Hartt Suzuki Institute

The Student Institute offers a comprehensive and supportive program for all students of all levels, ranging from Twinkle-level to advanced, and everyone in between.

At HSI, the teaching day runs from 8:30 am to 3:45 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.

Late 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 feature: Ensemble Concerts, Orchestra and Guitar Orchestra, Piano Triolets, Chamber Groups, Fiddling, and Repertory Classes.

2025 Tuition Rates (All Instruments):

BOOKS 1-3: $570 Early bird (May 23); $620 Regular (June 20)

BOOKS 4-6: $620 Early bird (May 23); $670 Regular (June 20)

BOOKS 7 and up: $670 Early bird (May 23); $720 Regular (June 20)

Registration is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is recommended. If space is unavailable, you will be notified and all fees will be refunded.

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

VIOLIN

• Melinda Daetsch, The Hartt School
• Teri Einfeldt, The Hartt School
• Christie Felsing, The Hartt School
• Linda Fiore, Pennsylvania
• Carla Brasch Francis, New York
• Kirsten Marshall, New York
• Annalise Ohse, Tennessee
• Tal Schifter, New York
• James Hutchins, Maryland

VIOLA

• Melinda Daetsch, The Hartt School

CELLO

• Pamela Devenport, New York
• Chris Fiore, Pennsylvania
• Nancy Hair, Massachusetts

GUITAR

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

PIANO

• Sachiko Isihara, Massachusetts
• Bret Serrin, Texas
• Elke Velazquez, New York

TRUMPET

• Dan D’addio, The Hartt School
• Fred Sienkiewicz, Tennessee

ORGAN

• Jim Gower, The Hartt School

STRING ORCHESTRA

• Emmett Drake, The Hartt School

FIDDLING

• Annalise Ohse, Tennessee

Chamber Music

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

ENRICHMENT

• Chuck Speicher, Pennsylvania
• Fred Sienkiewicz, Tennessee

STUDENT CLASSES

Suzuki Students in Books 1-3
Each student will receive four hours of formal instruction per day. Instruction includes a masterclass (four students) 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 June 20 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 June 20 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.

As always, guardians are welcome to attend, though it is not required if a student is age 13 or above, at Book 7 or above, and an independent note-taker. Health forms are required.

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 at the Book 2 and above level will be placed in an orchestral experience appropriate to their level. Trumpet students may have the opportunity to participate in an orchestra piece by teacher recommendation. 

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 contact our staff if only one guardian/adult will be attending.   

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, 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! Please bring what you normally wear to a solo recital in your home Suzuki Program as well as black bottoms to wear with the Institute t-shirt for our Thursday Orchestra and Ensemble concerts.

Q: Is housing available on campus?

A:.Unfortunately, we don’t have any options available right now. 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: Yes! 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 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 23, 2025. Regular registration for both Student and Teacher Institutes closes on June 21, 2025. Please be aware that Early-Bird registration is not available for the Teacher Institute.

Q: Are there food services available on site?

A: Yes, there will be 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 us 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 (see Teacher Training Workshop Course Hours). 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.

All 2025 teacher training courses are offered dual delivery (in-person and online) at the Hartt School on the University of Hartford Campus. The daily schedule for courses runs from 8:30 am - 3:45 pm with a break from 12:30 - 1:45 pm for lunch and will include lectures, repertoire studies, technical exercises, and 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 fluent performance, preferably from memory. Participants should also be familiar with the concepts presented in Suzuki's "Nurturedby Love."

Additionally, all participants will perform in class and must provide their own instruments. 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 Seth Himmelhoch

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.

2025 SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE OFFERINGS

Cello Teaching Strategies - Dual Delivery      $275

Taught by SAA Trainer Pamela Devenport

Violin Teaching Strategies - Dual Delivery     $275

Taught by SAA Trainer James Hutchins

Beginning January 1, 2025, Teaching Strategies is a prerequisite course for Unit 3.

Teaching Strategies is designed to support and guide teacher participants to become more effective in their teaching. Strategies will reinforce the positive aspects and offer constructive feedback on each participant’s lessons

Please visit the SAA website for more information about the teaching strategies course.

 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.

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

AUDITION REQUIREMENT

To qualify as a participant in SAA Teacher Workshop unit courses, applicants must submit a video audition to the SAA, ideally well before the course begins. Auditions should be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the course start date, along with the required fee and completed application form. If submitted after the 8-week deadline, applicants must submit an express audition to the SAA, which requires an additional fee. All auditions must be received no later than 10 days before the course start date. Auditions will not be accepted after this deadline. If your audition is not accepted, you may observe the workshop course as an auditor, but you will not be eligible to register the course with the SAA.

Auditor questions: please contact HSI Co-Directors at: hsi@hartford.edu.
Note: the auditor rate is the same as the participant rate.

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 us at harttcomm@hartford.edu.

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