SuzukiMusic-oc.org Web Page

SMAC-OC History

Inspired during a February 1987 workshop with Haruko Kataoka in San Diego and encouraged by outstanding SAA (Suzuki Association of the Americas) teacher trainers, a small group of piano teachers set forth to organize a branch of Orange County Suzuki teachers. The teachers were Loretta Benson, Joyce Betson, Vi Brelje, Carol Clark, Gloria Krueger and Nancy Wheeler.

Under the name of Talent Education of Orange County, the first executive board was formed in the summer of 1987 with Gloria Krueger chosen as president. The branch logo was designed and Judy Aoki published the first quarterly newsletter. Students, parents and teachers enjoyed the red "Nurtured by Love" Suzuki t-shirts and bags displaying the new logo.

Especially eager to provide education and training for themselves and for more Orange County teachers, the young organization sponsored its first SAA approved workshop in August of the same year. Elaine Worley of Idaho, the teacher trainer, also conducted master classes for piano students and addressed a large group of parents.

The very first student activity was a giant all-day play-in that same year with 93 violin and piano students who performed on 4 Steinway pianos in the largest shopping mall in Orange County, The South Coast Plaza.

SMAC-OC was chartered by the state organization in the fall of 1988. It became the fifth California branch and claimed 11 teacher members and 37 family members.

SMAC-CO sponsored its first Orange County Summer Music Camp in 1990 with Maxine Casper as director. The successful venture has been repeated with increasing enrollment each year. A student scholarship program, to be partially funded by profits from the cookbook, chaired by Heidi Yamami and Judy Aoki was established. Later, a scholarship program for teacher education was also planned.

SMAC-OC has continued to sponsor weekend long term training for piano teachers with Cathy Hargrave, master teacher since 1992. It has also sponsored 3-day and 5-day workshops, 5-day summer camps and institutes every year since 1990.

A teacher referral telephone became active via Yellow Pages advertising. Gloria Krueger was responsible for SMAC-OC exposure at the 1991 and 1992 US-Japan Expo, where videos and live students performances displayed the Suzuki philosophy.