Sign up to participate in SAC’s piano play-in which will be held in Colorado Springs this year.

What is a Suzuki Piano Play-In?

Think of a “symphony” of pianos, all playing in perfect harmony. A Play-In is a wonderful event that showcases one of the core principles of the Suzuki philosophy: the power of review to build ability and confidence. In the Suzuki approach, students share a common repertoire, allowing them to create beautiful music together. Early level students are motivated and inspired by the performances of their more advanced peers. Upper level students have the opportunity to revisit repertoire from previous books and polish their skills, all with the goal of joining the ensemble with their fellow peers. It’s an exciting challenge that pushes them to further refine their technique and musicality.

The Piano Play-In is open to Suzuki piano students of all levels!  Colorado boasts one of the few Piano Play-Ins in the country! Register here:

On February 15, 2025, more than 20 parents and teachers attended this excellent class with Andrea Glass on “Beating the Practice Blues, practicing with littles to teenagers”. After the presentation, Ms. Glass answered parents’ questions on specific practice challenges. Many parents thought the class was very helpful and felt inspired. Thank you to Andrea Glass for this special event.

About Ms. Glass- Andrea Glass received her Masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado and her Bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University, both in cello performance. She received her long-term Suzuki training in cello with Carol Tarr and violin with James Maurer at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver, and has taught Suzuki group cello and violin classes with Longmont Suzuki Strings and Denver Talent Education.

She has been a judge for Solo and Ensemble Contest of Northern Colorado, and chamber music coach for CelloFest at the University of Denver. She has been an active recitalist and teacher in the music community of Colorado, and has played with the Fort Collins, Greeley, and Cheyenne Symphonies. Ms. Glass has performed in master classes with David Ying, Janos Starker, and Yo-Yo Ma. She was also a studio musician at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has played with over twenty bands such as Rise Against, Drive By, Melissa Ivey, and Tickle Me Pink. She has recorded for Wind Up Records and Warner Bros. In 2009, Ms. Glass accepted the Suzuki cello faculty position at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN. She is a former president of the Suzuki Association of Minnesota and committee chair for the annual S.A.M. Statewide Graduation Recitals. She is the founder and instructor for Cello Rock at MacPhail, a cello ensemble that performs rock and pop music, and also performs with Minneapolis-based Nirvana tribute band, NIVRANA. Ms. Glass enjoys coaching chamber music, and teaching her students non-classical music genres. She is also a Suzuki parent.

And more next year

In December and January of this year, some very lucky selected Suzuki students and teachers were able to meet music greats — Itzhak Perlman and Yuja Wang. SAC works with other organizations such as the Colorado Symphony to coordinate meet and greets with inspiring classical music role models. Thank you to Colorado Symphony! Watch for more opportunities for you or your students to meet musical legends next year.

To ensure you get on the list for these and other great opportunities, please become a member (teacher) or associate member (family) today!

Approximately 30 Suzuki Piano students recently played in this year’s Piano Play-Ins in Denver and Colorado Springs. Led by Laura Benson, Tom White, Wendy Lambrech, Carol Jilling and others, Suzuki students from different age groups and backgrounds played as one with their groups at Graner Studios (Colorado Springs) and Classic Pianos (Denver.) Some even came from as far away as Snowmass and Fort Collins.

At the Denver Play-In, we had the special privilege of having Bob Baker, the manager of Classic Pianos and long-time Suzuki pianist himself, give a speech to our budding pianists. Classic Pianos also provides the pianos at our Colorado Suzuki Institute in Beaver Creek every year. As such, we are extremely thankful to Bob and Classic Pianos and we encourage our members to purchase their pianos from Classic Pianos if you’re in the Denver area.

Colorado boasts one of the few Piano Play-Ins in the country (!!!) and we are proud to support this tradition every year! All proceeds from this event go to the SAC scholarship fund which helps Suzuki students and teachers attend Suzuki summer institutes.

Thank you Graner Music, Classic Pianos, and CO Suzuki teachers!

We are always interested in hosting Piano Play-Ins in more areas of Colorado. If you are a teacher and are interested in hosting one in your region, please contact Helen at president@suzukiassociationcolorado.org so that we can brainstorm ways to host one in your area.

27 Students and 20 Teachers/Parents Participated. On January 25, 2025, Suzuki students, teachers, and parents met at the beautiful Thersa Dando Room in the Sheridan Library in Denver. Laura Schleiger, Adjunct Faculty, Suzuki, at University of Denver and Assistant Concertmaster of the Symphony of the Rockies, led the Play-In and gave an informative talk on her insights and perspective, as a Suzuki parent of four, after experiencing all parts of the Suzuki triangle. She also provided a master class to four up and coming strings stars–Rocco Parada, Maya James, Breanna Duffy, and Lucas Bakker.

We are thankful to all who braved the snow and came out. Special thanks to Luther Strings who also came and supported us! And to Nanette Shannon who provided accompaniment. Last but not least, a big thanks to Joanna Johnson, Violin/Viola Director of Noteworthy Strings and Assistant Principal Violist of the Arapahoe Symphony, and Ronnie Crisp, teacher extraordinaire of Primavera Suzuki, for producing this event.