Nashville Suzuki Institute 2026
Come join Suzuki teachers, students, and parents from all over North America for an unforgettable week of music, fun, and friendships in Music City!
For Suzuki students of violin, viola, and cello.
July 12 – 17, 2026 at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
2400 Blakemore Ave. Nashville, TN 37212
Institute Faculty
- Zachary Ebin, director (Nashville, TN)
- Alyssa Beckmann, violin and viola (Kansas City, MO)
- Jennifer Johnson, violin (Ottawa, ON)
- MarieFaith Lane, Music & Movement (Boston, MA)
- Craig Madole, Chamber Orchestra (Nashville, TN)
- Kristi Manno, violin and viola (Austin, TX)
- Annalise Ohse, fiddle (Nashville, TN)
- Zachary Sweet, cello (Ithaca, NY)
- Tim Washecka, violin and viola (Austin, TX)
Schedule
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
3:00 p.m. - Registration and Welcome
4:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies and Play-in - Monday - Friday, July 13-17, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Classes
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. - Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. - Classes
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Special activity or concert - Final Concert is Friday July 17 at 4:00 p.m.
Eligibility & Classes
- Eligibility: Suzuki violin, viola, and cello students age 4 to 17. Students must be able to play all of the twinkle variations in order to participate. All students must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or caretaker while at the Institute.
- Classes: Students enrolled in the Nashville Suzuki Institute will have 5 classes per day. All classes and events will take place at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University.
- Classes for students in Suzuki Volumes 1-5 include: Masterclass, Technique Class, Repertoire Class, Fiddle, and Music & Movement
- Classes for Students in Suzuki Volume 6 and above include: Masterclass, Technique Class, Repertoire Class, Fiddle, and Chamber Orchestra (We are changing chamber music to chamber orchestra).
Tuition & Scholarships
Tuition: Tuition for the 2026 Nashville Suzuki Institute is $675.
Sibling Discount: Families with more than one child enrolled in the program will receive a 25% tuition discount for the second child.
Scholarships: The Blair Academy at Vanderbilt is committed to making the study of music possible for all qualified students. Please contact Elm Stephenson, the Blair Academy registrar, for a link to the scholarship application.
Registration
Registration: Registration for the Nashville Suzuki Institute will open soon, and continue until full. Please register early to ensure we have space for your student. For assistance with registration please contact our registrar, Elm Stephenson.
Nashville Suzuki Institute
July 12-17, 2026 | Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music
Where to Stay & Eat
Where to stay:
The Nashville Suzuki Institute welcomes students from all over North America. Nashville has a robust tourist industry with many available hotels and Airbnbs. You can find a list of hotels close to the Vanderbilt Campus HERE.
Where to eat:
The Nashville Suzuki Institute has a daily 90-minute break for lunch from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. There are many places to eat near the Vanderbilt campus. The Blair School of Music is an 8-minute walk from Hillsboro Village where families can find numerous cafes and restaurants. There are also tables and sitting areas at the Blair School of Music. where families can eat lunch if they chose to bring one.
Parking
Free Parking will be available for families across the street from the Blair School of Music at the Harris Hillman School.
Practice Rooms
The Blair School of Music has practice rooms on all three floors of the building. Students at the Nashville Suzuki Institute are welcome to practice in these rooms during the week.
Questions?
Contact: Zachary Ebin
615.322.7665 / zachary.ebin@vanderbilt.edu