Suzuki Teacher Training
Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) Teacher Training opportunities at the University of New Mexico
UNM String Pedagogy is pleased to offer several Suzuki Association of the Americas-approved teacher development courses led by master clinicians and SAA Teacher Trainers Edmund Sprunger and Trina Carey Hodgson. These offerings include two options for the Every Child Can! (ECC!) course as well as Suzuki Unit 1 training in Violin or Cello. Registration for ECC! is now open, and registration for the Unit 1 courses will open in March.
Every Child Can! with Edmund Sprunger
1:00 – 5:30 pm Mountain Daylight Time
Online via Zoom
$170/registrant ($20 SAA deposit / $150 UNM tuition)
Registration Instructions
Participants must register with the SAA and with UNM as follows:
- Register with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and pay the $20 fee.
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from the SAA with a link to complete your UNM registration and pay the remaining $150.
- Participants must be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school.
- Questions? – Contact Dr. Aaron Jacobs at aaronjacobs@unm.edu
Every Child Can! (ECC!) is the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ Teacher Development Program and provides an in-depth introduction to Dr. Shin’ichi Suzuki’s teaching philosophy and its application to music education. The course is required for all new Suzuki teachers but is open to anyone 18 years of age or older—no SAA membership or audition is required—including parents, prospective teachers, administrators, and others interested in the Suzuki approach. It is not instrument-specific, and experienced Suzuki teachers are also encouraged to participate for inspiration, renewal, and review.
In addition to exploring the elements of the Suzuki approach and its far-reaching goals, it includes an introduction to learning styles, history of the development of Suzuki education, the role of parents, the importance of Suzuki pedagogical training, and an overview of the SAA’s role in supporting teachers and parents. A fast-paced, engaging and inspiring program, ECC! includes video materials and SAA-developed courseware and provides each participant with useful reference materials (manuals) for later study. For teachers, ECC! serves as the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ Teacher Development Program.
Suzuki Violin Unit 1 with Edmund Sprunger
Tuition: $750/registrant ($20 SAA deposit / $730 UNM tuition)
Optional UNM dormitory housing:
- Double room (with roommate): $45/night
- Single room: $75/night
Registration Instructions
Registration will open in March, 2026.
- Participants must be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school.
- Questions? – Contact Dr. Aaron Jacobs at aaronjacobs@unm.edu
Participants will learn how to implement the Suzuki philosophy while teaching beginners of all ages, from Pre-Twinklers to adults, and how to educate and support parents of pre-college students. In addition to covering all of the repertoire in Suzuki Violin Book 1, this 28-hour course will help participants understand how to teach playing technique and musical concepts through course participation, readings and observations (15 additional hours). Special topics include Suzuki group class teaching (along with private lessons), ear training, music reading, recitals, and business management.
Suzuki Cello Unit 1 with Trina Carey Hodgson
Tuition: $750/registrant ($20 SAA deposit / $730 UNM tuition)
Optional UNM dormitory housing:
- Double room (with roommate): $45/night
- Single room: $75/night
Registration Instructions
Registration will open in March, 2026.
- Participants must be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school.
- Questions? – Contact Dr. Aaron Jacobs at aaronjacobs@unm.edu
Participants will learn how to implement the Suzuki philosophy while teaching beginners of all ages, from Pre-Twinklers to adults, and how to educate and support parents of pre-college students. In addition to covering all of the repertoire in Suzuki Cello Book 1, this 28-hour course will help participants understand how to teach playing technique and musical concepts through course participation, readings and observations (15 additional hours). Special topics include Suzuki group class teaching (along with private lessons), ear training, music reading, recitals, and business management.
Trina Carey Hodgson
Trina Carey Hodgson Bio
Trina Carey Hodgson has enjoyed a varied and distinguished musical career. For more than three decades Trina has honed her craft of musician and teacher. She has performed as both soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe and the United States.
Mrs. Hodgson’s performing career has taken her around the U.S. and Europe. She was principal cellist with the Graz Opera Orchestra and toured with them throughout Austria and Italy. As a member of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway, she toured all over Scandinavia and northern Europe. She is a charter member of the Haydn String Quartet and the Amore Chamber Players as well as the professional cello quartet, Quatracelli! She has performed on tour with John Tesh, Joel Grey, Michael Bolton, Ed Asner and Rene Auberjonois. Mrs. Hodgson has recorded with the Bergen Philharmonic, the Norwegian Radio and the Pasadena Symphony. Movie credits include “True Identity” and “Steal Big, Steal Little.” Video game recording credits include Bio Quest. Currently, Mrs. Hodgson is a member of the Pasadena (CA) Symphony and freelances in Los Angeles.
A registered Teacher Trainer she is a popular clinician at institutes and workshops around the world, including Korea, Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, South America, and the United States. Since 1994, she has directed the Pasadena based cello program, A-Cello-Rondo. Mrs. Hodgson was invited to represent the American Suzuki Teachers at a special performance at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Japan. In 2025, Mrs. Hodgson taught at the Asia Regional Conference in Korea. She had two students win the Royal Conservatory National Gold Award in their level and played at Carnegie Hall. Her students have attended major music schools with successful careers in orchestras and universities around the country.
Mrs. Hodgson studied at the Eastman School of Music and received her Bachelor of Music degree at University of Illinois, studying with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. She received her Master of Arts degree at UC Santa Barbara, studying with Ronald Leonard. Other teachers include Tanya Carey, Alan Harris, Karl Fruh, Paul Katz and Irene Sharp.
She is currently serving on the boards of the Los Angeles Violoncello Society, ASTA-Los Angeles, and is a member of the orchestra committee of the Pasadena Symphony. In 2023, she presented at the World Teacher Trainer conference in Matsumoto, Japan. Past service includes Suzuki Association of the Americas (Board Secretary), the Suzuki Music Association of California (Branch President), Music Teachers Association of California (Scholarship Committee), and SAA Conference Cello Coordinator.
Edmund Sprunger
Edmund Sprunger Bio
Edmund Sprunger, BA in Music (Goshen College), MSW (University of Michigan), has taught violin for over 40 years, including over 300 workshops and master classes throughout the world, and is a Registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Mr. Sprunger holds a BA in music from Goshen College. In addition, he studied violin and violin pedagogy with with Shin’ichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute [Saino Kyoiku Kaikan] in Japan. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and as Chair of the American String Teachers Association’s [ASTA] Committee on Studio Instruction. In 2004 he received an ASTA Citation for Leadership and Merit. He is the author of numerous articles in music education journals, and has written two books: Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier (Vol. 1) and Building Violin Skills: A Set of Plans Designed to Help Parents and Children Construct Positive Practices.
Also a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst in private practice, he holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. For several years, he served as the Director of the Child Development Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute and currently serves as the Institute’s Director of Community Education. In 2015, he was a fellow in the American Psychoanalytic Association’s “Teachers’ Academy.” More recently, he received that association’s “Psychoanalyst in the Community” fellowship. In 2018, he was the first recipient of the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute’s Lynne K. Moritz, MD Leadership Award.