Suzuki Teacher Training

Violin Training Information

We are thrilled to announce that Kirsten Marshall will continue as our Suzuki Teacher Trainer at the University of Louisville for the 2025-2026 academic year. Ms. Marshall is a highly distinguished teacher trainer offering courses throughout the country. Each class will meet on either Monday or Wednesday, from 9 am-Noon EST.  Observations are watched asynchronously and discussed in class.  Class participants will be expected to perform for each other, demonstrate teaching points and engage in highly interactive discussions.

We offer Every Child Can! and Books 1-10.

All classes will be offered in an online format. Below are the dates for each of the courses:

Schedule

Every Child Can:

Pre-requisite to begin Suzuki pedagogy (8 hours)

• August 15, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. EST Friday

• August 17, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. EST Sunday

*Deadline to register and pay:  Monday, August 11, 5 p.m. EST

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 10-11, 2025.  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. 

Meets on Mondays, online from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. EST (33 hours)

• August 18

• August 25

• September 1 - no class - Labor Day

• September 8

• September 15

• September 22

• September 29 - no class - Fall Break

• October 6

• October 13

• October 20

• October 27

• November 3

• November 10, 2025 Last Book 1 Class

• November 10-11, 2025 Individual Consultations TBD

*Deadline to register and pay: Thursday, August 14, 5 p.m. EST

Violin Book 2: 

Building on the foundation skills introduced in Unit 1, explore with Kirsten Marshall Dr. Suzuki’s Talent Education next steps. 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.

Mondays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (18 hours)

• November 17

• November 24

• December 1

• January 12

• January 19 - no class - MLK Day

• January 26

• February 2

• February 2-3, 2026 Individual Consultations TBD

*Deadline to register and pay: Thursday, November 20, 5 p.m. EST

Violin Book 3: 

The University of Louisville and 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. 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.

Mondays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)

• February 9

• February 16

• February 23

• March 2

• March 9 - no class - Spring Break

• March 16

• March 16-17, 2026 Individual Consultations TBD

*Deadline to register and pay: Thursday, February 5, 5 p.m. EST

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. Observations are completed asynchronously and discussed in class.  Developing passionate learners & musicians is a focus of this course.

Mondays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)

• March 23

• March 30

• April 6

• April 13

• April 20

*Deadline to register and pay: Thursday, March 19, 5 p.m. EST

Violin Book 5:  

The University of Louisville offers Suzuki Unit 5 with Kirsten Marshall. Observations will be completed asynchronously and discussed during class time. The expanded format allows for 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.

WEDNESDAYs, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (18 hours)

• August 20

• August 27

• September 3

• September 10

• September 17

• September 24

*Deadline to register and pay: Friday, August 15, 5 p.m. EST

Violin Book 6:

The University of Louisville offers Suzuki Unit 6 with SAA trainer Kirsten Marshall. 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

Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (17 hours)

• October 1

• October 8

• October 15 (9 - 11 a.m.)

• October 22

• October 29

• November 5

*Deadline to register and pay: Friday, September 26, 5 p.m. EST

Violin Book 7:  

The University of Louisville offers Suzuki Violin Unit 7 with Kirsten Marshall. 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.

Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)

• November 12

• November 19

• November 27 - no class - Thanksgiving break

• January 7

• January 14

• January 21

*Deadline to register and pay: Friday, November 14, 5 p.m. EST

Violin Book 8:  

SAA trainer Kirsten Marshall offers Suzuki Violin Unit 8 at the University of Louisville. 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.

Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (15 hours)

• January 28

• February 4

• February 11

• February 18

• February 25, 2026 - no class - SAA conference

• March 4

*Deadline to register and pay: Friday, January 23, 5 p.m. EST

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. 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.

Wednesdays, online 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST (18 hours)

• March 11 - no class - Spring Break

• March 18

• March 25

• April 1

• April 8

• April 15

• April 22

*Deadline to register and pay: Friday, February 27, 5 p.m. EST