LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

2024 WSMTA Leadership Seminar

OUT OF THE BOX

Out of the Box is the focus of the 2024 WSMTA Leadership Seminar. This interactive hybrid seminar is available both in-person and online, for your convenience and personal safety preference.

Once a year, chapter leaders, District Directors, chairs of all our state programs, Education Board and Board of Directors meet to share important information about our state and local programs.

This year will feature WSMTA’s own Music Artistry Program Chair, Jason Kuo who will share important information on Grant Writing. We will also be joined by Ryan Colburn, a retired Air Force Colonel, who has created and conducted leadership and organizational development programs across the aerospace and defense industry and spoken at national and international conferences. The seminar will feature roundtable discussions, include important updates on your favorite programs, and guide you in new approaches.

Anyone holding a local, district or state leadership position is welcome. 

The WSMTA Leadership Seminar is supported by the WSMTA Teacher Enrichment Fund.


WHEN: September 21 at noon till September 22 at noon
WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn, Yakima WA (reservation link coming soon) or
Zoom for those who cannot attend in-person
REGISTRATION FEE: $65 in-person or $35 virtual

REGISTRATION DETAILS: Many chapters will also reimburse their leaders for the registration fee. This year registration is the same fee, no matter the leadership position you hold. The following meals are included in your registration fee:

  • boxed lunch on Saturday
  • buffet dinner on Saturday
  • light breakfast on Sunday

REGISTRATION DATES:

  • Opens August 1, 2024
  • Registration for in-person attendance closes: September 6, 2024
  • Registration for virtual attendance closes: September 18, 2024
HOTEL INFORMATION:
  • Hotel reservations may be made by contacting the Hilton Garden Inn at: 509-454-1111 or booking online (contact WSMTAoffice@gmail.com for reservation link)
  • Room reservations must be made by Tuesday, August 20, 2024 to receive the WSMTA discounted rate.
  • WSMTA helps to underwrite the cost of the Leadership Seminar by reimbursing one-half the WSMTA special rate of a double occupancy room at the hotel.
  • If you are looking for a roommate, please contact Kira Miller, NCTM at presidentelectwsmta@gmail.com for possibilities.


FEATURED SPEAKERS

Jason Kuo, NCTM

Pianist Jason S. Kuo studied with Martha Wasley at the University of California at Berkeley and was later coached by Janet Guggenheim, whose worldwide concert credits included over thirty years of collaboration with the celebrated violinist Itzhak Perlman. Dr. Kuo has performed with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (2012-2018), the Octava Chamber Orchestra (2013-2018), and Pacifica Chamber Orchestra (2018). He also curated a popular chamber music series at the Seattle Downtown Library (2015-2018). He has been teaching piano privately since 1991, and has studios in Seattle, Bothell, and Issaquah. He is a member of the Seattle Music Teachers Association and is currently serving as the Music Artistry Program Chair of Washington State Music Teachers Association.
Dr. Kuo is also a former research faculty at the University of Washington’s Department of Chemistry. He is an author of more than twenty scientific journal articles and an inventor with several patents in biochemical analysis and cancer research.


Ryan Colburn

Ryan Colburn is a Senior Acquisition Advisor for the United States Space Force and serves on the board of Angels of America’s Fallen, a non-profit organization which supports children who have lost a parent serving in the military, police or fire service by providing funds for extracurricular activities (such as music lessons!).  Ryan served in the Air Force for 24 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel and directing an organization of over 500 people.  He has created and conducted leadership and organizational development programs across the aerospace and defense industry and spoken at national and international conferences on a variety of topics.  He holds bachelor degrees in music and physics from Seattle Pacific University and holds three master’s degrees in science and engineering.  He is a husband, a father of two awesome daughters and lives in Aberdeen, WA where he is a member of the local opera society and is trying his hand as a director at the local community theater.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

September 16 at noon to September 17 at noon

Expanding Horizons was the focus of the 2023 WSMTA Leadership Seminar. This interactive hybrid conference was available both in-person and online. This year featured some of WSMTA’s own. District III Director and Membership Chair Susan Speicher presented on “Membership Initiative.” WSMTA President Elect Kira Miller, NCTM presented on how to “Reconnect with Yourself”. MTNA Executive Director & CEO, Gary Ingle joined us as well! The seminar featured roundtable discussions, explored outreach, and included important updates on your favorite programs.

Kira Miller, NCTM
Gary Ingle, MTNA Executive Director & CEO

2022 HYBRID LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

LEADING WELL – CONNECTING IN CHALLENGING TIMES

September 17 at noon till September 18 at noon

An interactive hybrid conference, both in person and online options are offered for your convenience and personal safety preference.
Featured presenters included:  

  • Lois Rhoads, WSMTA member and piano teacher, 2022 Conference Co-Chair, Inspirational speaker addressing life and relationships, School Board Member, Reading Specialist 
  • Cindy Peterson-Peart, MTNA Vice-President for Membership
  • past OMTA President Ryan Greene, MTNA Director of Membership Development and Affiliate Relations
Lois Rhoads
Cindy Peterson-Peart

2020 WSMTA VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

NAVIGATING CHANGE: MATCHSTICKS IN THE DARK

Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 9:30AM – 2:30PM

Sharing our sparks of insight, our little victories, as we lead the way during this profound time of change.  The 2020 seminar was a mix of presentations and small group discussions about our state programs and the art and craft of leadership.

Technology chair, Ryan Worswick hosted a session on everyone’s favorite new video conferencing platform: Meetings and Mobs: Zoom Beyond the Lesson.

Independent Music Teacher Forum chair, RoseMarie Tamburri hosted a session: Mind/Body/Spirit Connection: Self-Care in Times of Change.