“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.” – Douglas Wood

The holidays are just around the corner, and with them comes the excitement and anticipation of delicious feasts, gathering with family and friends, favorite traditions, holiday music, concerts, and giving thoughtful gifts. Our hearts are full of more gratitude, cheer, and kindness. Musicians are especially busy this time of year spreading peace and joy through the power of music. My students love holiday music, and it’s been a fun and busy couple of weeks helping them choose the perfect piece to learn and share with family and friends. It’s important that our students understand the impact they can have on others through their music.

May we enter this busy holiday season with an attitude of gratitude. We have much to be grateful for as members of DVMTA. I’m especially grateful to associate with each of you, and for the friendships I’ve made. I’m grateful for our Board who work diligently to ensure our events are successful and run smoothly. I’m grateful for the opportunities DVMTA gives me and my students to learn and to grow.

I wish you and your families a very happy holiday season!

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full November 2022 Newsletter

Happy Fall Y’all!

Our DVMTA events begin this month with Music Marathon on Saturday, October 22. I know my students are diligently practicing their pieces to make sure they shine at the performance. I’m excited that DVMTA students have the opportunity to perform at some great venues and to share their music with members of our community.

Don’t forget to take pictures and email them to Claire Westlake to boost our social media presence. If you post pictures of your studio on Facebook or Instagram, consider adding #dvmta and #rivertonpiano to support our piano supplier. For those students who can’t attend in-person, the virtual option is a great alternative.

Our next General Meeting will be the Cavalcade Music Read Through on Oct. 28th, 9:30 AM at The Music Store in Mesa. Registration for Cavalcade begins that day and goes until Nov. 18th. It’s always fun and helpful to play through the music together. Students just love playing duets, so start thinking about which students to put in Cavalcade.

Hopefully, all of our budding composers are finishing up their original compositions. The registration deadline for The Original Composition Festival is Oct. 28th. They can be turned in early or at the Cavalcade Read Through. These recitals are always so impressive and inspiring.

These events help our students become lifelong musicians. They help teachers to inspire, challenge, and encourage They are only possible because of our talented and hard-working Committee Chairmen and their committees. This is going to be a great year full of great opportunities for students and teachers. See you on Oct. 28th!

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full October 2022 Newsletter

I received a text a week ago that warmed my heart and made me smile. It was from a piano student that recently graduated from high school and just completed his first two weeks of college at ASU. He was coming home for the weekend and asked if I could meet him at the church and teach him how to play the organ. Of course, I emphatically replied, “Yes!” I have been his teacher since he came to me at level two and part of his journey was learning to play hymns.

As we sat on the organ bench together, more as friends now, I was able to hear about his transition to college life. We laughed as he told me that he fit his digital piano in his dorm-room. He was shy and introverted in high-school, and it was so apparent to me in that moment what a blessing music is in his life - it has given him a voice and a passion.

We explored the incredible sounds and capabilities of the organ and how it works. He played hymn after hymn getting used to the different touch, and he commented that he now understood why I told him fingering and legato playing is important to transition to the organ. He was even brave enough to play with the foot pedals. It was rewarding to watch him smile as he enjoyed the sounds he was creating and to realize he will be able to play the piano and organ throughout his life.

Don’t ever forget that what you do as a music teacher is important and really matters in the lives of your students. I heard a quote this week from Wendy Stevens that really touched and inspired me.

“You teach the most beautiful language in the world to the most beautiful of all creations.”

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the August Brunch, and I look forward to our September General Meeting where we will learn from each other how DVMTA events can help us meet our studio goals. Make it a goal to attend so you can learn and grow as a teacher.

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full September 2022 Newsletter

Welcome to a new year of teaching! It’s great to be with my students again and to hear about their first week of school adventures. I’ve been talking with my students about their piano goals and what they hope to accomplish this year. I’ve also been thinking about what I want to accomplish as their teacher and what we want to accomplish as an organization. Creating Lifelong Musicians seems to sum up our goals as teachers and supports our DVMTA mission. We want our students to reach their highest potential as they study with us and gain a love and appreciation for music so they will continue to play, and then share their talent with their future families and communities. We create lifelong musicians as we strive to Inspire, Challenge, and Encourage our students. We as teachers also need to be inspired, challenged, and encouraged. We have an important job that really matters and DVMTA can help us. A presenter at a General Meeting can inspire us with a new idea that helps us become better teachers. We can challenge a student to participate in a new event, which also challenges us to learn new things. We feel encouraged as we network with other teachers - we feel camaraderie and support. So come join us and be part of a great organization that will benefit you and your students. If you haven’t been a member recently, we would love to have you back, and we welcome new members.

We are excited to invite you and anyone else interested in DVMTA to our August Brunch being held on August 19. You will enjoy delicious food, get to know other members, and hear about the year’s events.

Being connected is important. We have so much in common and a lot we can learn from each other.

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

​Ready the full August 2022 Newsletter