Photo Caption: Hundreds of students, along with their parents and teachers, will practice instrumental and vocal music during the 49^th annual American Suzuki Institute held at UW-Stevens Point in two sessions, July 21-27 and July 28-Aug. 3.

A variety of free, public instrumental and vocal performances will be offered through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as parents, students and teachers of the Suzuki method come from around the world for musical instruction, extracurricular activities and concerts at the annual American Suzuki Institute (ASI).

With sessions July 21-27 and July 28-Aug. 3, ASI is sponsored by the Aber Suzuki Center at UW-Stevens Point. Participants attend classes in violin, viola, voice, cello, bass, piano, harp, chamber music, Suzuki early childhood education as well as skill building sessions for teachers. ASI holds the distinction of being the first Suzuki summer institute outside of Japan. The program will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Five guest artists will take part in the institute. Pianist Melissa Zindel performs both weeks, while violinist Gabriel Kitayama-Bolkosky and soprano Mikaela Schneider perform the first week, and cellists Carey and Elliot Cheney perform the second week.

Faculty, students and guest artists will be featured in a variety of solo and group performances. All instruments and all levels are represented in numerous concerts offered in a two-week period. A talent show adds a spark of creativity and humor to the institute.

The following performances will be held in on campus in Michelsen Hall in the Noel Fine Arts Center (NFAC) or at Sentry Insurance’s Theater, 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point:

• Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m., Specht Forum/Sundial on campus – Week one opening ceremony followed by violin play-in (rain location: NFAC Courtyard)
• Monday, July 22, 4 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Student honors recital
• Monday, July 22, 7 p.m., Sentry Theater – Faculty guest recital, featuring Gabriel Kitayama-Bolkosky, violin, and vocalist Mikaela Schneider. They will be assisted by pianist Melissa Zindel
• Tuesday, July 23, 4 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Student honors recital
• Tuesday, July 23, 7 p.m., Sentry Theater – Faculty recital featuring solos and ensemble pieces for violin, viola, cello and piano
• Thursday, July 25, 4 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Student honors recital
• Thursday, July 25, 6:15 p.m., Michelsen Hall and NFAC 221 – Informal recitals, followed by 7:30 p.m. talent show
• Friday, July 26, TBA, Michelsen Hall – Piano Ensembles
• Friday, July 26, 7 p.m., Sentry Theater – Violin Festival Concert
• Sunday, July 28, 7 p.m., Specht Forum/Sundial on campus – Week two opening ceremony followed by violin play-in (rain location: NFAC Courtyard)
• Monday, July 29, 4 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Student honors recital
• Monday, July 29, 7 p.m., Sentry Theater – Faculty guest recital, featuring Elliot and Carey Cheney and collaborative pianist Melissa Zindel.
• Tuesday, July 30, 4 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Student honors recital
• Tuesday, July 30, 7 p.m., Sentry Theater – Faculty recital, featuring solos and ensemble pieces for violin, viola, cello, bass, harp and piano
• Wednesday, July 31, 6:15 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Informal recitals, followed by 7:30 p.m. talent show
• Thursday, August 1, 4 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Student honors recital
• Thursday, August 1, 7 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Chamber Music Student Orchestra Concert, featuring Linc Smelser, conductor
• Thursday, August 1, 8 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Chamber Music Student Ensembles
• Friday, August 2, 11:15 a.m., Michelsen Hall – Viola Festival Concert
• Friday, August 2, TBA, Michelsen Hall – Piano Festival Concert
• Friday, August 2, 2 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Harp Festival Concert
• Friday, August 2, 4:15 p.m., Michelsen Hall – Cello and Bass Festival Concert
• Friday, August 2, 7 p.m., Sentry Theater – Violin Festival Concert

Based on methods of Shinichi Suzuki, ASI reinforces teaching music in a way similar to how children learn language, with parental involvement, repetition and encouragement. For more information about ASI or the Aber Suzuki Center, go to www.uwsp.edu/suzukior call 715-346-3033.