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 interactive hybrid seminar was available both in-person and online, for your convenience and personal safety preference. Anyone holding a local, district or state leadership position is welcome.
The WSMTA Leadership Seminar is supported by the WSMTA Teacher Enrichment Fund.
2026 WSMTA Leadership Seminar
WHEN: September 26 at noon till September 27 at noon
• Hilton Garden Inn, Yakima WA
• Zoom for those who prefer or 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:
- choice of boxed lunch on Saturday
- buffet dinner on Saturday
- light breakfast buffet on Sunday
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 the WSMTA office for possibilities. Many chapters will also reimburse their leaders for the registration fee.
LEADERSHIP SEMINARS 2020-2025
2025 Hybrid Leadership Seminar
LEADERSHIP IN HARMONY • SEPTEMBER 20-21
Using Chat GPT
Laura Dean, NCTM, M.M. Music Education is a pianist, educator, and author with more than thirty years of teaching experience. Based in Seattle, she maintains a thriving private studio where she inspires students of all ages to develop strong technique, musical expression, and a lifelong love of music. In addition to her private teaching, she designs and leads workshops that integrate performance, history, and creativity, offering students engaging, hands-on learning experiences. As a visiting artist, Laura has presented residencies throughout Washington, Montana, Alaska, and Mexico, where she introduces communities to diverse musical traditions—from the folk songs of Mexico to the dances of Cuba—through interactive programs that blend performance and storytelling. Her teaching reflects a deep commitment to accessibility, cultural richness, and the belief that music is a vital force for connection and growth. She is the author of Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier (McFarland 2022).
Membership data collection and FTC compliance
Carmen Still, NCTM, is president of the Sunn Valley chapter and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Harding University. During her Eastside Chapter years, she chaired the Scholarship Competition and Ribbon Festival. She teaches piano lessons, conducts two choirs, and performs with her duet partner and local ensembles.
2024 Hybrid Leadership Seminar
OUT OF THE BOX • SEPTEMBER 21-22
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. 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.
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.
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. As a side note, Dr. Kuo is also a former research faculty at the University of Washington’s Department of Chemistry, with more than twenty scientific journal articles and an inventor with several patents in biochemical analysis and cancer research to his name.
2023 Hybrid Leadership Seminar
EXPANDING HORIZONS • SEPTEMBER 16-17
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.
2022 Hybrid Leadership Seminar
LEADING WELL: CONNECTING IN CHALLENGING TIMES • SEPTEMBER 17-18
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
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.
