Getting Started:

  • Courses are offered in three different formats: In-person, Hybrid, and Online.

    • In-person courses accept participants for onsite training at Pitzer College. Online participants are not accepted.

    • Hybrid courses have the option for participants to take onsite training at Pitzer College OR meet online over Zoom.

    • Online courses accept participants for training online over Zoom. In-person participants are not accepted.

  • Some courses can be combined to maximize your learning experience at LASI! Check each course for optional add-on discounts.

  • Note course prices rise March 17th, 2024 after early bird period closes. A late fee will be charged for participants registering after April 15th, 2024 (if there are openings).

  • Be sure to check course prerequisites before registering for a course.

  • Participants must complete their SAA audition before registering as there are no tuition refunds, even if the audition is not passed.

  • A portion of funds from each teacher training course is being used to develop a sustainable Diversity Scholarship Fund for LASI and LAS-TW, to encourage the professional development of teachers who are traditionally underrepresented in Suzuki music programs.

2024 Teacher Training Faculty

  • Ann Montzka Smesler Violin Unit 3

    Ann Montzka Smesler

    Violin Unit 3

    Read Bio
  • Susan McDonald Violin Unit 7

    Susan McDonald

    Violin Unit 7

    Read Bio

  • Daniel Gee Cordova

    Violin Unit 9-10

    Read Bio
  • Charles Krigbaum Always with Excellence Violin Teacher Training

    Charles Krigbaum

    Always with Excellence: Developing Technique, Musicianship, and Character from Pre-Twinkle to Mozart
    The Business of Music for Teachers

    Read Bio
  • Edmund Sprunger Violin Teaching Strategies

    Edmund Sprunger

    Violin Teaching Strategies

    Fundamentals of Teaching Violin Group Classes

    Read Bio

Violin Unit Training

Tuition is $570 per course. Save $20 with early bird pricing by registering before March 15th, 2024 or by bundling courses. A late fee applies after May 1st. Teacher Workshop Participants taking any Violin Unit may also add-on Violin Teaching Strategies and/or The Business of Music for Teachers.

  • Instructor: Ann Montzka Smelser
    Format: In-person.
    Class Size: 15 participants max.
    Schedule: Subject to Change.

    • Monday 6/17/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Tuesday 6/18/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Wednesday 6/19/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Thursday 6/20/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Friday 6/21/24 9AM-12PM. No observations Friday.

    Requirements:

    • Complete 15 hours of instruction and 8 hours of asynchronous observation per unit

    • Books 1, 2 and 3 must be taken in order.

    • Participants must pass the SAA audition prior to registration.

  • Instructor: Susan McDonald
    Format: In-person.
    Class Size: 15 participants max.
    Schedule: Subject to Change.

    • Monday 6/17/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Tuesday 6/18/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Wednesday 6/19/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Thursday 6/20/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Friday 6/21/24 9AM-12PM. No observations Friday.

    Requirements:

    • Complete 15 hours of instruction and 8 hours of asynchronous observation per unit

    • Books 1, 2 and 3 must be taken in order before taking upper unit training.

    • Participants must pass the SAA audition prior to registration.

  • Instructor: Daniel Gee Cordova
    Format: In-person or Online.
    Class Size: 15 participants max.
    Schedule: Subject to Change.

    • Monday 6/17/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Tuesday 6/18/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Wednesday 6/19/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Thursday 6/20/24 9AM-12PM. Observations available from 1:30-4:30PM.

    • Friday 6/21/24 9AM-12PM. No observations Friday.

    Requirements:

    • Complete 15 hours of instruction and 8 hours of asynchronous observation per unit

    • Books 1, 2 and 3 must be taken in order before taking upper unit training.

    • Participants must pass the SAA audition prior to registration.

Enrichment Courses & Teaching Strategies

Tuition is $320 per course. Save $20 with early bird pricing by registering before March 15th, 2024 or by bundling courses. A late fee applies after May 1st. Teacher Workshop Participants can take multiple Enrichment Courses depending on the requirements and class meeting times.

  • Instructor: Charles Krigbaum
    Format: In-person or Online.
    Class Size: 20 participants max.
    Schedule: Subject to Change.

    • Monday 6/17/24 8AM-10AM.

    • Tuesday 6/18/24 8AM-10AM.

    • Wednesday 6/19/24 8AM-10AM.

    • Thursday 6/20/24 8AM-10AM.

    • Friday 6/21/24 8AM-10AM.

    Requirements:

    • Complete 10 hours of instruction.

    • Violin Unit 1 is required before taking this course.

    • Participants must pass the SAA audition prior to registration.

    Course Description:

    This course covers essential concepts and activities in teaching group class. It will also present tools and strategies to help teachers of all levels to generate effective group classes that fit the situation(s) they find themselves in. Teachers will have the opportunity , if they wish, to try out various group teaching skills during the week. The course will revolve primarily around the pre-twinkle to Book Four levels. Pre-requisites for this course are ECC and Suzuki Book one.

    Memorization of the following repertoire will be helpful, but is not required for participating in this course:

    • Book 1—ALL

    • Book 2—ALL

    • Book 3—Martini Gavotte,Dvorak Humoresque, Becker Gavotte

    • Book 4—Seitz Concerto No 2 3rd Movement, Seitz Concerto No 5 1st Movement, Vivaldi A minor 1st movement

  • Instructor: Edmund Sprunger
    Format: Online.
    Class Size: 10 participants max.
    Schedule: Subject to Change.

    • Sunday 6/16/24 3:30PM-5:30PM.

    • Monday 6/17/24 3:30PM-5:30PM.

    • Tuesday 6/18/24 3:30PM-5:30PM.

    • Wednesday 6/19/24 3:30PM-5:30PM.

    • Thursday 6/20/24 3:30PM-5:30PM.

    Requirements:

    • Complete 10 hours of instruction.

    • Violin Unit 1 is required before taking Teaching Strategies.

    • Participants must pass the SAA audition prior to registration.

The Business of Music for Teachers

Charles Krigbaum will present the secrets and strategies for creating a studio filled with eager parents and students and how to create (and enforce) policies that are beneficial for everyone. From setting tuition rates, to effectively communicating boundaries and expectations with both children and adults, participants will learn valuable tools for thriving as an entrepreneur in the music education industry and setting the tone of their teaching studios. 

Instructor: Charles Krigbaum
Format: In-person or Online.
Class Size: 30 participants max.
Tuition: $150, bundle with other courses to save up to $100.
Schedule: Monday—Friday 6/17—6/21 1:30PM-2:30PM.

This course is open to anyone, including those without SAA membership. This course cannot be registered with the SAA.

Bundle courses and save!

  • Take Violin Teaching Strategies and one of the following:

    • Violin Unit 3

    • Violin Unit 7

    • Violin Unit 9-10

  • Take Violin Teaching Strategies and one of the following:

    • Always with Excellence (violin only)

    • Fundamentals of Teaching Violin Group Class (violin only)

    • Group Class Strategies - Let’s Do It! (viola, cello, bass)

  • Pick any above bundles and add-on The Business of Music for Teachers for only $50.

Online Requirements

Please be sure that you meet all of the following requirements before registering for courses.

Zoom Etiquette

  • Use FIRST LAST NAME - LASI as your screen name. Your name should correspond with the name used for registration.

  • It is highly recommended to ENABLE ORIGINAL SOUND, please visit Zoom’s tutorial to set this up before LASI begins. Pay close attention to the DESKTOP or MOBILE instructions toward the bottom of the page depending on your device.

  • Stay on mute unless directed to unmute by faculty.

  • Keep video on for the duration of class.

  • Ask questions by typing into chat or raising hand.