The History of the Idaho Suzuki Institute
It was Sunday evening, mid-1960s in Nampa, Idaho. The television set was tuned to “The Ed Sullivan Show”. A five-year-old violinist stepped forward and performed Gigue by Veracini. He was followed by a group performing the first movement of the Concerto for Two Violins by Bach. It was Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and the first international tour promoting his philosophy of “Talent Education.”

June Itami couldn’t believe her eyes or ears. She immediately sought more information on the tour and Dr. Suzuki. In 1969 the Talent Education tour came to Pendleton, Oregon. Mrs. Itami took as many of her students as she could to the event. She attended the Suzuki Summer School in Matsumoto, Japan in 1972. The seeds of the Idaho Suzuki Institute were planted.

In harmony with Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy and objectives, June Itami founded the Idaho Suzuki Institute. The first Idaho Suzuki Institute was held in 1974 on the campus of Boise State University. The three-day Institute was run on a shoestring budget. The first programs were produced on a mimeograph machine. The first-year faculty was Dr. Theodore Brunson, Harold Mealy, Walter Cerveny, Charles Wilson, Dr. Curtis Wolfe, Carol White, June Itami and John H. Best.
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As the Institute grew in size, the need to formally organize became imperative. In 1978 letters of incorporation were submitted and the Idaho Suzuki Institute Association, Inc. (now Idaho Suzuki Association) was born.
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Since 1974, summer institutes featuring outstanding guests and experienced teachers have been held annually. It has always been the aim of the Idaho Suzuki Institute to offer a high-quality experience and keep fees low in order to enable as many young people as possible to participate.