
MA Suzuki Festival 2023
UMass Lowell, March 11-12
Teacher & Volunteer Information
Teacher Workshops
Saturday, March 11 - Teacher Workshops
Registration Open through March 9
Join fellow Suzuki teachers to gain enrichment and inspiration from Festival clinicians! All workshops are held in-person and will be recorded for future viewing. (There will be no live-streaming of classes).
1 hour 45 min workshop tuition: $40
Teacher Workshop Descriptions:
"Be Like Mike -Winning Practice Strategies"
with Annette Lee
Saturday, March 11th at 12:00-1:45pm
We have all watched the legends that we admire in the sports realm and wondered, what exactly makes them so great? We'll take a look at some of the habits of basketball legend Michael Jordan and how they streamlined the discipline and practice of basketball. Then we'll talk about how to apply these principles so that our students can also become "great".
"Turning Parents into Teachers" with Zachary Sweet
Saturday, March 11th at 2:15-4:00pm
This course will focus on teaching practice strategies that apply to violin, viola and cello that help turn our families and students into their own teachers. We often hear from parents and children that they don’t know what or how to practice. In addition to trying out various practicing tips, we will collaborate and compile new strategies from among those in attendance that help parents and children become more independent at home. Bring your instruments and be ready to share your own experiences along the Suzuki journey.
"Left Hand Technique" with Kimberly Meier-Sims
Saturday, March 11th at 4:15-6:00pm
In this session, I will be sharing techniques that I learned from my mentors John Kendall, Doris Preucil, Almita Vamos, and colleagues. The exercises will cover techniques to be used throughout Suzuki Violin Volumes 1 – 8. Topics covered will be chosen from the list below. This session is presented as an interactive session. Teachers are strongly encouraged to bring violins to play through the exercises and experience the learning process as a group.
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Suzuki’s Walking Finger Exercise to Ysaÿe
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Dr. Suzuki’s Technique Exercises, Suzuki Violin School International Edition, Volumes 1-8 (please bring your Suzuki Books to the session)
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Steps to learning Kendall’s Circle of Keys exercise
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Vibrato development
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Development of Double-stops from the ground up
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Trill Study
Teacher Observation Passes:
Saturday, March 11 In-Person Observation Pass*: $25
Observe student masterclasses. Observations will be available in-person only.
Sunday, March 12 In-Person Observation Pass*: $35
Observe student group classes. Observations will be available in-person only.
Saturday + Sunday Observation Pass*: $50
Please note: No recordings of classes for future observation will be available.
(*Teacher Workshops are not included with Observation Passes. Please purchase separately.)
Send Students to the Festival!
Send your students to the Festival! Teachers who send 10+ students can attend the whole weekend for free; which includes observing both days, and attending any teacher workshops. Students often experience a big motivational boost from the Festival. You can encourage them to attend and help them prepare the appropriate repertoire. You will be notified when 10 of your students have registered. Please fill out the Teacher Registration form to let us know which events you will be attending.
Flyers to share and spread the word:
Volunteering:
Volunteering at the Festival is a fun and easy way to get connected with your local Suzuki community. In exchange for volunteering 2+ hours, you will receive a Saturday and Sunday Observer Pass for free! (Please note, Teacher Workshops are not included and must be registered and paid for).
If you’d like to volunteer, please sign-up for duties here on Sign-up Genius Form. Once you have signed-up for volunteer duties, then please also fill out the Teacher Registration Form.
We would love your help with the following:
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Help with Festival Preparations the weekend before with T-shirt orders and student packets.
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Assist with festival set-up and clean-up.
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Host at the Welcome Desk.
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Take pictures of the Festival: Help us document this amazing experience!
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Venue guides - help students find their classes at our new venue.
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Tuning in group classes and recitals.
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Host a clinician or assist with clinicians ground transportation.
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Play in the Festival Orchestra.
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And more!
*All information subject to change--please check the website regularly for up-to-date information!
