meet new people is an invaluable part of any gathering. This conference was no different. There were many opportunities to sit together, unwind and socialise over drinks and meals alongside time to explore the beautiful old town of Vilnius. Meeting together in ways which were inclusive of different generations, countries and experiences led to fruitful and meaningful conversations, the value of which cannot be underestimated. At the heart of this conference was the spirit of coming together as an extended Suzuki family. Our deep appreciation goes to Patricia Ruttimann, Sue Wimpeney, and the ESA Team for their meticulous planning, creativity and care. Their vision for this conference gave a rich and thought-provoking experience for those who attended, and we left equipped with new ideas, connectedness, and renewed energy to continue in our work of upholding Dr. Suzuki’s legacy. teachers meet, since wherever we come from, we feel as though we are stepping away from busy schedules to spend time with good friends for a few days. We talk about our students, our teaching, share ideas, find solutions, and all of this is wrapped up with lots of laughter and being filled with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. Such was the experience of attending the European Suzuki Teacher Trainers’ Conference, which was held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from the 18th to 20th April 2025. The theme for the conference was ‘The Power of Collaboration’, and from the start, this focus was evident. Delegates were treated on the first evening to heart-warming performances given collaboratively by the students of our Lithuanian colleagues; instruments included: violin, piano, guitar, and flute. Conference sessions, presented over Saturday and Sunday, included a wide array of topics focusing on various aspects of Teacher Training including: Philosophy, Tonalization, Teaching There is a special feeling of community when groups of Suzuki 7 Strategies, Book Reviews, various practicalities of Teacher Training, gathering thoughts around the content of both the Teacher Training and Examination Manuals, discussions on mentoring, and ways of nurturing the next generations of Instructors and Teacher Trainers. There were opportunities to take part in thoughtful discussion groups which included Teacher Trainers, Instructors, Country Directors and Level 5 graduate teachers. Having teachers together who were at different stages in their own Suzuki journeys meant insights from a variety of perspectives could be offered for the benefit of all participants. One of the most enjoyable parts of any Suzuki event is the opportunity we have to connect with colleagues and friends. Whether during sessions, in breaks, or after-hours social time, the chance to catch up with one another, discuss teaching, share ideas, and European Suzuki Teacher Trainers’ Conference 2025 Margaret Parkin
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