PPSI 2026 Teacher Programming
All Teacher Training Classes will be held at PPSI location at Stargate School.
PPSI believes in supporting teachers of all levels of experience by providing opportunities to further their own study. We offer enrollment opportunities to observe PPSI Suzuki student classes as well as course enrollment in various teacher training classes. Note: The full week observation fee is waived for teachers that enroll and participate in any PPSI teacher training workshop or teacher training course.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
IN PERSON 5 hour Violin Workshop:
"John Kendall: Our Mentor and Peripatetic Pedagogue"
Instructors: Christie Felsing and Kimberly Meier-Sims
Class Time: 11-1 (1-2 lunch on your own) 2-5
This 5 hour workshop for violin teachers will take place in-person on Sunday, July 12. This workshop is intended for both new and seasoned violin teachers. SAA Active Membership is required.
Course Description:
John Kendall (1917-2011), the man who first brought Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy and method of teaching to America, was famous for his teaching mottos. He was fascinated by how the brain worked, challenging students and teachers to “Stop-Think-Play” as they executed musical passages of any level of difficulty. He himself was constantly reading, thinking, and pondering ideas for the betterment of string education. Whether suggesting “Be your own Sevcik” or “Simplify the Task”, his legacy lives on through the many, many teachers and students he trained worldwide. This interactive five-hour session, led by Long-Term SAA Violin Teacher Trainers Christie Felsing and Kimberly Meier-Sims, will explore Mr. Kendall’s mottos and principles from the early beginnings to the advanced level.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
IN-PERSON 5 hour Cello Workshop:
"Theory for Suzuki cellists- integrating practical theory concepts into teaching books 1-5"
Instructor: Blake Brasch
Class Time: 11-1 (1-2 lunch on your own) 2-5
This 5 hour workshop for cello teachers will take place in-person at PPSI on Sunday, July 12. This workshop is intended for cello teachers who have completed training in cello Unit 1 and above. SAA Active Membership is also required.
Course Description:
The class will focus on preparing literate readers who understand and appreciate the roll of a bass line in chamber music and the role of harmony in the playing of solo Bach.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
IN-PERSON 5 hour Flute Workshop:
"The Flute in Focus"
Instructor: Christina Jennings
Class Time: 11-1 (1-2 lunch on your own) 2-5
This 5 hour workshop for flute teachers will take place in-person at PPSI on Sunday, July 12. This workshop is intended for new and seasoned flute teachers.
Course Description:
Join Christina Jennings for a workshop on the art of flute teaching and playing. Our playful time together begins with finding focus on sound, technique, and attention and continues with a joyful exploration of embodied movement and creative practices to cultivate deeper focus and musical presence.
July 13-17, 2026
IN-PERSON 10 hour Violin/Viola Enrichment Class:
"Why not Technique AND Music from the first Twinkle?” The Beginning; Building the technique to create the music.
Instructor: Teri Einfeldt
This 10 hour enrichment class will take place in-person at PPSI over 5 days. Each day will have 2 hours of lecture/discussion time in the morning.
Prerequisites: ECC and Unit 1 training in violin or viola must be registered to register for this course. A current SAA Active Membership is also required.
Course Description:
This 10 hour violin/viola enrichment course will focus on exploring how to include musical concepts that will become second nature later in our students’ development. Focusing on developing a beautiful tone will be at the center of all discussions and lectures. Registered violin or viola Suzuki training through book 1 required.
July 13-17, 2026
IN-PERSON Cello Units 9/10
Instructor: Heather Hadley
Cello Units 9/10 will take place in-person at PPSI. This 15 hour lecture and 8 hour observation course will take place over 5 days - 3 lecture hours each morning followed by observation opportunities in the afternoons.
Prerequisites: For audition requirements, please review the SAA Guidelines and follow the SAA protocols for audition videos and guidelines. A current SAA Active Membership is also required.
SAA Guidelines: "Each core unit concentrates on one Suzuki book level (Book One, Two, etc.). The content will follow the syllabus for the instrument being studied and will include performance of the repertoire, supervised observation, discussion, and completion of assignments as given by the Teacher Trainer. In addition to their focus on Suzuki repertoire and instrumental technique, unit courses will also include additional topics as appropriate. These may include review and application of Suzuki™ philosophy, parent involvement, listening, home practice, private and group lesson formats, learning styles, learning by ear, note- reading, studio setup, and other skills basic to the Suzuki approach. Instrument unit courses follow an instrument-specific syllabus."
July 13-17, 2026
IN-PERSON Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Stage 2
Instructor: Danette Warren
SECE Stage 2 will take place in-person at PPSI. This 30 hour course will take place over 5 days - 6 hours each day (5 lecture hours and 1 SECE class each day)- resulting in 25 hours of lecture and 5 hours of SECE class.
Prerequisites: Teachers must have completed SECE Stage 1 training and 9-12 months of time must have occurred between taking Stage 1 and Stage 2 training to be eligible to register for the course. A current SAA Active Membership is also required. Please review the SAA Guidelines and follow specific SAA protocols for SECE stages.
SECE Stage 2 revisits and deepens topics introduced in Stage 1, including: • Study of the baby/toddler class curriculum and goals • The importance of the baby/toddler class sequence and key teaching strategies • Discussion of the skill level of babies and toddlers • An emphasis on parent education • An outline of a prenatal music stimulation program for expectant families • Guides to prenatal resources • Analysis of flow and balance of the curriculum There is a minimum of one written assignment required during the week. Each teacher participant has an opportunity to lead an activity and assist in the daily SECE class during the training week. Upon completion of Stage 2 training, teach participants are required to teach a SECE class during the 9-12 month period before pursuing Stage 3 training.