Suzuki Teacher Training
Sidebar
Long-Term Suzuki Training at UofL:
The University of Louisville has been a long-standing proponent of the Suzuki Philosophy and the Suzuki Method. We are proud to be one of the few long-term Suzuki training programs in the country. Students in our Masters of Music programs are able to complete all 10 units of training free of charge as part of their collegiate studies. Currently, this program is available to violinists. Beginning in Fall of 2026, long-term training as part of collegiate curriculum will be available to cellists as well.
Registration and Fees
To register for our Suzuki Courses please be sure to complete the SAA requirements found here.
Course Fees are as follows.
- Every Child Can!: $130
- Book 1: $715
- Books 2-10: $515
Note- for all online payments, there is a 2.5% processing fee.
Please contact the String Preparatory Center by email for payment.
Teacher Training Schedule
Violin Book 1:
The University of Louisville with SAA trainer Kirsten Marshall is offering Unit 1 in an expanded format that will allow for more exploration, interactive discussion and demonstration of teaching points. Individual consultations will be scheduled on November 2-3, 2026. Every Child Can is a pre-requisite for beginning Suzuki pedagogy.
Observations will be completed asynchronously and discussed in each class. A deep exploration into teaching a child to learn by ear will be a focus throughout the course. What does the daily practice of ear training look like in lessons and home practice? How can we enable our students and families to continue their practice at home? Grounded in the Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy of talent education, this course introduces the basics of Suzuki training while learning with love.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-1-66/
2026 Schedule: Mondays, online from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. EST (33 hours)
- August 17
- August 24
- August 31
- September 7 - no class - Labor Day
- September 14
- September 21
- September 28
- October 5 - no class - Fall Break
- October 12
- October 19
- October 26
- November 2, Last Book 1 Class
- November 2-3, 2026 Individual Consultations TBD
Violin Book 2:
Building on the foundation skills introduced in Unit 1, explore Dr. Suzuki’s Talent Education next steps with Kirsten Marshall. Unit 2 focuses on developing tone, continuing to build a balanced posture and teaching the whole person. We will discuss strategies on leading pieces for group class, as well as role-playing as student, teacher or parent. New this year, participants will have an opportunity to present a short segment of a home teaching video for feedback and class discussion. Observations are completed asynchronously and discussed in class.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-2-58/
2026/2027 Schedule: Mondays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (18 hours)
- November 9
- November 16
- November 23
- January 11
- January 18 - no class - MLK Day
- January 25
- January 25-26- Individual Consultations TBD
Violin Book 3:
The University of Louisville and SAA teacher trainer Kirsten Marshall offer Suzuki Violin Unit 3. This course deepens foundation skills and focuses on the path to artistic expression through tone and timing. How can we support our book 3 students exploring these topics? Vibrato and shifting are introduced, and the ever-evolving parent education is discussed. Classes meet together on five Mondays from 9am-Noon EST. Observations are completed asynchronously and discussed in class. The completion of Teaching Strategies is now required by the SAA before enrolling in Unit 3 training.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-3-45/
2027 Schedule: Mondays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)
- February 1
- February 8
- February 15 - No Class
- February 22
- March 1
- March 8
- March 8-9, 2027 Individual Consultations TBD
Violin Book 4:
Explore Suzuki Book 4 with Kirsten Marshall. This book completes the first-year course in Suzuki pedagogy and pulls together the tapestry of many skills planted in earlier books, particularly the needs of balancing the left hand. Landmark skills are discussed to track if your students are ready to meet the challenges of the Bach Double. Classes meet together on Mondays from 9am-Noon EST. Observations are completed asynchronously and discussed in class. Developing passionate learners & musicians is a focus of this course.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-4-25/
2027 Schedule: Mondays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)
- March 22
- March 29
- April 5
- April 12
- April 19
Violin Book 5:
The University of Louisville offers Suzuki Unit 5 with SAA teacher trainer Kirsten Marshall. Classes will meet together on Wednesday from 9am-Noon EST. Observations will be completed asynchronously and discussed during class time. The expanded format allows for review of the skills developed in books 1-4, along with feedback on real life teaching. How we integrate review for higher level playing is a focus of this class, as well as refining the bow arm.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-5-15/
2026 Schedule: Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (18 hours)
- August 19
- August 26
- September 2
- September 9
- September 16
- September 23
Violin Book 6:
The University of Louisville offers Suzuki Unit 6 with SAA trainer Kirsten Marshall. Classes will meet together on Wednesday from 9am-Noon EST. Observations will be completed asynchronously and discussed during class time. Special focus for this course is developing independent practice and confident performance in tweens and teens. How does a student know what to practice? “Wherever there is a consequence, there is a cause.” -Dr. Suzuki
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-6-10/
2026 Schedule: Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (17 hours)
- September 30
- October 7
- October 14
- October 21
- October 28
- November 4
Violin Book 7:
The University of Louisville offers Suzuki Violin Unit 7 with Kirsten Marshall. Classes will meet together on Wednesday from 9am-Noon EST. Observations will be completed asynchronously and discussed during class time. While the crown jewel of Book 7 is surely the Bach Concerto in a minor, this course will trace the many connections among earlier books, other book 7 repertoire and related supplemental pieces, integrating the Suzuki repertoire with standard violin literature.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-7-19/
2026/2027 Schedule: Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)
- November 11
- November 18
- November 25 - no class - Thanksgiving break
- January 6
- January 13
- January 20
Violin Book 8:
SAA trainer Kirsten Marshall offers Suzuki Violin Unit 8 at the University of Louisville. Classes will meet together on Wednesday from 9am-Noon EST. Observations will be completed asynchronously and discussed during class time. Special emphasis in this course is on deconstructing the bowhand and related skills. What needs to be present for a successful spiccato or ricochet? Explore the opportunities present in Book 8, both musically and technically, to prepare our students for the Mozart Concertos.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-unit-8-8/
2027 Schedule: Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)
- January 23
- February 3
- February 10
- February 17 - No Class
- February 24
- March 3
Violin Books 9/10:
The Mozart Concertos Nos. 4 & 5 are the capstones at the end of Dr. Suzuki’s collected works. We will use this class to explore how the Suzuki repertoire prepares us for these beautiful pieces and our own goals in Suzuki teaching. Participants will perform a portion of a movement and cadenza for the class. Special emphasis in this course will be on practice techniques to allow for personal expression in stylistically appropriate ways, along with practice techniques to solve cadenzas.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/violin-book-9-10-the-mozart-concertos/
2027 Schedule: Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (18 hours)
- March 10
- March 17- No Class- Spring Break
- March 24
- March 31
- April 7
- April 14
- April 21
Every Child Can!
Every Child Can! (ECC!) is an introduction to Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy and its application to Suzuki education. For parents, teachers, prospective teachers, and others in North America, this course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning. In Latin America, Filosofía is the introductory course.
In addition to exploring the elements of the Suzuki approach and its far-reaching goals, it includes an introduction to learning styles, history of the development of Suzuki education, the role of parents, the importance of Suzuki pedagogical training, and an overview of the SAA’s role in supporting teachers and parents. A fast-paced, engaging and inspiring program, ECC! includes video materials and SAA-developed courseware and provides each participant with useful reference materials (manuals) for later study. For teachers, ECC! serves as the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ Teacher Development Program.
Registration Link: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/every-child-can-142/
Course Schedule: This 8 hour course will be held in two sessions: Friday, August 14, 2026 from 9am-1pm EST and Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 1pm-5pm EST.