Teacher Training
at the
North Texas School of Talent Education
The Suzuki Association of the Americas oversees an extensive teacher development process.
Courses are offered across the country by a select group of registered teacher trainers,
a distinction shared by NTSTE Directors Charles Krigbaum and Daina Volodka Staggs.
If you are interested in pursing training to become a registered Suzuki teacher,
you can view upcoming training opportunities with Mr. Krigbaum and Mrs. Volodka Staggs below.
Upcoming Events
NTSTE Community Day
December 11, 2025
11AM-12PM Central Time
Online via Zoom
This event is free of charge!
🎻NTSTE Community Day – December 11, 2025🎻
Thursday, December 11 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (Central Time, USA)
Online via Zoom | Free Event for All Teachers
✨Celebrate the Year, Connect with Colleagues, and Look Ahead to 2026!
As 2025 draws to a close, Charles Krigbaum and Daina Volodka Staggs invite you to join us for a very special North Texas School of Talent Education Community Day — a free, online event designed to celebrate our vibrant community of teachers and share inspiration for the year ahead.
We created Community Day as a heartfelt “thank you” to the many teachers who have studied with us — in person, online, in SAA Unit Training, Enrichment Courses, Practicum, and Mentorship Programs — and as an open invitation to anyone curious about joining our network of lifelong learners.
If you’ve trained with us before, we can’t wait to see you again.
If you’re new to the Suzuki world, we’d love to meet you.
And if you simply want to reconnect with the joy of teaching, this hour is for you.
💛All teachers are invited and welcome!
🌸Featured Guest Presentation
Dr. Kara Eubanks – “The Road to Beyond-the-Books Group Class”
Join Dr. Eubanks as she shares practical and inspiring strategies for:
s
Whether you already teach advanced groups or dream of starting one, this session will give you a clear roadmap and renewed excitement for what’s possible.
✨Plus - Special Presentations from Charles and Daina
Charles Krigbaum – A 2026 SAA/ASTA Conference Preview
Take a behind-the-scenes look at what’s ahead for the 2026 SAA/ASTA Conference in San Francisco through Charles’s perspective as a member of the Conference Committee Team. Get a first glimpse at what’s shaping up to be one of the most inspiring and important gatherings for Suzuki teachers in years.
Daina Volodka Staggs – The Power of Repetition: Suzuki Listening and Its Ripple Effects
Are you ready to unlock the hidden power of repetition in music education? Join us for an eye-opening presentation on "The Power of Repetition: Suzuki Listening and Its Ripple Effects." Discover how a simple daily practice can transform not just your child's or students' musical journey, but your own approach to learning and teaching. As a Suzuki parent, teacher, and musician, Daina will share personal insights on how this method ripples through every aspect of music education. Don't miss this chance to revolutionize your musical world – come listen and learn how the art of listening can create a symphony of success!
💻Can’t Attend Live? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you register but can’t join us in real time, no problem! Every registered participant will receive
a complimentary video recording after the event. So even if you’re teaching, traveling, or busy that morning, you’ll still get full access to all presentations and materials.
🌟Don’t Miss This Final Gathering of 2025!
Join us for this joyful hour of reflection, discovery, and connection with teachers from around the world. Let’s end 2025 together — grounded in gratitude, inspired by possibility, and ready for a brilliant 2026.
We can’t wait to celebrate this special day with you.
The North Texas School of Talent Education Team
—Charles Krigbaum & Daina Volodka Staggs
Reserve your free spot today and to receive your Zoom link + video access!
Bach to Basics: A Pedagogical Journey Through the Works of J.S. Bach in the Suzuki Violin School
January 22, January 29, February 5, February 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Central Time Zone USA
Online via Zoom
$300
Bach to Basics: A Pedagogical Journey Through the Works of J.S. Bach in the Suzuki Violin School
J.S. Bach is the most frequently featured composer in the Suzuki Violin School, with his music appearing throughout the repertoire—from the first Minuets of Book 1 to the monumental works of Book 7, and the iconic solo pieces just beyond. His music shapes how we teach sound, structure, and artistry. In Bach to Basics, we use these familiar works as a framework to explore the evolving skills that define a player’s growth: resonance, tone production, balance, bow control, sensitivity, phrasing, and endurance.
Using Bach’s music as an organizing framework, this 10-hour Enrichment Course traces the technical and musical development of the violinist across the Suzuki volumes and beyond. Co-presented by two SAA Teacher Trainers with a combined fifty years of experience guiding students from their very first lessons to the young artist level, Bach to Basics examines how Bach’s works illuminate the full arc of a student’s growth—shaping their sound, technique, and musicianship at every stage. Participants will consider stylistic elements of Bach’s music and deepen their understanding of sound production and musical structure while exploring how his works continue to refine both player and teacher.
Designed for teachers of all backgrounds, this course welcomes both Suzuki and traditionally trained educators who wish to discover how Bach’s music can clarify and inspire every aspect of violin teaching. Through study, listening, and discussion, we’ll explore how returning to Bach brings us back to what is essential in our teaching: clarity, beauty, and purpose.
Grounded in the Suzuki philosophy and enriched by decades of teaching experience, this course offers insight, connection, and inspiration—bringing teachers, quite literally, Bach to Basics: to the heart of musicianship, mastery, and the enduring art of teaching.