WELCOME TO WSMTA
As an affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), WSMTA is a non-profit organization providing professional support for over 800 music teachers and their students. With 31 local associations, we provide independent studio music teachers and college faculty with many member services, including but not limited to:
- Conferences and workshops
- Student competitions
- Non-competitive student evaluations
- Teacher Certification Program
- Mentorship opportunities
- Grants and fellowships
- Leadership support
- Community for teachers and their students
WSMTA UPcoming & recent eventS
WA STATE PERFORMANCE COMPETITIONS
Underrepresented Composers Award
In each level and division of the WA State MTNA Performance Competition, the Underrepresented Composers Award celebrates the best performances of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), Women, and other composers underrepresented in the standard concert repertoire. Students have the option to use one piece from their repertoire for consideration of this award. To make sure the piece qualifies, please check against the list of eligible composers (click here) and if the piece is written by a composer not on this list, please request approval by June 8, 2026.
WSMTA STATE CONFERENCE
Music is CENTRAL!
June 27-29, 2026 • Central Washington University • Ellensburg
Join your colleagues, students and friends, along with the Bardin-Niskala Duo and over 25 presenters at the 2026 WSMTA Conference.
ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING
Every year, WSMTA holds its Annual Member Meeting at the state conference in June. Among the important items for voting is the slate of officers for 2026-2027. The following members have been nominated by the WSMTA Board of Directors:
District I Co-Directors: Meg Krieg, NCTM, and Karen Scholten
District III Director: Ricardo De La Torre, NCTM
District V Director: Lois Roads
District VII Director: Fabio Menchetti, NCTM
Treasurer: Mary Grant, NCTM
Click here for more information about these nominees.
Learn more about the Annual Member Meeting and the nominees
DISTRICT VI CONFERENCE
Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 9:00 am
Location: TBD
Adaptive Teaching Methods and Piano Concert
Featuring Amora Bussey and Leah Terrill
More information coming soon!
important dates and announcements
WA State MTNA Performance Competitions
Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time
WA State MTNA Composition Competition
Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time
2026 Leadership Seminar
Yakima Hilton Garden Inn
September 26 – 27, 2026
Noon to noon
Music Artistry Program
Please contact WSMTA MAP Chair Samantha Yeung wth any questions about the Music Artistry Program.
WSMTA PRESIDENT
WSMTA CALENDAR
CLICK HERE for the complete WSMTA Calendar of Events
You can click on most items in the calendar list to learn more about the event.
| May 18 | Last day to register for the 2026 WSMTA Conference at the Early Bird Rate |
| May 30 | Deadline for applications for Lois Whitner Study grants. |
| June 10 | Last day to register for the conference online. Registrations at the door will be available on June 27 but do not include lunch. |
| June 21 | WSMTA Education Board meeting Contact Kathy Mortensen, Education Board Chair |
| June 26 | WSMTA Board of Directors meeting Contact Kira Miller, NCTM, WSMTA President |
| June 27-29 | 2026 WSMTA Conference – MUSIC IS CENTRAL! Guest Artists: An-Lin Bardin, cello and Naomi Niskala, piano Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA |
| August 22 | District VI Conference Location TBD Contact Naomi Johnson, NCTM, District VI Director |
| September 9 3pm Eastern Time | Deadline to register for the MTNA Performance Competitions and MTNA Composition Competition MTNA Competitions Guidelines |
| September 9 Midnight Pacific | Deadline to register for the Outstanding Artist Piano Competition |
| September TBD | WSMTA Education Board meeting Contact Kathy Mortensen, Education Board Chair |
| September 26 | WSMTA Board of Directors meeting Contact Kira Miller, NCTM, WSMTA President |
| September 26-27 | Leadership Seminar in Yakima Contact Amanda Harris, WSMTA President-elect |
| November 6-8 | WA State MTNA Performance Competitions (Piano, String, Woodwind, and Piano Duet Divisions) Contact Jason Kuo, NCTM, WSMTA Vice-President |
| November 6-8 | Outstanding Artist Piano Competition Contact Amora Bussey, OAPC Chair |
WSMTA SUPPORTERS
WSMTA is grateful for the generous support provided by Central Washington University Department of Music for the 2025 WA State MTNA Performance Competitions, the 2025 Outstanding Artist Piano Competition, and the 2026 WSMTA Conference.
WSMTA is grateful for the generous support of the Tulalip Tribes for the 2025 Outstanding Artist Piano Competition and the 2025-2026 Musical Artistry Program.
WSMTA NOTICES
AVOIDING EMAIL SCAMS
- Check the “from” email address closely to make sure it is the trusted email address.
- Remember that WSMTA Leadership will never ask for money directly.
- Ignore suspicious requests and do not reply to such emails.
- Watch for either a lack of details or a sense of urgency.
- Consider contacting the person whose name was used in the scam.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ONLINE
Communications Coordinator Samantha Yeung has worked with WSMTA members to compile a list of online teaching resources. These include equipment recommendations, tips for setup, pedagogy changes, and advice to give your students and parents.
LEARN MORE