SAGA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
2025 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS
The Suzuki Association of Georgia will award scholarships to selected students and teachers who plan to participate in the 2025 Atlanta Suzuki Institute. In order to be eligible to apply, student applicants AND their private teacher must be members of SAGA. Teacher applicants must be members of SAGA and SAA.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Applications open Saturday, March 1st
Submission deadline: Monday, March 17th
Decisions will be announced by Wednesday, April 2nd
Scholarship Overview:
One Malachi Foster Memorial Scholarship ($900)
Two Stefanie Graef Memorial Scholarships ($500 each)
One Lois Akins Memorial SAGA Teacher Training Scholarship ($500 each)
Student Application Requirements:
*Application form, videos, and teacher letters of recommendation are ALL due by Monday, March 17th.
1. Make sure you AND your private teacher are CURRENT members of SAGA.
2. Prepare a video recording of a polished selection from the Suzuki repertoire at your level (to be reviewed by a committee of three SAGA teacher members). Piano accompaniment is NOT required. Students will be evaluated on tone, knowledge of their piece, intonation, posture, and musicianship, so choose a recording device and location carefully.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Letter of recommendation from your private teacher. Your private teacher must submit their recommendation to [email protected].
Teacher Application Requirements:
1. Make sure you are current on your SAGA and SAA dues.
2. Write an essay on the Suzuki philosophy, your personal teaching philosophy, and the importance of the Suzuki Method in general. Include how long you have been teaching and how you plan to use this training in your Suzuki studio.
3. Include contact information and submit essay to [email protected] by March 17th.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
About the Scholarships:
Stefanie Graef Scholarship Fund: named in 2004 in memory of Stefanie Graef Carr. Stefanie was the founding president of the Suzuki Association of Georgia, a Suzuki violin teacher, freelance musician, singer, author, and mother. She lost her battle with cancer in September 2003. Stefanie worked tirelessly on behalf of SAGA and the greater Suzuki community. We continue to honor her memory by awarding scholarships in her name.
Malachi Foster Memorial Scholarship: established several years ago by Laura Donovan, a violin teacher at the Georgia Academy of Music in Atlanta, as a memorial to her gifted and precious 10 year old student, Malachi Foster. Malachi passed away in October 2008 after a lifetime of health battles. Malachi was the proud recipient of a SAGA scholarship in 2008, and attending the Atlanta Suzuki Institute that year was one of the highlights of his summer. Malachi and his mother, Lisa Morton, embodied the Suzuki spirit.
Lois Akins Memorial SAGA Teacher Training Scholarship: established in 2023 after the passing of Lois Akins, founder of Suzuki Strings of Augusta, Inc. and member of SAGa. Lois was an active force in the greater Suzuki community and believed in the power of the Suzuki method to impact society using the vehicle of music. She left a legacy of the Suzuki group in Augusta, GA and a spirit of fellowship and cooperation within the larger Suzuki community. She would be deeply honored to know that teachers are beginning or continuing their Suzuki education with scholarship funding in her name.
The Suzuki Association of Georgia will award scholarships to selected students and teachers who plan to participate in the 2025 Atlanta Suzuki Institute. In order to be eligible to apply, student applicants AND their private teacher must be members of SAGA. Teacher applicants must be members of SAGA and SAA.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Applications open Saturday, March 1st
Submission deadline: Monday, March 17th
Decisions will be announced by Wednesday, April 2nd
Scholarship Overview:
One Malachi Foster Memorial Scholarship ($900)
Two Stefanie Graef Memorial Scholarships ($500 each)
One Lois Akins Memorial SAGA Teacher Training Scholarship ($500 each)
Student Application Requirements:
*Application form, videos, and teacher letters of recommendation are ALL due by Monday, March 17th.
1. Make sure you AND your private teacher are CURRENT members of SAGA.
2. Prepare a video recording of a polished selection from the Suzuki repertoire at your level (to be reviewed by a committee of three SAGA teacher members). Piano accompaniment is NOT required. Students will be evaluated on tone, knowledge of their piece, intonation, posture, and musicianship, so choose a recording device and location carefully.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Letter of recommendation from your private teacher. Your private teacher must submit their recommendation to [email protected].
Teacher Application Requirements:
1. Make sure you are current on your SAGA and SAA dues.
2. Write an essay on the Suzuki philosophy, your personal teaching philosophy, and the importance of the Suzuki Method in general. Include how long you have been teaching and how you plan to use this training in your Suzuki studio.
3. Include contact information and submit essay to [email protected] by March 17th.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
About the Scholarships:
Stefanie Graef Scholarship Fund: named in 2004 in memory of Stefanie Graef Carr. Stefanie was the founding president of the Suzuki Association of Georgia, a Suzuki violin teacher, freelance musician, singer, author, and mother. She lost her battle with cancer in September 2003. Stefanie worked tirelessly on behalf of SAGA and the greater Suzuki community. We continue to honor her memory by awarding scholarships in her name.
Malachi Foster Memorial Scholarship: established several years ago by Laura Donovan, a violin teacher at the Georgia Academy of Music in Atlanta, as a memorial to her gifted and precious 10 year old student, Malachi Foster. Malachi passed away in October 2008 after a lifetime of health battles. Malachi was the proud recipient of a SAGA scholarship in 2008, and attending the Atlanta Suzuki Institute that year was one of the highlights of his summer. Malachi and his mother, Lisa Morton, embodied the Suzuki spirit.
Lois Akins Memorial SAGA Teacher Training Scholarship: established in 2023 after the passing of Lois Akins, founder of Suzuki Strings of Augusta, Inc. and member of SAGa. Lois was an active force in the greater Suzuki community and believed in the power of the Suzuki method to impact society using the vehicle of music. She left a legacy of the Suzuki group in Augusta, GA and a spirit of fellowship and cooperation within the larger Suzuki community. She would be deeply honored to know that teachers are beginning or continuing their Suzuki education with scholarship funding in her name.