WMMTA Programs 2023-2024
Kick-off Meeting with Guest Speaker Sylvia Eckes
"The Versatile Grieg"
August 25th @ 6pm, Grace Presbyterian Church
Bring your favorite dish, side, and/or dessert and join us for an evening packed with inspiring conversations and exciting information!
We’ll begin the evening with an announcement from KMTA president Brett Janssen about the fast approaching KMTA State Conference happening September 22-23.
Sylvia Eckes will speak about the diverse aspects found in Grieg’s piano music. She will play all or parts of about a dozen short works, a few well-known and some rarely heard, with comments about their unique features and suitability for students.
We then encourage our newer members to stay afterwards to hear from Carol Pracht and Meg Gray as they tell us about two upcoming student events: WMMTA Fall Piano Festival at Newman University and Shocker Keys Piano Camp at Wichita State University. You’ll learn where to sign up and how to get your students ready and involved.
Webinar presented by Brad Baker
"Career Pathways for Collaborative Pianists”
November 17th @ 6pm
This session equips piano teachers with the knowledge of what career opportunities are available for pianists who possess collaborative interest and skills, as well as provides pointers for how to develop these highly-employable collaborative piano skills in students of all ages. The discussion will also provide voice instructors and other studio teachers with ways to efficiently incorporate and communicate with a developing pianist to encourage growth in the student pianist while not detracting from the focus of the lesson.
WMMTA Collaborative Recital
March 8th @ 7pm, Location TBD
Grab a fellow teaching friend or advancing student and get to practicing! We are planning to hold a recital featuring WMMTA members. Invite family, friends, and students for an evening of performances by our very talented, local teachers.
Perspective: Different Teaching Approaches
March 22nd at 6:30pm, Grace Presbyterian Church
Three of our WMMTA members will each teach one of their own piano students live for other WMMTA members to observe. The students will all be playing pieces of a similar style and difficulty that are still works in progress. The purpose of this workshop is to give insight into teaching approaches from three different teachers with different backgrounds, experiences, and approaches to teaching. Afterwards, there will be time for discussion and questions.
Masterclasses with Julie Bees
April 13th at Wichita State University
Dr. Julie Bees will be teaching an afternoon of masterclasses that will include a wide variety of student levels. More information on how to get students involved will be available at a later date.
Discord Discussions
Follow this link to join the WMMTA Discord server: https://discord.gg/VsrtE437
"The Versatile Grieg"
August 25th @ 6pm, Grace Presbyterian Church
Bring your favorite dish, side, and/or dessert and join us for an evening packed with inspiring conversations and exciting information!
We’ll begin the evening with an announcement from KMTA president Brett Janssen about the fast approaching KMTA State Conference happening September 22-23.
Sylvia Eckes will speak about the diverse aspects found in Grieg’s piano music. She will play all or parts of about a dozen short works, a few well-known and some rarely heard, with comments about their unique features and suitability for students.
We then encourage our newer members to stay afterwards to hear from Carol Pracht and Meg Gray as they tell us about two upcoming student events: WMMTA Fall Piano Festival at Newman University and Shocker Keys Piano Camp at Wichita State University. You’ll learn where to sign up and how to get your students ready and involved.
Webinar presented by Brad Baker
"Career Pathways for Collaborative Pianists”
November 17th @ 6pm
This session equips piano teachers with the knowledge of what career opportunities are available for pianists who possess collaborative interest and skills, as well as provides pointers for how to develop these highly-employable collaborative piano skills in students of all ages. The discussion will also provide voice instructors and other studio teachers with ways to efficiently incorporate and communicate with a developing pianist to encourage growth in the student pianist while not detracting from the focus of the lesson.
WMMTA Collaborative Recital
March 8th @ 7pm, Location TBD
Grab a fellow teaching friend or advancing student and get to practicing! We are planning to hold a recital featuring WMMTA members. Invite family, friends, and students for an evening of performances by our very talented, local teachers.
Perspective: Different Teaching Approaches
March 22nd at 6:30pm, Grace Presbyterian Church
Three of our WMMTA members will each teach one of their own piano students live for other WMMTA members to observe. The students will all be playing pieces of a similar style and difficulty that are still works in progress. The purpose of this workshop is to give insight into teaching approaches from three different teachers with different backgrounds, experiences, and approaches to teaching. Afterwards, there will be time for discussion and questions.
Masterclasses with Julie Bees
April 13th at Wichita State University
Dr. Julie Bees will be teaching an afternoon of masterclasses that will include a wide variety of student levels. More information on how to get students involved will be available at a later date.
Discord Discussions
Follow this link to join the WMMTA Discord server: https://discord.gg/VsrtE437
Certification
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) offers a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) program, available to all Independent Music Teachers who complete the prescribed certification process.
WMMTA provides continuing education and small group opportunities to help teachers prepare for the certification process. In addition, WMMTA teachers who apply for and receive MTNA certification are eligible to apply for partial to full fee reimbursement. For more information, visit the MTNA website here.
Non-certified music teachers are still welcome and encouraged to become members of WMMTA!