Barston Suzuki Center: Virtual Teacher Training at MIC - Beginning Fall 2024

Registration is now open!
For questions, please contact Avi Friedlander.

Become a Trained Suzuki Teacher!

Are You Ready to Become a Suzuki Teacher?

  • Are you a professional musician who wants to teach music and share the love of music with young children?
  • Do you have a genuine interest in helping children develop and grow through the study of music?
  • Are you interested in working cooperatively with students, parents, and colleagues?

Train to Become a Suzuki Teacher Right Here at MIC. 
The Suzuki Method provides a unique avenue for helping children and families and provides opportunities for growth as musicians, teachers, and families.

More Suzuki Teachers Are Needed
Since the Suzuki Method was introduced to North America, the Suzuki Method has become a major force in music education.  Interest in the method has grown significantly over the years as teachers, parents, and students experience its results. This has increased the need for qualified Suzuki teachers across the world.

What Is The Suzuki Method?

The Suzuki method is a philosophy that aims to teach children how to play music through the mother tongue approach. Dr. Suzuki's goal was to go beyond the development of professional musicians and to create character development through a nurturing approach to learning.  Some of the features of the Suzuki Method are Parent Involvement, Early Beginning, Listening, Repetition, Environment, Social Component, Repertoire, and Reading.

Suzuki Teacher Training Faculty

Ann Montzka Smelser - Violin
Sarah Bylander Montzka - Viola
Aubrey Faith-Slaker - Piano
Avi Friedlander - Cello
Tanya Carey - Cello
Meret Bitticks - Flute

Online Suzuki Teacher Training Program Description

Class Size:

  • Every Child Can! (ECC) online has a maximum enrollment of 15 participants
  • Practicum has a maximum enrollment of 5 participants
  • Units 1 - 10 online courses have a maximum enrollment of 10 participants
  • Enrichment courses has a max of 15 participants

Tuition:

  • Every Child Can! (ECC) - $125; $30 materials fee to be collected by the trainer
  • Unit 1 - $800
  • Practicum - $275
  • Units 2 - 10 - $475
  • Enrichment Courses - $275

Observations for all courses will be online.

  • Additional in-person observations are available at various locations of the Music Institute of Chicago for any participant who has attended an online course.
  • All in-person observations must be confirmed before attending.
  • Participation in registered Suzuki teacher training is contingent upon current membership and a successful audition with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. It is the participant's responsibility to fulfill this requirement.

Online Suzuki Teacher Training Schedule

Click Here to Register
Location: Virtual
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST) - Central Daylight Time (CDT)

CELLO: Teaching Strategies
Teacher Trainer: Tanya Carey 
March 2, 2025, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 2:00 - 4:30 pm and
April 13, 2025 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Tuition: $275
10-hour course 

NOTE: Effective January 2025, Teaching Strategies will be required by the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) for all courses beyond Unit 2. 

FLUTE: Unit 6
Teacher Trainer: Meret Bitticks
Dates: TBD
Tuition: $475
15-hour course & 8 hours of online observations

PIANO: Unit 2
Thursdays, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Teacher Trainer: Aubrey Faith-Slaker
March 6 - April 17, 2025 (omitting March 20 & 27)
Tuition: $475
15-hour course & 8 hours of online observations

Additional Spring Courses: TBD

Attendance
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory to be eligible for course registration through the SAA. All sessions are conducted online.

Scholarships
Participants may apply for a scholarship from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Please take note of the submission deadlines.

Cancellation and Refund Policy    ​​​

  • 100% refund if requested two weeks prior to the first day of class.
  • No refunds if requested less than two weeks prior to the first day of class.
  • Full refunds will be issued if a class is canceled due to low enrollment.

Sign Up Here

Please contact Avi Friedlander with any questions at afriedlander@musicinst.org