Hartt Suzuki Institute

At HSI, each student receives a minimum of four hours per day of formal instruction. Suzuki students who are in Book 4 and above receive a minimum of five hours per day of formal instruction. Instruction includes a master class, in which each child receives one-on-one teaching, a repertory class, an ensemble or instrument specific class and at least one additional enrichment class appropriate to the instrument and level of the child. Students are expected to practice daily in preparation for their masterclass lesson, group class, and orchestra rehearsal as instructed by their HSI faculty.

2024 Tuition Rates (All Instruments):

BOOKS 1-3: $550 Early bird (May 8); $600 Regular (June 21) 

BOOKS 4-6: $600 Early bird (May 8); $650 Regular (June 21)

BOOKS 7 and up: $650 Early bird (May 8); $700 Regular (June 21)

Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis therefore early registration is encouraged. If space is not available, you will be notified, and all fees will be refunded.

Due to the Institute's commitment to faculty and facility arrangements, applicants who withdraw after June 1, 2024 will forfeit all tuition and fees. Withdrawal prior to June 1st requires written notice sent directly 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

• Bret Serrin, Texas
• Elke Velazquez, New York

TRUMPET

• Dan D’addio, The Hartt School
• Fred Sienkiewicz, New York

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

STUDENT CLASSES and OPPortunities

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

Suzuki Students in Books 4-6
Each student will receive a minimum of five hours per day of formal instruction. Instruction includes a master class (3 students) in which each child receives one-on-one instruction, a repertory class, and three enrichment classes according to student level.  As always, guardian support through attendance is expected at the master class and repertoire class. String students (violin, viola, and cello) Book 5 and up wanting to be considered for Chamber Music, need to submit a video of their current polished piece to hsi@hartford.edu by June 21 with the subject: “Chamber Music Audition Video”. Extra Chamber Music fee applies.

Suzuki Students in Books 7 and Up
Each student will receive a minimum of five hours per day of formal instruction. Instruction includes a master class (2 students) in which each child receives one-on-one instruction, an advanced repertory class and three enrichment classes. String (violin, viola, and chello) and piano students wanting to be considered for Chamber Music, need to submit a video of their current polished piece to hsi@hartford.edu by June 21 with the subject: “Chamber Music Audition Video”. 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. 

ADDITIONAL CLASSES

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

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 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.

Guardians in attendance at the institute are expected to be present at their child’s masterclasses and repertory classes in order to assist with practicing (Exception: Book 7 and up level students who are age 13 or above and independent note-takers). 

Families with three or more children should contact our staff if only one guardian/adult will be attending.   

The Hartt Suzuki Institute 2024 will be following the University of Hartford’s COVID-19 and vaccination policies. 

Please visit the following link for the school’s most updated COVID-19 policy 

For specific COVID-19 related questions please email the Hartt Community Division’s COVID-19 Coordinator at hcdcovid@hartford.edu.

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 Marriot Hartford Farmington
1583 SE Rd, Farmington, CT

Every Child Can! (ECC) and Violin Unit 1
The 8-hour course, Every Child Can! (ECC), is required prior to taking Unit 1. Courses must be taken in order through Unit 3: ECC, Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3. Once this sequence has been completed, higher units may be taken out of order, if desired.

Applicants who qualify as participants, who complete required observations, and who attend all sessions qualify to have the course registered with the SAA. Additionally, qualified participants may earn 1 graduate credit awarded by the University of Hartford.

ECC: 

Participant: $160
Graduate credit: N/A

UNIT 1 (Guitar, PIANO): 

Participant: $800
Graduate credit: $900

UNIT 2 (PIANO, VIOLIN): 

Participant: $500
Graduate credit: $600 

UNIT 3 (VIOLIN): 

Participant: $500
Graduate credit: $600

ReviSITING VIOLIN UNIT 1: 

Participant: $450
Graduate credit: N/A

ReviSITING VIOLIN UNIT 4-8: 

Participant: $500
Graduate credit: N/A

“Connecting the Dots: Experiential Group Teaching" (for Books 2-5):

Developing the Cellist Bow Arm through the Suzuki Repertoire:

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 allowed one free day of observation. Please email hsi@hartford.edu to register.

For further information, please go to the Hartt Suzuki Institute page on the SAA website:

https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/hartt-suzuki-institute/

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, preferably well in advance of taking the course. Auditions should be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the course start date, with the required fee and a completed application form. If submitted after the 8-week deadline, applicants must then submit an express audition to the SAA with an additional fee. All auditions must be received at least 10 days before the start of the course. No auditions will be accepted after this date. If the audition is not accepted, you may observe a workshop course as an auditor but you may not take the course as a participant. 

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

PARTICIPANT STATUS

The SAA and the Hartt Suzuki Institute strongly encourage Participant status. If your audition is accepted, your course participation will be registered, provided that all other requirements are met. If the audition is not accepted, and the course is not filled to capacity, you may observe the course as an auditor, but the course will not be registered with the SAA.

GRADUATE CREDIT

As a prerequisite for completing a teacher workshop course for graduate credit, you must pass your SAA audition by July 1, 2024. If you haven’t been notified of your results by that date, then your registration will be switched to Participant if your audition is accepted before the start of the course.

REQUIRED COURSE PREPARATION

All teacher workshop participants are asked to prepare the repertoire to be studied to the point of fluent performance. Memorization is not required but is highly recommended. Additionally, participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki's book Nurtured by Love.

All participants will be performing Suzuki repertoire and other materials in class. String players are expected to provide their own instruments. It is recommended that participants bring an audio recorder and a notebook to all sessions. 100% attendance is required for registering the course.

TRAINING PREREQUISITES AND COURSE ORDER

To take Suzuki teacher training, teachers must be active members of the SAA. Every Child Can! (ECC!) is required prior to taking Unit 1. Courses must be taken in order through Unit 3: ECC!, Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3. (See SAA website for Viola Guidelines)

Teacher Training Workshop Course Hours

CORE UNITS

UNIT 1: 

This course includes 28 hours of class plus 15 observations over 8 days. Workshop participants must have completed ECC! in order to enroll and complete at least the basic audition with SAA.

UNIT 2:

This course includes 15 hours of class plus 8 hours of observations over 5 days (Monday-Friday). Workshop participants must have completed and registered ECC, and Unit 1 to enroll in Unit 2. 

UNIT 3: 
This course includes 15 hours of class plus 8 hours of observations over 5 days (Monday-Friday). Workshop participants must have completed and registered ECC, Unit 1, and Unit 2 to enroll in Unit 3. 

UNIT 4: 
This course includes 15 hours of class plus 8 hours of observations over 5 days (Monday-Friday). Workshop participants must have completed and registered ECC, Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3 to enroll in Unit 4. 

UNIT 5/6/7: 
This course includes 15 hours of class plus 8 hours of observations over 5 days (Monday-Friday). Workshop participants must have completed and registered ECC, Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3 to enroll in Unit 5/6/7. Additionally, participants must complete the Intermediate or Comprehensive Audition with the SAA.
REVISITING UNIT 1:
This course includes 15 hours of class plus 3 hours of observations. The Revisiting Unit 1 course is designed for teachers who have registered a minimum of Unit 1 and have at least one year of Suzuki teaching experience. It aims to strengthen and update one’s teaching by approaching the repertoire and its concepts from a fresh perspective. Discussions cover the foundation of Book 1, including application of the Suzuki philosophy, teaching points, layering of skills, addressing challenges of the beginning student, and more. Format of the course includes lecture, small group discussion, student observation, possible role-playing, and playing demonstration of the teaching points and concepts. Participants will receive an online questionnaire from the SAA, to be completed prior to the start of the course.

SUPPLEMENTAL AND OVERVIEW

 “Connecting the Dots: Experiential Group Teaching”

Join SAA violin teacher trainer Kirsten Marshall at the Hartt Suzuki Institute for a new course, “Connecting the Dots: Experiential Group Teaching” (for Books 3-5). In this class, there will be 10 hours of lectures designed to allow for a rich discussion about best practices for engaging mid-book students. 8 hours of observation will include playing in the demonstration class, as well as leading some group activities. Come refresh your group class technique using both play and structure!

Overview of Violin Units 4-8

This supplemental training course for Suzuki teachers is an overview of Violin Books 4 – 8 with teacher trainer Teri Einfeldt..This course includes 15 hours of class plus 8 hours of observations over 5 days (Monday-Friday). Workshop participants must have completed and registered ECC, Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3 to enroll in Unit 5/6/7. Additionally, participants must complete the Intermediate or Comprehensive Audition with the SAA.

Questions?

Email us at hsi@hartford.edu.

The Hartt Suzuki Institute 2024 will be following the University of Hartford’s COVID-19 and vaccination policies. 

Please visit the following link for the school’s most updated COVID-19 policy 

For specific COVID-19 related questions please email the Hartt Community Division’s COVID-19 Coordinator at hcdcovid@hartford.edu.

The Hartt Suzuki Institute will not offer dorm accommodations for participant families this year. 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 Marriot Hartford Farmington
1583 SE Rd, Farmington, CT