Hartt Suzuki Institute

The Student Institute delivers an exceptional and nurturing program designed to inspire students at every stage of their learning journey, from beginners to advanced learners.  Join us to unlock your potential and thrive in a supportive environment.

At HSI, the teaching day runs from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm, with a lunch break from 12:30 to 1:45 pm. Each student receives at least four hours of formal instruction daily, including a masterclass for one-on-one teaching with an institute faculty member, a repertory (group) class, an ensemble or instrument-specific class, and at least one additional enrichment class tailored to the student's instrument and level. (For more details, see the STUDENT CLASSES link below.) Our young musicians are expected to practice daily to prepare for their masterclass, group class, and orchestra rehearsal, as guided by their Hartt Suzuki Institute faculty.

Afternoon activities include sonatas and concertos, informal student solo recitals, the HSI faculty recital, piano triolets, parent talks, a movie, "Where’s Waldo," and a craft table!

End-of-week performances will include: Ensemble Concerts, Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra, Piano Triolets, Chamber Groups, Fiddling, and Repertory Classes.

2026 Tuition Rates (All Instruments):

BOOKS 1-3: $635 Early bird (May 29); $685 Regular (July 1)

BOOKS 4-6: $660 Early bird (May 29); $710 Regular (July 1)

BOOKS 7 and up: $700 Early bird (May 29); $750 Regular (July 1)

Spots are limited! Secure your seat and skip the stress with Early Bird Registration.

Given the Institute's commitments to faculty and facility arrangements, applicants who withdraw after July 1st will forfeit all tuition and fees. Withdrawals made before July 1 must be submitted in writing to hcdbills@hartford.edu.

VIOLIN

• Susan Crawford, Minnesota
• Sarah Cummings, New York
• Melinda Daetsch, The Hartt School
• Teri Einfeldt, The Hartt School
• Christie Felsing, The Hartt School
• Carla Brasch Francis, New York
• James Hutchins, Maryland
• Kirsten Marshall, New York
• Annalise Ohse, Tennessee
• Tal Schifter, New York

VIOLA

• Melinda Daetsch, The Hartt School

CELLO

• Pamela Devenport, New York
• Nancy Hair, Massachusetts
• Alex Revoal, Illinois

BASS

• Ryan Ford, The Hartt School

GUITAR

• Justin Craig, Virginia
• Mychal Gendron, Rhode Island
• Seth Himmelhoch, New Jersey
• David Madsen, The Hartt School

PIANO

• Sachiko Isihara, Massachusetts
• Marina Obukovsky, Kew Gardens, NY
• Bret Serrin, Texas
• Elke Velazquez, New York

TRUMPET

• Dan D’addio, The Hartt School

ORGAN

• Jim Gower, The Hartt School

STRING ORCHESTRA

• Emmett Drake, The Hartt School

FIDDLING

• Annalise Ohse, Tennessee

CHAMBER MUSIC

• Melinda Daetsch, The Hartt School
• Jarek Lis, The Hartt School
• Emlyn Ngai, The Hartt School

ENRICHMENT

• Chuck Speicher, Pennsylvania

Suzuki Students in Books 1-3
Each student will receive four hours of formal instruction per day. Instruction includes a masterclass (three students NEW THIS YEAR) in which each child receives one-on-one instruction, a repertory class, and two enrichment classes according to student level. Guardian support through attendance is expected at each class.

Suzuki Students in Books 4-6
Each student will receive five hours of formal instruction per day. Instruction includes a masterclass (three students) in which each child receives one-on-one instruction, a repertory class, and three enrichment classes according to student level.  Guardian attendance is expected at the masterclass and repertoire class.

Violin, viola, and cello students in Book 5 and up wanting to be considered for Chamber Music, must submit a placement video of their current polished piece approved by their home teacher to hsi@hartford.edu by July 1 with the subject: “Chamber Music Audition Video”.  The chamber group is an additional hour and must be added at registration. An extra chamber music fee applies.

Suzuki Students in Books 7 and Up
Each student will receive five hours of formal instruction per day. Instruction includes a masterclass (two students) in which each child receives one-on-one instruction, an advanced repertory class, and three enrichment classes.

Violin, viola, cello, and piano students wanting to be considered for Chamber Music, must submit a placement video of their current polished piece approved by their home teacher to hsi@hartford.edu by July 1 with the subject: “Chamber Music Audition Video”.  The chamber group is an additional hour and must be added at registration. An extra chamber music fee applies.

Guardians are welcomed and encouraged to attend; however, attendance is not required for students aged 13 or older andin Book 7 or above who are independent note-takers. Health forms are mandatory.

ADDITIONAL CLASSES

For string students, additional classes may include: a fundamental Theory/Musicianship class, Music Mind Games, Fiddling, Music History Tours, and Chamber Music. Extra Chamber Music fee applies.

For guitar students, additional classes may include: a fundamental Theory/Musicianship class, Music Mind Games, Guitar Technique, Advanced Guitar Ensemble, and Music History Tours.

For piano students, additional classes may include: a fundamental Theory/Musicianship class, Music Mind Games, Piano Jazz-Improv, Organ, and Music History Tours.

For trumpet students, additional classes may include: a fundamental Theory/Musicianship class, Music Mind Games, technique class, ensemble, and Music History Tours.

ENSEMBLES, ORCHESTRAS, AND PIANO TRIOLETS

Orchestra
String students in Book 2 and above will be placed in an orchestral experience appropriate to their level. Students who are in Book 2 and wish to be placed in orchestra must have prior note reading ability in the keys of A, D, and G Major. Trumpet students may have the opportunity to participate in an orchestra piece by teacher recommendation. Please reach out to the institute directors if you do not meet the above requirements.

Guitar Ensembles
Guitar students Book 2 and up will be placed in an ensemble or orchestra appropriate to their level.

Enrichment classes for pianists
Piano students Book 2 and up will be placed in triolets. Advanced students may be placed in Chamber Music. Extra Chamber Music fee applies.

All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire institute week.

(Exceptions may apply for Book 7 and up. See STUDENT CLASSES.) 

If you have an overlapping masterclass with a sibling, we will make every effort to schedule masterclass lessons at different times whenever possible. An exception will be made for students in Book 7 and above who are 13 years or older and capable of taking notes independently. Guardians are not required to attend classes, though you are welcome to!

Families with three or more children should plan for extra support during the institute as well as contact our Institute Office to notify the directors.

We recommend looking into the following hotels in the area:

Farmington Inn
827 Farmington Ave Farmington, CT

Candlewood Suites
370 Market St, Hartford, CT

Residence Inn
55 Simsbury Rd, Avon, CT

The Simsbury Inn
397 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Farmington
1583 SE Rd, Farmington, CT

Q: Do I need to attend classes with my child?

A: Yes! The Suzuki Institute is an extension of your home Suzuki Program where teachers, parents/caregivers, and children work together. There will be assignments from the HSI faculty during masterclasses, repertory classes, and orchestras that our young musicians are expected to practice and prepare for. (For those students in Book 7 and up, see information in STUDENT CLASSES)

Q: Will we need concert clothes?

A: Yes! In addition to black bottoms (skirt or pants, no leggings) to wear with the Institute t-shirt for our Thursday Orchestra and Ensemble concerts, bring what you would normally wear to a solo recital in your home Suzuki Program.

Q: Is housing available on campus?

A: Unfortunately, we don’t have on campus options available. But don’t worry! There are plenty of great hotels in the area (check out the HOTEL INFORMATION). You might also want to explore Airbnb options on your favorite site.

Q: Should I practice and prepare my chamber music part before arriving at the Institute?

A: Absolutely! Your preparation prior to the institute directly impacts what you and your ensemble partners get out of the chamber music experience.  Being comfortable with your own part allows you to focus on contributing to the group’s exploration of musical ideas guided by your coach. 

Q: We have family/friends in the area, are they allowed to attend the concerts?

A: Yes! We welcome you to bring your family members to our end-of-the-week concerts! The students (and yourself) have worked hard all week. It’s a time to celebrate!

Q: When is the deadline to register?

A: Early-Bird registration for the Student Institute ends on May 29, 2026. Regular registration for both Student and Teacher Institutes close on July 1, 2026. Early-Bird registration is not available for the Teacher Workshop.

Q: Are there food services available on site?

A: Yes, there is a food service on campus and information will be available in your packet as you arrive. Alternatively, many great area restaurants are located at Bishops Corner (less than three miles from campus) and the surrounding areas.

Questions?

Please call the main office at 860.768.4451 or e-mail at harttcomm@hartford.edu.

To reach out directly to HSI co-directors or specific instrument coordinators email us at hsi@hartford.edu.

The Suzuki Teacher Workshop is designed for teachers seeking to deepen their knowledge of Suzuki pedagogy. Each course is led by a teacher trainer who is officially registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA).

Teacher Workshop participants must have an active SAA membership and have completed the Every Child Can! course before enrolling in Unit 1. The SAA requires that courses be taken in sequence through Book 3. After completing this sequence, higher units may be taken in any order, if preferred.

Effective January 1, 2025, Teaching Strategies will be a prerequisite for Unit 3.

Teaching Strategies is being implemented as a core course in the Suzuki curriculum beginning in 2025 and is designed to guide participants to become more effective teachers.

Applicants who meet the participation requirements, complete the necessary observations, and attend all sessions in full are eligible to have the course registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit through the University of Hartford.

Please refer to the Suzuki Association of the Americas website for audition requirements to participate in teacher training.

Enrollment Changes for 2026

Teachers enrolling in teacher training courses held in the United States and Canada should be prepared to pay a non-refundable deposit through the SAA website at the time of registration. For Every Child Can, the deposit is $35 and includes the participant manual which will be sent directly from the SAA. For most other courses, including unit courses, enrichment courses, Practicum, and Teaching Strategies, the deposit is $20.

The SAA will collect the non-refundable deposit, with the course fee handled directly by the University of Hartford (course host).  

Please contact us if you have any questions or need additional clarification.

Our teacher training courses for 2026 will be offered in-person or dual delivery (in-person and online) at the Hartt School on the University of Hartford Campus. For courses being offered dual delivery, HSI strongly advises participants to attend the training course in-person whenever possible as we believe the in-person environment is a more complete training experience.

The daily schedule for courses runs from 8:30 am – 4:45 pm with a break from 12:30 - 1:45 pm for lunch and will include lectures, repertoire studies, technical exercises, and asyncronis and in-person observations at the Suzuki Student Institute. The schedule is intensive and may also involve some late afternoon/evening sessions.

All participants are asked to prepare the music from the assigned books to the point of performing it fluently and from memory. All participants will perform in class and must provide their own instruments. Additionally, participants should read or re-read Suzuki’s “Nurtured by Love” and become familiar with the concepts presented in the book. Please note that 100% attendance is mandatory.

2025 CORE UNIT OFFERINGS

Piano Unit 2 - Dual Delivery    $500 Participant Rate  / $600 Graduate Credit Rate

Taught by SAA Trainer Sachiko Isihara

Guitar Unit 2 - Dual Delivery   $500 Participant Rate / $600 Graduate Credit Rate

Taught by SAA Trainer Seth Himmelhoch

Violin Unit 2 - Dual Delivery    $500 Participant Rate / $600 Graduate Credit Rate

Taught by SAA Trainer Christie Felsin

UNIT 2:

This course includes 15 hours of class instruction and 8-hours of observations over 5 days. To enroll in Unit 2, workshop participants must have completed and registered Every Child Can! (ECC) and Unit 1. Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit awarded by the University of Hartford.

2026 CORE UNIT OFFERINGS

JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2026

“Every Child Can” - Dual Delivery            Taught by SAA Trainer Christie Felsing

Tuition: $165 Participant Rate + $35 SAA deposit

This course serves as an introductory overview of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s educational philosophy for parents, Teachers, and adults (18+) interested in learning more about the Suzuki Method. ECC will cover Suzuki Philosophy, parent involvement, listening, repetition, and nurturing development. The course includes a total of 8-hours of class instruction held over 2 days and is a mandatory course for those pursuing Suzuki teacher certification. $35. SAA Fee includes the “Every Child Can” manual which will be sent to you directly from the SAA.

AUGUST 1 - 8, 2026

Guitar Unit 1- Dual Delivery                     Taught by SAA Trainer Seth Himmelhoch

Tuition: $800 Participant Rate/$900 Gratuate Credit Rate + $20 SAA Deposit

This course includes 28-hours of class instruction (lecture and demonstration) and 15-hours of observations over 5 days. This intensive training covers philosophy, technique, and the Suzuki Book 1 repertoire, preparing teachers to work with beginners.

To enroll in Unit 1, workshop participants must have completed and registered Every Child Can! (ECC). Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit awarded by the University of Hartford (extra fee applies).

Pilot Program for Unit 1 Training

January 1, 2026, marked the start for a pilot program for Unit 1 training. As part of this pilot, the SAA is highly encouraging, but no longer requiring, the submission of an audition to enroll in Unit 1 training. While the audition is optional during this period, all participants are still expected to meet the high musical and professional standards that uphold the quality of SAA Teacher Development courses.

Visit the SAA info page to learn more about changes to these enrollment requirements.

AUGUST 1 - 8, 2026

Violin Unit 1 – In-Person Only                  Taught by SAA Trainer Sarah Cummings

Tuition: $800 Participant Rate/$900 Gratuate Credit Rate + $20 SAA Deposit

This course includes 28-hours of class instruction (lecture and demonstration) and 15-hours of observations over 5 days. This intensive training covers philosophy, technique, and the Suzuki Book 1 repertoire, preparing teachers to work with beginners.

To enroll in Unit 1, workshop participants must have completed and registered Every Child Can! (ECC). Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit awarded by the University of Hartford (extra fee applies).

Pilot Program for Unit 1 Training

January 1, 2026, marked the start for a pilot program for Unit 1 training. As part of this pilot, the SAA is highly encouraging, but no longer requiring, the submission of an audition to enroll in Unit 1 training. While the audition is optional during this period, all participants are still expected to meet the high musical and professional standards that uphold the quality of SAA Teacher Development courses.

Visit the SAA info page to learn more about changes to these enrollment requirements.

AUGUST 2 - AUGUST 7, 2026                      

Piano Unit 3- Dual Delivery                       Taught by SAA Trainer Sachiko Isihara

Tuition: $500 Participant Rate/$600 Graduate Credit Rate + $20 SAA Deposit

This course includes 15-hours of class instruction (lecture and demonstration), and 8-hours of observations over 6 days. This training course covers teaching philosophy, techniques, and the Suzuki Book 2 repertoire, preparing teachers to work with students at the Book 2 level.

To enroll in Unit 3, workshop participants must have successfully completed and registered Every Child Can! (ECC) and Units 1 & 2 as well as Teaching Strategies. Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit awarded by the University of Hartford (extra fee applies).

AUGUST 3 - AUGUST 7, 2026

Violin Unit 2 - Dual Delivery                     Taught by SAA Trainer Christie Felsing

Tuition: $500 Participant Rate/$600 Graduate Credit Rate + $20 SAA Fee

This course includes 15-hours of class instruction (lecture and demonstration), and 8-hours of observations over 5 days. This training course covers teaching philosophy, techniques, and the Suzuki Book 2 repertoire, preparing teachers to work with students at the Book 2 level.

To enroll in Unit 2, workshop participants must have successfully completed and registered Every Child Can! (ECC) and Unit 1. Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit awarded by the University of Hartford (extra fee applies).

2026 SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE OFFERINGS

Outside the Lesson Box: A Forum for Experienced Cello Teachers – Dual Delivery        

Taught by SAA Trainer Pamela Devenport

Tuition: $285 Participant Rate + $20 SAA Fee

This course includes 10-hours of class instruction (lecture and demonstration) over 5 days. This training course will cover topics that include cello body anatomy, vibrato, transfer students, triangle communication, and your experienced sharing.

To enroll in this session, workshop participants must have successfully completed and registered Every Child Can!(ECC) and Unit 1.

OBSERVATION

Teachers who are not registered for a teacher workshop course are welcome to observe student classes during the institute for a fee. Connecticut teachers are eligible for one free day of observation. Please contact us at hsi@hartford.edu for more information.

AUDITION REQUIREMENT

Please refer to the Suzuki Association of the Americas website for audition requirements for teacher training.

PARTICIPANT STATUS

The SAA and the Hartt Suzuki Institute strongly encourage registering for Participant status. If your audition is accepted, your participation in the course will be confirmed, provided all other requirements are met. If the audition is not accepted and the course is not fully enrolled, you may observe the course as an auditor, but it will not be registered with the SAA.

GRADUATE CREDIT

To complete a teacher workshop course for graduate credit, you must pass your SAA audition by July 1st. If you have not received your results by that date, your registration will be changed to Participant status. If your audition is accepted before the course begins, your original registration will be reinstated.

REQUIRED COURSE PREPARATION

All teacher workshop participants are expected to prepare the repertoire to the level of fluent performance. While memorization is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Additionally, participants should be familiar with the concepts presented in Dr. Suzuki's book Nurtured by Love.

All participants will perform Suzuki repertoire and other materials in class. String players are required to bring their own instruments. It is recommended that participants bring an audio recorder and a notebook to each session. Full attendance (100%) is required for course registration.

TRAINING PREREQUISITES AND COURSE ORDER

To enroll in Suzuki teacher training, teachers must be active members of the SAA. Every Child Can! (ECC!) is a prerequisite before taking Unit 1. Courses must be completed in sequence through Unit 3: ECC!, Unit 1, Unit 2, Teaching Strategies, and Unit 3.

Questions?

Please call the main office at 860.768.4451 or e-mail the institute directors directly at hsi@hartford.edu.