Most of our DVMTA meetings are about learning and improving the teaching skills of our members. We love getting together at our annual December Brunch to just socialize and chat, and relax before the holidays. This year we met on Friday, December 5th at Wildflower Bread Company in Gilbert for some yummy food and good company. We wish you a happy holiday!

DVMTA members met on Friday, November 21st, at Next Gen Piano Recital Hall. We were honored to have a guest speaker from the ASU School of Music. Hyeongji Choi discussed the topic of teaching technique tips to help piano students develop dexterity, articulation and finger strength at every level. We learned from Ms. Choi's great deal of experience and knowledge, and appreciate her teaching us practical skills to help our students. We love to improve so our students can improve. 

DVMTA held the annual Original Composition Recitals on Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, at Southeast Valley Bible Church in Gilbert. It was so wonderful to see each student's creativity and confidence as they performed their composed pieces. We had beginners as well as early advanced pieces, and everything in between. It was a delight to hear them perform with such joy. What an inspiration! Congratulations to the fifty-nine students and twelve teachers for a job well done!  Many thanks to Toni Tetreau and her committee for this amazing event. 

Wow, the last quarter of the year always seems to fly by! Several of my students have had fun playing spooky Halloween songs in October. They were a little surprised this week when I had a stack of Thanksgiving songs to replace them. As much as I love Christmas music, I want to be sure we give Thanksgiving its due. I love that we have a national holiday devoted to gratitude. Focusing on the many good things in our lives can lead to greater satisfaction, better mental health, and overall happiness. I try to remember that with my students as well. Rather than focusing on the things they didn’t accomplish in their practice during the week, I’ll be grateful that they came and compliment them on the progress they have made.

Because scales and technique are often the things that get “forgotten” or that students “run out of time” for, I’m excited for our November 21 general meeting. Our guest speaker from ASU will be just the shot in the arm I need to find ways to use technique more effectively. Every year technique goals are part of my annual incentive; sad experience has taught me that it must be done year-round, not in a flurry of preparation for Achievement Day. Yet still I find students pass off other areas of our incentive that are “more fun” than working on technique. I am confident that Ms. Choi can provide me with the technique tips I need to help my students.

If you’re like me, the calendar is filling up with musical events as we approach the holidays. I am choosing to view this as a wonderful blessing. Making music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to participate so fully. It just doesn’t seem like Christmas if I don’t have 7,000 songs bouncing around in my head. But as we get busier, I would encourage you to remember the Lokahi balance concept. Take the time to keep body, mind, and spirit healthy and functioning as one. Your self-care may look different from mine, but it’s important that we feel nourished and balanced.

Thank you for being an uplifting presence in my life. So many of you have had a positive impact on my teaching and on me as a person. I hope that you all find the holidays filled with joy, peace, and love.

Lorri McHardy
DVMTA President

​Read the full November 2025 Newsletter