“Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.” -Shinichi Suzuki

2025 Northern California Suzuki Institute
& Young ARtists Program

Northern California Suzuki Institute (NCSI) is proud to provide opportunities for students, teachers and families to participate in Suzuki Classes and Enrichment Courses that motivate and inspire. Join us this summer for a great time meeting new friends, old friends, inspiring teachers and sharing your musical abilities! Sponsored by the Suzuki Music Association of California-Coastal Branch.

ON THE CAMPUS OF San Francisco State University
San FRancisco, CA

At the present time, San Francisco State University does not require COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, masks are not mandatory but are highly recommended.

World-Class Faculty

Our faculty are passionate and experienced teachers that empower students to their full potential. Many have studied with Dr. Suzuki himself.

Student Courses

Opening Play-in

Honors Recital

Informal Recitals

Teacher-Parent Talks

Teacher Trainee PROGRAM

Developing the Advanced Bow Arm from the Beginning

This course gives the teacher a practical and child-friendly way to efficiently develop the complete bow arm from the very beginning. This topic-based course will make teaching both a beautiful tone and a bio-mechanically effective bow arm fun for the child and easy for the teacher.

Complex right arm concepts will be made simple for every child, with the help of a cast of child-friendly characters: Panda, Jelly-fish, and Rabbit.  While advanced bow strokes (spiccato, staccato, bariolage, and more) will be made instantly better for the more advanced student using Cathryn’s “magic formulas”.

The course presented at the Northern California Suzuki Institute and Young Artist program is open to teachers of all experience levels and pedagogical backgrounds.  Bonus class hours during the institute include observations of the techniques in action. Make sure to “bring your instrument, music stand, and note-taking materials” (no recording of any kind is allowed in class) as we cover the development of the bow arm with Cathryn Lee.