Nurturing Tomorrow’s Suzuki Teachers

The Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Program at MacPhail, launched in January 2023, addresses the critical shortage of qualified Suzuki piano teachers in the Twin Cities and beyond. This initiative nurtures emerging talent while strengthening MacPhail’s pool of exceptional educators. Supported by the Up Tempo! campaign, which aims to ensure MacPhail can foster teaching excellence, this program exemplifies the campaign’s goals and its commitment to delivering high-quality music education.

Beth Turco, Director of Suzuki Talent Education, observed a concerning trend: despite the growing demand for Suzuki piano lessons, there aren’t enough teachers. “We have a lot of qualified piano teachers,” she noted, “but how do we turn them into Suzuki teachers?” This question underpins the program, equipping aspiring instructors with the necessary skills to implement the Suzuki method effectively.

Annette Lee, a seasoned Suzuki teacher, envisioned cultivating new teachers from the ground up. “I take 1-2 teachers each year and train them through three levels of the Suzuki method,” she explained. The training requires certification at each level and includes ‘Teaching Strategies,’ where teachers analyze videos of their own lessons. This reflective practice, paired with hands-on mentorship, ensures participants finish the program as expert teachers.

Thanks to support from donors, MacPhail offers this program as a free professional development opportunity for its teaching artists, fostering a supportive environment for young and eager teachers. “I want to cultivate a long-term relationship,” Lee said, “send me videos of a student you’re struggling with, I want to help and be there as a mentor. The bonus is that they don’t have to pay; this is a gift to them.”

The program also prepares teachers to work with parents—a crucial aspect of the Suzuki method. “It can be overwhelming for young teachers,” Lee admitted, but she sees this dynamic as beneficial, enhancing the learning experience. “Fifteen years with a Suzuki teacher is not unheard of; we often become a second parent, psychologist, coach, and mentor.”

Learning to be a Suzuki teacher reshapes how educators approach instruction. Many transitioning from traditional methods find that Suzuki training significantly enhances their teaching across the board. “I never thought about distilling a technical aspect of my teaching in such a simple way, and that really made a difference for my students,” they share with Lee, highlighting the method’s focus on understanding how children learn.

The first graduate of the program, Allen Teyvel, is now a Suzuki piano teacher at MacPhail, contributing to teaching excellence in our community. Turco and Lee anticipate even greater impact as they move into the second year. “Another side effect,” Turco noted, “is that our own teachers can take the class for free if they want a refresher, enhancing their skills without the prohibitive costs.”

By equipping aspiring teachers with essential skills, knowledge, and support, the program promises to attract and retain talented teachers and elevate the quality of music education at MacPhail and beyond.