and Viano Quartets. Join her in Unit 1, as she guides new and experienced teachers in establishing the critical early foundation that will last a lifetime.
This is where it all begins. Join GWSI artistic director David Strom in Every Child Can online- the prerequisite course for all Suzuki training. According to David, “I love teaching ECC online. We really go to the heart of what it means to be a Suzuki teacher. Some of the most profound and foundational conversations in any training course occur in ECC.”
Join GWSI artistic director David Strom for Violin Unit 2! David’s former students have attended the country’s leading music schools including Eastman, Oberlin, Cleveland Institute, Peabody, Indiana and University of Michigan among many others. He is passionate about teaching both music and the underlying process of generosity and self discovery that undergirds the learning process.
Alice Vierra will return to GWSI to teach Cello Unit 2 online. A distinguished pedagogue, her students have gone on to Boston University, Hartt School of Music, Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Oberlin, and Yale. Join her in Unit 2 online, as she guides new and experienced teachers in establishing the critical early foundation that will last a lifetime.
Dr. Shu-yi Scott is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most creative and dynamic teacher trainers in the country today. During the pandemic, her group class teaching enrichment courses and unit training courses were regularly sold out. We are fortunate that Dr. Scott will teach Unit 6 cello online as well as her own specially designed class, Inclusive Group Class Teaching for teachers of all instruments online.
Terry lives with his wife, Sandy, on 140 acres north of Lexington, Kentucky. They have three children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He believes in the magic of music’s power to enrich our lives.
Enrichment Seminar with Dr. Shu-Yi Scott – “Group Class Teaching Strategies – All Instruments”
Based on the belief that “Every Child Can”,
Enrichment course by Charles Krigbaum: “Demystifying Double Stops: Developing Advanced Technique in Very Small Steps: Violin”
Preparation
Each participant in the Suzuki Institute may enroll in the Every Child Can!© course and one violin or cello training course. Participants (other than auditors) in Teacher Development Program Unit courses are required to become active SAA members. The deadline to submit the SAA audition video for those participating in the GWSI Unit 1 courses is 8 weeks prior to course start (April 29, 2023). After that point in time, participants will be required to submit an express audition application and pay a $50 late fee. Contact the SAA the SAA office at 1-888-378-9854 for more information.
All participants in unit training courses are also asked to prepare the repertory in the book to be studied to the point of fluent performance. Memorization is not required, but is recommended. Participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s book, Nurtured by Love. GWSI recommends further reading of Edmund Sprunger’s Teaching Parents to Practice.
Participants should bring their own instruments to play in class, music books and note taking materials.
Participants (other than auditors) will have their training automatically registered with SAA when all course requirements are complete and signed by the trainer. Be on time so you do not miss class time – even a few minutes are very important. This is a SAA strict requirement to register your training with the SAA!
