Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Fellowship Program

Taught by MacPhail Suzuki piano faculty member and SAA teacher trainer, Annette Lee, 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.

The fellowship is made possible through a generous gift from an anonymous MacPhail donor. A $5,000 value, this free course includes the following:

• Suzuki Association of the Americas certification in Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Unit 1
• Suzuki Association of the Americas certification in Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Unit 2
• Suzuki Association of the Americas certification in Suzuki Piano Teaching Strategies
• The opportunity to observe individual lessons, group classes and recitals in the Suzuki program at MacPhail Center for Music
• The opportunity to do supervised teaching of beginning individual Suzuki piano students and piano group classes at MacPhail for pay

Applicants must commit to attend the full year internship, from September 2024 through August 2025

• Fridays, 10:00 – 12:00 – instructional time with Ms. Lee, weekly during Fall and Spring Semesters (Sept – May). 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 1 – 2 beginning students during Spring semester (dependent on Ms. Lee’s recommendation); schedule according to applicant’s and students’ availability – 1 hour per week
• Possible group class teaching or substitute teaching, Fridays, 4:45 – 7:45
• Possible substitute teaching of individual lessons in the summer session (June – August 2025); flexible schedule according to applicant’s availability

Requirements for application:

• Suzuki Association of the Americas requirements must be completed by May 2024. See requirements at https://suzukiassociation.org/teachers/training/
• College music majors or minors preferred, or experience with college-level music courses
• Apply online at Macphail.org with a resume and cover letter describing your interest in the program and your experience with the Suzuki Method. Applications will be posted on the MacPhail website by April 15, 2024. DUE BY JULY 1, 2024
• Finalist applicants will be contacted for a live interview / audition in late July 2024 which will include:
  • Performing movement 1 of Mozart Piano Sonata K. 330 or K. 331
  • Performing a second contrasting solo piano piece of the applicant’s choice
  • Interview with Ms. Lee and Suzuki Program Director
• Final decisions will be made by August 1, 2024

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.