with Edward Kreitman

The Violin Unit 1 course is the first of the core training units for the Suzuki Method. The course will focus on Suzuki Violin Book 1 repertoire and technique, and will also serve as a review of the Suzuki philosophy, introduction to parent education, beginning instrumental set-up, considerations to opening a Suzuki studio, cultivation of the Suzuki Triangle, development of listening skills, pre-reading skills, issues related to home practice, and other skills relevant to the Suzuki approach. Trainees should expect to perform the Violin Book 1 repertoire, participate in group discussions, and complete assignments as given by the teacher trainer.

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Format of the course includes lecture (28 hours) and student observation (15 hours). Suzuki teachers who have completed/registered Every Child Can! are eligible to take the course. Auditors are permitted in the Unit 1 course. Maximum enrollment: 10 participants.

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About Edward Kreitman: 

Edward Kreitman is the founder and Director of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School. Mr. Kreitman received his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University where he studied Suzuki Pedagogy with Doris Preucil and Almita Vamos. In 1986, he studied at the Talent Education Summer School with Dr. Suzuki in Matsumoto, Japan.  Mr. Kreitman has served the Suzuki Teacher's Association in many capacities, including a member of the Board of Directors, Violin Committee, Teacher Development team and as Coordinator for several National Suzuki Teacher Conferences. Recently he served on the SAA team which developed the Every Child Can! introductory course. Edward Kreitman enjoys an international reputation as a guest clinician at Suzuki institutes and workshops. Mr. Kreitman is a registered Teacher Trainer of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and is the author of Teaching from the Balance Point: A Guide for Suzuki Parents, Teachers, and Students and Teaching with an Open Heart: A Guide for Developing Conscious Musicianship. In 2008, Mr. Kreitman was honored with the Suzuki Chair Award at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. 

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Violin Unit 1 will meet online on Thursdays: 

• February 16, 23

• March 2, 9, 16, 23 (no class March 30)

• April 13, 20, 27 (no class April 6)

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Class meeting times:

11:00-2:00 Eastern / 10:00-1:00 Central / 9:00-12:00 Mountain / 8:00-11:00 Pacific

Class on April 27 will be held for an additional hour (11:00-3:00 Eastern / 10:00-2:00 Central / 9:00-1:00 Mountain / 8:00-12:00 Pacific)

The course fee is $800, and includes access to the Real Violin Lessons website. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due within 7 days of registration and will be applied toward the course fee. Refunds (less the $100 deposit) are available until 30 days before the course begins. 

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A full scholarship for a BIPOC teacher is available for this course. If you identify as a BIPOC teacher, and plan to begin your Suzuki training with ASI this winter/spring, you may complete the application here: 2023 ECC & Violin Unit 1 BIPOC Teacher Scholarship Application

with Edmund Sprunger

The Violin Unit 2 course is one of the core training units for the Suzuki Method. The course will focus on Suzuki Violin Book 2 repertoire and technique, and may also include review of the Suzuki philosophy, parent involvement, issues related to home practice and listening, and other skills relevant to the Suzuki approach. Trainees should expect to perform the Violin Book 2 repertoire, participate in group discussions, and complete assignments as given by the teacher trainer. 

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Format of the course includes lecture (15 hours) and student observation (8 hours). Suzuki teachers who have completed/registered Every Child Can! and Violin Unit 1 are eligible to take the course. Auditors are permitted in the Unit 2 course if space allows.

Maximum enrollment: 10 participants.

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About Edmund Sprunger:

A former student of Dr. Shin’ichi Suzuki, Suzuki Method™ originator, Edmund Sprunger has taught violin for more than 30 years, including over 300 workshops and master classes throughout North America, South America, and Europe; and is a Registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.  He has presented sessions at numerous state, national, and international conferences.  Mr. Sprunger holds a BA in music from Goshen College, where he studied violin with Lon Sherer, and piano and piano pedagogy with Marvin Blickenstaff.  Also trained as a psychotherapist, he holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan and has done post-degree training with the Michigan and St. Louis psychoanalytic institutes.  Additional violin studies have been with Chihiro Kudo, Reinaldo Couto (Alexander Technique/Violin), Kent Perry, and Anna Martin. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and as Chair of the American String Teachers Association’s [ASTA] Committee on Studio Instruction.  In 2004 he received an ASTA Citation for Leadership and Merit.  For several years he served as Director of the Child Development Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.  In addition to his studio teaching, he is a psychotherapist in private practice. His books include Helping Parents Practice:  Ideas for Making It Easier (Vol. 1) and Building Violin Skills: A Set of Plans Designed to Help Parents and Children Construct Positive Practices.

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Violin Unit 2 will be offered online on Saturdays in February, March, and April (one Saturday each month, five hours each day). The course fee is $450. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due within 7 days of registration and will be applied toward the course fee. Full payments are due by January 9. Refunds (less the $100 deposit) are available until 10 days before the course begins (January 11).

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Violin Unit 2 will meet online on Saturdays: 

• January 21​

• February 18

• March 18

Class meeting times: 

11:00-1:30 & 2:30-5:00 Eastern / 10:00-12:30 & 1:30-4:00 Central
9:00-11:30 & 12:30-3:00 Mountain / 8:00-10:30 & 11:30-2:00 Pacific