Virginia Dixon – Suzuki Teaching Opportunities

From Virginia Dixon (former Contrabass Conversations guest):

My most scenic course will be my Book 1 course at the Colorado Suzuki Institute at Beaver Creek, Colorado from June 18 through 26. This is resort condo living at its most reasonable and can be especially fun if you share a condo with other bassists! I can also advise you on how to camp in some glorious mountain scenery and where nearby bare bones hotels are. For the first time this year basses will be available to rent on site. There is also very ample scholarship. The institute can be reached at www.coloradosuzuki.org or by calling (303) 399-5764.

My Book 2 course will be at the American Suzuki Institute at Stevens Point, Wisconsin from August 7 through 13. ASI was the first and remains the most famous of the summer institutes. Here you can see the full gamut of Suzuki education as the student progresses from the earliest fun and games through an advanced chamber music program. The local camping can also spectacular! The institute can be contacted at www.uwsp.edu/cofac/suzuki or by phone at (715) 346-3033.

Please encourage your students to attend institutes. In Suzuki Bass memorization is encouraged, though not required. Advanced students are particularly encouraged to attend ASI because of their marvelous chamber music program. Because of the vast amount of individual attention, the Suzuki institute provides a more in depth experience than a music camp with its focus mostly on orchestra. However, Suzuki institutes give you orchestral experience as well as private instruction and chamber music!

I might be able to offer more advanced teacher training courses on demand. Please let me know of your desire and time frame.

The bass part to Book 5 is now at the publisher. The accompaniment book still needs an orchestral reduction to the Capuzzi Concerto. Meanwhile many of the accompaniments are available in other editions. Book 6 is already at the publisher, and we await final word. Plans for Book 7 are falling into place.

Scholarships are always available at the institutes and the association (suzukiassociation.org/teachers/guides/scholarship/), and deadlines are generally February 15, or March 15 for the Colorado Suzuki Institute, where fundraising pies sold for $2000 one summer. Please check into these because many of my trainees receive them. The association and the institutes are anxious to promote Suzuki Bass.

If you have any questions (and you may have many) please feel free to write me, or check with Stan Haskin’s excellent blog, Glued to the String at www.gluedtothestring.blogspot.com/2007/07/steps-to-suzuki-training-for-bassists.html. In addition to distilling a great deal of information that will make entry into the Suzuki world much easier, he has done a great interview with me and included some pictures. Enjoy!
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Also Jason Heath’s interview with me may be of interest at www.contrabassconversations.com. Mine is Contrabass Conversation No. 52. Jason does a wonderful job with his Double Bass Blog, and if you are not familiar with it, it is a gold mine of bass information.

You can also check my website at www.elmhurst.edu/~virginia/.

At the beginning of 2010 I returned to Peru and taught Books 1 and 2 in Lima. You can read about their activities at www.suzukimusica.com.pe. Because of loss of space and funding the bass course was cancelled for 2011, but please watch for January courses offered in 2012. A trip to Peru can easily include a four-day adventure to ancient Cuzco and mysterious Machu Picchu. The exchange rate with Peru is still very good, so you can get great value for your dollar.

Our next European course is scheduled for three times in 2011, in March, May, and October. Levels I, II, and III will be offered, which takes people through Book 5. Much more information about their system is available at www.europeansuzuki.org/teacher_training.htm.

The first half of July will see me embarking on my second trip to Buenos Aires to teach Books 1, 3, and 5. I was there in September teaching Books 1, 2, and 4 to a group from Argentina, Brazil, Columba, Paraguay, and the United States. There has already been discussion of bringing in a clinician to teach tango playing, so keep checking www.suzukiba.org.ar.

I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Virginia Dixon