Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Fellowship Program

The Suzuki Talent Education Fellowship Training Program for piano teachers, is taught by Annette Lee, MacPhail Suzuki piano faculty member and SAA teacher trainer. This year-long internship covers Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Units one and two and Piano Teaching Strategies.

Applicants are considered based on experience with college-level music courses, level of playing. and desire to become a Suzuki-trained piano teacher.

This course is offered free-of-charge for the participant (a $5000 value), and includes the following:

• Suzuki Association of the Americas Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Unit 1
• SAA Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Unit 2
• SAA Suzuki Piano Teaching Strategies
• The opportunity to observe individual lessons, group classes, recitals, and Parent Education sessions in the Suzuki program at MacPhail Center for Music
• The opportunity to do supervised teaching (paid) of beginning Suzuki piano students in their individual lessons and their group piano classes at MacPhail (contingent upon teacher recommendation)

The fellowship is made possible through a generous gift by an anonymous MacPhail donor.  

Applicants must commit to attend the full-year internship, from February 2023 through January 2024 agreeing to participate in the following activities:

• Fridays, 10:00 to noon – instructional time with Ms. Lee. Weekly during Spring (Feb – May) and Fall Semesters (Sept. – Jan). Summer schedule is flexible.
• Regular weekly observations of individual lessons and group classes; flexible schedule according to applicant’s availability – 2 hours per week.
• Teaching individual lessons to 1 – 2 beginning students during fall semester (contingent upon instructor’s approval); schedule according to applicant and students’ availability – approximately 1 hour per week.
• Possible group class teaching or substitute teaching, Fridays, 4:45 – 7:45, fall semester 2023.
• Potential substitute teaching of individual lessons in the summer session (June – August 2023); flexible schedule according to applicant’s availability. Observation and possible assistance with teaching during the MacPhail Suzuki Piano Institute, July 24 – 28, 2023.

Requirements for application:

• Suzuki Association of the Americas requirements must be completed by January 2023. Requirement can be found on the SAA website.
• College music majors or minors preferred, or equivalent experience with college-level music courses
• Apply online (application- click here) with a resume and cover letter describing your interest in the program and your experience with the Suzuki Method.
  • DUE BY DECEMBER 15, 2022
• Finalists will be sent a full fellowship contract to review, and will be contacted for a live interview/ audition in early January 2023 which will include:
  • Performing movement 1 of Mozart Piano Sonata K. 330 or K. 331
  • Performing a 2^nd contrasting solo piano piece of the applicant’s choice
  • Interview with Annette Lee and Suzuki program director
• Final decisions made by January 15, 2023
• NOTE: The SAA Introductory course, Every Child Can! , must be completed before the internship begins.

Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Fellowship Program

Meet the Instructor – Annette Lee

Annette Lee has taught Suzuki piano at MacPhail since 1995. Her teaching approach encapsulates the Suzuki Philosophy in its entirety: that every child can learn. She observes each child for who they are, as individuals eager to begin the journey of learning through the piano. She hopes to provide each child with success, not that they become prodigies, but to be accomplished learners.

Annette serves as MacPhail’s Staff Accompanist. She has performed on the MacPhail Spotlight Series, as a winner for the Wheaton Conservatory Concerto Competition, the Vilar Performing Arts Center, and with the Classic Arts Trio in Chicago. Annette is the recipient of the Nell Stockwell Award in 1984.

She holds a Bachelors of Music from Wheaton Conservatory of Music, a Masters of Music from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with additional training from the Aspen Music Festival, Blossom Music Festival, and Chicago Suzuki Institute. Ms. Lee is a registered Teacher Trainer in Piano under the auspices of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.