Conference

Save the Date! 2026 WSMTA State Conference: “Music is CENTRAL!”

Photo of author

By WSMTA

SAVE THE DATE! for the 2026 WSMTA State Conference 

with the Bardin-Niskala Duo:“Music is CENTRAL!”

June 27-29, 2026 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg

If you missed the Early Bird Registration deadline, DON’T DESPAIR! Your online registration will be accepted until June 10, and includes entrance to all concerts, recitals and presentations, as well as boxed lunches on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Banquet tickets ($60) are also available until June 10. (Please note that any “at the door” registrations—single day or full-time—do not include boxed lunches.)

For fee information and to register, see: https://wsmta.org/2026-wsmta-conference-registration/

Bardin-Niskala Duo

Here are a few reasons I’m looking forward to this Conference:

  1. It’s in Ellensburg (my hometown!) in the beautiful Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building.
  2. To learn from the Bardin-Niskala (piano and cello) Duo talk about their commitment to commission works by historically underrepresented composers in order to enhance cultural and social awareness through music. AND to watch them work with student composers in a new session, “Works in Progress”.
  3. To be recharged by many of the 25 sessions on a dizzying variety of topics.
  4. To hear performances of the amazing 2026 MTNA Winners from Washington as well as the premiere of WSMTA Commissioned Composer of the Year, Miguel del Aguila.
  5. To celebrate the accomplishments of the many young musicians in 5 Honors Recitals, and for the first time, to hear collegiate student musicians in performance.
  6. To reconnect with friends from across the state—and to make new ones!
  7. Finally, we always look forward to seeing the amazingly creative baskets that chapters put together for the Basket Auction! Additionally, there will be tote bags, pens and notebooks for sale featuring the artwork of Perrie Lam, the winner of our new Student Artwork Contest. These are fun ways to support the projects of WSMTA, established to benefit teachers and students as they pursue their music education goals.

I hope to see you there!

Carol Cross
2026 WSMTA Conference Co-Chair

Music Literacy Program (MLP) High Honors