Past Scholarship Recipients
(2024) Kristen Folden, Teacher in Durango
Attended Chicago Suzuki Institute
Volume 5 with Caroline Fraser
I was not surprised that my experience learning from Caroline Fraser was absolutely
life-changing as a teacher. Thanks to the scholarship committee, I was able to attend
the Chicago Suzuki Institute virtually and complete my book 5 training in piano. This
was especially significant to me, because this completed my training of all of my Piano units.
But more importantly, it was a very deep and emotional experience to be able to complete it
with Caroline. I first began my training with Caroline in 1993. I was fresh out of college and
just learning about the Suzuki method, and Caroline was my first trainer. I was enamored
with her teaching and have thought of her hundreds, if not thousands of times since then.
She absolutely shaped my teaching as a brand new Suzuki teacher and now, over 30 years
later, I was able to complete my training with her. It was precious.
Caroline is one of the most positive and nurturing people I have ever met. Her encouragement
and belief in her students is practically tangible. Her wisdom is immeasurable and it sort of felt
like we were in a therapy session as well as piano training! This experience gave me a
much-needed reset both in my teaching and in my personal life. I have just gone through the
two most difficult years of my life, and I was beyond blessed and grateful to receive this
scholarship. Thank you so much to the Colorado Suzuki Institute for awarding it to me. I am deeply grateful.
(2024) Katie Burns, Teacher in Denver
Attended Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute
Revisiting Cello Books 1-3 Teacher Training - Sally Gross
What an incredible experience I had at SOSI! I arrived in Waterloo, CA with much anticipation, having not received additional Suzuki training for several years, and also reuniting with my incomparable home cello teacher Sally Gross, but this time in a new
context as her pedagogy pupil and colleague. From the very
beginning, I was constantly coming alive with ideas, inspiration, and tenderness just
watching her teach, let alone having the opportunity to discuss teaching with her everyday.
This “revisiting” course was exactly what I was looking and more, reviewing the fundamentals
of cello playing and how we can best lay a strong foundation, discussing the development of
artistry and playing our own artistic renditions of Book 3 pieces for each other, as well as
group class best practices. After every seminar, I would spend hours pouring over my copious notes, and making plans for both my private studio and
for my classes at El Sistema Colorado.
The institute overall was run so beautifully, and it showed in the students’ comfort and playing.
Watching the Young Artists Program recital at the end of the week was incredibly musically inspiring, and I so enjoyed watching my old teacher beam with pride at her students who performed. Having returned home, I feel that my institute experience couldn’t have come at a better time. With a couple weeks before my teaching schedule is completely up and running, I feel so inspired and rejuvenated both as a teacher and a performer. I have a new energy and vision for my students, and I even am approaching my cello with a new set of eyes of ears, always looking for that beautiful tone.
Thank you so much for helping me on my journey to SOSI!
(2024) Constance Stone, Piano Student
Attended Colorado Suzuki Institute, Beaver Creek
I really enjoyed Suzuki Institute this summer. I think that this has been my favorite
time yet. I liked walking around and seeing the view. I also liked playing in the Honors
Recital. Watching my brother Marvin play his tiny cello was also very fun. I enjoyed
meeting new friends.
I learned a lot at Suzuki Institute. I think that I improved my sight reading while I was
there. I also learned that I should have the first 2 measures of my recital piece
memorized always. I thought Suzuki Institute was fantastic and I want to again next
year. I am thankful for the opportunity to attend.
(2024) Breanna Duffy, Violin Student
Attended Peaks to Plains Institute, Thornton Colorado
I want to express my sincere gratitude for choosing me as the Suzuki Association of Colorado 2024 Scholarship Winner for this year’s summer camp. Receiving the scholarship allowed me to have fun while learning lifelong lessons and helped me learn more about myself. My experience with the Institute inspired me and improved my musicianship by practicing and developing new techniques while improving old ones. Having mentors in a judgment free environment helped me develop self-esteem, confidence, independence and social skills. One of the most exciting parts that I am so proud of was that I was able to experience performing as a quartet. The core values of individual commitment to
teamwork helped me perform new music that I learned in a short period of time was so much fun.
My first Summer Camp with the Institute has helped me develop excellent musical skills in a nurturing environment that would not be possible without your support. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have my first ‘best summer camp ever’ and to be able to create new great memories. Thank you again for your generous support, and I am so proud to have been a part of your great program!
(2024) Abner Covarrubias, Violin Student
Attended Colorado Suzuki Institute, Beaver Creek
During the Suzuki Institute I learned how to ring the violin when doing stopped bows, and how
to place my wrist at specific places, also I learned more about reading music. What I liked about
the Suzuki Institute was the teachers were very fun. I love acting class games and also playing
the violin lying on the floor to help us with our posture. Also i like the fact that we had scheduled
classes times to leave for another class, like middle school. Like to see other kids in advanced
class which motivated me to keep learning and get better on my violin and piano.
I enjoyed that I had to walk through Beaver Creek to get to my classes.
My mom who accompanied me to the Institute told me she learned a lot from the parent classes
of how to support me in my daily practices. Now she uses a spin wheel to select the piece I
have to practice and a dice to know how many times. Also she is more patient with me when i
don't want to practice for too long she puts me to listen to the new pieces.
I would love to attend the next Suzuki Institute to keep learning and be around people who love
music like me.
(2024) Ojas Sinha, Violin Student
Attended Peaks to Plains Institute
I had an amazing experience attending the Suzuki Piano camp, 2024 at Peaks to
Plains Suzuki Institute this summer.
The teachers were very friendly, dedicated and talented. They made sure that
students had a lot to learn, while still having fun. The masterclass guidance by
Dr.Bret Serrin and tricks and techniques by Ms Anna Salmon helped me improve
my technique, my posture, and exposed me to many new aspects of music. The
amount of progress made in just one week was incredible.
The improvisation class was a lot of fun as we were given the opportunity to make
music out of ordinary stuff, such as kitchen utensils, papers and plastics. Capoeira
class was very refreshing as we were able to do some physical activity between the
sessions.
The music, the friends, the teachers and the experiences have enriched all our lives. Thank you Suzuki Association of Colorado for the scholarship and Mrs Laura Benson for her continuous support in my musical journey. I look forward to the camp next year.
(2024) Jonah and Jacque Pierce
Attended Peaks to Plains Institute
Thank you so much for funding Jonah and Jacque Pierce to attend the Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute! They had such a wonderful experience. Jonah specifically came away from his master class with a significant improvement in his forth finger on the violin hand staying high and relaxed. He particularly enjoyed his fiddle class. Overall he was very encouraged by spending time with other kids who enjoy playing the violin.
Jacque also had a wonderful experience. His master class worked most on his body posture with tall back and relaxed shoulders which had a dynamic influence on his tone. He most enjoyed his Cappadocia class. He also found it very fun to spend time with kids his age who enjoy playing the violin. They loved watching the advanced performances.
Both Jacque and Jonah don’t have peers or friends who play an instrument with the dedication they do and sometimes that can feel isolating. It is very powerful for them to spend time with young musicians who share the love and dedication they do. I have seen a considerable increase in ease of practice and commitment since the institute. Thank you so much for supporting their love of violin and contributing to their musical growth!
(2022) Gill Kuroiwa, Blackstone Studio
Hi, I'm Gill Kuroiwa, recipient of one of SAC's scholarships for 2022. In July I was able to attend my first Suzuki Institute where I completed my Cello Book 5 training thanks to the generosity of SAC. Up until 2021, my experience as a student and teacher had been completely traditional so when the SAA made Suzuki training available online, I was able to satisfy my curiosity about the method and take Book 1 class. Since then, I've taken 6 courses and loved getting to know the Suzuki Method and Suzuki community. Having never completed in person training until this unit, my experience at Peaks to Plains Institute was a totally new one for me. I loved getting to watch a group of student cellists progress through the week day by day. When watching online observations, there are often gaps in time between taped lessons so getting to watch real-time progress was really exciting. I'm thankful for an inspiring week of training by Blake Brasch and a tremendous amount of learning a lot of beautiful community of teachers, kids, and parents. My sincerest gratitude to SAC for this opportunity.
(2022) Sagan Hyland (written by Mike Hyland)
Littleton, CO
The summer of 2022 was my daughter Sagan's second year at Beaver Creek, and building on
what we learned the first year we had an even better time. With Mom, Grammie Sue, and
younger brother Simon in tow, we were able to spend lots of time in class and, more importantly
to 5-year-old Sagan, more time in the pool! And the kids learned a new and apparently powerfully
important word: condo!
As a Suzuki Guitar teacher, I've been to CSI many times over the past 11 years as a teacher trainee
and to observe my own students. As one would assume, the experience as a parent provides different
opportunities and challenges.
The summer of 2022 was my daughter Sagan's second year at Beaver Creek, and building on what we
learned the first year we had an even better time. With Mom, Grammie Sue, and younger brother Simon
in tow, we were able to spend lots of time in class and, more importantly to 5-year-old Sagan, more time
in the pool! And the kids learned a new and apparently powerfully important word: condo!
As a Suzuki Guitar teacher, I've been to CSI many times over the past 11 years as a teacher trainee and to observe my own students. As one would assume, the experience as a parent provides different opportunities and challenges.
Sagan's Master Class teacher this year was Jane Reed. I was already acquainted with Jane – she was one of my earliest Suzuki instructors. So I was thrilled to learn she'd be helping Sagan every day.
Our Master Class lessons were fantastic, and Jane was thoughtful, logical, and patient with Sagan and the two other young students in the class. She was respectful and curious about our home teacher's approach and made sure we understood what we needed to work on back at the condo.
Emma Shubin led Sagan's Dalcroze movement classes and all the kids were fully engaged and definitely enjoyed starting the day with some healthy dancing and vigorous wiggling.
As Sagan is only 5, our activities and class time were on the light side but I'm well aware that the true value of the institute is in the environment and being a part of a larger community of musicians. Sagan made many fast friends and was inspired and curious to see all the other kids toting their instruments around the village.
Given that I'm a Suzuki teacher, we certainly will be attending next year, and I'm sure until Sagan ages out. The value of the experience is crystal clear. If you're going to take the time and energy to be a Suzuki parent, you might as well go all in; if you can attend next year you won't regret it.
Mike Hyland
Littleton, CO
