What a wonderful time of year! It’s finally cooling down a bit, and we’ve had a chance to rest and recharge during Fall Break (I hope!). Now it’s on to Music Marathon, fall recitals, recording compositions, and all the busy fun.

Many thanks to Carol Lancaster for presenting at our September meeting. One of the things I love most about DVMTA is the wide variety of teachers we have—brand new as well as “seasoned”, technology-lovers as well as those sticking to tried and true, the experimenters and the traditionalists—there are myriad ways to teach, and I find that students need a variety of approaches. I have students aged 7 to 62, at all levels.

When I do my planning for the week, I must consider their individual needs and be prepared to adapt to them. I’m so grateful for my interactions with you over the last 25 years. I’ve learned how to tailor concepts to many levels and many styles of learning.

Thanks also to our Fall event chairmen and committees. I’m looking forward to Music Marathon and seeing the creativity of you teachers. I’m always amazed at our Original Composition recitals. Thanks for making that extra effort we all know is necessary to help students get those pieces written down and recorded. And although Cavalcade is technically a spring event, they’ve been busy getting everything ready for us. I think our read-through on Friday the 25th will be such fun. It takes so many hands to make

DVMTA work, and I’m grateful for each one of you!

Lorri McHardy
DVMTA President

Read the full October 2024 Newsletter

What a pleasure to reconnect with everyone at the August Brunch! The food was delicious and a lot of important information was shared. Thanks to Kelli Riding and all who helped make it a wonderful morning.

As I’ve been thinking about this year’s theme of “Collaborate, Create, Celebrate!”, I’ve become more aware of how those three things apply in my teaching. Of course, my collaboration with DVMTA teachers has been a huge blessing over the years, and I’m able to have my students participate in events like our upcoming Music Marathon. But I’ve also noticed the collaboration that happens between me and my students. We have been choosing our pieces for the fall recitals and Marathon, and I usually play

several pieces and allow them to choose. They still must play two pieces with contrasting styles, but they feel more ownership and (theoretically) will be more willing to practice if they have had a say.

Not too many of my students choose to do the Original Composition festival, but for those who do, I’m always surprised by their creativity. The biggest challenge is often reining them in, not allowing them to go down too many rabbit holes in one piece. But as we analyze form or look at how other composers used motives and sequences or the I, IV, and V chords, students see how they can apply that in their own compositions. Those lightbulb moments are part of the joy of teaching for me.

I was talking with one of my adult students last week, the grandfather of one of my students, trying to get back what he was able to do as an 11-year-old. He sometimes gets frustrated that his hands just won’t do what his brain understands they need to do. He’s a wonderful musician, a singer and brass player, and even though he’s only been taking lessons since June, expects a great deal from himself. We looked back at the pieces we started with in June, and he was able to play through them easily. His

scales are fluid and he feels more confident when his hands have to move around the keyboard. He kind of sat back with a thoughtful, “Hmm, I guess I am getting better.” For me, it was a moment to celebrate, that realization that hard work really does pay off and goals can be reached even if you’re in your 60s!

I encourage each of you to look for those little moments, the times we can collaborate, create, or celebrate with our students. The work we do as teachers is important; we are inspiring another generation to love music as we do. Keep up the great work!

Lorri McHardy
DVMTA President

Read the full September 2024 Newsletter

Hurray for another new year with DVMTA! The theme that came to my mind for this year is:

COLLABORATE, CREATE, AND CELEBRATE!

One of the greatest strengths of DVMTA is that we work together, harnessing our collective efforts to create something bigger and better than any one of us could ever do alone. Each of our events takes many hands, and we unite to serve our students and each other. I love hearing the “shop talk” at our brunches and meetings as friends ask each other how they have handled different challenges that arise in our studios. Every member brings unique strengths and experiences, and we openly share our ideas and help one another to succeed. That spirit of collaboration has blessed my life for over 25 years, making me not only a better teacher, but a better person.

Over the years, I have found that creativity is vital to the human soul. It has been linked to improved physical and mental health, as well as increased happiness and well-being. Creativity allows us to think outside the box, communicate better, and build relationships and connections with others. Whether in business, cooking, parenting or as musicians, creativity is necessary for our success. I love it when students decide a piece needs a final low note or they want to play in a different octave (as long as it’s not for Awards in Excellence!). Helping them discover the beauty of dynamics or the contrast between Romantic and Baroque music is exciting and keeps them engaged. We are constantly creating as we try out new repertoire or come up with new approaches to teach the same old concepts. DVMTA has helped me find ways to be a creative teacher.

And finally, I want us to celebrate together. This year marks our 40th Cavalcade of Rhythm!! Think about how many thousands of students have been able to participate over the years! I’ve spoken with students who graduated long ago, and they remember clearly the fun they had playing in Cavalcade or at the mall for Music Marathon. What we do as teachers is important, and we need to recognize the impact we are having on our students. I salute each DVMTA teacher, whether you have been teaching for 40 years or have just begun. You share something wonderful that will bless their lives for years to come, and that is certainly worth celebrating.

So join me at the August brunch on Friday, August 16 as we “Collaborate, Create, and Celebrate!”

Lorri McHardy
DVMTA President

​Read the full August 2024 Newsletter

The school year is quickly coming to an end, and so is my time as President. I have enjoyed associating with so many wonderful teachers! Thank you for supporting DVMTA by attending General Meetings, registering students for events, volunteering your time, and sharing your knowledge and skills freely with other teachers.

I would like to thank those DVMTA teachers who served in a leadership position for the last two years. It has been an honor and privilege to work side-by-side with the Executive Officers and Board who make this organization function so smoothly. I am amazed and inspired by your hard work, dedication, and creativity.

"The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team." – Phil Jackson

Let’s give a big round of applause and thank you to each of the following teachers for a job well done! Toni Tetreau organized informative General Meetings with great speakers; Lorri McHardy kept thorough minutes for our Board Meetings and General Meetings; Randi Buell efficiently managed our finances; Sara Pratt kept track of our membership; Claire Westlake managed our social media presence; Shannon Payne kept our website and technology up-to-date; Lori Weidemann gave support to the Board as Parliamentarian; Lori Sprague kept us informed with a monthly newsletter; Wendi Heslop and Kelli Riding organized our fun and delicious social brunches with the help of Wendi King and Rochelle Lee; and Karen Garlington chaired Hospitality. Many thanks to Carolyn Rooder, Claire Westlake, Carolyn Eldredge, Jessica Heidt, Hong Zhu, Nancy Chase, Zoe Simmons, Lori Weidemann, Joni Walker, Lori Sprague, and Lori Kaye Faler who shared their ideas and expertise as presenters at General Meetings.

The following teachers organized our six events for the year that provided opportunities for our students to prepare, perform, and grow as musicians. Bravo! Sharon Vance, Nancy Chase and Diana Palmer organized Music Marathon at several great venues; Buffie Meeker, Jessica Heidt, Debbie Engelsman, and Joni Walker helped budding composers flourish at the Original Composition Festival; Carolyn Eldredge, Sara Pratt, Lisa Hunt, Charles Newton and many volunteers brought Cavalcade on Broadway to life; Claire Westlake and Hong Zhu allowed students to compete at the Award in Excellence competition; Carolyn Rooder, Hillary Bitter, and Anna Phelps organized our upcoming Achievement Day; and Jenna Hartley and Jenni Caddy will host the Award Plus recognition night for deserving students.

None of us could do this on our own, but together we can provide so many wonderful opportunities for our students. I wish the incoming Executive Officers and Board members the very best as they lead our organization going forward.

Our next General Meeting will be the August Brunch on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Have a wonderful summer!

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full May 2024 Newsletter