Discovering and Defining Our Unique Identity as Canadian Suzuki Educators
Join us in Edmonton, AB for a weekend of music, community and inspiration!
The 2025 SMMC Conference weekend includes programs for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Harp, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, Flute and Recorder. The weekend will culminate in a Grand Finale concert at City Hall on Sunday afternoon.
For additional descriptions and session handouts, click here.
Pour obtenir la liste des titres des sessions en français, veuillez cliquer ici.
Keynote 1:
Karen-Michèle Kimmett “Canadian Suzuki Music Educators Together: Celebrating our accomplishments, our challenges, our unique path forward”
Keynote 2: Neurodiversity Presentations sponsored by Long & McQuade
- AIDAN Lab “Understanding Neurodiversity Through an Affirming Lens”
- Tegan Hryciw “Supporting Neurodivergent Learners in Suzuki Spaces: Strategies and Ideas for Teachers and Parents”
- Marc Houde and Marissa Feria “Embracing Musical Journeys: Supporting and Teaching Neurodiverse Students”
- Neurodiversity Panel Discussion with Leigh Dyrda, Jennifer Kirkaldy, Marc Houde, and Liz Biswas
Teacher Session List
- Andrea MacDonald “From Failure to Flourishing: An Adult Learner’s Journey with Suzuki”
- David Evenchick “You’re Getting Better, Not Older: An optimistic view of how age and infirmity make us better teachers”
- Ellen Berry “Run your own Piano Olympics!”
- Flory Godinez “A Key to Success for Canadian Suzuki Education”
- Gail Lange “SMMC Honour Board of Canadian Suzuki Teachers”
- Gloria Chu “Empower the Touch: Strategies to Transform your Piano Tone”
- Kathleen Schoen “Mentorship – Dreams and Delivery”
- Laura Nerenberg “Nurturing Creativity in Your Studio”
- Marg Caspell “Building Community and Musicianship at the MRU Conservatory”
- Mélanie Grenier “Comment construire un studio dynamique”
- Merlin Thompson “Dr. Suzuki’s Pioneering Mindset: Fuel for 21st Century Teaching”
- Paul Madryga “Fernando Sor’s Variations on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 9, as a Papageno subplot synopsis”
- Paule Barsalou “Notes that Nurture: Creative Reflective Practice in the Suzuki Triangle”
- Robert Richardon “Assessing the Biomechanics and Postural Challenges presented in Violinists/Violists”
For additional descriptions and session handouts, click here.
Pour obtenir la liste des titres des sessions en français, veuillez cliquer ici.
Keynote 1:
Karen-Michèle Kimmett “Canadian Suzuki Music Educators Together: Celebrating our accomplishments, our challenges, our unique path forward”
Keynote 2: Neurodiversity Presentations sponsored by Long & McQuade
- AIDAN Lab “Understanding Neurodiversity Through an Affirming Lens”
- Tegan Hryciw “Supporting Neurodivergent Learners in Suzuki Spaces: Strategies and Ideas for Teachers and Parents”
- Marc Houde and Marissa Feria “Embracing Musical Journeys: Supporting and Teaching Neurodiverse Students”
- Neurodiversity Panel Discussion with Leigh Dyrda, Jennifer Kirkaldy, Marc Houde, and Liz Biswas
Teacher Session List
- Andrea MacDonald “From Failure to Flourishing: An Adult Learner’s Journey with Suzuki”
- Flory Godinez “A Key to Success for Canadian Suzuki Education”
- Gail Lange “SMMC Honour Board of Canadian Suzuki Teachers”
- Kathleen Schoen “Mentorship – Dreams and Delivery”
- Marg Caspell “Building Community and Musicianship at the MRU Conservatory”
- Mélanie Grenier “Comment construire un studio dynamique”
- Merlin Thompson “Dr. Suzuki’s Pioneering Mindset: Fuel for 21st Century Teaching”
To view the schedule, please click here
Conference Event Locations:
Sandman Signature Hotel: 10235-101 Street, Edmonton
McDougall Church: 10086 MacDonald Dr NW, Edmonton
ArtsHub Ortona: 9722 102 St NW, Edmonton
Stanley Milner Library: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW, Edmonton
Suzuki Charter School: 10720 54 St NW, Edmonton
Edmonton City Hall – City Room: 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
SPONSORS
Alberta String Association
FAQ
STUDENTS
Concerts and Events
Saturday and SundayAll student participants will receive a family pass to the Saturday Night Suzuki Social, and have the chance to play with an orchestra at the Grand Finale Concert!
TEACHERS
Teacher ACTIVITIES
Sessions and Workshops
Keynote Address by Karen Michele Kimmett, Presentation from the AIDAN Lab (University of Alberta) on Neurodiversity and Music, Observation Opportunities
MORE INFO COMING SOON!
LOCATION
Edmonton, Alberta
Session Locations and Food!
McDougall Church
(10086 MacDonald Dr NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1N7)
Ortona Artshub
(9722 102 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0X4)
Edmonton City Hall
(1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7)
Stanley A. Milner Library Community Rooms
(7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2V5)
Sandman Signature Edmonton Downtown Hotel
(10235 101 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E9)
There are many places to eat in downtown Edmonton. Here are a few options near the hotel and venues to get you started.
- Chop – restaurant connected to the Sandman Signature Hotel Downtown Edmonton
- Campio Brewing – Craft beer and great deep dish pizza
- Playwright and Milkcrate – in the Citadel Theatre across the street from Stanley Milner Library.
- Rocky Mountain Ice House – a bit of a walk down Jasper Avenue
- Rosewood Foods – Breakfast and lunch place on 100 Ave
- Bernadettes – Fine indigenous fare – a short walk from the Sandman
- Continental Treat Fine Bistro – live classical music several nights a week
- Bistro Praha – Czech Food – a favourite after symphony stop for musicians
- Eleven Eleven Kitchen and Bar – casual burger joint
- City Centre Mall – a food court with many fast casual places, and several standalone casual restaurants and coffee shops
- Canada Place Food Court – a variety of fast food outlets
- Old Spaghetti Factory – Family-friendly chain eatery featuring traditional Italian entrees amid turn-of-the-century decor
- Bianco – Family-friendly Stylish restaurant with an industrial vibe serving pasta, pizza & other Italian dishes, plus drinks
- De Dutch – Breakfast Restaurant
Grocery Stores in Downtown Edmonton:
Loblaws City Market Grocery –10308 103 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0Y9 Regular Loblaws Store 3 minute walk from Sandman Open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day.
Central Express Convenience Store in Edmonton Centre, 2nd level 2-minute walk from Sandman Hotel – HSBC Tower, 10250 101 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0E7 Open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Travel & Hotel Information
HOTEL INFORMATION
If you are travelling, please note that conference activities begin on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 5:00pm. The event will conclude on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 5:00pm.
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Sandman Signature- Downtown Edmonton Hotel.
HOTEL – BOOK NOW
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Porter Airlines is proud to offer a up to 10% discount on available base fares (with the exception of the lowest class fare during a public seat sale) for travel to and from the 2025 Suzuki Music/Musique Canada Conference.