Teacher Training

Suzuki Voice Teacher Training

Acceptance to the Suzuki Voice Training

In order to be accepted as a teacher-in-training an audition videotape and resume in English should be submitted. The resume should include tertiary qualifications in classical voice studies, professional performance experience and teaching experience. If this information seems limited, please include any other experience with the Suzuki method (or previous association with Suzuki method) or experience working with young children. Please note that these suggestions help the panel to get a complete picture of you. It is sometimes difficult to explain what you have done only in terms of qualifications.

Audition requirements:

Unaccompanied pieces:: “Schlafe mein Prinzchen” (Mozart’s Lullaby) by Bernhard Fliess (in German); “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” (in your language)
Accompanied pieces:: Vaccai Vocalise # 7 “Come il candore”; Lied (of your choice); Aria from opera or oratorio (of your choice)
Piano playing skills:: Mozart’s Lullaby (melody with accompaniment)

Please take care with the quality of your videotape and its sound.
The video gives an important first impression. Add 45 € for the acceptance board (three people). This also includes handling costs.

For more information about training, please contact

Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki
ESA teacher Trainer, Director of ISA Suzuki Voice Committee
Address: Rekolantie 40 – 42
01400 Vantaa, Finland
Fax: + 358 9 874 2552
E-mail: suzukivoice (a) kolumbus.fi

Mette Heikkinen
(E-mail: mette.heikkinen (a) saunalahti.fi)
ESA Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainer

Katrina Pezzimenti, Melbourne, Australia
(E-mail: accentmusic (a) aapt.net.au)
ESA, PPSA, ANSTEA Suzuki Voice Teacher Trainer and ISA Suzuki Voice committee member

Mary Lou Hofer, Stevens Point, USA
(E-mail: mhofer (a) uwsp.edu)
SAA Suzuki Voice Program and ISA Suzuki Voice committee member

Analia Paula Capponi, Argentina
(E-mail: institutosuzuki (a) yahoo.com.ar)
Suzuki Voice Program assistant in Latin America

Training contents for each level

Suzuki Philosophy
Suzuki Voice Program

Parent orientation

Suzuki Vocal Pedagogy

Study of repertoire:

Performance from memory
Improvised piano accompaniment
Analysis of pieces and teaching points
Games and materials for songs
Learning nursery rhymes and songs
Vocal Pedagogy and Techniques of Vocalizations

Anatomy of the child’s voice and its development

Respiratory organs and their functions:

Breathing and posture exercises for adults and children
Vocalization – function and exercises:

Articulation
Phonetics
Resonation
Relaxation exercises:

Massage with ball
Relaxation recordings
Coordination exercises
Observation of approved teachers
Teaching in practice and demonstration lessons
Private voice lessons
Attendance at approved workshops
Required Reading

Suzuki, Shinichi “Ability Development from Age Zero”

Suzuki, Shinichi “Nurtured By Love”

Brown, Oren L. “Discover your Voice”
Lectures

Dr. Kukkamäki, Päivi “Growing Through Singing”
Written work in each level

Contents of lessons

Level 1—3 (ESA)
Primary level to Intermediate level (PPSA, ANSTEA)

Observation	20 lessons (each is 45 minutes)
Teaching in Practise	24 lessons
Own private voice lessons with approved teacher	12 lessons
Individual teacher training	16 lessons
Written work	40 lessons
Singing days, concerts, recitals etc.	8 lessons
Total:	120 lessons

Level 4 (ESA)
Advanced level Stage 1 (PPSA, ANSTEA)

80 + 40 lessons (projects with students)

120 lessons

Level 5 (ESA)
Advanced level Stage 2 (PPSA, ANSTEA)

80 + 80 lessons (projects with students)

160 lessons

Number of lessons

Level 1—5 (ESA)
Primary—Advanced level (PPSA, ANSTEA)

Level 2 (Primary) and Level 3 (Intermediate) requires the same number of lessons as Level 1 (Primary) in the same categories. Level 4 and Level 5 (advanced levels) includes also projects with students.

Level 1, Primary level Stage 1	total 120 lessons
Level 2, Primary level Stage 2	total 120 lessons
Level 3, Intermediate level	total 120 lessons
Level 4, Advanced level Stage 1	total 120 lessons
Level 5, Advanced level Stage 2	total 160 lessons

The order of Teacher Training

1. Teacher Training

These lessons start at the same time

Repertoire Voice lessons with approved Suzuki Voice Teacher-Trainer	12 lessons
Individual Teacher Training with approved Suzuki Voice Teacher-Trainer	16 lessons
Observation with approved Suzuki Voice Teacher	20 lessons
Concerts, recitals etc.	8 lessons
Literature – required reading list

2. Written work

Philosophy questions
Vocal pedagogy questions
Child development questions

The above questions are answered in writing and submitted to the Teacher-Trainer for assessment

Sample lesson plans for different ages

3. Teaching in Practice

The teacher-in-training should use their own students for teaching in practice. It is possible to use another Suzuki Voice teacher’s students, but this should be arranged at the beginning of training. For each lesson plans should be submitted to the teacher-trainer. Feedback will be given after these lessons. It is possible to submit some Teaching-in-practise lessons by video if there is too much distance between the teacher-trainer and the teacher-in-training.

After above studies, the teacher-in-training is able to plan the first examination. The Recital Program has to be approved by the Suzuki Voice Exam Board at least two months before. The pianist should receive the accompaniments one month before the exam date and rehearsals should be arranged. The teacher-in-training should use their own students for the teaching exam, but in exceptional circumstances, two months notice is required for the exam board to arrange suitable students.