Centenary Suzuki Institute
June 3-6, 2026Teacher Training Classes
Viola and Violin Teaching Strategies
Sundays: May 24, 31, June 7, 21
The Teaching Strategies is a 10-hour course designed to support violin and viola teachers in developing more effective, thoughtful, and compassionate Suzuki teaching. Through guided observation, video analysis, collaborative discussion, and constructive feedback, participants will strengthen their pedagogical skills while deepening their understanding of Suzuki philosophy in practical teaching situations. Teachers will share short lesson recordings and receive feedback in a respectful and supportive environment that encourages reflection, self-evaluation, and the exchange of ideas among colleagues. Beginning January 1, 2025, Teaching Strategies is a prerequisite for Unit 3 training in North America and is considered a core component of Suzuki teacher development.
This course will be taught online by Charles Regauer on four Sundays:
- Sunday, May 24 – 6:00-8:30 PM Central Time
- Sunday, May 31 – 6:00-8:30 PM Central Time
- Sunday, June 7 – 6:00-8:30 PM Central Time
- Sunday, June 21 – 6:00-8:30 PM Central Time
Tuition $290.00
This is a ONE-STEP Registration: Please make sure you register to this class on the SAA website.
Charles Regauer, Violin, Viola, Teacher Trainer
Originally from Brazil, Charles Regauer began his musical journey on the violin, but everything changed when he heard the rich, warm tone of the viola’s C string. In that moment, he knew he had to play the viola too.
Charles holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and a master’s degree in Music from the University of New Mexico, where he completed a double concentration in Viola Performance and Violin Pedagogy.
Charles has been teaching violin and viola since 2006 and completed the Long-Term Training for all Suzuki violin books with Susan Kempter at UNM. He has also completed teacher training in all Suzuki viola books. He has received the SAA Certificate of Achievement in violin and viola and recently became a Viola Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
He has worked as a teacher in Suzuki workshops and institutes across the USA, Brazil, and Mexico, such as the Florida Music Institute, the Oregon Suzuki Institute, and the Intermountain Suzuki Strings Institute. Rooted in the Suzuki philosophy, Charles believes in nurturing each child through encouragement, consistency, and joyful connection with music—whether teaching Bach, scales, movie themes, or leading group classes in a T-Rex costume.
Currently, he works as a violin and viola teacher and administrator at the Centenary Suzuki School in Shreveport, Louisiana. He also serves as the director of the Centenary Suzuki Institute and as a member of the SAA Suzuki Training Committee. As a player, he frequently appears in the viola section of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
Outside of teaching and performing, Charles enjoys exploring coffees from around the world, cycling, gardening, baking, barbecuing, and reading.
Group Class Strategies for Strings
June 3 – June 6
This 10 hour course will share fun and motivating group class strategies for all ages and levels. Primarily using the violin repertoire, but viola and cello are welcome as well.
The class will be presented by James Hutchins, an experienced and enthusiastic teacher who has been widely praised for his group class teaching at workshops around the world.
Strategies include ways to engage students in both mixed level as well as book-specific group classes, while also involving parents, fostering interaction between older and younger students, and building a studio community that supports all sides of the Suzuki triangle.
This enrichment course will happen during the Centenary Suzuki Institute in Shreveport, LA.
Tentative schedule: June 3-6, 2026, Wednesday to Saturday, 9:00am to 11:50am. Observations hours are not required, but highly encouraged during afternoon group classes: 1:30pm to 4:20pm. (All Central Time)
Tuition $295.00 – Presented with dual-delivery (Some take course fully online, some take it fully in-person).
This is a TWO-STEP Registration: Please make sure you register with SAA and pay the $20 fee and register on our website to pay the remaining $275.
Enrichment Study
Enrichment Study includes any continuing education class/lecture of at least 10 hours, based on material relevant to or specifically designed for Suzuki teachers.
Entrance Requirement: These courses are intended to supplement Suzuki teaching. ECC/Filosofía and Unit 1 are prerequisites for all enrichment courses. A current SAA Active Membership is required.
Course Credentials: Enrichment courses allow SAA members to build a well-rounded course of study. Enrichment classes follow the same roster setup process used for unit courses and are subject to SAA fees.
James Hutchins, Violin
James Hutchins lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wonderful and gorgeous wife and his fabulous and entertaining son. He grew up in the Suzuki Method, has been a Suzuki teacher for over 25 years and is a proud Suzuki dad. James is a registered teacher trainer who has taught at workshops, institutes and classes around the world, including South Korea, Iceland, Peru, Lithuania, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Bermuda, the Bahamas and throughout the States. In 2018, James was a guest Clinician at the 67th Suzuki Method Summer School in Matsumoto, Japan. His studio has performed for former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton at the White House, at the National Zoo, the U.S. Capitol,the Maryland State Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Aquarium and on the Millennium Stage and with the National Symphony at The Kennedy Center. They have also played the National Anthem for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards and Nationals. James also had the honor of performing for Dr. and Mrs. Suzuki at their home in Japan.
