November 5-6, 2021

Virtual Conference

https://dash.hubilo.com/#/events

TABLEOFCONTENTS President’s Welcome .............................................................................. 1

MTNA Greeting……………………………......................................……2

Conference Schedule ……………………………..………………….……...3

Conference Pedagogy Clinician ............................................................ 5

Conference Artist & Concert Program……..………………………...…..6

ISMTA Presentations ........................................................................... 9

ISMTA Foundation Fellow .................................................................. 15

ISMTA Teacher of the Year ................................................................. 16

ISMTA Members of the Year ............................................................... 16

Board of Directors, Committee Coordinators ..................................... 20

Local Presidents………………………………………………………......21

November 5, 2021

Dear Illinois State MTA Members:

On behalf of your MTNA colleagues across the country, we want to add our welcome to the Illinois State Conference. Gathering with your friends and colleagues from around the state is a very special benefit of membership—a benefit that offers multiple educational and social opportunities for you to grow as a music teaching professional.

At conferences like this, you, the music teacher, become the music student. And as you participate in professional development, new information and techniques are learned, which ultimately become the basis for new ways to teach your students. This enriching relationship, of constantly receiving and giving away, is vital to your success as a music teacher as well as to the success of your students.

As you consider additional opportunities for professional development and networking, you are invited to attend the upcoming MTNA National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 26–30, 2022. It promises to be the most inclusive conference ever. During this long-awaited return to in-person conferences, you will be able to attend more than 100 informative sessions, inspiring master classes, and an exhibit hall with the latest music, products and innovations. Highlights of the conference include evening recitals by violinist Adrian Anantawan, the Cann Sisters Duo, the Formosan Duo and pianist Ursula Oppens. In addition to a full face-to-face experience, MTNA will offer a virtual option for attendees that will include curated content from the in-person event. The 2022 MTNA National Conference will be an unforgettable time to learn and share whether you attend in Minneapolis or from your home or studio!

Again, welcome to the Illinois state conference. Please enjoy every moment of it.

Sincerely, Sincerely,

Karen Thickstun, NCTM Dr. Gary L. Ingle President Executive Director &

Chief Executive Officer

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Conference Schedule FRIDAY NOVEMEBER 5 TH

8:00 am- 8:50 am Board Meeting 9:00 am- 9:50 am Advisory council 10:00 am-10:30 am General Meeting 10:30 am -11:45 am Plenary Session I Conference Clinician E. L. Lancaster

Piano for Life: Creative Ways to Develop Skills for a Lifetime of Musical Enjoyment A primary goal of piano teaching is to give students the knowledge to understand and enjoy music for the rest of their lives. This session explores practical strategies and teaching materials to achieve this goal. In addition, ways to teach technical skills and theoretical concepts to foster musical understanding will be explored.

12:00 pm -12:50 pm Local Presidents meeting|Lunch (Moderator: Ilia Radoslavov) 1:00 pm -1:25 pm Group Piano Forum (Moderator: Kathy Sbarboro) 1:30 pm - 1:55pm New Professionals/Collegiate Forum: Marcia Bosits 2:00 pm-2:25 pm

What can be Learned about Classical Music from Video Game Soundtracks, Conner Wittman

40 Fingers and a Conductor: Creating a Virtual Experience for a Non-Traditional Piano Ensemble, Glenna Sprague

2:30 pm - 2:55 pm Passion for Collaboration, Kaju Lee

Bridging the Language Gap: Introducing Music Students to Foreign Language Repertoire, Tamar Berman

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm Optimal practice strategies for beginning and intermediate musicians, Sheryl Iott

Into Darkness: Piano Music between 1910 and 1920, Sveltlana Belsky

4:00 pm-4:50 pm Keys to Inclusion: Reimagining the Piano Canon, Susan Tang, Brian Hsu, Sun Min Kim & Dr. Daniel Pesca

Retirement Planning for Independent Music Teachers, Ellena Chen

5:00 pm - 5:50 pm Wellness Forum 6:00 pm Award Ceremony 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm Happy Hour Social|Meet the Presenters 7:30 Conference Concert: Ian Hobson

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6TH

9:00 am - 9:50 am Non-piano instrumentalists & Voice: Collaboration with a pianist (Moderator: Junghwa Lee)

10:00 am - 11:30 am Masterclass with Ian Hobson Rachel Qi (Student of Chee Hyeon Choi)

Beethoven Sonata in C# minor, Op. 27, No. 2, III. Presto Agitato Kimiko Darcy (Student of Brenda Huang)

Ravel La Valse Seungjin Han (Student of Junghwa Moon Auer)

R. Schumann Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 611:30 am -11:55 am Live Q & A with Ian Hobson

12:00 pm- 12:50 pm Independent Teachers Forum|Lunch (Moderator: LeAnn Halverson)

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Plenary Session II: E. L. Lancaster Introducing Repertoire: Strategies that Go Beyond “Practicing Hands Separately” The way that repertoire is introduced to a student in the lesson influences how practice continues at home. Discover successful strategies for introducing a variety of repertoire to insure successful practice and efficient learning. Explore ways to make classical music relevant to today’s piano students. The session will demonstrate effective practice procedures and focus on ways to teach musicianship through music.

2:30 pm - 2:55 pm Video Game Music: Idioms & Lesson Plans, Andrew Olmstead

Turning Pro: Transitioning from College to Career, Joanna Chang

3:00 pm -3:50 pm Getting Out of Our Own Way: Catching a Musical Ride on our Subconscious Train, Winston Choi

Fix your Pain! Eric Sutz

4:00 pm - 4:50 pm MTHP Concerto Day Virtual/18 Live 1-17, Elaine Smith

Interleaving and Music Practice, Janet Palmberg

5:00 pm - 5:50pm AIM Forum (Moderator: Nancy Liley)

6:00 pm Social|Meet & Greet: E. L. Lancaster & MTNA President Karen Thickstun

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Conference Clinician E. L. Lancaster Dr. E. L. Lancaster is a piano faculty member at California State University, Northridge where he teaches keyboard literature and class piano. He also serves on the board of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy and is the author for the “What’s New” column for the American Music Teacher. Dr. Lancaster holds degrees from Murray (KY) State University, the

University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. From 1979 until 1998, he was Professor of Music at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, where he taught courses in piano pedagogy and coordinated the group piano program. Dr. Lancaster established the masters and doctoral programs in piano pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma in 1980 and served as major professor for more than 50 doctoral dissertations in that field. He taught pre-college students in the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program, combining group and private instruction. In addition, from 1981 to 1996, he and his wife, Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk, operated a large independent piano studio in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Lancaster has served as National Chairman of Group Piano and National Chairman of Student Chapters for MTNA. He was the convention chair for the 2020 MTNA National Conference. He has held offices in the National Conference on Piano Pedagogy, including Chair of the Administration/Pedagogy Liaison Committee. Dr. Lancaster has received numerous teaching awards from the University of Oklahoma, including the Regents Award for Superior Teaching (1984), Associated Distinguished Lectureship (1987), Provost's Outstanding Academic Advising Award (1996), and Outstanding Faculty Award in the College of Fine Arts (1996). In 1991 he was awarded a David Ross Boyd Professorship, named in honor of the first OU president, given to faculty members who excel in teaching, counseling and guiding students. In 2013 he was named a Signature Sinfonian by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, national music fraternity. This award honors members who exhibit high standards of excellence in representing the fraternity as an alumnus. Murray State University honored him in 2014 with a Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honor granted by the University. At their 2016 convention, the California Association of Professional Music Teachers presented him with their Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a 2019 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and the Outstanding Alumnus in Fine Arts Award from Murray State University. Dr. Lancaster has presented workshops for teachers throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He is the author or co-author of more than 400 publications designed for students of all ages including Alfred’s Premier Piano Course, Music for Little Mozarts, and Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults. He lives in the Los Angeles area.

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Conference Artist Ian Hobson

Pianist and conductor Ian Hobson—called “powerful and persuasive” by The New York Times— is recognized internationally for his command of an extraordinarily comprehensive repertoire, his consummate performances of the Romantic masters, his deft and idiomatic readings of neglected piano music old and new, and his assured conducting from both the piano and the podium. In addition to being a celebrated performer, Mr. Hobson is a dedicated scholar and educator who has pioneered renewed interest in the music

of such lesser known masters as Ignaz Moscheles and Johann Hummel. He has also been an effective advocate of works written expressly for him by a number of today’s noted composers, including Robert Chumbley, Benjamin Lees, John Gardner, David Liptak, Alan Ridout, and Yehudi Wyner. In early 2022 Mr. Hobson will also be releasing the final two volumes of his complete Frédéric Chopin edition on the Zephyr label. This comprehensive set is organized programmatically rather than chronologically, and inspired Colin Clarke of Fanfare to write: “The sense, as the work completes, is of coming to the end of a very significant Chopin recital” (Fanfare, July/August 2016). Mr. Hobson is known for artfully programming recital series showcasing the complete piano works of noted composers, matching the subtleties of the composer’s works for each concert. He recently completed a six-concert series at New York’s downtown venue SubCulture entitled, Sound Impressions, featuring the complete solo piano repertoire of Ravel and Debussy. Similar endeavors include Mr. Hobson’s 2015 Uptown/Downtown: Preludes, Etudes, and Variations series—focusing on outstanding examples of each genre by Fauré, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, and Szymanowski, with world premieres by Yehudi Wyner (Preludes), Robert Chumbley (Etudes), and Stephen Taylor (Variations)—and his performance of the complete solo piano works and chamber music with piano of Johannes Brahms, series entitled Johannes Brahms: Classical Inclinations in a Romantic Age. Mr. Hobson continues his concerts as music director of the Sinfonia da Camera, a professional chamber orchestra affiliated with the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and College of Fine and Applied Arts of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where Mr. Hobson is the Swanlund Emeritus Professor of Music. He is also Professor of Music at Florida State University. An artist of prodigious energy and resource, Mr. Hobson has to date amassed a discography of some 60 releases, including the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven and Schumann and a complete edition of Brahms’s variations for piano. As guest soloist, Ian Hobson has appeared with many of the world’s major orchestras; in the United States these include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Florida, Houston, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and the American Symphony Orchestra and Orquesta

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Sinfónica de Puerto Rico. Abroad, he has been heard with Great Britain’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hallé Orchestra, ORF-Vienna, Orchester der Beethovenhalle, Moscow Chopin Orchestra, Israeli Sinfonietta, and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Since his debut in the double role of conductor and soloist with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra in 1996, Maestro Hobson has been invited to lead the English Chamber Orchestra, the Sinfonia Varsovia (including an appearance at Carnegie Hall), the Pomeranian Philharmonic (Poland), the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra (Bass Hall), and the Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra of Israel, among others. In addition, Mr. Hobson is a much sought-after judge for national and international competitions and has been invited to join numerous juries, among them the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (at the specific request of Mr. Cliburn), the Arthur Rubinstein Competition in Poland, the Chopin Competition in Florida, the Leeds Piano Competition in the U.K., and the Schumann International Competition in Germany. In 2005 Hobson served as Chairman of the Jury for the Cleveland International Competition and the Kosciuszko Competition in New York; in 2008 he was Chairman of Jury of the New York Piano Competition; and in 2010 he again served in that capacity of the newly renamed New York International Piano Competition. One of the youngest ever graduates of the Royal Academy of Music, Mr. Hobson began his international career in 1981 when he won First Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition, after having earned silver medals at both the Arthur Rubinstein and Vienna-Beethoven competitions. Born in Wolverhampton, England, he studied at Cambridge University (England), and at Yale University, in addition to his earlier studies at the Royal Academy of Music.

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ISMTA Conference Artist’s Concert Ian Hobson, pianist

November 5, 2021, 7:30pm

32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor, WoO 80 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Mazurkas, Op. 59 Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) No. 1 in A minor No. 2 in Ab major No. 3 in F# minor Carnival, Op. 9 Robert Schumann (1810-1856) 1. Préambule 2. Pierrot 3. Arlequin 4. Valse noble 5. Eusebius 6. Florestan 7. Coquette 8. Replique- (Sphinxs) 9. Papillons 10. A.S.C.H. S.C.H.A. (Lettres Dansantes) 11. Chiarina 12. Chopin 13. Estrella 14. Reconnaissance 15. Pantalon et Colombine 16. Valse allemande 17. Intermezzo:Paganini 18. Aveu 19. Promenade 20. Pause 21. Marche des “Davidsbündler” contre les Philistins

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ISMTA Presenters & Session Descriptions

Teaching foreign language songs is a complex task that involves musical, linguistic, historical, and cultural aspects. This presentation will highlight examples and techniques that have been utilized successfully by the presenter to teach Israeli songs to a general audience, whose native language is not Hebrew and who are not all musically trained.

Tamar Berman is a teacher and tutor specialized in the instruction of music, language and technology. She serves as Executive Director and lead teacher of Hebrew Language Society, a not-for-profit dedicated to increasing knowledge, awareness and use of the Hebrew language in social and cultural contexts. Tamar holds a Ph.D. in Music from Northwestern University and a secondary education teaching certificate from the State of Illinois. A trained vocalist, Tamar teaches voice,

music theory, music technology, Hebrew, Israeli Music, and integrated multidisciplinary lessons. She has taught in high schools, colleges, online education, child and adult enrichment programs, and home schools. 1910 must have seemed as the start of a Golden Age, with all the advances in science, communications and medicine. Instead, only a few years later, the world exploded into war that carried off millions of lives. Artists and musicians felt both the promise and the poison of their time, and expressed it brilliantly, and shockingly, in music. Live through this amazing decade with Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Ravel, Busoni and Griffes.

Svetlana Belsky is a recitalist, recording artist, teacher and author, and the winner of the 2019 American Prize in Solo Piano Performance. Her recordings have been critically acclaimed as "extraordinary" and "always illuminating". Dr. Belsky is an authority on the pianistic legacy of Ferruccio Busoni.

This presentation will cover the basics of retirement planning for independent music teachers. A licensed financial professional will lead discussion on different types of retirement accounts, challenges of retirement savings for freelancers, market risks, tax impact, and asset allocations. This presentation is perfect for those who want to start retirement savings and have no clue how to start. Attendees should have a clear idea of how to start retirement savings after attending the presentation.

In addition to teaching piano for more than 25 years and running her private studio for the last 13 years, Ellena Chen started her financial career in 2015. She currently holds both investment and insurance licenses, helping families in areas of retirement planning, education fund planning, tax planning, investment and insurance.

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Graduation unlocks a big milestone. No longer students, graduates are now en route to build a professional career. This transition from student to professional in the music field can be daunting, but there are ways to help ease this transition and make turning pro an exciting journey for young professionals. Using tips and strategies, “Turning Pro” aims to ignite the creative fire of college music students in transition from college life to successful careers.

Joanne Chang is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Staff Pianist at Western Illinois University. Joanne has been featured on WFMT’s Fiesta! and the Chicago Latino Music Festival. She won the IU Latin American Music Recording Competition and can be heard on the 2018 album Díalogos.

The power of the subconscious mind has been studied extensively and is capable of empowering one to achieve transcendental feats, or to constantly chip away and undercut ourselves. This presentation explores how to draw upon positive qualities from our vast musical experiences to constantly better our musical selves. Specific practicing methods will be explored, as well as the discussion of the underlying principles behind the most successful performances that enter the elusive "flow state".

Canadian pianist Winston Choi is the Head of the Piano Program at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. His professional career was launched when he was named Laureate of the 2003 Honens Piano Competition and winner of France’s Concours International de Piano 20e siècle d’Orléans in 2002. An inquisitive performer, his fresh approach to standard repertory, and masterful understanding, performance and commitment to works by living composers, make him one of today’s most dynamic young concert artists.

This session will focus on development of audiation in beginning students, and using that musical vocabulary to help students transition easily into music reading and early problem solving. Reading and thinking in patterns, practicing with an open ear and open mind, and continuing to develop aural and technical facility lay a foundation for continued development and freer, more expressive performance, and eases the transition into advanced repertoire while avoiding burnout, frustration, and tension.

Sheryl Iott is an active teacher, adjudicator, and performer. She is on the faculty of Interlochen Arts Camp, and affiliated with the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto as an examiner and online course facilitator. Her most recent publication is Thinking and Playing Music: Intentional Strategies for Practice and Performance, published by Rowman and Littlefield.

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The Presentation entitled, Passion for Collaboration provides pedagogical guidelines for a successful collaborative piano performance through understanding a work’s texture and rhythm, which can help performers maximize personal expressiveness and project the style of the composer.

Dr. Kaju Lee is Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Area Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she oversees the keyboard area and teaches piano, class piano, pedagogy, and collaborative piano. Dr. Lee is also on the piano faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp. She has built a national and international profile on five continents as a solo and collaborative pianist; for more, visit kajuleepiano.com and Instagram@PioneerPiano.

Teachers are used to students asking to learn music from their favorite movies, but more and more students seem interested in music from video games. This presentation introduces practical ideas for discussing video game music which will get students thinking about music theory more creatively. Highlighting unique features of video game music is a natural way to improve student engagement and music theory retention... and the creative thinking keeps things interesting for the teacher, too.

In addition to piano, Andrew Olmstead teaches songwriting and improvisation. His teaching practice focuses on giving students tools for creativity and self-empowerment. Over the last decade, Andrew has taught songwriting in both one-on-one and group classes, including improvisation workshops in collaboration with Seattle arts organization Table & Chairs.

Musicians usually practice their craft in blocks, devoting one segment of practice to a specific piece or skill. In recent years, other types of managing skill development in practice and have developed. The most interesting of these, known as “interleaved practice” is bringing fresh perspective to the science of practice. This session explains the idea of “interleaving,” and explores ways in which this technique may optimize practice and music teaching.

Janet Palmberg serves as Associate Professor of Piano at Indiana State University where she teaches piano, class piano, and piano pedagogy. She has presented sessions for the Music Teachers National Association, the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference, the European Piano Teachers Association, and the International Society of Music Education.

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Music Teachers of Hyde Park Concerto Day, an annual gala marathon, is a rare opportunity for our students to learn how to present repertoire as the composer intended, with the rich sounds of an orchestra supporting the solo line. Spring 2021 MTHP presented a scaled down version of our eighteenth year due to COVID. Presenting specific information including our budget, timeline as well as videos of student performances will help other communities begin their Concerto Day.

Irene Claude teaches flute at her flute studio in Hyde Park as well as at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Saint Xavier University, St. Giles School in Oak Park, and South Suburban College in Holland, Illinois. She plays second flute with the Lake Forest Symphony and is substitute flute/piccolo with other orchestras. Irene performs on the Music Teachers of Hyde Park Artist Recital Series and Saint Xavier

University Faculty Recitals. She is also a Music Together teacher for Marsha’s Music.

Daniel Golden was principal violist of the Lake Forest Symphony and is a member of the Chicago Philharmonic. He performs regularly with the Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, Ars Viva Symphony and numerous other professional ensembles. For 25 years Dan was principal violist of Orchestra London Canada. Dan is on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago, Merit School of Music, and Oakton Community College where he directs the Oakton String Ensemble.

Elaine B. Smith, NCTM, has an independent piano studio in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL. She is an active performer as soloist and chamber musician and adjudicates for contests. She is co-founder of Music Teachers of Hyde Park. Mrs. Smith has been CAMTA president, program, contest, sonata/sonatina, recital, technology chairs, newsletter editor and is presently co-chair of Philippe Gelinas Ticket

Fund. Some of her students have gone on as professional musicians and most continue playing the piano and composing for a lifetime in music.

What if the pain in your shoulders and knees was your body telling you that something needs to change? I proposal that you rethink pain and your bodies relationship with pain. There is certainly a time and place for pills, drugs surgery and third party providers, but perhaps you should take a shot at trying to be your own healer first. This session will show you where to start.

Eric Sutz graduated with a BM from DePaul University in 1980. He has been employed as a musician, accompanist, arranger, conductor and teacher for over forty-three years. From 1981-1993 Eric worked full time as a music director, rehearsal and audition pianist for the Candlelight, Marriott Lincolnshire, Wisdom Bridge, Goodman Theater and Carmel HS

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Our panel presents Keys to Inclusion (KTI), a project that celebrates marginalized composers, empowers piano students of diverse backgrounds, and enriches our repertoire. Our current season studies the works of Black American composers through lectures, masterclasses, recitals, and recordings, fostering community among our five piano studios spanning the country. Join us as we reflect upon KTI’s discoveries in teaching and practice, focusing on repertoire that resonates with contemporary social realities.

Dr. Susan Tang is Associate Professor of piano at Northeastern Illinois University. She is artistic director of the Chicago Chamber Music Festival and also a founding member of Keys to Inclusion. Dr. Brian Hsu is Associate Professor of Piano and Keyboard Department Coordinator at Loyola University New Orleans. He is a founding member of Keys to Inclusion. Dr. Sun Min Kim is Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at Denison University. He is a founding member of Keys to Inclusion. Dr. Daniel Pesca, pianist and composer, has played the

premieres of over one hundred works, many written for him. He is Assistant Professor of Music at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and has previously taught at the University of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, Ithaca College and Syracuse University. Dr. Sonya Schumann is a founding member of Keys to Inclusion. Her publications as an editor, compiler, and producer can be found under Hal Leonard, Schott Music, and Schirmer. She is on faculty at San Diego State University. The Oakton Piano Ensemble, conducted by Glenna Sprague, will present a lecture- recital performing repertoire from the Classical, Ragtime, and Modern periods arranged for four pianos, including Beethoven’s Marcia II, Op.45 and Joplin’s Rag-Time Dance. The program concludes with Robert Vandall’s Oakton Toccata, a composition written for and dedicated to the group. Conference attendees will learn about the advantages and disadvantages regarding the virtual rehearsing and recording process.

Glenna Sprague is Professor and Coordinator of Music at Oakton Community College, where she teaches piano/piano ensemble. She is the founder/conductor of the Oakton Piano Ensemble, which performs nationally and internationally. She has written articles in Keyboard Companion and American Music Teacher, and earned a M.M. in piano performance.

With video games becoming an increasingly popular entertainment medium comes an opportunity to teach a new generation about rhythm, harmony, and form of classical styles through soundtracks. This presentation will go over examples from many of the most popular video games (Super Mario, Minecraft, Wii Sports), including how the music functions both in the game, and through music theory.

Conner Wittman is a composer of various soundtracks (primarily for video games) and concert works. He received his Bachelors of Music in composition from Bradley University in the spring of 2021. He allows his curiosity about nature, science, and people to inspire his compositions.

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Instruments Panel Discussion This year’s panelists comprise voice and instrumental faculty members at various universities for the discussion titled “Collaboration with a pianist”, which will focus on the four panelists’ experiences having worked with a pianist as a non-pianist. The viewpoints and focus regarding the challenges and tips for success in collaborating with pianists shared by non-pianists will surely be an eye opener for all pianists and non-pianists alike!

Pianist Junghwa Lee has performed in 16 countries and has won many competitions. Actively performing in solo recitals, chamber concerts and lecture recitals, she has frequently appeared in concerto performances as a soloist. Her recordings received Gold Medal from Global Music Awards and Gold Star from “Music & Stars Awards”. Lee graduated from Seoul National University (BM; MM) and Eastman School of Music (DMA), and is Associate Professor of Piano at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Flutist Rebecca Johnson is the Assistant Professor of Flute at Eastern Illinois University, and is 2nd flutist of the orchestra Sinfonia da Camera, both positions she has held since 2007. Dr. Johnson enjoys performing and teaching at festivals, universities, and conferences throughout the world. She served the National Flute Association as the Program Chair for its 2019 convention and is the association’s current Vice-President. DMA, University of Illinois. www.rebeccajohnsonflute.com

John Stafford II is Associate Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and Co-Coordinator of the Music Department at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Professor Stafford has received several teaching awards. He holds degrees from Millikin University (music business), Bowling Green State University (composition), and has done

additional doctoral studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (choral conducting). Professor Stafford directs, The Standard, the award-winning contemporary vocal jazz ensemble from Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Violinist Michael Barta studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Hungary. Finalist of the Tchaikovsky International Competition, he serves as Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has performed in 32 countries, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Radio France in Paris, and many others. He recorded on various labels and at the Scottish BBC in Edinburgh, Radio France, Radio Bremen, Sender Freies Berlin, Südwestfunk.

Dr. Jeremy Brunk is Coordinator of Percussion at Millikin University, where he directs Chamber Percussion Ensemble, teaches music theory and applied percussion. He is a member of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and resides in Bloomington

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2022 ISMTA FOUNDATION FELLOW

Cathy Albergo joined FGCU in July 2012 as Director of the Bower School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Visual Art. She was formerly Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois.

Professor Albergo is a curricular specialist in piano pedagogy and group piano teaching and has contributed numerous articles to professional keyboard journals. She is co-author, with Reid Alexander, of the Piano Repertoire Guide published by Stipes Music Publishing Co. and is co-author, with Reid Alexander and Marvin Blickenstaff, of the Celebration Series Perspectives®, Handbook for Teachers published by Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited. In collaboration with J. Mitzi Kolar and Mark Mrozinksi, she co–authored the piano method CelebratePiano!®, published by Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited.

With degrees from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Professor Albergo is a nationally recognized authority on piano instruction and a frequent lecturer, adjudicator and workshop clinician. In addition to her academic positions her leadership contributions include President of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, Regional Chair of the National Association of Schools of Music, Membership Chair of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association and National Certification Chair of the Music Teachers National Association.

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2021 ISMTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR Hannah Voigt, keyboard collaborator, vocal coach, and organist teaches piano in River Forest, Illinois. She holds a B.S. from Crane and an M.M. from Eastman, subsequently serving on the faculties of both schools upon graduation. She also spent a summer in France studying with Nadia Boulanger, and Robert and Jean Casadesus. In Chicago after 1963, Hannah joined the CSO Chorus where she was selected by Margaret Hillis to teach theory to her singers. At piano pedagogy workshops fellow teachers introduced her to Chicago Area Music Teachers Association, its monthly

programs, and its “Syllabus” examinations. She has been a promoter of Syllabus ever since, not only serving for decades as its coordinator for CAMTA but contributing to the replacement of the old “Syllabus” curriculum with the new “Achievement in Music” program. She created many of the harmonizations in the current curriculum. Most of her students are graduates of this AIM program.

2021 ISMTA MEMBERS OF THE YEAR

Chicago Area MTA (CAMTA): Junichi Steven Sato A frequent adjudicator at piano and composition competitions, Junichi Steven Sato (BM, DePaul University; MM, Indiana University) served as Chairman of the Jury for an international competition in Albania, and had chaired ISMTA’s Composition Competition and Chicago Area MTA’s Savler Piano Contest. He is webmaster for CAMTA. Sato teaches at DePaul University and Sato Music Studios (La Grange). His compositions and arrangements

have been performed at Ravinia Festival and on National Public Radio.

North Shore MTA (NSMTA): Eric Sutz has been an active member of the NSMTA since 1978. He has held a number of positions in NSMTA and is currently the president. His book: “How to Play and Teach Popular Music Creatively” was published in 1986 and has had three printings. Eric is a faculty member of the MIC and Stevenson HS. His hobbies include: Martial arts, investing, travel, yoga, fitness training, scuba-diving, history, natural history and reading.

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NCTM West Suburban (WSISMTA) Janna Williamson, NCTM, maintains an independent piano studio in the suburbs of Chicago. A teacher of teachers, Janna works as a Content Creator for Top Music Pro and mentors less experienced piano teachers through her online Teacher Consultation service. She also freelances as a collaborative pianist. Janna holds piano performance degrees from the Chicago College of Performing Arts (Roosevelt University) and Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (both summa cum laude). Janna has been an ISMTA member for 20

years; she has regularly presented programs and held numerous board positions, including directory coordinator and AIM coordinator. For more information, visit jannawilliamson.com.

Gateway Arch East (GAEMTA): Marshall Gurley An active member for 42 years, he served as secretary and his students participated in recitals and A.I.M. exams. He holds music degrees from SIU-Carbondale and SIU-Edwardsville and he taught music for over 20 years in the public school system in the St. Louis area. He has operated an independent music studio in East St. Louis for over 50 years, and also served as a music director for over 60 years at his church. Marshall was a founding member of the East St. Louis-based Westbrook Green Concert Choir, and another highlight in his career

was teaching vocal classes at the famed James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America. When asked what advice he might give to a young music teacher, Marshall said to keep growing and learning and find an organization to belong to such as GAE.

Decatur Area MTA (DAMTA): Samuel Gingher has performed in music festivals in Austria, Switzerland and across the US. Sam has received many performance awards, including First Prize in Brevard Music Festival’s International Solo Piano Competition and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Debut Artist Award. Dr. Gingher has taught at Millikin University since 2014, with previous appointments at UIUC and Bradley. He released Carl Czerny’s piano trios on

Naxos, and another CD of 4-hands music with Pei-I Wang in September, 2021. Dr. Gingher earned his DMA, MM performance and MM piano pedagogy degrees at UIUC. He currently serves as AIM theory coordinator for DAMTA.

Waubonsee Valley MTA (WVMTA): Gwyn Downey, bassoonist and pianist, has been a performer and private music instructor in the Fox Valley area since 1985. She teaches bassoon at Judson University, bassoon and piano at Elgin Community College as well as her home studio in Elgin. She currently plays bassoon with the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, Fox Valley Orchestra, Music Lumina Orchestra and Chicago Folks Operetta. She has also performed for the radio program entitled “Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin” which is a daily classical radio

program broadcasted throughout the United States. She plays piano at her church, accompanies solo instrumentalists and student recitals.

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North Shore MTA (NSMTA): Jennifer Cohen, NCTM, is an active member of NSMTA, having held positions as past president, Sonata-Sonatina Festival chair and is currently the AIM chair, a position held since 2010. Jennifer also serves on the ISMTA Board as Director of Competitions and enjoys mentoring teachers pursuing MTNA Certification. Jennifer has presented at local associations, ISMTA state conference and most notably, at the MTNA national conference in 2018,

“Do the Studio Crawl” with her colleagues Helen Grosshans, Levonne Mrozinski, and Beverly Taylor. The four independent music teachers known as the Studio Crawl have developed a number of programs that have been presented with rave reviews.

Egyptian Chapter MTA (ECMTA): Ken Wollberg Majoring in viola, Ken has studied, performed, and taught violin & viola in six states and Korea. Discovering the “Mother Tongue Approach” in 1970, Ken has become a registered teacher in the American Suzuki Association. Ken & wife Peggy were teachers in Seoul, Korea, 1995-'99 . Returning home in 2000, Ken taught in the Suzuki program at S.I.U. - Carbondale, drove semis 2002-'11, resumed teaching, opened Heart Strings Music Studio and became an active member of the Egyptian Chapter of the ISMTA. Ken will join Marion's new “Court Street Music Conservatory,” which

opens in Fall, 2021.

Salt Creek MTA (SCMTA): Angela Swenson has enjoyed teaching kids at the keyboard for over ten years. She believes kids learn best when they are having fun, and she incorporates duets, games, and group performance into her students’ lessons. She loves introducing young students to the piano and is mother to three small musicians. Angela earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and has served as the treasurer, technology chair, and second vice-president for the Salt Creek MTA Chapter.

Salt Creek MTA (SCMTA): Cassandra Crowell has been playing the piano since 1991. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music emphasis in piano performance. Cassandra was the piano and vocal teacher as well as accompanist for Faith Christian Academy in Geneva from 2009-2015. She currently teaches at First Conservatory of LaGrange. She earned her Master of Music degree in piano performance from Roosevelt University in May 2019. Cassandra is

the current Achievement In Music Chair for the Salt Creek Chapter of ISMTA.

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South Suburban (SSMTA): Marjorie Colvin has been chosen as the SSMTA Member of the Year 2021 because of her vital contribution to maintaining the viability of our small chapter. She secured a new venue for monthly meetings and recitals on short notice, and quickly acquired the knowledge necessary to implement Zoom technology during the pandemic. Marj has served the chapter as President, Vice-President, Secretary, AIM Chair, Historian and Webmaster. Marjorie earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Park University. She currently maintians a

private piano studio and serves as church choir director and pianist. Naperville MTA (NMTA): Yuyin Wang, Chairman of AIM Piano Performance 3-12 and

Repertoire Chair of the Sonata-Sonatina Festival of NMTA, is highly respected as a piano teacher. Her expertise and willingness to devote her time help these two important student-center programs to happen. When facing difficult situations, her training as a music educator propels her to handle her tasks with patience and a focus on making decisions that are best for our students and NMTA. She is instrumental in keeping up the high standards of the ISMTA AIM program when our exams were challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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ISMTA Board of Directors

ISMTA Committee Coordinators

Competition Committee Director Jennifer Cohen Judges Coordinator Brenda Conroy ISMTA South Coordinator Pei-I Wang ISMTA North Coordinator Soo Lee ISMTA Instrument and Voice Competitions

Justin Kothenbeutel

MTNA Junior Competitions Coordinator Hye Jee Jang MTNA Junior Competitions Coordinator Pei-I Wang MTNA Senior Competitions Coordinator Grace Trang MTNA Young Artist Competitions Coordinator

Daniel Baer

MTNA Composition/Composer Commissioning Coordinator

Chris Goldston

Education/AIM Committee Director Nancy Liley Piano Coordinator Debbie Gillette Theory Coordinator Rita Brown Piano Revision Advisor Linda Barker Piano Revision Advisor Marlene Chatain Piano Repertoire Coordinator Stephanie Myers Strings Coordinator Sue Hofmann Slater Strings Revision Advisor Mary Beth Molenaar Voice Coordinator Sonja Mihelcic

President Yeeseon Kwon President-Elect Jeff Kleinsorge Vice President - Conferences Chee Hyeon Choi Vice President - Local Associations Ilia Radoslavov Vice President - Membership Junghwa Lee Secretary - Treasurer Pei-I Wang Competitions Chair Jennifer Cohen Education/AIM Chair Nancy Liley Immediate Past President Christopher Goldston Director at Large Lynette Zelis Corresponding Secretary Kathy Hoster

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Other Committees and Coordinators Certification Gill Cerbin Collegiate Chapters/College Faculty Marcia L. Bosits Foundation Debi Inch Group Piano Kathy Sbarboro Independent Music Teachers LeAnn Halvorson Wellness Dora Diephouse

Local Association Presidents Bloomington Normal MTA Pam Dunlap Champaign-Urbana MTA (CUMTA) Jiafeng Yan Chicago Area MTA (CAMTA) Cynthia Papierniak Fox Hills MTA (FHMTA) Tom Vos Decatur Area MTA (DAMTA) Pei-I Wang Egyptian Chapter MTA (ECMTA) Junghwa Lee Gateway Arch East (GAEMTA) Deborah Meier Greater Rockford MTA (GRMTA) Patricia Jeske Kankakee Valley MTA (KVMTA) Sonya Comer Naperville MTA (NMTA) Sonja Mihelcic North Shore MTA (NSMTA) Eric Sutz Northwest Suburban MTA (NWSMTA) Brenda Buchanan Peoria Area MTA (PAMTA) Justin Kothenbeutel Quincy Conservatory of Music - ISMTA (QCM-ISMTA) Adair Spencer Salt Creek MTA (SCMTA) Patti Nyien South Suburban Music Teachers Association (SSMTA) Dora Diephouse Southwest Area Music Teachers Association (SAMTA) Sarah Maranto Waubonsee Valley MTA (WVMTA) Sharla Fritz West Suburban MTA (WSMTA) Janel Greaves