Greetings to you all!

There is something that is settling about getting back to routines, seeing the Fall (and Christmas) decor up in the stores and knowing that the summer heat is almost over.  I'm excited to see our events come together and I am looking forward to watching our students grow and progress in their study of music this year.  Our organization offers SO much to support us as teachers in our General Meetings.  It also gives students opportunities to publicly perform, compose their own music, try new forms of music, such as Jazz, to participate in ensemble playing, compete for scholarships and push themselves in their overall musicianship, all while having some fun in the process.  I encourage teachers to enter your students in an event that you have never tried before! Talk to other teachers and learn from each other. We have a great community and build lifelong friendships with the common bond of teaching students and loving music.

I also invite you all to spend a fun evening for a great cause at Organ Stop Pizza! This year it occurs on Tuesday, Sept. 22.  Get the information to all of your students and enjoy the pizza and music all while helping DVMTA. We need each one of you and your unique gifts and talents to keep DVMTA vibrant and strong. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to help grow DVMTA and the wonderful art of teaching students.  Invite friends, share what we do and help our organization grow!  

Musically yours,

Diana Palmer
DVMTA President

Read the full DVMTA September 2026 Newsletter

DVMTA held their annual August Brunch on Friday, August 14, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Mesa. We enjoyed the best food and even better company! Our new DVMTA president, Diana Palmer, introduced our theme of growth for the year. Members were invited to grow our knowledge as teachers and musicians; grow and build our DVMTA community; and grow the love for music and its importance in our students' lives.

We were excited to hear about his year's student events, and chairpersons provided the exciting details. We remembered Charles Newton, a longtime DVMTA member and friend, who recently passed. Our new vice-president, Sara Pratt, presented the topics for our upcoming general meetings which provide continuing education for DVMTA members. Many thanks to all who helped with the planning and food, and to all those who will be serving to make this year memorable. We look forward to all the growth!

Greetings!  

After what seems like just a few weeks, we are back from vacations and are getting started with our students as they settle in for a new school year and a new piano year.  As a child I recall how excited I was with a new lunchbox in hand, new teacher, new classroom and a few new clothes, to start a fresh new year at school.  I also was excited to start with piano lessons again, after the summer break, with new pieces, new goals and a determination to do my best.  

With that same kind of excitement and enthusiasm, we are looking forward to this new DVMTA year!  Our organization offers every teacher and every student the opportunity to grow and bloom, reach and stretch for musical knowledge and skills and feel the joy of musical accomplishments.  For students, the various DVMTA events, performance and scholarship opportunities help students to BLOOM and GROW!  As teachers, the monthly meetings offer us many opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with one another.  I know that so many of the teaching skills I use in my studio I learned at a DVMTA meeting!

I grew up with my mother teaching piano lessons, and I took piano lessons through elementary school, high school and college. When I married and started raising my children I built my piano studio as a way to be home with my children and earn a little money to help our family budget.  I was invited to join a group of music teachers with my mom  and we attended some of the very first meetings of the Tempe Music Teachers Association, which eventually grew to become Desert Valley Music Teachers Association.  It has been wonderful associating with other piano teachers through the years and learning SO much about the many facets of teaching students and running a successful piano studio. The education I receive from DVMTA has been a true blessing in my life.

One way to help us grow as an organization is to always look for opportunities to invite new members to come and be a part of DVMTA .  Talk to friends, share on social media, and let others know what we offer.  Every member has something to offer and new members bring new ideas to keep our organization fresh and dynamic.    

Spread the word and invite friends to join us at our first General meeting, the annual AUGUST BRUNCH, Friday, August 14, 9:30 -11:00am, at the LDS church, 1315 S 24th St, Mesa 85204.

Come get a preview for the year ahead, meet the committee members and enjoy a delicious brunch! Come GROW, REACH and LEARN with DVMTA!

Diana Palmer
DVMTA President

Read the full DVMTA August 2026 Newsletter

Warmest greetings to you all as we move into the summer months.  Some teachers take a break, some continue teaching, but the business of DVMTA carries on through the summer to prepare for an exciting piano year ahead!  Cavalcade music is selected, calendar dates are firming up and each event chairperson is fine tuning and preparing for their upcoming event.  

A HUGE thank you to Lorri McHardy, Wendi Heslop and Carolyn Rooder as the outgoing officers.  We look forward to getting acquainted new officers Sara Pratt Vice President, Jenna Hartley Secretary and as Tammy Shorts as Treasurer.  The rest of the board positions are nearly filled and we move forward with the exciting task of helping our students learn and grow in their pursuit of piano skills and the blessing of music in their lives.

I appreciate the patience of our DVMTA members as I learn new skills and do what I can to fill the shoes of the amazing Presidents who have preceded me. Piano lessons and teaching has always been an important part of my life and I’m grateful for the many ways this has blessed my life.  I have met so many friends, taught incredible students, and expanded my knowledge of music and culture through learning beautiful, inspiring piano pieces.  

Here’s to a great summer!  Rest, relax and rejuvenate and prepare for a great year ahead!

Diana Palmer
DVMTA President

Read the full June 2026 DVMTA Newsletter