Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute Inc.

A limited number of $225 CDN student bursaries are available for reduced SOSI tuition fees. They are intended to assist dedicated students who would like to attend SOSI but who require financial assistance.

2023 Application deadline extended to July 1

Please send:

• Regular Student Application form with registration fee.
• A short letter of recommendation by the student's individual Suzuki teacher (the letter should describe the family's financial limitations, and dedication to Suzuki lessons).
• A copy of income verification (T4 summary sheet). If the bursary is awarded, it will be applied toward the tuition fee. The names of those receiving bursaries will be strictly confidential. Applying students who do not receive a bursary may withdraw their application without penalty.

You may make a contribution to the SOSI Bursary Fund with your Student Application. Canadian tax receipt issued for donations of $10 or more.

• For further information please contact Tracy Jewell at info@mysosi.ca.

Sally Gross is one of SOSI's founding directors and served as its Cello Director for 31 years, retiring at the end of the 2014 season. To honour the great contribution Sally has made to the cello program at SOSI over her tenure, her colleagues have donated funds to assist a dedicated Book 1 cello student who would like to attend SOSI but requires financial assistance.

Please send:

• Regular Student Application form with registration fee.
• A short letter of recommendation by the student's individual Suzuki teacher (the letter should describe the family's financial limitations, and dedication to Suzuki lessons).
• A copy of income verification (T4 summary sheet). If the bursary is awarded, it will be applied toward the tuition fee. The names of those receiving bursaries will be strictly confidential. Applying students who do not receive a bursary may withdraw their application without penalty. For further information please contact Tracy Jewell at info@mysosi.ca.

In the fall of 2000, Kiera Schneider passed away following a car accident. Kiera was a violin student in the Suzuki String School of Guelph. Kiera's sister Sophie continues to play cello. Her parents Dan and Rhona are committed Suzuki parents who not only see the value of a musical education but live it on a daily basis.

Kiera was a vivacious nine year old with a zest for life. Her passion for reading led her to adventures in other worlds. She already had an article published! In fact she shared many of her own fantasies through her own writings. Kiera was very intelligent. She had a quest for knowledge that was never ending. She enjoyed life to the fullest, people loved being around her, and she loved being around people.

Kiera began to play Suzuki violin a year before passing away, and the violin quickly became an important part of her life. She eagerly participated in group classes with her peers, and with her sister, attended the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute in Waterloo after her first year of study. The Suzuki String School of Guelph established the Kiera Schneider Memorial Scholarship.

By the family's wishes, this perpetuating scholarship will enable first or second year Suzuki String School of Guelph students to attend the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute. For information on applying for this scholarship, contact Tracy Jewell at info@mysosi.ca.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the unexpected death of Taryn Diane Chaykowski on March 11, 2023 from complications of breast cancer. Taryn came to SOSI as a student, did teacher training with us, and as a teacher brought many of her students each year.

Taryn was a graduate of the Laurier music program. She President of the local branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association. She played violin and viola with many professional groups over the years but her greatest wish was to have her own studio in order to pass her love of music on to her students. Twinkle Strings Suzuki School and its families was the fulfilment of that dream.

In consultation with her parents and some of her student families, we have established two memorial bursary funds in her name—one for students and another for teachers taking Suzuki training at SOSI.

Are you a member of the Suzuki Association of Ontario? This association offers three scholarships to teachers: www.suzukiontario.org/scholarships

Application deadline to SAO: May 31

Members of SAA may also be eligible for Teacher Training scholarships. See the page on the SAA web site for more details… suzukiassociation.org/teachers/training/scholarship/

For additional assistance to teachers at SOSI, see our Teacher Development Offers page.

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