In 1974, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the first California Suzuki organization was established. Teachers who were meeting to take training sessions from Sister Therese Cecile Murphy started to organize area wide activities. It was following one of these activities, a play-in, that the Suzuki Association of Northern California (SANC) was formed.

In 1977 in Los Angeles, Elizabeth and Harlow Mills visualized an organization to coordinate statewide activities. Harlow called it the Suzuki Music Association of California. After discussion with SANC, the Suzuki Music Association of California became the official organization.*

The opportunity to organize geographically was immediately recognized. It was clearly easier to communicate and organize when everyone was within driving distance.  San Diego applied for branch status followed by Sierra.

As more teachers were attracted to the Suzuki method, the level of training grew wider. There was, and continues to be, a concerted effort statewide to provide teacher training workshops for on-going training, with learning among our members as a matter of individual motivation.

Orange County branch was formed with the premise that continuing education was a common goal. Coastal Branch, Santa Barbara and Mt. Lassen were formed to represent their areas of the state. To date, there are eight branches representing more than 250 teachers in California.

*Excerpt from "Embracing Diversity" by Donna Lim, Past President

Diversity is a defining feature of the Suzuki Music Association of California (SMAC). Its directors, employees, and members embrace it as a source of strength. Diversity, equity, and inclusion have been practiced in this organization since its inception in the mid-1970s, long before these terms became part of the common lexicon. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founded the program used within SMAC over 50 years ago. That part of his philosophy, which encapsulates these ideals, can be expressed simply as “Every Child Can Learn”.

Children from throughout the state, representing every walk of life, participate in the programs offered through SMAC and its twelve branches. All children are welcomed, are nurtured in the instrumental programs and developed in capacities beyond just their musical abilities.

Reflecting the diversity of children and youth who have been part of our program, the adult members of SMAC come from every walk of life. This attitude of diversity, equity, and inclusion naturally extends itself to these folks: our teachers and our leaders – and our leaders are teachers! All adults who are committed to music education and the teaching of the Suzuki Method, who are eager to improve themselves through their own practice and continuing education, and are passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential, are welcome to become teachers and leaders within our organization.