We are a family who loves to ride bicycles, and we’ve done so from the time our children were carrier-size to gooseneck-size to training wheels, and then on their own. I’ll never forget the day my husband had taken the training wheels off our 4-year-old son’s bike and, after keeping him balanced awhile by running alongside him, he let go. When my son realized what happened, he squealed in delight, “Look, Mom! I’m riding my bike and I don’t even know how to!!”

That’s a bit how I’ve felt these last couple of years as President of DVMTA – I’m doing it, and I don’t even know how to!! I can say that there have been SO many members running right alongside me, ready to catch me when I start to wobble, and giving me encouragement along the way. I could not be more grateful for the wonderful teacher friends who have been on this journey with me. It’s been exhilarating, alright! I said yes to the nomination just weeks before COVID lockdown started, and then stepped into a situation I could never have imagined. Who would have known we would be so resilient, would embrace the challenge to continue providing outlets for our students to thrive, and would be a community willing to share ideas and help one another navigate the new territory? I have gained SO MUCH by stepping up and just being willing, having no idea if I even had what it takes. Let me assure you that DVMTA is an organization that allows you to learn, and grow, and try new things, and there are people who have your back around every bend. I want to encourage you to say YES to stepping into a leadership role this next term, because you will be all the better for it, and you’ll realize you can do things you never even knew how to!

Lori Weidemann
DVMTA President 2020-2022

​Read the full April 2022 Newsletter

What a wonderful, busy, exciting time of the year it is! The exhilaration and feelings of accomplishment and success that Cavalcade brought propel us forward. The final weeks of the school year still hold the Awards in Excellence piano competition, April Brunch, Achievement Day, the Awards Plus recognition ceremony, and possibly your own studio recitals. But first --- SPRING BREAK! I know the kids are looking forward to it as much as the teachers!! I hope you will take some time to rest and rejuvenate yourself for the final push of the school year ahead. Don’t forget that what is needed MOST is encouragement to finish strong and not grow weary. I hope you will find a few moments to recognize and congratulate each of your students for their efforts and accomplishments, great or small. I have challenged myself to find new ways to do just that. Going beyond “good job,” you can say:

• “Listen to that! I can tell you put a lot of work into this piece.”
• “You didn’t give up. What made you keep going?”
• “Congratulations! That took a lot of time and effort, and you really improved.”
• “Wow! How did you do that?”
• “Look at that! You spent a lot of time focusing on the trouble spots and your piece really shows it!”
• “You really challenged yourself and your hard work and effort has paid off!“

There is no end to the ways in which we can encourage, motivate and inspire our students, which will rejuvenate them AND you --- and you’ll be glad you did!

Lori Weidemann

​Read the full March 2022 Newsletter

I love teaching! Some days I’m really aware of how much I love teaching and why, but there are some rough days when I wonder, “Why do I do this?” Here’s my list, but it’s certainly not exhaustive. You may want to write down your reasons someday!

I love sharing my passion for music, introducing young minds to new possibilities, beauty, creativity, enjoyment, and a sense of accomplishment. I love learning something new each day, adapting and adjusting to each student, getting to be creative by trying a new teaching technique, or finding a piece I’ve never taught before. I also love instilling discipline of practice, diligence to work at a piece methodically and the perseverance to keep at it until it’s right, and the stretching process that happens when I push my students beyond what they think they are capable of. I love when they experience a huge sense of accomplishment, or develop more self-confidence. It takes effort, lots of it, but I love the challenge to inspire and encourage them, to keep it fun and fresh, and to give them the experiences and tools they will need to be lifelong lovers of music.

An unknown author put it this way, “This is why I teach music… not because I expect you to major in music, not because I expect you to play or sing all your life, not so you can relax, not so you can have fun,… but so you will be human, so you will recognize beauty, so you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world, so you will have something to cling to, so you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good, in short, more life.”

Lori Weidemann
DVMTA President 2020-2022

Read the full February 2022 Newsletter

Why Piano Lessons?
“For the shy child, piano is self-expression.
For the awkward child, it’s coordination.
For the uncertain child, it’s poise and confidence.
For the child who gives up easily, it’s perseverance.
For the inattentive child, it’s concentration.
For the impulsive child, it’s a way to channel their energy into a rewarding accomplishment.
For all children, piano is one of the greatest forms of self-improvement.”

As we embark on 2022, I want to encourage you that there is great purpose in your calling. Music lessons offer many life skills that will help our students become successful in life. I firmly believe that music lessons help children to grow into adults who contribute to society and help our world to be a better place. What a privilege we have as teachers to make a difference in the world!

Lori Weidemann
DVMTA President 2020-2022

Read the full January 2022 Newsletter​