Why study Suzuki Pedagogy?

The Graduate Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy is intended for current violin and viola graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career that includes one-on-one and group applied string teaching.  

Expertise gained by pursuing the certificate can be useful whether ultimately choosing to adopt the Suzuki Method of instruction or other methods in future teaching. The content and coursework for the certificate will focus on the underlying Suzuki philosophy, the context in which the Suzuki Method originated, and the application to pre-college teaching. 

In addition to coursework that covers the teaching points of the entire range of Suzuki repertoire, students enrolled in the program will observe professional Suzuki teaching and ultimately put their knowledge into practice through mentored instruction. 

The program will focus on all aspects of Suzuki teaching for students of all levels from the ages of 2-18. This includes: 

  • Suzuki philosophy 

  • Parent education 

  • Teaching points of the Suzuki repertoire from beginning to advanced levels 

  • Supplementary repertoire, etudes, and technique 

  • Managing a new studio, transfer students, and common challenges 

  • Teaching individual lessons 

  • Group class instruction 

Students will: 

  • Observe a large amount of highly experienced Suzuki teaching 

  • Demonstrate performance mastery of the Suzuki repertoire 

  • Execute and implement the teaching points for all Suzuki repertoire 

  • Generate lesson plans for individual and group Suzuki instruction for students at multiple levels 

Students completing the program will earn a graduate Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy, which will appear on their official university transcript. Suzuki teacher training course curricula are set forth by the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and will be taught by an SAA Teacher Trainer. Students who complete Suzuki pedagogy courses through the graduate certificate will also have their training registered with the SAA. The certificate is 14 credit hours. 

Admission Requirements

CCM’s admission requirements vary by program. Please visit the CCM Admissions website for additional information. All programs require both the UC Graduate Admissions Application followed by a pre-screening submission via CCM's Acceptd website, which must be completed and uploaded by Dec. 1. 

Successful candidates will be extremely attractive for employment in any pre-collegiate teaching setting, but especially in Suzuki programs nationwide because this type of long-term, in-depth training is very well-respected in the national Suzuki community. 

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Described by The New York Times as "one of this country's leading conservatories," CCM offers students unparalleled opportunities to perform, learn and live in a thriving next-generation city known for its intense interest in the performing and media arts. 

Nationally ranked and internationally renowned, CCM’s state-of-the-art facilities provide a highly creative and multidisciplinary artistic environment. The college serves as the largest single source of performing and media arts events in Ohio, and few schools can match the quality of its performing ensembles and theatrical productions. 

CCM’s roster of eminent faculty offers professional training in all areas of the performing and media arts, including composition, musicology, theory, conducting, music education, opera, musical theatre, acting, technical arts for the stage, dance, arts administration and electronic media. Members of CCM’s faculty regularly receive distinguished honors for creative and scholarly work, and many maintain strong professional ties to the region’s leading arts entities. 

Students will find an immensely competitive but mutually supportive and personalized “family” atmosphere. With its emphasis on experienced-based learning, CCM provides students with access to internship and performance opportunities with major organizations like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and Cincinnati Ballet. Students also benefit from the fact that Cincinnati frequently hosts major media and performing arts events and is home to the newly renovated Music Hall, one of the nation’s most beautiful and revered performance centers. 

Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Music Education

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

CCM’s founding schools (the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the College of Music of Cincinnati) were both charter members of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The requirements for entrance and graduation in all music programs are in accordance with the published regulations of NASM. 

Contact Information

CCM Admissions Office
University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music
P.O.Box 210003
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0003
(513) 556-9479
ccmadmis@uc.edu

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Program Code: 16GC-SUZU-GC