2015 | gmta summer newsletter

GEORGIA MUSIC
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Inside this issue:
2
Conference Preview
3
Thank You
to Our Hosts
4
MTNA Fellow
5
GMTA Theory Tests
6
Theory Results
8
MTNA
Competitions
14
GMTA Judges List
14
GMTA Auditions
15
Teacher of the Year
23
Ad Index
23
GMTA Award
Funds
24
Arts Awareness &
Advocacy
24
Steinway & GMTA
Grants
25
Spotlight on New
Executive Director
26
Local Associations
27
Collegiate Chapters
29
Certification
30
Membership
31
MTNA Foundation
32
Music Link
33
Calendar
34
Leadership
35
A ce
T
GM ren
e 5
f
n
1
o
0
C
2
Ian Hobson
Ingrid Clarfield
President’s Report
Summer Newsletter 2015
Greg McLean
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Robin Engleman, NCTM, GMTA President
2
Where have the last eight months gone?!? From Southern Division Meetings and Competitions in January to the MTNA
Conference and Regional Auditions in March to State Auditions in April, these months have flown by! I guess time really does fly
when you’re having fun!
Lots of exciting things have been happening in GMTA:
ACTIVE MEMBER RENEWAL DEADLINE - JUNE 30TH (see ad at bottom of page 12)
If you’re a procrastinator like me and haven’t mailed your Membership Renewal Statement (yet), or, if you’re not old-school,
renewed online, don’t forget to update ALL of your information. Double check what is showing up on the online MEMBERSHIP
DIRECTORY. If what you see is not correct, you may either contact MTNA directly or contact Mandy, and she will see that your
information is updated with MTNA. This reminder also applies to the STUDENT MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DEADLINE which
is SEPTEMBER 30th.
MTNA COMPETITIONS
GMTA was represented well at all levels (State, Division and National) of the MTNA Competitions and I salute our fine students
and their teachers. You may find the names of all who won or placed on the state, regional or national levels on the GMTA website.
Click on About Us / Student Activities / Winner Results.
MTNA CONFERENCE
Las Vegas was the site for this year’s MTNA Conference. What a great conference with exciting sessions, recitals, master classes
and exhibits! Approximately twenty GMTA members gathered for this conference and ten attended the Gala where our own Martha
Thomas was honored as an MTNA Fellow. MTNA recognized two GMTA members for their 50 year of membership in MTNA:
Betty M. Nolting, NCTM of Atlanta and Sandy S. Yeargan, NCTM, of Rome. I hope you will plan now to attend next year’s
Conference in San Antonio. It will be held April 3-6, the week that many of us will have Spring Break.
AUDITIONS
Much work goes into the preparation of these Auditions and we are grateful for those who made the Auditions such a success.
Congratulations and thanks to Cathy Thacker and her staff for their excellent work preparing for and running the 2015 GMTA
Local, Regional and State Auditions. Many thanks to the music faculty of the colleges and universities which hosted our Regional
and State Auditions (see page 5).
THEORY
Under Jason Bennett’s excellent leadership, Theory has been divided into GMTA Theory Tests with Diane Boyd, NCTM and the
GATE (Georgia Auditions Theory Exam) with Rebekah Healan. Both ladies and their teams did an admirable job of preparing their
respective tests. Check out Diane’s report on page 7 and the extensive list of students and teachers who participated in GMTA
Theory Tests. Kudos to Rebekah, her committee and all teachers in Local Auditions who helped administer the GATE to all precollege piano students for this trial run year.
WEBSITE
The Executive Board voted at their April meeting to dissolve the position of Website Chair. Jonathan Klein has served GMTA so
ably in many ways, but in particular as website chair for several years. Since November, Mandy Reynolds, GMTA’s new Executive
Director, has been handling the updates and communicating with Handmade Designs. I invite you to check out the updated web
pages such as the Judges List, Grants and Awards; Georgia’s Own or the new Honorary Lifetime Members page. Whether you want
to investigate November’s conference, read past newsletters, or look at Student Activities, the GMTA website has it all! When you
access the website from your mobile device, you will see a more “mobile-friendly” look. And if you don’t know the login or
password, contact any Local Association President, Mandy or myself for password information.
FACEBOOK PAGE – Thank you, Cat Massey, for overseeing our Georgia Music Teachers Association FB page!
AD HOC COMMITTEES
An ad hoc committee, chaired by Jonathan Klein, was formed in November to recommend a schedule of fees for non-members who
wish to participate in GMTA affiliated events. Many thanks to Jonathan, Cathy Thacker, NCTM and Betty Atkins!
MTNA 2015-2017 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE includes two GMTA members: Tom Pearsall, NCTM of Statesboro and N.
Mason Conklin, NCTM of Canton. Thank you for your service, Tom and Mason!
2016 GMTA AUDITIONS DATES may be found on Calendar (p 33) or on the website Calendar.
2015 MTNA COMPETITIONS will be held at Clayton State University in Morrow, Thursday, October 29th thru Sunday,
November 1st. Note: different time; different location.
The 2015 GMTA CONFERENCE will be held at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Thursday, November 5th thru Saturday,
November 7th. Take a look at page 4 for more information about this year’s conference. Joy Poole has spent many hours putting
together a great three days! You do not want to miss it!
Thank you all for your work as teachers and as members of GMTA. If I can be of assistance to you, or if you have suggestions or
concerns, always feel free to contact me. I hope you all have an enjoyable and relaxing summer.
GMTA CONFERENCE 2015 November 5 - 7
Joy Poole, GMTA VP of Programs
3
Make plans now to attend the 2015 GMTA Conference held on the beautiful campus of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.
Outstanding headliners and Georgia’s Own Sessions will provide many exciting and informative sessions.
Our Conference Recitalist will be Ian Hobson (http://ianhobson.net) of the University of Illinois. “Ian Hobson is a musician of
tremendous versatility who has earned an international reputation as a pianist, conductor, and educator.” Mr. Hobson has
performed worldwide and won awards at many highly recognized competitions. The Conference Recital will be Friday evening.
Hobson will host a Master Class for High School students on Saturday morning.
Ingrid Clarfield (http://ingridclarfield.com) of Westminster Choir College will be our Pedagogy Headliner. Ms. Clarfield is a
nationally recognized teacher, clinician, pianist and author. She is a well sought-after clinician presenting programs in more than
a hundred cities across the United States. In 2012 she was honored with the distinction of MTNA Teacher of the Year. New to
our conference in 2015 will be a Middle School Master Class led by Ms. Clarfield.
The Commissioned Composer will be Greg McLean (http://www.gregmclean.net), one of Atlanta’s most versatile musicians.
His compositions include works for The Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet and many National Competitions, Festivals and
Conferences among other groups. Mr. McLean composes in all styles but especially enjoys jazz. We are looking forward to this
year’s composition.
A special reception will be held on Friday evening honoring our 50 year members. Join us as we honor those members.
Attendees who are interested in serving as presiders, who welcome and assist the presenters, are encouraged to send an e-mail to
Joy Poole ([email protected]).
For more information please visit the conference page of the GMTA website (http://www.georgiamta.org/conference.php).
Looking forward to seeing each of you at the 2015 Conference.
We really couldn t have done it without you!
GMTA would like to thank all the institutions that helped host
our 2014-2015 events. The success and service to our teachers
and students is only possible due to the generosity of your
schools and faculty. Our thanks extend to:
Brenau University
www.brenau.edu
Clayton State University
www.clayton.edu
Region I Auditions
State Conference, MTNA Competitions
Georgia Perimeter College
www.gpc.edu
Region IV Auditions
Georgia Regents University
www.gru.edu
Region II Auditions
Mercer University
www.mercer.edu
Region III Auditions
Kennesaw State University
www.kennesaw.edu
Region V Auditions
University of Georgia
www.uga.edu
GMTA State Auditions
MARTHA THOMAS NAMED 2015 MTNA FELLOW
5
Dr. Martha Thomas, NCTM, was named a Foundation Fellow at the 2015 MTNA Conference held at Las Vegas. The
presentation was made during the MTNA Foundation Gala on Monday evening, March 23, at which time thirty-five members
from many locations received this prestigious award recognizing them “for distinguished service to the music teaching profession.” They received an attractive certificate and pin and were photographed with the MTNA President, Kenneth Christensen,
NCTM, and Gary Ingle, MTNA Executive Director and CEO. Newly named Fellows are recognized in an issue of The American
Music Teacher and their names are added to a plaque located at the MTNA National Headquarters. Also, their names are added
to the Fellow Listing on the Foundation Fund website which is an ongoing prominent recognition of Fellows from the program’s
inception in 2000 until the present year.
Members from local, state, division and national levels joined together to honor Martha with this award. The required
minimum amount of $1,000.00 needed to designate her for this honor was well exceeded by the time of the 2014 GMTA Conference when the announcement was made as a surprise to her.
Dr. Thomas has earned the reputation on all levels of GMTA and MTNA as being highly qualified and accomplished in
all of her work. For her many years of dedicated service, she is very deserving of this honor.
Martha Thomas is Associate Director for Academic Programs and Professor of Piano at the University of Georgia, and
Immediate Past MTNA Southern Division Director in which post she served a two-year term on the MTNA Board of Directors.
She has also served as President of the Georgia MTA and President of the Athens MTA. She began her teaching career at the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was a founding member of the Stevens Point Area MTA, still in existence today. A
native Texan, she holds degrees through the doctorate from the Universities of Texas and Wisconsin and studied piano with William Race, Danielle Martin, and Howard Karp. In 2012 she received the GMTA Teacher of the Year Award, and in 2015 she was
nominated for the office of Vice President of MTNA. As of April 2015, a total of $2,185.00 had been given to the MTNA Foundation in Dr. Thomas’ honor.
Photo ©2015 Harry Butler, Nashville
Martha Thomas is shown with the MTNA President, Kenneth Christensen, NCTM, and Gary Ingle, MTNA Executive
Director and CEO at the Foundation Gala during the 2015 MTNA Conference held at Las Vegas when she was named a
Foundation Fellow.
GMTA Theory Tests
6
Jason Bennett, GMTA Theory Chair
Over the years, numerous members have emailed me with questions about the theory tests, ranging from page layout to staff size
to diminished triads, etc. For every person who asked, I assume there are others who would benefit from knowing the answer to
those questions. Starting now, you can submit questions about either the GMTA Theory Tests or the Georgia Auditions Theory
Exams (GATEs) using a specific email address for each, and answers to those questions will be published on GMTA’s website in
an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document on each areas’ webpage. These FAQs will be continually updated as new
questions are received and answered.
GMTA Theory Tests
[email protected]
GATEs (for Auditions)
[email protected]
As with any area in GMTA, the theory area is constantly reviewing and revising its policies, procedures, and content. Any
changes that affect participation in the theory programs will be announced and published well in advance of the changes taking
effect. As with all areas in GMTA, it is imperative that each member ensure that they watch for, make note of, and retain the
information that GMTA makes available each year so that they can incorporate those changes as they prepare students to
participate in various GMTA events, including the GMTA Theory Tests and the GATEs.
GMTA THEORY TESTS
Administrator
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Committee
Dr. Susan Thomson (Georgia Southern Univ.)
Donna Dasher, NCTM
The 2014-2015 tests have been graded & returned, along with achievement certificates, to participating members. The results
have been posted on GMTA’s website, along with participation statistics. Just go to http://georgiamta.org/studentActivitiesTAT.php and click on “2014-2015 GMTA Theory Test Results”.
Goals for 2015-2016:
Update/revise curriculum
Publish a guide with examples of correct handwritten answers
Please send any questions you have about the GMTA Theory Tests, including specific questions about music theory, to
[email protected]. Answers will periodically be added to an FAQ on the GMTA Theory Test webpage.
GEORGIA AUDITIONS THEORY EXAMS (GATEs)
Administrator
Rebekah Healan
Committee
Lois Finlay, NCTM
Renee Holliman, NCTM
Colette Keogh, NCTM
Joe Lozier
The committee is still processing and analyzing the tests & results and will publish a report for all GMTA members to read in an
upcoming GMTA newsletter. The committee is planning to return the graded tests to the Local Associations to distribute to the
individual teachers.
Preliminary observations about 2014-2015:
A few test questions were problematic and were invalidated. Had the scores counted, those questions would not have counted
against any student’s grade. The committee will strive to craft questions that are as clear and focused as possible.
Levels A & B were largely OK and will only need minor edits for next year.
Level C is under review & will be revised based on what the committee is learning from the trial run this past spring.
In order to avoid disqualifications that might arise from nonconforming grading at the local level, the GATE committee will
establish qualifications for graders and will provide training and certification so that a consistent and uniform result can
be assured across all the LAs.
Continued
on page 7..
Notes regarding the 2015-2016 GATEs:
They will again be paper-and-pencil and will be graded locally by each LA.
They will be made available in both the fall and spring so that LAs can choose a date that works best in their schedules. To
ensure fairness, different versions of the tests will be created and distributed. Mailing / distribution dates TBA.
Exemptions will become active. Details are still being finalized and will be published on GMTA’s website by 6/30/15,
including a list of all students who have earned exemptions for each GATE level.
On the date of Local Auditions, ALL of the GATEs for a grade level must have been administered and graded BEFORE the
results of that grade level are announced. For example, an LA cannot announce the results of grade 6’s auditions until
every participating student has either taken or been exempted from taking the Level A GATE, whether the student took
the exam on a date prior to, or on, the date of your Local Auditions. If your LA plans to administer the GATEs on the day
of its Auditions, you will need to plan accordingly.
All 12th grade piano and piano concerto Auditions participants must take their GATEs by the date of their Local Association’s
Local Auditions. GATEs will NOT be administered at either Regional or State Auditions.
Please send any questions you have about the Georgia Auditions Theory Exams (GATEs), including specific questions about
music theory, to [email protected]. Answers will periodically be added to an FAQ on the GATE webpage.
GMTA Theory Achievement Tests
2014-2015 Results
Diane Boyd, NCTM
8
This year, 281 students representing 50 of our members took the GMTA Theory Tests. Of those 281 tests, 165 (59%) earned a
90 or above, and 35 scored a perfect 100! Congratulations to all the students and the teachers who prepared them so well for
these tests!
Thank you so much to the outgoing members of the GMTA theory committee, Dr. Priscilla Jefcoat, B.J. Sutherland, NCTM, &
Gayle Vann. We welcome Donna Dasher, NCTM and Dr. Susan Thomson as they join this committee. I especially appreciate
Jason Bennett for his encouragement and help in this transition year . Also, thank you to the GMTA administration for their ongoing support and commitment to the importance of teaching music theory to our students.
Finally, thank you to the members of GMTA for supporting GMTA’s Theory Achievement Program, and continuing to emphasize
to your students the importance and benefits of understanding and applying music theory.
For more information about GMTA’s Theory Achievement Program, including the theory curriculum, past tests, and answer keys,
please visit GMTA’s website at http://www.GeorgiaMTA.org, click on Student Activities, then scroll down to the Theory
section and click on GMTA Theory Tests.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS
NOTE: Results are listed alphabetically by members’ last names.
Student
Teacher
Local Association
OUTSTANDING THEORIST WITH HONORS (100%)
Level 1
Ray Toma
Elli Park
Logan Lin
Quinten Caliendo
Katie Wright
Sydney Lawson
Aidan Bateman
Ian Hammett
Ammon Waite
Selene Zhao
Rachael Kim
Tanvisri Alluri
Ellen Chen
Naomi Chen
Tina Lin
Arshiya Naidu
Neil Nariani
Nathaly Aburto
Solomon Armstrong-Mensah
Nichole Hodge
Jazmyn McIntosh
Ian Reese
Jack Johnston
Emma Burnsworth
Michelle Chira
Rhianna Soto
Jessica Ganji
Martha Aguirre
Patti Bennett
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Grace Caudle, NCTM
Grace Caudle, NCTM
Nancy Claxton
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Ruth Harris
Kristi Helfen
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Trudi Norman
Yumi Patterson, NCTM
Sarah Plyler
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Columbus
Northeast GA
Savannah
South Metro Atlanta
South Metro Atlanta
Macon
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
Athens
Decatur
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Gwinnett County
Western GA
Decatur
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Level 2
Fiona Burnett
Seyi Oguntunmibi
Ella Hammett
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Gwinnett County
Savannah
Savannah
Continued
on page 9..
Sivamalai Chandrashekhar
David Driskell
Audrey Albertson
Gene Gay
Abi Ivemeyer
Vineeth Krishnamurthy
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Kristi Helfen
Robert Henry, NCTM
Phyllis LaFon
Yumi Patterson, NCTM
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
North Fulton
Decatur
Cobb County
Coweta-Fayette
Gwinnett County
Decatur
Level 5
Evan Goode
Pamela Martin, NCTM
Decatur
OUTSTANDING THEORIST (90-99%)
Level 1
James Cullison
Destiny Ricks
Ian Allen
Lydia Clack
Zadiyah Ash
Orcellia Barret
Noble Cusick
Alvin Djoume
Maddie Keith
Lauren Tripp
Olivia Winn
Mia Borkoski
Maya Carr
Sydney Phan
Dylan Klinghoffer
Makinna Faircloth
Asher Lawson
Anna Scott Bourassa
Alayna Kamentz
David Hoffman
Nikki Yang
Ella-Grace Zingaro
Stephanie Kim
Rebecca Snyder
Sydney Juleus
Minakshi Shivananda
Emilee Tran
William Tjokroamidjojo
Maya Stricklang
Papa Aye-Addo
Eva Simonetti
Kamau Muse Morris
Emily Most
Isabelle Rovere
Rebecca Gemes
Stanton Schorr
Skylar Lewis
Genesis Woods
Caleigh Earls
Sarah Beth Parker
Mary Frances Dickson
Lindsay Rice
Katherine Gurno
Fullerton Dale
Madison Oliver
Eva Lesciauskas
Venecia Lai
Evan Dong
Jan Adams, NCTM
Martha Aguirre
Martha Aguirre
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Lily Bowman
Lily Bowman
Lily Bowman
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Nancy Claxton
Nancy Claxton
Nancy Claxton
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Ruth Harris
Judy Hayes
Kristi Helfen
Kristi Helfen
Kelli Horton
Pamela Martin, NCTM
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Trudi Norman
Trudi Norman
Trudi Norman
Trudi Norman
Cathy Sewell
Cathy Sewell
Heather Turner, NCTM
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Western GA
Columbus
Columbus
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Cherokee
Cherokee
Cherokee
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Macon
Macon
Macon
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
Athens
Western GA
Decatur
Decatur
Savannah
Decatur
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Columbus
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Continued
on page 10..
Level 2
Anna Naguszewski
Eva Hobson
Camille Jennings
Cameron Berard
Aubrey Wolf
Rohan Chandrashekhar
Julisha Ritzpatrick
Azariah Panlilio
Asi Dimaculangan
Harrison Boone
Esther Clack
Amiel Djoume
Madeline Cusick
Luci Hodges
Maggie Hodges
Hayes Stewart
Lexi Allen
Kayla Johnson
Shinby Kim
Daniel Jung
Edward Cho
Sophie Toler
Vaibhav Mishra
Amy Li
McGregor Koenig
Nicholas Bradley
Savannah Everard
Muskaan Gupta
Alyn Kosasi
Jocelyn Kosasi
Ria Peesapati
Kevin Yuan
Reanna Rafiq
Abhi Atluri
Eric Lu
J.C. Smith
Robyn Essien
Amadi Muse Morris
Elana Becker
Keshav Sukirya
Demi Taveras
Jordan Summerlin
Mitchell Luebke
Catherine Gemmell
Madeline Shebs
Jina Kim
Daniel Kim
Lily Jordan
Lane Morgan
Callie Rice
Colton Redmond
Maggie Simmons
Abbie Stewart
Chaewon Kim
Ryan Knight
Mia Titus
Jack Jones
Mark Toth
Gary Gaur
Jan Adams, NCTM
Jan Adams, NCTM
Jan Adams, NCTM
Jan Adams, NCTM
Aguirre
Martha Aguirre
Martha Aguirre
Nancy Allred
Nancy Allred
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sylvia Beard, NCTM
Lily Bowman
Grace Caudle, NCTM
Seon Hee Cho
Seon Hee Cho
Seon Hee Cho
Nancy Claxton
Nancy Claxton
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Judy Hayes
Kristi Helfen
Kristi Helfen
Kristi Helfen
Mijung Kim
Phyllis LaFon
LuAnnLatzanich, NCTM
LuAnnLatzanich, NCTM
Jean Mann, NCTM
Jean Mann, NCTM
Jean Mann, NCTM
Jean Mann, NCTM
Pamela Martin, NCTM
Trudi Norman
Trudi Norman
Trudi Norman
Yumi Patterson, NCTM
Yumi Patterson, NCTM
Yumi Patterson, NCTM
Sharon Reid
Cathy Sewell
Cathy Sewell
Judy Thomas
Judy Thomas
Western GA
Western GA
Western GA
Western GA
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
South Metro Atlanta
South Metro Atlanta
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Northeast GA
Cherokee
South Metro Atlanta
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
Macon
Macon
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
Savannah
North DeKalb
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
Western GA
Decatur
Decatur
Decatur
Gwinnett County
Coweta-Fayette
Coweta-Fayette
Coweta-Fayette
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Decatur
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Athens
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Northeast GA
Northeast GA
Continued
on page 11..
Jeremy Levin
Aidan Mitchell
Erin Lamberson
Lindsay McGuire
Lauren Brown
Emilie Vu
Lisa Van Ness
Jane Lee
Kyra Andrews
Emma Dong
Aidan Dealy
Jacob Vann-Reifler
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Heather Turner, NCTM
Heather Turner, NCTM
Heather Turner, NCTM
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Decatur
Decatur
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Level 3
Susanna Seeman
Caroline Jennings
Anna Heaton
Savannah Lang
Rebecca Huang
Liz Wong
Annie Kong
Carolyn Aufleger
Rebekah Gheorghies
Yumin Shivdasani
Payal Fadnis
Jonathan Xue
Kunling Tong
Hannah Todd
David Hunt
Jinsun Kim
Robin Tucker
Aditi Arunmozhi
Grace Rowell
Audrey White
Daniel Settles
Jan Adams, NCTM
Jan Adams, NCTM
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Sylvia Beard, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Robert Henry, NCTM
Robert Henry, NCTM
Jacquelyn Hutson
Jacquelyn Hutson
Jean Mann, NCTM
Pamela Martin, NCTM
Michelle Peck
Nancy Riley
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Western GA
Western GA
Gwinnett County
Northeast GA
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
North Fulton
Cobb County
Cobb County
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Gwinnett County
Decatur
Gwinnett County
Athens
Decatur
Decatur
Level 4
Anna Clack
Catherine Landers
Catherine Baron
Sarah Burgess
Jesse Caswell
Jesse Smith
Judy Li
Connie Xiao
Sarah Cox
Isaiah McCrina
Anna Danek
William Hunt
Kevin Liow
Michelle Pi
Yifan Liang
Liam McBane
Robert Jeon
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Lily Bowman
Aurelia Campbell, NCTM
Nancy Claxton
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Judy Hayes
Jacquelyn Hutson
Jacquelyn Hutson
LuAnnLatzanich, NCTM
Sarah Moore
Jeannine Morrison, NCTM
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Soohyun Yun, NCTM
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Cherokee
Northeast GA
Macon
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Western GA
Greater Marietta
Greater Marietta
Coweta-Fayette
Augusta
Decatur
Decatur
Cobb County
Level 5
Andrew Royek
Loren Tsang
Jennifer Zou
Aomeng Cui
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Savannah
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Continued
on page 12..
Patrick Li
Carson Collins
Sean Zhong
Katherine Bell
Lois Finley, NCTM
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
EXCELLENCE IN THEORY (80-89%)
Level 1
Mason Stuart
Nathan Rivera
Joseph Dawson
Sophia Wells
Martha Aguirre
LuAnnLatzanich, NCTM
Julie Massey
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Columbus
Coweta-Fayette
Columbus
Columbus
Level 2
Evan Barrett
Johnny Misley
Sydney Cardwell
Hannah Lewis
Olivia Parker
Aanya Sharma
Ashton Hendricks
Keren Palma
Luke Gunter
Isabelle Coleman
Sue Barnes, NCTM
Sylvia Beard, NCTM
Julie Massey
Mary Katherine Morris, NCTM
Trudi Norman
Yumi Patterson, NCTM
Heather Petero
Sharon Reid
Cathy Sewell
Heather Turner, NCTM
Greater Marietta
Northeast GA
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Gwinnett County
Western GA
Athens
Greater Marietta
Columbus
Lily Bowman
Diane Boyd, NCTM
Nancy Claxton
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Robert Henry, NCTM
Barbara Korzan, NCTM
Phyllis LaFon
Nancy Riley
Frances Thrailkill, NCTM
Soohyun Yun, NCTM
Soohyun Yun, NCTM
Cherokee
Savannah
Macon
Savannah
North Fulton
North Fulton
Cobb County
Columbus
Coweta-Fayette
Athens
Decatur
Cobb County
Cobb County
Martha Aguirre
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Rwei Hao, NCTM
Ruth Harris
Kristi Helfen
Phyllis LaFon
Phyllis LaFon
Jean Mann, NCTM
Jean Mann, NCTM
Marissa Woodall, NCTM
Columbus
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
North Fulton
North Fulton
Athens
Decatur
Coweta-Fayette
Coweta-Fayette
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County
Cherokee
Nancy Allred
Lois Finley, NCTM
Lisa Gaal, NCTM
Phyllis LaFon
South Metro Atlanta
North DeKalb
North Fulton
Coweta-Fayette
Level 3
Marie Blackmar
Emily Perry
Katie Bell Bourassa
Caleb Everard
Sophia Tran
Srarya Ambadipudi
Qilin Tong
Joe Hassenplug
Erica Tang
David Han
Alex Mitchell
Shea Crider
Grace Li
Level 4
Sohan Shankar
Caroline Li
Anna Hu
Teagan Mathur
Alex Kong
Renee Lu
Natalie Dutton
Vincent Wu
Andrea Hill
David King
Andrew Rector
Carly Schnable
Caleb Sides
Erik Park
David Wang
Level 5
Alayna Panlilio
Anna Levine
Chatur Shivananda
Ashli Alexander
Continued
on page 13..
Anna Huntington
Candice Lee
Gayle Vann
Gayle Vann
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
ACHIEVEMENT IN THEORY (70-79%)
Level 1
Lily Cincola
Lily Bowman
Cherokee
Level 2
Jordyn Dawson
Siya Daya
Julie Massey
Cathy Sewell
Columbus
Greater Marietta
Level 3
Seun Oguntunmibi
Zachary Hill
Shaozi Wu
Anna Khan
Davis House
Margaret Groover
Allison McDaniel
Donna Dasher, NCTM
Ruth Harris
Robert Henry, NCTM
Barbara Korzan, NCTM
Jeannine Morrison, NCTM
Jeannine Morrison, NCTM
Trudi Norman
Savannah
Athens
Cobb County
Columbus
Decatur
Decatur
Columbus
Level 4
Claire Lee
Steven Robinson
Maxwell Schneider
Laurelyn Ostrowidzki
Nick Ladue
Seon Hee Cho
Ellen Feibish, NCTM
Jeannine Morrison, NCTM
Marissa Woodall, NCTM
Soohyun Yun, NCTM
North Fulton
Decatur
Decatur
Cherokee
Cobb County
Level 5
Elizabeth Smith
Susan Andrews, NCTM
Gwinnett County
MTNA Competitions
Carol Payne, NCTM, Vice President, MTNA Competitions
14
The stage is set for the competitions to be held the weekend of Oct. 29 – Nov. 1. We will be hosted by Clayton State University
again this year. Michael Osment, Facilities Director of Spivey Hall, has been asked about the possibility of using the worldfamous hall for one of the competitions.
Several of our students received honors at the Southern Division and National Competitions:

High school student Luka Marinkovic, student of Jeannine Morrison, won the Southern Division, and subsequently was
awarded Second Place in the National Senior Composition Competition for his piano composition.

Gabriel Pique, saxophonist, and student of Connie Frigo at UGA won the Southern Division Young Artist Woodwinds
Competition.

Gabriel Pique, Michael Turner, Brandon Quarles and Shawna Pennock, members of “Milk,” a Woodwinds Chamber
Ensemble from UGA, won the Southern Division Chamber Music, Woodwinds Competition. Connie Frigo is the teacher/
coach of “Milk.”

The Columbus String Quartet, taught/coached by Sergiu Schwarz, and comprised of Sophie Wang, McClaran Hayes, Mario
Rivera and John Rogler, won the Southern Division Young Artist Chamber Music Strings, and subsequently was awarded
Second Place in the National Young Artist Chamber Music, Strings Competition.
The GMTA Piano Judges List has been renamed “GMTA Judges List”. Judges of instruments other than piano may apply for
inclusion on the list. The applications process will be the same as for the piano judges. Interested persons should apply using the
application forms on the GMTA website.
GMTA Judges List
Yumi Patterson, GMTA Judges List Chair
The GMTA Piano Judges List has been renamed “GMTA Judges List”. Judges of instruments other than piano may apply for
inclusion on the list. The applications process will be the same as for the piano judges. Interested persons should apply using
the application forms on the GMTA website.
GMTA Auditions Results
Cathy Thacker, NCTM, VP GMTA Auditions
15
The 2015 GMTA State Auditions were held on April 11 and April 18 at the University of Georgia, Hugh Hodgson School of
Music. GMTA Auditions Staff would like to extend our gratitude to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music for allowing us the use
of its facilities for the GMTA Auditions.
The following categories were represented:
• Pre-College Piano, Grades 4-11 – 469 Region Participants; 185 State Participants Grade 12 – 39 Participants
•High School Piano Concerto – 13 Participants
•College Piano – 28 Participants
•High School and College Voice – 16 Participants
•Strings/Guitar, K-College – 65 Participants
•Brass and Woodwinds –0 Participants
•Instrumental Concerto – 20 Participants
Theory – 272 Participants
We had a total of 835 students and 160 teachers participating this year. Congratulations to all students and teachers!
PIANO DIVISION
Grade 4 - Dr. Elena Cholakova, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Susan Meng
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: 1st Alternate
Ethan Liu
Ping-yun Hsu
Cobb
Award: 2nd Alternate
Kelley Lu
Ping Xu
North DeKalb
Award: Award of Excellence
Caroline Malcom
Zhu-Yun Wei
Yunjie Zhang
Cody Wang
Anne Sun
Hwee Boon Ng
Wen Zao Chen
Ping-yun Hsu
Atlanta
Atlanta
North DeKalb
Cobb
Award: Honorable Mention
Richard Wang
Richard Xu
Kyra Andrews
Anna Li
Carol Payne
Elena Cholakova
Gayle Vann
Anne Sun
South Metro Atlanta
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Greater Marietta
Grade 5 - Dr. Elena Cholakova, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Carey Byron
Elena Cholakova
Atlanta
Award: 1st Alternate
Grace Peng
Elena Cholakova
North DeKalb
Continued
on
page 16
Award: 2nd Alternate
Katherine Yang
Elena Cholakova
Athens
Award: Award of Excellence
Amy Huang
Kimberly Shen
Daniel Pan
Mina Lim
Anne Sun
Ping Xu
Ping Xu
Jee Eun Wada
Greater Marietta
North DeKalb
North Fulton
North Fulton
Award: Honorable Mention
Daniel Kim
Henry Ren
Catherine Gemmel
Kunling Tong
Jean Mann
Hyangbin Choi
Jean Mann
Robert Henry
Gwinnett
Augusta
Gwinnett
Cobb
Grade 6 - Rwei Hao, NCTM, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Sarah Lao
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: Master Class
Charles Li
Clara Park
Augusta
Award: 1st Alternate
Daniel Shen
Keli Xu
North Fulton
Award: 2nd Alternate
Emily Zhao
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: Award of Excellence
Robert Jeon
Nicholas Ge
Soohyun Yun
Ping-yun Hsu
Cobb
Cobb
Award: Honorable Mention
Rebecca Wu
Aaron Wei
Ping-yun Hsu
Miao-Fen Lin
Cobb
North DeKalb
Grade 7 - Rwei Hao, NCTM, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Julia Li
Elena Cholakova
North DeKalb
Award: Master Class
Charlie Liu
Lena Zuiff
North Fulton
Award: 1st Alternate
Kevin Chen
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: 2nd Alternate
Ryan Yang
Joseph Hokayem
Athens
Award: Award of Excellence
Catherine Shih
Gabriella Kogan
Elena Cholakova
Elena Cholakova
Atlanta
Athens
Award: Honorable Mention
Shirin Dinasan
Vivia Lung
Shu-Ling Chen
Anne Sun
North Fulton
Atlanta
Grade 8 - Susan Andrews, NCTM, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Helen Bryant
Award: Master Class
Yannie Tan
Alex Wasserman
Alexander Kobrin
Cobb
Columbus
Continued
on
page 17
Award: 1st Alternate
Isabella Pu
Nancy Elton
Atlanta
Award: 2nd Alternate
Yuy Hsiang
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: Award of Excellence
Evonne Iau
Emily Guo
Moses Wang
Renee Lu
Hwee Boon Ng
Anne Sun
Joseph Hokayem
Lois Finlay
Atlanta
North DeKalb
Athens
North DeKalb
Award: Honorable Mention
Grace Xu
Grace Yu
Nicholas Hong
Maxwell Ahola
Ping Xu
Ping Xu
Ping Xu
Davide Palmer
North DeKalb
North Fulton
North DeKalb
Cherokee
Grade 9 - Susan Andrews, NCTM, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Grace Wei
Ping Xu
North Dekalb
Award: Master Class #1
Michael Roman
Stephanie Freeman
Gwinnett
Award: Master Class #2
Stephanie Zhang
Elena Cholakova
Atlanta
Award: 1st Alternate
Melody Wang
Hsin-Lan Chien
Cobb
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Ping Xu
Ping Xu
North Fulton
North DeKalb
Award: Award of Excellence
Joshua Anderson
Christine Yang
Irena Wang
Ansley Tiarn
Davide Palmer
Elena Cholakova
Anna Arshavskaya
Anne Sun
Cherokee
Athens
Decatur
Greater Marietta
Award: Honorable Mention
Lucas Kuan
Benjamin Chin
Ethan Widjaja
Loren Tsang
Hsin-Ling Chen
Richard Xie
Matthew Kim
Anne Sun
Anne Sun
Jee Eun Wada
Lois Finlay
Hsin-Lan Chien
Elena Cholakova
Mijung Kim
Greater Marietta
Atlanta
North Fulton
North DeKalb
Greater Marietta
Athens
Gwinnett
Award: 2nd Alternate
Ruby Lee
Award: Outstanding Performer
Joshua Li
Daisy Zhou
Grade 10 - Diane Boyd, NCTM, Chair
ward: Conference Recitalist
Shaozi Wu
Robert Henry
Cobb
Award: Master Class #1
Anthony Zhang
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: Master Class #2
Nathan Wu
Robert Henry
Cobb
Continued
on
page 18
Award: 1st Alternate
Ethan Shen
Keli Xu
North Fulton
Award: 2nd Alternate
Raymond Zhu
Frances Yao
North DeKalb
Award: Outstanding Performer
Felicia Guo
Elena Cholakova
North DeKalb
Award: Award of Excellence
Julie Xiang
Lauren Chen
Laura Zhang
Eric Park
Ping Xu
Jonathan Klein
Ping-yun Hsu
Jean Mann
North Fulton
Athens
Cobb
Gwinnett
Award: Honorable Mention
Linsey Chen
Timothy Wang
Rachel Liu
Charles Tortorete
Jonathan Klein
Ping-yun Hsu
William Ransom
Claudia Theise
Athens
Cobb
Decatur
Golden Isles
Grade 11 - Diane Boyd, NCTM, Chair
Award: Conference Recitalist
Laura Street
Nancy Elton
Atlanta
Award: Master Class #1
John Hideto Mori
Edith Schiff
Atlanta
Award: Master Class #2
David Zhao
Elena Cholakova
Atlanta
Award: 1st Alternate
Richard Pei
Ping Xu
North DeKalb
Award: 2nd Alternate
Richard Red
Anne Sun
Atlanta
Award: Award of Excellence
Jennifer Zou
Elaine Liu
Aly Soriano
Lois Finlay
Huu Mai
David Watkins
North DeKalb
Cobb
Cobb
Award: Honorable Mention
Connie Xiao
Mia Pattillo
Alice Tang
Lois Finlay
Elena Cholakova
Ping Xu
North DeKalb
Athens
North DeKalb
Grade 12 - Lisa Gaal, NCTM, Chair
Award: Senior Cash Award - Tie
Dain Song
Catherine Xie
Lois Finlay
Ping Xu
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Award: Outstanding Performer
Hannah Dubuc
Alex Tchaykov
Ben Perri
Joshua Shue
Carter Culwell
Susan Naylor
Inna Satunovsky
Robert Henry
Hwee Boon Ng
Jan Adams
Cherokee
South Metro Atlanta
Cobb
North Fulton
West Georgia
Award: Award of Excellence
Ryan Chen
Tim Huang
Christopher Sun
Keiko Ransom
Joseph Hokayem
Gang Yao
Decatur
Athens
North Fulton
Continued
on
page 19
Barret Ham
Sophie Li
Haidee Chen
Susan McDuffie
Clara Park
Joseph Hokayem
Macon
Augusta
Athens
Award: Honorable Mention
Hannah Kemelmakher
Cindy Nguyen
Foster Simmons
Imsun Lee
Forest Kirkland
Mary Ann Nichols
Helen Chen
Wesley Cheung
Alice Kobylivker
Debra Hughes
Marissa Woodall
Inna Satunovsky
Edith Sweatman
Claudia Theise
Joseph Hokayem
Lois Finlay
Greater Marietta
Gwinnett
Cherokee
South Metro Atlanta
Augusta
Golden Isles
Athens
North DeKalb
Piano Concerto - Lisa Gaal, NCTM, Chair
Award: Concerto Winner
Judy Li
Lois Finlay
North DeKalb
Award: 1st Alternate
John Hideto Mori
Edith Schiff
Atlanta
Award: 2nd Alternate
Laura Street
Nancy Elton
Atlanta
Award: Award of Excellence
David Zhao
Aly Soriano
Elena Cholakova
David Watkins
Atlanta
Cobb
Award: Honorable Mention
Kelsey Yao
Aomeng Cui
Vera Soukhojak
Lois Finlay
North DeKalb
North DeKalb
Continued
on
page 20
College Piano - Joanna Kim Doyle, NCTM, Chair
LOWER COLLEGE PIANO
OP-Conference Recitalist: David Dang, student of Richard Zimdars
OP-1st Alternate: Karina Chan, student of Kristi Helfen
AE: Meitan Lu, student of Geoffrey Haydon
HM: Michael Dubuc, student of Susan Naylor
MIDDLE COLLEGE PIANO:
OP-Conference Recitalist: Anna Vertypolokh, student of Alexander Kobrin
OP-1st Alternate: Vicorie C. Brown, student of Lyle Indergaard
OP-2nd Alternate: Soyoun Sheehan, student of Soohyun Yun
AE: Katherine Kemp, student of Susan Naylor
AE: Beth Anne Ake, student of Robert Henry
AE: Yiwen Zhang, student of Chenny Gan
HM: Yun Chen, student of Chenny Gan
HM: Emma Lin, student of Richard Zimdars
UPPER COLLEGE PIANO
OP-Conference Recitalist : Logvinyuk Ekaterina, student of Alexander Kobrin
OP-1st Alternate: Ksenia Kurenysheva, student of Alexander Kobrin
AE: Zhirui Zhou, student of Alexander Kobrin
HM: Yuyoung Park, student of Geoffrey Haydon
HM: Wei Huang, student of Alexander Kobrin
HM: Danielle Duncan, student of Alexander Kobrin
Continued
on
page 21
VOICE DIVISION - Dr. Pat Callaway, NCTM, Chair
VOICE – 10TH GRADE
st
OP-1 Alternate: Alissa Benkowski, student of Stephanie Tingler
OP-2nd Alternate: Claire Reticker, student of Frances Richards
VOICE – 12TH GRADE
OP-Cash Award: Sevda Arjomand, student of Frances Richards
OP: Linseigh Green, student of Frances Richards
VOICE – 11TH GRADE
VOICE – MIDDLE COLLEGE
OP-Conference Recitalist: Katie Tiemeyer, student of Rebekah Healan
OP-1st Alternate: Tess Denniss, student of Frances Richards
OP-2nd Alternate: Cristina Bleacher, student of Frances Richards
OP-Conference Recitalist: Christopher Robin Sapp,
student of Stephanie Tingler
OP-1st Alternate: David Miller, student of Stephanie Tingler
INSTRUMENTAL DIVISION
Instrumental Concerto - Debra Hughes, NCTM, Chair
OP-Conference Recitalist: Andrew Koonce, student of Sonja Foster
OP-1st Alternate: Phoebe Liu, student of Sonja Foster
OP-2nd Alternate: James Kang, student of Marilyn Seelman
OP-3rd Alternate: Rebekah Willard, student of Sonja Foster
AE: Robin Yang, student of Eun Jeong Lim
AE: Anna Hu, student of Que Yang
AE: John Kang, student of Martin Gueorguiev
AE: Joo Young Maya Kang, student of Sonja Foster
HM: Alex Choi, student of Eun Jeong Lim
HM: Yueci Grace Chen, student of William Pu
HM: Nina Youn, student of Mirna Ogrizovic
HM: Zoe Lo, student of Sonja Foster
HM: Faith West, student of Valerie Gardner
HM: Annie Su, student of William Pu
UPPER COLLEGE GUITAR
OP-Conference Recitalist: Corey Flowers, student of Philip
Snyder
MIDDLE COLLEGE GUITAR
OP-Conference Recitalist: Andy Mines, student of Philip
Snyder
OP-1st Alternate: Ben Maoss, student of Philip Snyder
LOWER COLLEGE GUITAR
OP-Conference Recitalist: Mitchell Powers, student of Philip
Snyder
OP-1st Alternate: Joshua Parks, student of Philip Snyder
Continued
on
page 22
Strings - Anne Sun, Chair
STRINGS : GRADES 2-3
OP-Conference Recitalist: Eugenie Lim, student of Sonja Foster
OP-1st Alternate: Anna Willard, student of Martha Gerschefski
AE: Jayden H. Lee, student of Martin Gueorguiev
HM: Hynnbin Moon, student of Mirna Ogrizovic
STRINGS: GRADES 4-5
OP-Conference Recitalist: Tobias Liu, student of Sonja Foster
OP-1st Alternate: Katherine Kim, student of Sonja Foster
OP-2nd Alternate: John Mark Willard, student of Sonja Foster
AE: Elly Kim, student of Martin Gueorguiev
AE: Dean Kim, student of Martin Gueorguiev
AE: Peter Chen, student of Martin Gueorguiev
AE: Hannah Yi, student of Martin Gueorguiev
HM: Sandhya Li Nayar, student of Mimi Tam
STRINGS: GRADES 6-7
OP-Conference Recitalist: Jennifer Deng, student of Que Yang
OP-1st Alternate: Rebekah Willard, student of Sonja Foster
OP-2nd Alternate: Patrick Kim, student of Martin Gueorguiev
AE: Eunice Chen, student of Mirna Ogrizovic
AE: Erin Kong, student of Mirna Ogrizovic
AE: Christina Jeong, student of martin Gueorguiev
HM: Sophie Chan, student of Mimi Tam
HM: Vivia Lung, student of Mimi Tam
STRINGS:GRADES 8-9
OP-Conference Recitalist: Dohyuk Sean Young, student of Valerie Gardner
OP-1st Alternate: Kevin Kim, student of Mirna Ogrizovic
OP-2nd Alternate: Joo Young Maya Kang, student of Sonja Foster
AE: Serena Gao, student of William Pu
AE: Nina Youn, student of Mirna Ogrizovic
AE: John Kang, student of Martin Gueorguiev
HM: Zoe Lo, student of Sonja Foster
HM: Yueci Grace Chen, student of William Pu
STRINGS: GRADES 10-11
OP-Conference Recitalist: Andrew Koonce, student of Sonja Foster
OP-1st Alternate: Faith West, student of Valerie Gardner
OP-2nd Alternate: James Kang, student of Marilyn Seelman
AE: Kyle Qian, student of William Pu
HM: Annie Su, student of William Pu
HM: Sarah Jang, student of Martin Gueorguiev
STRINGS: GRADE 12
OP- Cash Award: Christopher Yu, student of Martha Gerschefski
GMTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Rebekah Healan, GMTA President-Elect and GMTA TOY Chair
23
15
The GMTA Teacher of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of GMTA in recognition of lifetime achievement as
a music teacher, with excellence in teaching, musicianship, professional activity, and service to the community and/or state.
Any GMTA association or member may nominate any other GMTA member for the Teacher of the Year. The GMTA Teacher
of the Year will be selected from nominated applicants and entered in the MTNA Teacher of the Year competition.
The online submission form will require following information or uploaded documents:
http://www.georgiamta.org/memberResources-teacherOfTheYearApp.php
Teaching/professional achievement
Number of years of teaching experience
Evidence of teaching excellence (i.e. students’ successes)
Accomplishments/contributions to MTNA
Participation in Local, State and/or National MTNA programs
Community involvement
Former student and/or parent letter of support (upload document)
Professional colleague letter of support (upload document)
Nominations will need to be submitted online by Monday, September 14, 2015. The winner will be acknowledged at the 2015
GMTA Conference Banquet. With so many fine teachers in Georgia, please consider nominating one of your favorites.
For a list of past Teachers of the Year and to read their Teaching Tips go to:
http://www.georgiamta.org/memberHonors-TOTY.php
We are excited to announce that our
website is now considered
mobile-friendly! By making this
update, it is now much easier to view
our website on mobile devices without
the need to zoom in and scroll
horizontally. Google is also giving a
boost in search ratings to websites
that are considered mobile-friendly,
which may lead more people to visit
our website. www.georgiamta.org
Advertisement Index
Armstrong Atlantic State University: Page 21
Atlanta MTA: Page 3
Brenau: Page 33
Clayton State University: Page 19
Columbus State University: Page 30
Gwinnett County MTA: Page 22
Kennesaw State University: Page 7
Music Teachers Helper: Page 22
North DeKalb MTA: Page 3
North Fulton MTA: Page 32
Reinhardt University: Page 13
Savannah MTA: Page 22
Shorter University: Page 30
Steinway Piano Galleries: Page 22
University of Georgia: Page 32
University of West Georgia: Page 20
Young Harris College: Page 25
GMTA AWARD FUNDS
Heather Turner, NCTM, GMTA Awards Chair
24
15
Congratulations to the students who received an award from the GMTA Composition Fund in 2014 : Emilie Vu, Brandon
Dicks, and Luka Marinkovic. We would also like to congratulate Yannie Tan, winner of the 2014 Junior Piano Performance
Competition. Yannie received an award from the Broadhurst Fund.
Many thanks to the individuals and Local Associations of GMTA who supported the Award Funds during the past few
months. Since the beginning of the school year, $960 has been donated to the awards funds including the money raised from
raffling the gift baskets at our conference last November! What a wonderful way to support our students and encourage their
creativity and musicianship! Please help us continue to provide this support by donating a gift basket for the 2015 conference.
If your Local Association would like to participate in the raffle, or if you have any questions about the Award Funds, please
contact me at [email protected].
GMTA has three Award Funds:
The “GMTA Composition Award Fund” was established in 1987 and initially funded by beloved GMTA member Betty
Nolting. It is given at the GMTA Conference each year to first-place winners in the MTNA Student Composition Competitions
for the state-level competitions in each age category.
The “GMTA Broadhurst Fund”, established in 1992 by the Broadhurst family in commemoration of Joan Broadhurst, goes to
the MTNA Junior Performance Competition winner of the state-level competition. It is also presented at the GMTA conference.
The “GMTA Award Fund” includes honorary and memorial gifts and is awarded at the discretion of the GMTA Finance and
Advisory Committee. Donations not made to a specific fund go into this fund.
ARTS AWARENESS & ADVOCACY
Debra Murphy, GMTA AA&A Chair
The 28th annual Arts Advocacy Day was held in Washington, D.C. on March 23 & 24. This event brings together a broad cross
section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with grassroots advocates. The ambition of Arts Advocacy Day is to
accentuate the relevance of establishing public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts.
Activities this year included an orientation, advocacy training, legislature and political updates, and a briefing on the National
Endowment for the Arts, Arts in Education Programs, and Charitable Giving.
Each year, attendees are inspired by lectures intended to stimulate dialogue on policy and social issues affecting the arts. This
year Norman Lear gave a moving lecture to a sold-out crowd, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra added inspiring
musical performances to the program.
As music educators, we are compelled to be aware of issues affecting music at the local and state levels. Discuss these issues
with your elected officials and strive to provoke change. We are the voice that can affect future generations for arts
preservation!
GMTA's Georgia's Own
The Georgia's Own webpage has received a makeover! I am most grateful to Tom Pearsall for sharing his creative vision and
for his efforts on the project before passing on the project to me.
In addition to the current listing of members willing to make presentations, three additional GMTA members have been added to
the list. There are four additional members who are interested in being added to the list. Information is being gathered to
finalize these new additions. Check back often.
2015 STEINWAY PIANO GALLERIES MUSIC EDUCATOR
GRANTS AND GMTA GRANTS
25
In 2015-2016, GMTA active members may apply for $400 grants for teacher professional development and student music
instruction. These grants are being provided by Steinway Piano Galleries and GMTA. GMTA will also be accepting
applications from collegiate members for grants to go toward tuition, conferences, or other music events. General information
regarding the grants is below. Additional information can be found our website (www.georgiamta.org).
Number of Grants
Steinway Piano Galleries will award four $400 Steinway Piano Galleries Music Educator Grants. Of these four grants, one will
be awarded to the 2015 GMTA/MTNA Competitions Young Artist Piano Performance Winner, and one will be awarded to the
High School Senior Piano Winner from the 2016 GMTA Spring Auditions. GMTA will award four $400 GMTA Grants.
Applications
Steinway Piano Galleries will email the applications for the Steinway Piano Galleries Music Educator Grants directly to GMTA
active members.
The application for the GMTA Grants is available on the GMTA website (www.georgiamta.org). GMTA active members may
apply for both grants; however, a member may receive only one grant.
Applications Deadline
The application deadline for both the Steinway Piano Galleries Music Educator Grants and the GMTA Grants is Monday,
September 14, 2015 (always the 2nd Monday in September).
Awarding of the Grants
Seven of the eight grants will be awarded at the 2015 GMTA Conference November 5-7 at Agnes Scott College. The remaining
grant will be awarded to the High School Senior Piano Winner from the 2016 GMTA Auditions.
SPOTLIGHT ON GMTA’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
MANDY REYNOLDS
26
Mandy Reynolds graduated from Gainesville State College in December 2009 with a Bachelor of
Early Childhood Education. Following graduation, Mandy obtained a Master of Elementary Math
Education from Western Governors University while serving as a full-time kindergarten teacher at
Kennedy Elementary School in Winder, Georgia. During her teaching career Mandy served as the
kindergarten representative for the school leadership team.
In 2013, Mandy left her teaching position to become a stay-at-home mother to her first child,
Brayden. In addition to the everyday activities associated with raising a child, Mandy has stayed
busy and involved by becoming more active in her church and local mommy groups. Mandy was
hired as the Interim Executive Director of GMTA in September of 2014. In December, Mandy was
offered the permanent position of GMTA Executive Director. She looks forward to many
successful years with GMTA.
As many GMTA members know, Mandy is the daughter of Donna Lee, GMTA’s past Executive Director. Since leaving
GMTA, Donna has completed a Master of Nursing Education degree and is working full time as a trauma educator at
Northeast Georgia Medical Center. She is doing great and enjoying her new job, but also misses working with GMTA.
Here is a sample of how some GMTA members played hooky while in Las Vegas at the MTNA Conference.
Aurelia Campbell & Martha Thomas
LOCAL ASSOCIATION REPORTS
27
Gwinnett County MTA
Debra Hughes, NCTM, Past President
GCMTA meetings each month feature a quality teaching program to help us become better music teachers! This year our
programs featured a piano duet concert by two GCMTA members; meeting the needs of special needs students; Dalcroze
Eurhythmics; a master class by Lois Finlay and a program on improvisation. There was also a discussion on how to improve
our studio management. Music Day in November is an evaluation festival in which the outstanding performances in each grade
level are awarded cash prizes. In our December fundraiser, students are given the opportunity to perform on the Steinway piano
at a local electronics store. We hold three Federated Festivals in which the high school piano students compete for scholarship
awards. Awards are also presented to the outstanding strings, vocal and woodwind students. The Junior/Senior Scholarship
Competition is held in March. Four students are recipients of $2000 in scholarship awards. In April, we held our Ensemble
Extravaganza and at our May luncheon Jean Mann was honored as the 2015 GCMTA Teacher of the Year.
This year GCMTA formed an Advisory Committee which wrote a Procedural Manual and revised our by-laws. We have
assigned mentors for new members and have printed up business cards and membership brochures to give to prospective
members. GCMTA offers on-line festival registration and the password-protected on-line membership directory.
In May we installed a new President, Treasurer and Executive Board. It has been a great pleasure to serve as President these past
two years with Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association where we encourage and build up each other, our students and our
organization.
Columbus MTA
Martha Aguirre, President
Hi, everyone. I'm so excited about what is happening in Columbus. I'd be happy to share with any or all of you what we are
doing. So far, we have exactly one (1) new member, but there are several who are on the horizon, and we hope to pull them in
within the next few weeks.
The synopsis of what we are doing is:
1. Every member is challenged to connect with someone they know that is involved in teaching.
2. We have gone to older records to re-connect with members who have lapsed.
3. We are each brainstorming about people who know people who know people (music stores, retired school teachers, church
musicians, etc.)
4. Our calendar is fuller than it has been in a long time. We have guest speakers coming in June and July for professional
development. Then in August we are having our welcome tea with a LONG list of invitees (see above). At our tea we also plan
to recognize members who have been with MTNA for more than 30 years. Even in our small community, I think we are looking
at 5 or more members.
5. We have revised our Constitution and Bylaws, and one thing we decided on was that the membership chairman is responsible
for keeping records, and alerting us to new members, etc., but we are doing an informal mentoring program to hook new
members up to established members (notice I did not say "old" members:) for contacting and involving them in our association.
6. In the bigger picture (not so much immediately) we are reaching out to our university membership and graduate programs.
7. Last week we had a 6 hour "mini-retreat" to revise our Constitution and Bylaws. We threw in some entertainment and lots of
food, and accomplished everything we set out to do! Including creating our slate of officers, voting in those positions (most of
them repeats of last year), and creating job descriptions for every position. Whew!
North Fulton MTA
Ashley Craig-Diaz, NCTM, President
North Fulton MTA had a very engaging and inspiring year with clinicians such as Dr. Sergio Gallo, Dr. Priscilla Jefcoat and Mr.
Keith Jefcoat, Mr. George Mann, Ms. Hyorim Lee, Dr. David Watkins, and Mrs. Paula Wamsley. In October, students of
NFMTA members had the opportunity to participate in a master class and one-on-one lessons with Mr. Dennis Alexander.
In addition to Mr. Alexander’s master class, students had many performance opportunities throughout the year, starting in
November with the NFMTA Fall Festival, December’s Celebrate with Music at North Point Mall, and local Spring Auditions.
Students shone at NFMTA’s Student Spotlight Recital, where teacher’s top students were selected to perform for a public
audience.
LOCAL ASSOCIATION REPORTS
28
Cobb County MTA
Huu Mai, President
The Cobb County Music Teachers Association enjoyed a year of inspirational programs and ever evolving events. Dr. Jerico
Vasquez presented a program on building technique, Dr. Joy Song shared her innovated use of icon stickers, and Dr. Joanna
Kim-Doyle inspired us with a program on collaborative playing. As is our tradition, our March program featured CCMTA
scholarship recipients from the Kennesaw State University School of Music organized by our own Dr. Soohyun Yun. Through
the efforts of our Local Auditions Chair, Dr. Hsin-Lan Chien and her husband, we were able to conduct our Local Auditions
Registration entirely online. In December, CCMTA joined Greater Marietta MTA and Cherokee MTA in our annual Pianothon
event held in Town Center Mall. The CCMTA is looking forward to collaborating with the Atlanta MTA on a master class
featuring Dr. Robert Henry of Kennesaw State University early next year.
Coweta-Fayette MTA
Annette Day, NCTM, President
Coweta-Fayette MTA has had a very active year, focusing equally on student activities and continuing teacher education. Fall
activities included our annual Sonata/Sonatina Festival, which featured 4 one-hour recitals and involved more than 60 students.
Teacher programs included our own Inna Satunovsky sharing from her years of playing and teaching experience, first in the
Soviet Union, and for the past 20 years in Georgia. Another meeting was an enlightening teacher symposium on the topic of
sight-reading.
The year 2015 was inaugurated with a rich program on Collaborative Piano, presented by David D’Ambrosio. In February,
Mary Walker presented a lively program on Favorite Pieces to Teach After Level 3. This was followed by a covered dish lunch
and afforded extra Q and A time with Mary.
In March, very large number of our students participated in the NFMC Festival held in Peachtree City.
Others took part in the local auditions and GMTA theory Exams. Our Spring Honors Recital was a celebration of many of our
young musicians’ success. The recital showcased our CFMTA Annual Jr./Sr. Scholarship winner and the Excellence in Artistry
winners. It was inspiring to hear each others’ students at their best!
We will finish the year with a luncheon to install new officers on May 9.
Decatur MTA
Jane Frackenpohl, President & Charles Hutton, President-Elect
The Decatur Music Teachers Association opened our 2014-15 programs with our very own DMTA member, Dr. Sergio Gallo,
Professor of Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Georgia State University, performing works from his recent recordings for the
Naxos label by Adolf von Henselt and also Liszt Transcriptions of Meyerbeer.
In November, we held our annual Fall Music Fest where students of all ages, levels, and abilities have an opportunity to perform
two compositions, along with scales and cadences, in one or more of these categories: SOLO, DUET, and/or ORIGINAL
COMPOSITION. Students receive a rating and detailed comment sheet plus an opportunity to receive one of three cash prizes
with our Musical Artistry Awards. Next year we are adding a sightreading component to the event.
On February 8, we held our biennial Piano Ensemble Extravaganza Concert at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer on
Peachtree Street in Atlanta. This event was open to all students from early beginner to advanced and even adult students. It
featured four pianos and 18 ensembles including two teacher ensembles conducted by Fran Thrailkill and Mary Brown Hinely.
The net earnings from this event are used to fund the Musical Artistry Awards at our Fall Music Fest Event.
On Valentine’s Day we held our annual Jo Evans Scholarship competition at Agnes Scott College. The Josephine Evans
Memorial Fund was established by the Metropolitan Atlanta Music Teachers Association (or MAMTA) in 1983 to honor the
memory of this much loved piano teacher and Decatur musician. Open to all Georgia high school students in two age
categories, grades 9-10 and 11-12, students play a SLOW movement from a sonata by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, or Schubert
and a contrasting piece of the student’s choice. Cash prizes are given in each category. Winners will be performing at our final
meeting of the year on May 4.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTERS
Soohyun Yun, NCTM, Collegiate Chapters Chair
29
The first annual GMTA Collegiate Colloquium, hosted by the Kennesaw State University Collegiate Chapter, invited 26
collegiate members and 4 piano faculty from Kennesaw State University (KSU), Reinhardt University, Shorter University and
Young Harris College on January 24, 2015. Jerico Vasquez, faculty of Shorter University, and Cynthia DeFoor, faculty of Young
Harris College, presented on “Maintaining a Private Studio” and “Stress Management”, four Collegiate chapters showcased their
activities throughout the past year, GMTA President Robin Engleman spoke about GMTA activities, Susan Naylor, the
Immediate Past Chair of the Collegiate Chapters, spoke about GMTA Collegiate Handbook. All attending collegiate members
were divided into four groups which discussed pedagogical topics for a future conference. Photos of the event can be found at
MTNA-Collegiate Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GMTACollegiateChapters
News From Collegiate Chapters
Kennesaw State University Collegiate Chapter, (KSU-MTNA)
Soohyun Yun, NCTM, Faculty Advisor
KSU-MTNA assisted hosting the Cobb County MTA, Local Audition on 2/28/2015 and the GMTA Regional V Audition on
3/28/2015 at KSU, successfully. Beth Anne Ake and Soyoun Sheehan, officers of KSU-MTNA performed at the Scholarship
Winners Recital in CCMTA monthly meeting on 3/6/2015. Four officers of KSU-MTNA presented three individual posters and
one group poster on piano pedagogy topics at the 20 th KSU Annual Symposium of Student Scholars on 4/16/2015. In May, KSUMTNA will organize the third music festival for local pre-college students at KSU.
Reinhardt Collegiate Chapter, “Naturally Sharp”
Susan Naylor, NCTM, Faculty Advisor
At our meeting after the Collegiate Colloquium at KSU on Jan. 24th, 2015, we elected our officers for 2015-16. Two of the
events that we talked about attending were the Collegiate Chapters National Symposium at University of South Carolina in
Columbia, SC, and the GMTA Collegiate Colloquium in 2016. On March 21st, 2015, 8 members from our chapter visited the
Emeritus Senior Center in Canton to present musical selections and lead the residents in singing hymns. We visited with them
before and after the music presentations. On April 21st, 2015, we had our end-of-year party where we went out to eat and then
went bowling. We plan to have a meeting of the Naturally Sharp Executive Board members in August 2015, to plan our
activities for next year.
UGA Collegiate Chapter, “Tonic”
Peter Jutras, NCTM and Martha Thomas, NCTM, Faculty Advisors
Participated and presented a session titled “Secrets of Successful Group Teaching” at the MTNA Collegiate Chapters Piano
Pedagogy Symposium at Southern Methodist University on January 17-18, 2015.
Young Harris College
Cynthia DeFoor, NCTM, Faculty Advisor
Young Harris College Piano Ensemble concert is Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Four of the ensemble members are MTNA Collegiate
members. Rocsane Tabulinar, Grace Mason, Kate Snell and Ariel Philo.
Statistics
Collegiate Members Registered for GMTA State Conference on November 7, 2014: 31 members from 6 colleges
Attendance at the Collegiate Chapters Meeting at GMTA State Conference 2014: 35 collegiate members and 5 faculty advisors
from KSU-MTNA, Naturally Sharp (Reinhardt University), Tonic (UGA), Shorter University, Young Harris College, Wesleyan
College (not officially organized yet through MTNA)
As of January 9, 2015, GMTA has 44 Collegiate Members and almost half of those are new members this year.
CERTIFICATION
Ashley Craig-Diaz, NCTM Certification Chair
30
As of January 2015, GMTA had a membership of 722, and of those, 103 hold current National Certification. We rank 27 th in the
nation for certification with 14.3% of our members holding National Certification.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KENDRA BALL GANNAWAY who earned her National Certification through Administrative Verification!
Now is the time to renew your National Certification for 2015/2016! You may do so at https://members.mtna.org/
mtnarenewcertificationform/. It is incredibly easy and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Please feel free to contact me
with any questions you may have regarding renewal.
There are two ways you may become at Nationally Certified Teacher of Music: through Administrative Verification or through
completing a Teacher Profile Project. You may read more information about both at http://www.mtnacertification.org/process/.
MEMBERSHIP
Jane Lester, GMTA VP of Membership
31
MTNA has come up with a Membership Drive Campaign Handbook. This is located on the MTNA Website. It includes new
member recruiting and member retention ideas.
For New Members:
Welcoming Packet. A welcome letter or email from the state or local association president with a thank you and an invitation to
the group’s next meeting sets a positive tone with the new member. Although time-consuming, a follow-up phone call from the
president or a local contact is a wonderful personal touch that is well worth the effort if it results in more active, satisfied
members. (Personal interaction with new members is the best way to get them involved and ensure they stay involved in your
association’s activities.)
First-time Meeting Buddy System. Establish a committee of existing members that will be assigned to call new members to
invite them to the next association meeting. Then the “buddy” greets the new members at the meeting and introduces them to
other members to ease any initial apprehension. Some associations even go so far as to establish a rule that if a new member is
present at a meeting or function, no two officers can talk to each other. They must talk with the new members.
First-year Member Reception At State Convention. Have your state president host a reception – open to all members – during
which first-year members are recognized by the group. Think of all you can do to make them feel welcome and included.
Association Newsletter. List new members in each issue of your newsletter. Encourage established members to call and
welcome them to the group.
Scholarships. Local associations award scholarships to a certain number of new members each year to attend state conference.
Mentoring. Ask seasoned teachers and long-time MTNA members to mentor new members. Pairing new members with veteran
members will encourage the new members’ participation in your group’s activities and will result in increased member
satisfaction and retention. Some suggested guidelines for a mentoring program are included in the next section of this handbook.
Retention Ideas For All Members:
Programming: Plan programs that are diverse, comprehensive and applicable to all members of your association. Be sensitive to
members’ schedules and locations by offering alternative times and locations for meetings and activities throughout the year. Use
varying means of communication to spread the word – newsletters, telephone calls, surveys, newspapers, television, radio, email
and so on.
Provide seminars and programs for the new teacher getting started in the teaching field (business aspects of running a studio and
so on). Provide child care.
Assist members in getting reconnected to a new local association after they move.
Encourage meetings and activities that appeal to the non-pianist.
Provide assistance for members who need financial assistance in order to attend the state conference (registration, conference
meals, carpooling).
Arrange carpooling for monthly local association meetings.
Go after non-renewals. Find out why they did not renew. Look for trends and make adjustments (types of programs, more
fellowship, and the like).
Keep up-to-date in technology – use in association records and communication, plan programs on the use of technology in the
teaching studio.
Hold state-wide competitions or festivals for all instruments and voice.
Keep members informed through local and state newsletters/websites. Include materials for festivals and auditions, membership
directories, member handbooks, links to other resources, events, awards and pedagogical articles.
-Work younger members into leadership positions.
-Develop quality activities for students of members.
-Educate independent teachers on ways they can become full-time.
-Give IMT’s ideas for affording to attend the national conference.
-Get members involved in all facets of MTNA: local, state and national. Encourage them to read the journals, visit MTNA
website, become certified, enter students in the competitions, serve and recruit.
MTNA FOUNDATION
Colette Keogh, NCTM, MTNA Foundation Chair
32
Thank you, Georgia Music Teachers and Local Associations,
Your investment in MTNA, through a contribution to the
for your generous contributions to the MTNA Foundation Fund. MTNA Foundation Fund, is tax deductible and will help
advance the value of music study, music making, and the
Georgia has contributed $3,537.00 to the Fund in 2014.
professionalism of music teachers.
Congratulations to Martha Thomas, who was recognized as a
new Fellow at the MTNA National Conference in Las Vegas in Donations can easily be made online at mtna.org. Click on
March 2015. Donations made in Martha’s honor to the MTNA MTNA Foundation Fund at the top of the page, then click on
Foundation Fund totaled $2,185.00. Contributions are still
“Make a Donation” and follow the online instructions.
being accepted if you would like make a donation.
We are already off to a good start for 2015. Donations totaling
$65 have been credited to Georgia in the first quarter. Thank
you for your contributions.
The MTNA Foundation Fund makes possible the many
programs that benefit the professional growth of teachers and
musical growth of our students. The Commissioned
Composer program, MTNA Student Competitions,
Collegiate Chapter of the Year, Teacher Enrichment Grants,
Studio Teacher Fellowship Grants and Teacher Enrichment
Grants are only a few of the many programs funded by the
MTNA Foundation Fund.
MUSICLINK FOUNDATION
Nora Martin, MusicLink SE Regional Coordinator
Think, for a minute, about that rare student who comes to you
loving music and already showing musical talent. The one who
is eager to learn and, as a result, progresses quickly. Think of
that student, whom you view proudly as he or she excels at
exams, wins contests, or is chosen for first chair in the school
orchestra.
33
available to students and teachers by becoming a part of
MusicLink.
If you would like to learn more, log onto the MusicLink
website at www.musiclinkfoundation.org. We encourage you to
join us by clicking on “How to Participate” at the top of the
Home Page. If you are already teaching a student on
Now imagine that this student was never able to take lessons— scholarship, complete the ML Registration Form to become part
never had the opportunity to realize their musical potential.
of the program. If you want to volunteer to teach a student,
This happens every day, everywhere. Many children’s families complete the Teacher Volunteer Form.
don’t have the financial means to provide lessons for their
Email us to request a packet of information to share with
children.
colleagues to begin a local MusicLink program in your
Each of us, however, can change a life for the better by
community. You can make a huge difference in the life of a
agreeing to teach just one of these students for reduced or no
child. We know. We have reached over 6000 students in all 50
charge. Through the program, MusicLink, this student can be
states and several Canadian provinces, creating musicians, one
hand picked by a music teacher who already has identified him student at a time.
or her as musically talented and eager to learn. The initiation
process is simple and many systems are in place to help you get Or find your local coordinator on the MusicLink website or
started and support you along the way. Perhaps you are already contact your SE Regional Coordinator, Nora Martin, at
teaching a child on scholarship. By completing one form online, [email protected].
you can take advantage of the many discounts and opportunities
GMTA CALENDAR
34
2015

June 30: Active Membership Renewal Deadline. Active membership year runs from July 1 thru June 30.

August 1: Executive Board members, including Local Association Presidents, are asked to submit articles to
Natalie Hardy at [email protected].

August 22: GMTA Council of Local Association Presidents Meeting and GMTA Executive Board Meeting, Clayton State
University, Morrow, Georgia

September 14: Application Deadline for GMTA Teacher of the Year, Steinway Piano Galleries Music Teacher Grants,
GMTA Grants (Deadline always on second Monday of September)

September 16: Online Application Deadline (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time) for MTNA Competitions

September 30: Student Membership Renewal Deadline. Student membership year runs from October 1 - September 30.

October 29-November 1: MTNA Competitions, Clayton State University, Morrow, Georgia

November 5-7: GMTA State Conference, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia

December 1: Executive Board members, including Local Association Presidents, are asked to submit articles to
Natalie Hardy at [email protected].

2016

January 15-18: Southern Division Meetings and Competitions, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

February 29: Postmark Deadline for GMTA Regional Auditions Applications

March 19: GMTA Regional Auditions.
Dates have not yet been confirmed by all Regional Host Facilities as of June 21, 2015.

March 21: Postmark Deadline for GMTA Auditions Applications

April 3-6: MTNA Conference, San Antonio, Texas

April 9: GMTA Council of Local Association Presidents Meeting and
GMTA Executive Board Meeting, University of Georgia, Athens

April 9: GMTA State Auditions for College Piano, Instrumental, Voice and Instrumental Concerto,
University of Georgia, Athens

April 16: GMTA State Auditions for Pre-College Piano and Piano Concerto, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

November: MTNA Competitions, Location TBA

November 3-5: GMTA State Conference, Mercer University, Macon, GA
GMTA LEADERSHIP
35
Executive Board:
President: Robin Engleman, NCTM [email protected]
President-Elect: Rebekah Healan [email protected]
Vice President of Conference: Joy Poole [email protected]
Vice President of Membership: Jane Lester [email protected]
Vice President of Newsletters: Natalie Hardy [email protected]
Vice President of GMTA Auditions: Cathy Thacker, NCTM [email protected]
Vice President of MTNA Competitions: Carol Payne, NCTM [email protected]
Secretary: Jackie Reed, NCTM [email protected]
Member-at-Large: Portia Hawkins, NCTM [email protected]
Member-at-Large: Betty White, NCTM [email protected]
Immediate Past President: Dawn McCord, NCTM [email protected]
Executive Director: Mandy Reynolds [email protected]
Committee Chairs:
Chair-Arts Awareness & Advocacy: Debra Murphy [email protected]
Chair-Certification: Ashley Craig-Diaz, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-College Faculty: Paula Thomas-Lee, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-Collegiate Chapters: Soohyun Yun, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-Finance/Advisory: Susan Andrews, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-GMTA Awards: Heather Turner, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-Independent Music Teachers Forum: Annette Day, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-MTNA Foundation: Colette Keogh, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-Piano Judges List: Yumi Patterson, NCTM [email protected]
Chair-Technology: Joe Lozier [email protected]
Chair-Theory: Jason Bennett [email protected]
Local Association Presidents:
Athens MTA: Jack Bamford [email protected]
Atlanta MTA: Kathy Ackermann [email protected]
Augusta MTA: Sarah Moore [email protected]
Cherokee MTA: Laura Lozier [email protected] / Paula Thomas-Lee, NCTM [email protected]
Cobb County MTA: Huu Mai [email protected]
Columbus MTA: Martha Aguirre [email protected]
Coweta-Fayette MTA: Annette Day, NCTM [email protected]
Decatur MTA: Jane Frackenpohl [email protected]
Golden Isles MTA: Donna Nilsson [email protected]
Greater Marietta MTA: Ruth Ann Clark [email protected]
Gwinnett County MTA: Mary Ann McTier [email protected]
Macon MTA: Susan Mincey [email protected]
North DeKalb: Laurel Harrell [email protected]
North Fulton: Ashley Craig-Diaz, NCTM [email protected]
Northeast Georgia: Cindy DeFoor, NCTM [email protected]
Rome: Kyla Cummins Zollitsch [email protected]
Savannah: Diane Boyd, NCTM [email protected]
South Metro Atlanta MTA: Benjamin Bertin [email protected]
Western Georgia: George Mann, NCTM [email protected]
GMTA Audition Staff:
State-Level Audition Chairs
Auditions Chair College/Adult: Joann Kim Doyle, NCTM [email protected]
Auditions Chair Instrumental Strings, Woodwinds, Guitar, & Brass: Anne Sun [email protected]
Auditions Chair Voice [Grades 9-12, College/Adult]: Pat Callaway [email protected]
Auditions Chair Piano 4 & 5: Elena Cholakova [email protected]
Auditions Chair Piano 6 & 7: Rwei Hao, NCTM [email protected]
Auditions Chair Piano 8 & 9: Susan Andrews, NCTM [email protected]
Auditions Chair Piano 10 & 11: Diane Boyd, NCTM [email protected]
Auditions Chair Piano 12, Concerto (Instrumental 6-11, Piano 9-11): Lisa Gaal, NCTM [email protected]
Continued
on
page 36
Auditions Coordinator Region I: Ping Xu [email protected]
Cherokee, Gwinnett, North DeKalb, Northeast Georgia
Auditions Organizer Region I Piano Grades 4 & 5: Jean Mann
Auditions Organizer Region I Piano Grades 6 & 7: Glen Eckman
Auditions Organizer Region I Piano Grades 8 & 9: Viola Tan
Auditions Organizer Region I Piano Grades 10 & 11: Ping Xu
Auditions Coordinator Region II: Colette Keogh [email protected]
Athens, Augusta, Golden Isles, Savannah
Auditions Organizer Region II Piano Grades 4 & 5: Edith Sweatman
Auditions Organizer Region II Piano Grades 6 & 7: Sarah Moore
Auditions Organizer Region II Piano Grades 8 & 9: Nancy Riley
Auditions Organizer Region II Piano Grades 10 & 11: Colette Keogh
Auditions Coordinator Region III: Cindy Feagin [email protected]
Columbus, Coweta-Fayette, Macon, South Georgia
Auditions Organizer Region III Piano Grades 4 & 5: Susan Mincey
Auditions Organizer Region III Piano Grades 6 & 7: Susan Mincey
Auditions Organizer Region III Piano Grades 8 & 9: Ruth Rowell
Auditions Organizer Region III Piano Grades 10 & 11: Ruth Rowell
Auditions Coordinator Region IV: Kristi Helfen [email protected]
Decatur, North Fulton, Atlanta, South Metro
Auditions Organizer Region IV Piano Grades 4 & 5: Hwee Boon Ng
Auditions Organizer Region IV Piano Grades 6 & 7: Jackie Reed
Auditions Organizer Region IV Piano Grades 8 & 9: Julie Soh-Harbin
Auditions Organizer Region IV Piano Grades 10 & 11: Keiko Ransom
Auditions Coordinator Region V: Joy Poole [email protected]
Cobb, Greater Marietta, Rome, Western Georgia
Auditions Organizer Region V Piano Grades 4 & 5: Joe Camillo, NCTM
Auditions Organizer Region V Piano Grades 6 & 7: Deanne Ohman
Auditions Organizer Region V Piano Grades 8 & 9: Wanda Hughes
Auditions Organizer Region V Piano Grades 10 & 11: Linda Lokey, NCTM
MTNA Competitions Staff:
Competitions-Junior Performance: Julie Smith [email protected]
Competitions-Senior Performance: David George [email protected]
Competitions-Young Artist Performance: Debra Hughes, NCTM [email protected]
Competitions-Chamber Music Performance: Debra Hughes, NCTM [email protected]
Competitions-Composition Competitions: Soohyun Yun, NCTM [email protected]
Membership
The Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and
memberships are jointly held in both organizations. Members receive subscriptions to The American Music Teacher.
Membership is open to individuals professionally engaged in any field of musical activity and dues should be sent to MTNA,
441 Vine Street, Suite 3100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3004. MTNA is available toll-free at
1-888-512-5278 to answer your questions regarding membership dues or on the web at www.mtna.org
Notice
The GMTA Newsletter is an information journal focusing on matters directly related to MTNA, GMTA and local associations
only. It does not promote the studios of individual teachers or institutions by publishing articles regarding the
accomplishments of teachers, students, or an institutions’ activities. Paid advertising is available for this purpose. GMTA
expressly reserves the right to refuse publication of any article photograph, or advertisement contrary to the objectives of
MTNA or the Associations. All articles are subject to editing due to size or content.
Advertising
Limited advertising space is available for firms or individuals who have a product or service of specific interest or benefit to
GMTA members. All correspondence regarding advertising should be sent to the Executive Director Donna Trivette by fax
(770) 945-7504 or by email [email protected]
Submittals
GTMA publishes its online newsletter three times per year. Publication dates and their respective deadlines are as follows:
January 15th (Deadline: December 1)
June 15th (Deadline: May 1st)
September 15th (Deadline August 1st)
Editors
Natalie Hardy, VP Newsletters [email protected]
Robin Engleman, NCTM, President [email protected]
Proofreaders
Susan Andrews, NCTM, FAC Chair
Mandy Reynolds, GMTA Executive Director