12
Summer 2026
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sai-national.org
SAI Philanries, Inc.
A
bout fifteen years ago, I was
fortunate to receive a Professional
Development/Education Grant
from SAI Philanthropies, Inc. that
would have a profound and lasting impact
on my career. In 2002, I embarked on my
journey as a Suzuki Early Childhood Education
(SECE) teacher. The next stage of training I
needed, however, was only offered in Canada
and required travel to London, Ontario—
an undertaking that came with significant
financial challenges, including airfare, a week-
long stay, and tuition fees. Thanks to SAI's
generosity and a $500 grant, I was able to
pursue this next step in my training.
That course was just the beginning. It led
to additional SECE coursework, culminating
in my completion of all five stages of SECE
training. In the years that followed, I was
honored to be approved as a Suzuki Teacher
Trainer by the Suzuki Association of the
Americas (SAA), becoming one of only five
SAA-registered SECE Teacher Trainers across
North and South America.
Fast forward to 2025—I am now the only
active SECE Teacher Trainer in the United
States and have had the privilege of training
over 150 teachers in the art of teaching Suzuki
baby/toddler classes. Some of these teachers
have completed the final stage of SECE training
and are considering the path to becoming SECE
Teacher Trainers themselves, a testament to the
power of mentorship and community.
These Suzuki family-style general music
classes welcome babies and toddlers aged 0 to
4 years, alongside their parents or caregivers.
SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Grants:
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Warren Warren
with a young with a young
Suzuki student Suzuki student
