Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Institute

A Big Guitar Party!

Welcome to the homepage for the Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Summer Institute!

Registration for our 3rd annual summer institute is now open for students and teacher trainees!

We encourage all Suzuki Guitar Students to prioritize Insitute attendance and welcome professional guitarists and instructors to consider pursuing Suzuki Guitar Teacher Training Courses.

The Institute is currently offering a book 1 teacher training course in the summer of 2023.  See below for details.  

Please contact nisguitarinstitute[@]gmail.com for questions.

Suzuki Student Institute
(Teachers  interested in Book 1 Teacher Training see below)
Glen Ellyn, IL
July 24-28, 2023

Join us for our 3nd annual Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Institute!

This institute is open to Suzuki guitar students of all book levels. Each student will participate in a daily group class, semi private masterclass, guitar ensemble or reading group and will get to learn about jazz improvisation through our enrichment class taught by Kevin Brown.

The Faculty for the Institute will include:
MaryLou Roberts
Eric Schroeder
Mitchell Green, and
Kevin Brown

Located in the suburbs of Chicago our location is near two major airports and the local community includes many restaurants, grocery stores, opportunities for lodging and other amenities.

Registration Deadline June 24, 2023

Registration Fee: $25/Student

Pre-twinkle: $125 ($150 including $25 registration fee)

(2:30-3:15 Group Class Mon-Thurs and final concert)

Book 1-2: $325 ($350 including $25 Registration fee)

Book 3+: $350 ($375 including $25 Registration fee)


What are other people saying?!

I am so happy that I made a decision to bring my two grandkids to Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Institute this year. The institute was well organized. Both kids enjoyed meeting new friends and learning new music. The church where the institute took place is located in a nice area with a beautiful park nearby.

Thank you so much for making us feel so welcomed.

- Irina (WI)

My son Kai had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Institute in 2021. In addition to being able to work with amazing teachers, MaryLou Roberts, Mitchell Green and Eric Schroeder (he unfortunately did not have a class with the organizer Kevin Brown), he also was able to perform two solos on their daily afternoon recitals. The atmosphere was very nurturing and caring, and all the teachers did a fantastic job working with various levels in the same class and making sure all the students were engaged. Both Kai and myself felt like he learned a lot during the week and that his playing improved due to the instruction he received. Thank you Kevin for all your hard work putting this together! 

Rachael L. (CA)

Sample Schedule

Mon-Thur:

9am  (possible early drop off)
10am Ensemble/Reading
11am Masterclass/Enrichment
12pm Lunch/Free Time
1pm Mini Recital
1:30pm Masterclass/Enrichment
2:30pm Group Class (Pre-twinkle Group)
3:30 Dismissal

Friday:
10am Pre-Concert Rehearsal
11am Final Concert
12pm Camp Ends

Pre-Twinkle students will do one group class Masterclass Mon-Thurs and participate in the final concert and pre-concert rehearsal.

Held at:
Cornerstone Christian Church
312 Geneva Rd
Glen Ellyn IL 60137

Check out the Flyer Here:

2023 Summer Institute.pdf

Hybrid Format Added:

Unit 1 Teacher Training Available for In-Person or Online Participation

Teacher Development Unit 1

July 21-22 (online), 24-29 (in-person), 2023
Glen Ellyn, IL 
with MaryLou Roberts

Cornerstone Christian Church
312 Geneva Rd
Glen Ellyn IL 60137

Registration Deadline June 21, 2023


Suzuki Guitar Unit 1 provides the foundation for teaching classical guitar in the Suzuki method.  The course will explore the philosophy behind the method, how to apply the principles of Talent Education to the guitar, how to establish new Suzuki families, parent education, guitar sizes, principles for setting up posture, left and right hand technique and so much more!

Teacher training at the Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Institute will be available either in person or online. Please inquire for details.

Teaching Strategies for all teachers may also be taken as an independent course. Teaching Strategies is like a master class for teaching, having clear communication with parent and child, personalized advice for giving a highly effective lesson, and creating an environment that is motivating.

Training will begin with online instruction on July 21-22 and allow for travel on July 23; in person training (with a remote option) at our Glen Ellyn location will begin Monday July 24.


Register Below!




Sample Schedule:

Suzuki Guitar Teacher Training Book 1 Schedule


Friday, July 21 9am-4pm (online)

Saturday, July 22, 1pm-5pm pedagogy (online)


TRAVEL Sunday July 23


Mon -Thurs, July 24-27 (In Person)

9am—pedagogy

10am—pedagogy

11am—observations

1pm—mini recital

1:30pm—observations

2:30pm—observations

3:30pm—Pedagogy

4:30pm Dismissal


Friday, July 28

9am Pedagogy

10am Pedagogy

11am final concert

1pm -3pm observations

4pm pedagogy


Saturday , July 29

9am-12pm pedagogy

12pm—exit interviews

1pm training concludes



Check out the Teacher Training Flyer Below:


Suzuki Guitar Teacher Training.pdf