Expand Your Suzuki Foundation:
Dr. Suzuki never stopped asking, "What do students need now?" And neither should we.
Are you a Suzuki Teacher?
Interested in expanding your teaching skillset?
We have ideas and insights for you that will change how you teach.
Our next cohort begins March 16, 2026.
Click for recent participant feedback into this groundbreaking Suzuki Course -
Course Features
- 10 hours in length, Workbook
- Real Life Examples
- Interactive Reflection, Discussion, Q&A
- Certificate of Completion
DAY: Four Monday mornings, 2.5 hours each time.
DATES: March 16, March 30, April 13, and April 27, 2026.
Schedule: 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. MST
FORMAT: Online, live, interactive, 10 hours
COST: $149.00 CAD
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Merlin B. Thompson
What You'll Explore
- 21st Century Teaching Mindset - Five aspects that anchor and inspire today's teachers.
- Curriculum Models - Bring adaptability to your teaching with our unique Curriculum Models.
- Communication - Examine the various steps of reflective communication.
- Practicing Principles - We use neuroscience research to inform our practicing strategies.
- Real Life Families - Learn how to work with parents through flexible interactions.
- Listening - Find out more about this Suzuki cornerstone.
Expand Your Suzuki Foundation
Welcome to Expand Your Suzuki Foundation - a forward-thinking Suzuki Teacher Enrichment Course designed for instrumental and vocal Suzuki teachers who recognize how times have changed and are eager to bring your teaching up-to-date. Dr. Suzuki never stopped asking, “What do students need now?” And neither should we.
As the only course of its kind, Expand Your Suzuki Foundation addresses today’s music teaching challenges by expanding our Suzuki foundation with 21st century teaching tools. This means you’ll stay rooted in the nurturing philosophy that defines Suzuki teaching while learning how to respond confidently to today’s learners, families, and studio realities. You’ll explore pedagogical strategies Dr. Suzuki couldn’t have imagined but provide timely fuel for our work as 21st century Suzuki teachers. (Please check out our Course Outline of timely themes above.)
Whether you’re early in your Suzuki journey or decades into it, this course widens the lens of your teaching. Through real-life teaching explorations, collaborative discussion, and thoughtful examination of today's teaching context, you’ll gain practical approaches for working with today’s richly diverse students. The result? Meaningful student engagement, renewed teacher resilience, and clearer paths toward lifelong music-making—for your students and for you.
Are you interested? Are you ready for change?
Expand Your Suzuki Foundation is an invitation to carry Dr. Suzuki’s vision forward with intention, imagination, and care.
I hope you’ll join.
Dr. Merlin B. Thompson
Who This Course is For
- Suzuki teachers who have completed ECC and Unit 1.
- Experienced Suzuki teachers seeking to refresh and expand your practice.
- Novice Suzuki teachers looking to build your confidence with modern teaching tools.
- Suzuki teachers interested in blending traditional methods with current pedagogical thinking.
- Suzuki teachers curious about integrating greater flexibility and inclusion in your teaching.
Why Teach Music 21C
Testimonial from Andrea (experienced violin teacher): "Teach Music 21C professional development, continuing discussion groups, and sessions have really boosted my teaching! It has transformed my teaching into a more collaborative, insightful approach. I'm far more sensitive to my students' needs and learning processes with the tools I've learned through the certification. I'm very excited to see my students embracing their music through the opportunity to make their own repertoire choices."