MTNA Division candidates.
MTNA members will be electing Division officers and directors beginning in February 2006. Included here are the nominees as recommended by the MTNA Nominating Committee. The committee nominates two candidates for each position.MTNA members also may submit nominations for the ballot. To do so, you must send to the MTNA headquarters, a petition indicating your nominee(s) signed by one hundred (100)active members. This petition must be received no later than December 1, 2005.
In accordance with Article VI, Sec. 2 of the MTNA Bylaws, this slate of two candidates per office was prepared by the MTNA Nominating Committee. Members also may submit nominations: MTNA Bylaws, Article VI, Section 3: "Nominations for National ... offices, other than those presented by the Nominating Committee, may be added to the election ballot by petition signed by one hundred Active Members and received at the business offices of the Association no later than three (3) months prior to the scheduled date of the election."
The February/March 2006 issue of American Music Teacher will contain a ballot and voting instructions. Online voting also will be available at www.mtna.org at that time.
The nominating committee consists of Phyllis I. Pieffer, Aberdeen, Washington, chair; Marilyn Brossard, NCTM, Burlington, Washington; Geri Cheney, North Salt Lake, Utah; Carleen Graft, NCTM, Plymouth, New Hampshire; Gloria Johnson, NCTM, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Sigrid Luther, NCTM, Dayton, Tennessee; Laura Melton, Bowling Green, Ohio; Darlene Vlasek, NCTM, Rancho Palos Verdes, California; Nancy Whitman, NCTM, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Ken Williams, NCTM, Columbus, Ohio.
DIVISION CANDIDATES
EAST CENTRAL
DIRECTOR
Carmen Shaw
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Carmen Shaw, NCTM, an independent teacher from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, holds degrees from Concordia College and Illinois Wesleyan University. She is a collaborative pianist, adjudicator, presenter and church musician and has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Shaw served as local MTA president; WMTA district auditions chair, first vice president and president; and on the American Music Teacher Editorial Committee.
"I cannot imagine teaching without the benefits/support of MTNA. The opportunities to learn, grow, and serve, are invaluable. We are challenged to pursue excellence in all professional endeavors, and provided with a rich network of colleagues, ideas, and tools to help reach those goals," she says.
Lynn Singleton
Columbus, Ohio
Lynn Singleton, an independent music teacher from Columbus, Ohio, attended Bowling Green State University, where she received bachelor's and master's degrees in performance. Singleton has served as Ohio MTA president, vice president and convention coordinator and was recently named Ohio's Certified Teacher of the Year. She currently is the Certification chair for her local association.
"I value the work MTNA does on behalf of its members to promote the profession of music teaching. We are fortunate to be able to benefit from the services and programs the association provides, and I would welcome the opportunity to serve such a highly regarded organization," she says.
DIRECTOR-ELECT
Adrienne Wiley
Midland, Michigan
Adrienne Wiley, NCTM, associate professor of music at Central Michigan University, received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Kansas and a D.M.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma. She has been active at local and state levels of the Nebraska MTA and now serves Michigan MTA in several capacities. Wiley was the national MTNA Senior Competitions coordinator for four years.
"I still feel the same enthusiasm for being an MTNA member as when I joined in college. MTNA strives to serve all music teachers with its strong commitment to professionalism, and supports teachers with resources, and program to assist our growth," she says.
Karen Thickstun
Nashville, Indiana
Karen Thickstun teaches piano and piano pedagogy at Butler University and is director of the Butler Summer Piano Camps and the Butler Community Arts School. She maintains an independent studio in Nashville, Indiana, and serves on the NCKP Independent Teacher committee. Thickstun holds a B.A. degree from Duke University, an M.M. degree from Butler University and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Virginia. She is past president of the Indiana MTA and was awarded the 2002 IMTA Distinguished Service Award.
"MTNA is a vital part of the music profession--enlightening, challenging, and uplifting its members as well as our students, colleagues and communities," she says.
EASTERN
DIRECTOR
Melanie DeMent
Newark, Delaware
Melanie DeMent, NCTM, teaches studio voice and vocal pedagogy at the University of Delaware. A 15-year member of MTNA, she has served as DSMTA student activities chair and president, and chair of the Eastern Division Senior Competitions. DeMent has served on MTNA's Teacher Enrichment Grant Committee, College Faculty Forum and is currently on the AMT Editorial Committee.
"One of the things that attracted me to MTNA was diversity. As a voice teacher, I bring to MTNA a different and inclusive perspective. One of my goals is to recruit future MTNA teachers who aspire to sustain the role of arts in education and in society," she says.
DIRECTOR-ELECT
Ellen Flint
Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania
Ellen Flint, Ph.D., is associate professor of music at Wilkes University. She is currently a member of the board of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association, coordinator of the MTNA-PMTA Young Artist and Chamber Music Competitions and Eastern Division Competitions chair.
"My work as both performer and scholar is guided by the belief that, while anecdotal evidence suggests (and scientific inquiry may soon prove) the study of music enhances learning in diverse fields, the pursuit of any musical endeavor is its own sublime reward, and, as practicing musicians, we have an obligation to preserve and nurture the artistic traditions bequeathed to us," she says.
Deborah Martin
Ithaca, New York
Deborah Martin, NCTM, is associate professor in performance studies at Ithaca College, where she teaches studio and class piano and piano pedagogy. Martin has been a member of MTNA since 1992, serving as district chair, state convention chair and state president in New York. At the division level she has been competition chair and most recently was elected to serve as division president-elect.
"Membership and participation in MTNA have been critically important to my personal and professional growth as a musician and teacher, and I believe MTNA provides an indispensable source of personal, educational, and professional growth for all music teachers," she says.
Kathy Maskell
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Kathy Maskell, NCTM, is the founder and artistic director of MusicWorks, Inc. She teaches at MusicWorks and Regis College. Maskell received a bachelor's degree from Berklee College of Music. She is organist at Old Cambridge Baptist Church in is the Massachusetts MTA immediate past president and Eastern Division Junior Competitions chair.
"MTNA membership has expanded my horizons professionally and personally, helping to sharpen my teaching skills and keep students involved in their studies. My philosophy is to create a nurturing environment where all students feel confident and self-assured. My hope is to have it carried to the next generation of music makers," she says.
NORTHWEST
DIRECTOR
Kenneth Christensen
Bozeman, Montana
Kenneth Christensen is an independent piano teacher and active performer, adjudicator and clinician. He holds bachelor's degree from Montana State University and a master's degree in piano performance from the University of Montana. Christensen is Northwest Division president and Montana State MTA past president. As Northwest Division president he serves on the MTNA Summit Planning committee, as well as the MTNA Collaborative Arts Forum.
"MTNA has played a vital role in my career as a teacher and performer. Through its dedication to the profession and through its conferences, publications and opportunities for interaction with colleagues, MTNA has been invaluable," he says.
Deborah Wallace
Middleton, Idaho
Deborah Wallace, NCTM, has been an MTNA member since 1979. She earned dual bachelor of music degrees in piano performance and music education from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, studying with James Johnson. An independent piano teacher for more than 30 years, she taught in Fairbanks until relocating to Idaho in 2002. She has served in various capacities at all levels of MTNA. Since 2000, Wallace has been the Northwest Division national certification commissioner.
"Working to advance the MTNA Professional Certification Program is most reaffirming. Our commitment to professionalism through every facet of MTNA must remain pro-active, positive and progressive," she says.
DIRECTOR-ELECT
Debra Florian
Poulsbo, Washington
Debra Florian, NCTM, is immediate past president of Washington State MTA. A 25-year member of MTNA, she has served in many local and state offices, and has chaired Washington's Leadership Seminar and MTNA Competitions. A graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, Florian maintains a large independent studio.
"MTNA has been an essential partner in my professional development, providing vital opportunities and resources, and invaluable collegial interaction and support. As a dedicated proponent of excellent standards in music education, and a strong advocate for the arts, MTNA has both the opportunity and the responsibility to positively impact the future of our profession," she says.
Roma Eicher
Albany, Oregon
Roma J. Eicher, NCTM, is a teacher, performer, adjudicator, presenter and speaker. The administrator for the Conservatory for Music Education LLC, she has been an MTNA member since 1966 and has held numerous state and local positions. Eicher has served on the MTNA conference planning committee, a competitions review committee and was MTNA High School Competitions chair.
"MTNA has been a resource to me as a teacher, benefiting my students and colleagues. MTNA has a vision, as well as a history, that allows it to move forward to benefit its members. It has been, is and will continue to lead to its greatest potential," she says.
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| Title Annotation: | Music Teachers National Association |
|---|---|
| Publication: | American Music Teacher |
| Geographic Code: | 1USA |
| Date: | Aug 1, 2005 |
| Words: | 1567 |
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