Thoughts From Your President: April 2024

Recently as I visited with a piano parent, I happened to see the new start of the Bleeding Heart Bush poking up through the ground by the front door.  Our area had just had a severe cold snap, snow, and blustery weather, so the new growth caught me by surprise.  In just a few days it doubled in size and, as is its nature, continues the rapid growth spurts!  It is the same plant gifted to me by the Spokane chapter as I completed my term as chapter president and reminds me of my fellow WSMTA friends.  What caught my breath was how much had been going on underneath the surface all winter.  The plant has a rough appearing bark root that lays just at the ground surface which makes it look like nothing is happening, when, in fact, a lot is taking place!

And so with WSMTA – the long winter days of consistent and concerted efforts of teachers, students, and mentors is yielding a spring of musical beauty through performances and experiences.  I witnessed a rapid showcase of beauty and success with several focused days as a Visiting Artist, then guided both home and college students through their MAP experience, and completed several intensive days of rehearsal and performance in collaboration with high school students at their solo/ensemble event.  Several days later along with other attendees, I heard our Washington State and Division winners perform spectacularly in the national competition at the MTNA Conference in Atlanta, GA.  Kudos to our students and teachers!

Representing our membership as a Foundation Fellow, Cherie Felts was honored at the MTNA Conference Gala and we cheered for her as she represents years of experience, dedication, service, and positive enthusiasm and collaboration in our Washington State Music Teachers.  Like flowers blooming, the monies raised in her honor pay it forward in scholarships for students and teachers.  In addition, the legacies of two more Washington teachers were honored:  the Michiko Miyamoto Endowment and the Helen Taverniti Fellow.  Many members will remember them fondly and give testimony to their teaching and influence.

The beauty keeps coming!  Join me in registering for the WSMTA Conference, June 27-29, 2024 on the campus of Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.  We will hear our state and national winners, hear our chapter representatives in the Honors Recitals, hear from Connor Chee, our guest artist, and from two outstanding ensembles, The Sapphire Trio and Tango Volcado, as well as, many fabulous colleagues presenting an array of interesting and captivating topics.  An array of splendid color and tapestries of sound, sight, and senses!

You inspire! Thank you!

Colleen Hunter, NCTM
WSMTA President