North Texas Suzuki Association
NTSA Offerings
Next Biannual NTSA Spring Meeting
General Meeting at 4:30 pm
Board Meeting at 3:30 pm
Sunday April 19, 2026
Location: Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas
14240 Midway Road
Dallas, TX 75244
North Texas Suzuki Association
Scholarship Information & Application
In its ongoing mission to support the vision and philosophy of Dr. Suzuki, The North Texas Suzuki Association is pleased to announce the details of the 2026 scholarship application process.
Registration Period:
Opens: Thursday January 1, 2026
Closes: Sunday February 15, 2026
Applications must be received by Sunday February 15, 2026 (at 11:59 pm) in order to be considered.
Available Scholarships Include:
- The Helen Gerald Memorial Scholarship – $750
- Allegro Scholarship – $750
- The Gwen Runyon Memorial Scholarship – $750
- The Jennifer Burton Founder’s Award – $750
- The Katie Adams Memorial Scholarship – $500
- Additional North Texas Suzuki Association Scholarships – $500
Student Scholarship Requirements and Guidelines:
- Students who were awarded a scholarship in the previous year are not eligible for consideration.
- All applicants must submit a video application of one Suzuki piece which accurately represents their level of playing.
- All auditions must be uploaded to YouTube with a code name for the student. Parents may choose the unlisted setting if they desire, but not the private setting. Teachers may help with the recording and uploading process if the family needs assistance.
- No live auditions will be scheduled.
- Applicants must be a student of a current NTSA member.
- All auditions must be recorded in a well- lit and quiet room with the student’s posture clearly visible. We recommend using high video and audio quality if possible.
- Accompaniment is NOT required, but it is also not discouraged as many families use live performances from recitals where accompaniment is present. The presence or absence of accompaniment will not affect the committee’s evaluation of the student.
- Student scholarship funds awarded may be applied towards the tuition of one SAA approved institute. The funds will be distributed to the appropriate institute by the NTSA Treasurer. Any remaining scholarship monies will be distributed to parents in order to cover travel/housing costs.
- Student performances are evaluated by the Scholarship Committee based on the SAA’s Performance Descriptors.
Application Process:
- Videos must be uploaded on YouTube. They must be titled: (Current Year) NTSA scholarship audition (Code Name) (Instrument)
- Applications must be submitted by the Suzuki teacher. In order to preserve anonymity of both student and teacher, please do not upload videos from your personal YouTube account. Anonymous submissions are always encouraged in order to preserve impartiality on the part of the committee. YouTube allows the same email address to be used for multiple channels.
- All videos must be received by Sunday February 15, 2026 by 11:59pm in order to be eligible for consideration.
Teacher Scholarship Requirements:
- Two scholarships in the amount of $500.00 will be awarded to teachers who wish to attend summer Suzuki training.
- Applicants must be a current NTSA & SAA member.
- Funds may be applied towards tuition costs for SAA approved book-level training, SPA, book overviews, or practicum. Funds may not be applied towards 10- hour enrichment courses or auditing courses.
- Teacher scholarship funds are to be used for tuition and may not be used for travel expenses, materials, or non-Suzuki camps/workshops.
- Teachers must document their commitment to the Suzuki method, reasons for requesting the scholarship, and a letter of recommendation from another Suzuki teacher. Applications must be submitted to Ashley Gream, NTSA Scholarship Committee Chair, via application form or by email at ashleymontezgream@arlingtonsuzukiacademy.com.
- All applications must be received by Sunday February 15, 2026 by 11:59 pm, in order to be eligible for consideration.
- If you have any questions regarding the scholarship process, please feel free to reach out to Ashley Montez Gream, NTSA Scholarship Chairperson, at ashleymontezgream@arlingtonsuzukiacademy.com
NTSA Trophy Festival
(In-person & Online)
What is Trophy Festival?
Trophy Festival takes place annually at the end of February. All guitar, piano, harp, violin, viola, cello, and bass students currently studying with an NTSA Member Suzuki teacher are invited to participate. The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for students to perform for a clinician/adjudicator and receive positive comments, clear and specific feedback, and a certificate or trophy – tangible evidence of their effort and accomplishments. This event serves as a terrific introduction for elementary students who will later perform in Solo/Ensemble Festivals and Region and Youth Orchestra Auditions; it is also perfect for more advanced or older students who want additional performing experience with valuable feedback in return. Proceeds from the Trophy Festival are the primary source of income for the NTSA’s Scholarship Fund.
Registration/Submission Deadline: Sunday February 1, 2026 by 10 PM (CST.)
DATES & LOCATIONS
In-person: Saturday February 21, 2o26 at Lakewood Elementary, 1600 Donley Dr, Euless, TX 76039
In-person: Sunday February 22, 2026 at SMID, 14240 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75244
Online: Saturday February 21, 2026 using individual links from a Google Calendar Invitation
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Trophy Festival Chair Christine Collins-Davis at christinecollins-davis@arlingtonsuzukiacademy.com.
We look forward to seeing you and your studio participating!
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NTSA Young Artist Competition 2026
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The NTSA Young Artist Competition (NTSA-YAC) offers advanced Suzuki string students, beyond the level of the Trophy Festival, a performance-level opportunity to pursue artistic excellence within a nurturing, collaborative environment. Guided by the Suzuki philosophy, the competition prioritizes personal growth, cooperation, and mutual respect rather than rivalry, while also generating scholarship funds to further students’ musical development.
DATES & LOCATION
Competition Date: Sunday February 22, 2026
Time: 9:30 am-4:00 pm
Awards Concert: Sunday April 19, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas
14240 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75244
Registration Period:
Opens: Tuesday December 2, 2025 at 12:00pm (CST)
Closes: Monday January 19, 2026 by 10:00pm (CST)
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
- ALL communication with the event chairman MUST be through the TEACHER. There is to be no contact between parents and NTSA Competition Chair.
- Registration: All entries must be registered and paid online. No refunds will be issued once a student is registered.
- Monitoring: ALL Teachers must serve as monitors on the day of the competition. If unavailable, they may designate another NTSA member as a substitute. Failure to meet this requirement will result in disqualification of participating students.
- Divisions are based on school grades as of September 1, 2025. The student’s birth date and school grade MUST be entered at registration.
- Each student may enter only ONE category.
- Each category must have a minimum of 4 entries in order to be open
- Contest pieces except Sonata movements must be performed by memory.
- All contestants, except those in the Unaccompanied Bach Category, must provide their own collaborative pianist. Please note: Senior Division first place winners are responsible for securing their own pianist for the Winners Concert.
- Each contestant must provide original music for the judge. Photocopies are not accepted!
- The competition is single-round. There will be no finals.
- All division winners must be present at the Winners Concert on Sunday, April 19th to receive their awards (trophies, ribbons, or cash prizes).
- The 1st place winner of each Senior Division Category will perform at the Awards Concert. Failure to perform will result in forfeiture of the monetary award. In cases of unforeseen emergency, the committee reserves the right to determine whether awards may still be granted.
- 1st place winners of a category are NOT eligible to re-enter that category in the future.
- The use of cameras or recording/video equipment is not permitted during any phase of the competition and could result in disqualification.
- Judges’ decisions are final and the Judge reserves the right to declare ‘No Winner.’
For questions regarding the 2026 NTSA Young Artist Competition, please contact the NTSA-YAC Chair Amanda Hernandez at amanda.hernandez@suzukimusicdallas.org
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