Our first DVMTA general meeting of the new year was a great success. Members and friends met on January 27, 2023 at My First Piano. We were privileged to have Dr. Hannah Creviston be our presenter. Dr. Creviston is a Clinical Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy, Director of the Music Prep Program, and Coordinator of Class Piano at ASU. She instructed us on Teaching Rhythm, not Math: the Use of Music Learning Theory Principles in the Private Studio. Dr. Creviston shared many tools to help students learn rhythm through listening and movement. Members were able to participate in learning how movement allows students to learn principles of rhythm and the demonstrations were a lot of fun. Thank you to Dr. Hannah Creviston for an inspiring meeting. 

DVMTA's annual Composition Festival was held Saturday, Nov. 19th and Sunday, Nov. 20th at Southeast Valley Bible Church. Two recitals were held Saturday, and one recital was held Sunday. Young composers performed the pieces they had previously composed, notated, recorded, and submitted for evaluation. We were amazed at the talent and creativity, and were so pleased with the progress each student made. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their creativity, and to develop music writing skills. Many thanks to the teachers and parents who supported and helped these students, and to Penni Scott for her constructive and encouraging evaluations. Thanks also to the Original Composition Festival committee: Buffie Meeker, Jessica Heidt and Debbie Engelsman. 

DVMTA members met Friday, November 18, 2022 at My First Piano for the November General Meeting. Our guest presenter was Dr. Michael Bryson, Chairman of of the music department at International Baptist College and Seminary in Chandler, AZ. Dr. Bryson was delightful as he shared practical tools on composing music, and teaching composition to our students. Composing and arranging are creative ways to deepen a connection to music, and allow students the opportunity for self-expression. We are very grateful to Dr. Bryson for sharing his wisdom, and for sharing simple techniques to teach and motivate students as they develop their composition skills.