WASHINGTON STATE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Established in 1915 and affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association
As our lives continue to evolve and change with each passing day, many of you may be wondering how the music teaching profession can be sustained. Some teachers believe that teaching students online is the best idea for the time being.
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.
It is possible to keep music in your students’ lives. Get started today!
2020 STATE CONFERENCE
CANCELLED
Every year, we look forward to connecting with our colleagues from all around the state, hearing our gifted students perform at recitals, honoring our award recipients, and being inspired by our presenters, speakers, and guest artists. But, given the growing concerns around COVID-19, and the uncertainty that WSU will be able to host our event, the WSMTA Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 WSMTA State Conference.
In place of the in-person event, we encourage members to seek conference alternatives, including:
MTNA Virtual Conference https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/
We’re also keeping in touch with our neighboring state associations, and will share additional details on conference alternatives in the coming weeks. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to seeing our wonderful community of music teachers, students, and supporters at the 2021 WSMTA Conference!
The 2020 WSMTA Conference Committee appreciates your understanding in this unprecedented situation and wishes you all good health.
Presenters with questions, please contact 2020 WSMTA Conference Co-chairs Jani Peterson or Kirsten Carlson.
For all other questions, please contact WSMTA Administrative Coordinator Carrie Kahler.
Fraud Phishing Alert
WSMTA will not request you to purchase gift cards, send money, or contribute to anyone via email, phone or text. We have specific protocols in place for all financial transactions of any kind. Please mark any emails you receive in this manner as spam. Do not reply to the email or texts. If you have a question about the message, contact the person directly to check it out.
Congratulations
to all 2019 MTNA Northwest Division
Performance and Composition Participants!
There are several notable placements for Washington students and teachers. Winners would have competed in the National Finals at the MTNA National Conference in Chicago, IL in March 2020! WSMTA is proud to have 10 national finalists!
Congratulations to all those working to enrich our lives with music.
Elementary Composition
Winner: Vansea Barnett, Student of Sharon Van Valin
Junior Composition
Honorable mention: Noah Morris, Student of Elizabeth Morris
Junior Performance Piano
Alternate: Jeslyn Cai, Student of Peter Mack/ Karlyn Brett
Junior Performance String
Alternate: Zoe Lonsinger, violin, Student of Simon James
Junior Performance Woodwind
Winner: Grace Wang, flute, Student of Sarah Bassingthwaighte
Senior Composition
Winner: Nathan Paek, Student of Sharon Van Valin
Young Artist
Winner: Nicholas Colletto, Student of Martin Kennedy
Senior Performance Brass
Representative *Timothy Schrader, tuba, Student of Christopher Dickey
Senior Performance Piano
Alternate: Janet Phang, Student of Peter Mack
Senior Performance String
Winner: Yvette Kraft, violin, Student of Simon James
Senior Performance Woodwind
Alternate: Anthony Xie, flute, Student of Bonnie Blanchard
Senior Piano Duet
Winner Sarah Girges and Avah Girges, Students of Barbara Miller
Young Artist Composition
Winner: Nicholas Colletto, Student of Martin Kennedy
Young Artist Performance Brass
Winner: Duncan Titus, tuba, Student of Christopher Dickey
Young Artist Performance Piano
Winner: Reid Wolch, Student of Oksana Ezhokina
Young Artist Performance String
Winner: Luis Perez, violin, Student of Carrie Michel
Young Artist Performance Woodwind
Winner: Jake Berreth, flute, Student of Sophia Tegart
String Chamber Music
Hiraeth String Quartet from Central Washington University:
Luis Pérez (violin); Gregory Eggleston (violin); Joey Pomeroy (viola); Noëlle Roberts (cello)
Students of Carrie Michel
BECOME A WSMTA MEMBER
Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA) is affiliated with Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
To become a member of WSMTA, join through MTNA.
2019 MTNA Performance Competitions: November 9-10, 2019
Download the 2019 MTNA Performance Competition Booklet
INTRODUCING NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
CARRIE KAHLER
WSMTA is excited to announce the hiring of the new Administrative Coordinator Carrie Kahler.
Carrie is a Washington native. Her high school piano teacher was Carolyn Malnes, who introduced her to WSMTA in 1996. “Participating in the Young Composer’s Project changed my life,” Carrie said. “I’ve worked as an administrator, producer, performer and educator, and understand how crucial administrative support is for success in any endeavor. While I teach piano privately, I am looking forward to use my strong administrative skills in an organization making a positive contribution to the world.”
Carrie has worked for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She has designed and built two websites using WordPress, managed social media accounts, created digital and print ads, planned fundraising and artistic events both on a team and on her own. She is an active member of Seattle Music Teachers Association, editor of SMTA’s Staccato Notes monthly newsletter, and she has volunteered for the Music Literacy Program and Seattle Young Artist Music Festival.
Carrie holds a degree in English (BA, Magna cum laud) from Biola University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CONTACTING THE WSMTA OFFICE
While the phone number and email address will remain the same, the mailing address for the association has changed!
Please contact Carrie either by phone or email to receive the new mailing address.
PHONE: 206-783-1975
EMAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Carrie Kahler
THESE PENGUINS ATTENDED CONFERENCE!
You may have seen these penguin stress balls at the registration table at the 2019 WSMTA State Conference in Tacoma and at the 2019 District I/II Conference. These squeezable penguins feature the new WSMTA logo on their chest – and they wear it proudly.
Look out for them at a WSMTA event near you!
WSMTA HAS OVER 1,000 INDEPENDENT, COLLEGIATE AND UNIVERSITY MUSIC TEACHERS
DEDICATED TO ENRICHING THE LIVES OF ALMOST 28,000 YOUNG MUSICIANS
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
For a full calendar, click here.
| March 1 | March 1: Deadline for submitting articles for the April/May Clarion (Samantha Yeung, Clarion editor) |
| April 22 | Representatives and Alternates to the June State Honors Recitals due to the Honors Recitals Coordinator. Report results of your selection process (here). |
| April 23 | Student Recitalist Registration opens for June Conference Honors Recitals. (See here for more information). |
| May 1 | Chapter of the Year Application Deadline For more information see the The Chapter of the Year page! |
| May 1 | Deadline for the June/July issue of the Clarion (Samantha Yeung, Clarion editor) |
| May 1 | Lois Whitner Student Study Grant Application Deadline |
| June 17 – 20 | 2020 WSMTA State Conference in Pullman, WA |
| September 9 | Registration for deadline for the MTNA Performance Competition/Outstanding Artist Competition |
| September 18 – 20 | 2020 Leadership Seminar |
| November 13-15, 2020 | MTNA Performance Competition/Outstanding Artist Competition at Central Washington University |
| January 30 | 2021 Education Board Meeting, SeaTac |
| January 31 | 2021 Board of Directors Meeting, SeaTac |