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.

Teachers who are interested in observing the application of the Suzuki approach may attend the GWSI as an observer at the observers rate of $100. Observers may observe student activities and classes, but are not eligible to participate in any part of the Teacher Development Program.

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 core courses will be offered at the GWSI 2026:

The following enrichment courses will be offered at the GWSI 2026:

This 10-hour enrichment course taught by Taylor Morris focuses on an approach to music education that helps students to develop creativity, autonomy, and meaning in their music-making, regardless of genre. In addition to discussing philosophical concepts and practical teaching tools, participants will explore a variety of contemporary/folk music skills, including fiddling, improvisation, accompaniment techniques, and how to design collaborative music-making experiences. This course is open to teachers of any bowed string instrument, regardless of experience with these skills, who want to expand their own musical horizons and find more freedom in their musicianship and teaching, for both themselves and their students!

You’ve mastered the Twinkle Variations, but what about variations in profit margins, marketing strategies, and tax forms? The truth is, running a successful studio means being a masterful musician, educator, and business entrepreneur. If the thought of business planning feels like practicing a difficult shift—awkward, necessary, but you don’t know where to put your fingers—this course is your roadmap! Join us for a high-energy, practical, and highly engaging enrichment experience designed to transform your passion for teaching into a rock-solid, sustainable business. In this course, you will learn the fundamental business skills to run your studio like a CEO, maximizing return on investment – more profit for less work. Topics will include:Building a Business Plan, Financial management, Studio Operations, Equity, Marketing, and Legal Business Structures. Stop trading your time for income and build a better, stronger business that supports your life, your values, and your musical vision. Don’t just teach the method—master the business!

As stated in Volumes 6 – 8 of the Suzuki Violin School, “Dr. Suzuki frequently included Classical, Romantic, and Modern repertoire from outside the Suzuki Violin School in his teaching, both in individual and group lessons, and for solo recitals and festival concerts.” A wide variety of supplemental repertoire can enhance and expand the excellent pedagogical progression found in the ten volumes, while also enriching a student’s musical experience and technical development. With selections from the SAA’s Supplemental Repertoire List for Volumes 6 – 8, some wonderful forgotten gems, and other tried-and-true steppingstones to the standard violin repertoire, Charles Krigbaum will present a 10-hour course covering the teaching points, detailed practice plans, and technical preparation leading to the successful step-by-step teaching of developmentally appropriate supplemental violin repertoire

Supercharge your Suzuki group teaching in 10 fast, hands-on hours. You’ll learn why multi-level groups accelerate technique and musicianship, how to design clean, high-energy lessons (for Books 1–8), and exactly what to do when real-life challenges show up—mixed levels, talkers, shy kids, and parent roles. Teach mini-lessons, get precise coaching, and leave with a 1-page Group-Teaching Handbook, two plug-and-play lesson plans, and five high-leverage activities. Walk in with questions—walk out with a clear system and a thriving group-class roadmap.

Suzuki in the Schools courses and Enrichment Classes explore the application of Suzuki philosophy and materials in classroom settings. The Suzuki in the Schools Course presents strategies for incorporating Suzuki philosophy and methodology in the beginning stages of technical instruction. A sequenced repertoire that supports the technical and musical study of beginning level students in the string class setting will be presented and opportunities for transfer to other learning situations will be discussed. Effective learning sequences that focus on the development of excellent fundamental skills will be the focus of each class session. Participants will acquire a basic understanding of fundamental principles of learning, and practice creating successful learning experiences that effectively change student thinking and behavior. The courses are taught by SAA registered Suzuki in the Schools trainers and includes 25 hours of classroom instruction and observation in live and video settings. Participants wishing to register the course with the SAA must have completed and registered ECC and Book 1 in their individual instrument. The technical aspects of the curriculum are focused on violin, viola, cello and bass, however transfer of learning principles and adaptation of materials can be applicable to any instrument. All courses in 2026 are online.SIS Level 1 Course Description and Information: This course is designed with a focus on group learning and practice. In addition to the discussion of core Suzuki Book 1 material, additional repertoire, and methodology are included in the class structure. Materials feature unison ensemble materials that enhance technical work and provide ensemble foundations. An expansive pre-twinkle section includes materials and strategies for pre-twinkle solo and group work. Technical work for all string instruments will be covered through the “Rigadoon/Etude” solo level. Foundational concepts of literacy and sequential development of ensemble skills are woven into this curriculum. Other topics such as mastery, group learning, student engagement, and parent education and involvement will be discussed.

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

Join GWSI artistic director David Strom for Every Child Can, Violin Unit 1, 3 and Teaching Strategies! 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.

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.”

Continue with David in Unit 1, as he guides new and experienced teachers in establishing the critical early foundation that will last a lifetime. Previous teacher training students of David hail his Unit 1 class as “the most empowering class I have ever taken.”

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. Dr. Scott will teach Unit 1 cello.

Ann Montzka-Smelser returns to GWSI to teach Violin Unit 2 .  Ann studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. She toured with the Ruggieri String Quartet and has performed in many orchestras and chamber ensembles. Currently, she is principal second violinist with Camerata Chicago and concertmaster of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Ann teaches Suzuki Pedagogy at both Wheaton College and NIU where she directs the Community School of Arts Suzuki Strings Program. Ann has enjoyed working with Suzuki families and teachers at institutes and workshops throughout the Americas.

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 (May 13, 2024). 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!

Other Programs

SUZUKI INSTITUTE STUDENTS
FOR PARENTS
FOR TEACHERS
ALLEGRO ORCHESTRA STUDENTS
SUZUKI STUDENT INSTITUTE Registration Opens January 1, 2026
TEACHER TRAINING Registration Opens January 1, 2026
ALLEGRO ORCHESTRA PROGRAM Registration Opens January 1, 2026

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