Twin Cities Suzuki Piano Teacher’s Guild. . . .
MISSION STATEMENT
The Suzuki Piano Teachers Guild (SPTG) promotes and supports excellence in teaching for Suzuki Piano teachers primarily in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The Guild subscribes to the philosophy and method of Suzuki Talent Education founded by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and is supportive of its international, national and state organizations.
PURPOSE
The Suzuki Piano Teachers Guild promotes Talent Education by providing the following:
• A forum for professional development of its members through lectures, demonstrations, observation and discussion of mutual concerns.
• Performance opportunities for students of Guild members.
• Periodic opportunities for parents who support their role as "home teacher".
HISTORY
An organizational meeting was called in 1984 inviting all who were interested to meet at the home of Betty Lou Nelson (1928-2021). The Suzuki Piano Teachers Guild was formed with 12 active members; a total of 30 members joined, electing Peggy Denler as their first president. Our initial goals were further refined during the tenure of Nancy Pederson, and are listed as follows:
• To promote Talent Education as conceived by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.
• To promote learning and sharing of ideas among Suzuki Piano Teachers by lecture, demonstration and observation, and friendly discussion of mutual concerns.
• To provide a social and professional atmosphere among Suzuki Piano Teachers.
• To provide an outlet for further education of the community.
In 1996, a state organization, the vision of violin teacher trainer Nancy Lokken, was formed. It eventually became the Suzuki Association of Minnesota (SAM) and included representation of all the instruments taught through the Suzuki Method in Minnesota.
ABOUT OUR TWIN CITIES SUZUKI PIANO TEACHERS GUILD AND SUZUKI ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA COLLABORATION
SAM functioned to provide a venue for instrument statewide graduation recitals and trophy recognition for book graduates. SPTG, which had an established ongoing program of spring recitals, assumed the responsibility of including SAM piano graduates within the framework of its Spring Festival. SPTG has been honored to continue this tradition as we recognize the positive impact piano book graduate performers have on all our recital participants!
In 2003, SAM became both a state and nationally recognized 501 C 3 non-profit and affiliated with the national organization SAA.
SPTG PAST PRESIDENTS
1984—1986 Peggy Denler
1986—1988 Betty Lou Nelson
1988—1990 Theresa Noble
1990—1994 Rochelle Mazze
1994—1996 Mary Skellenger
1996—1998 Aljean Svendsgaard
1998—2000 Nancy Pederson
2000—2002 Mary Kay O'Neill
2002—2004 Mary Skellenger
2004—2006 Barbara Rossow
2006—2007 Suzanne Greer
2007—2009 Andrea Nelson
2009—2011 Beth Turco
2011—2013 Sara Stephens Kotrba
2013—2015 Suzanne Greer
2016—2021 Rochelle Mazze
2021—2021 Judy Meisner
2021—2022 Jill Thomas and Rochelle Mazze
2022—2023 Selected SPTG members and Rochelle Mazze
2023—2025 Sara Stephens Kotrba
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Income for the Guild comes from membership dues and fees charged for recitals. A yearly budget report is presented to the members at the May meeting. SPTG has 503 (c)(3) non-profit status.