As piano teachers, we have the incredible privilege of guiding our students on their musical journey. We get to witness their growth and progress as they learn to play the piano. One of the most important aspects of our role as teachers is to not only educate our students, but also to encourage and inspire them.

I recently had the opportunity of watching my students perform at our Spring recital. As each student played, I was sure proud of their hard work. I was also honored to play a role in their growth and development. Watching them give their best effort (perfect or not) and seeing their confidence and skill improve was truly rewarding. It reminded me of the profound impact we, as piano teachers, can have on our students’ lives.

Encouragement is a powerful tool that can motivate our students to push past their limits and strive for excellence. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small they may seem. A word of praise or recognition can go a long way in building our students’ confidence and self-esteem.

Kindness is another key element in our interactions with our students. It’s important to be patient, empathetic, and understanding, especially when they face challenges or make mistakes. We should remember that every student is unique, with their own learning pace and style. Being kind and compassionate towards our students fosters a positive relationship and helps them feel safe to take risks and explore their musical abilities.

Beyond teaching technical skills, we have the opportunity to inspire our students by sharing our passion for music. We can expose them to a variety of musical genres, composers, and styles, and encourage them to express their own creativity.

We play a vital role in shaping our students’ musical journey. By providing encouragement and inspiration, we can help them develop a lifelong love for music and achieve their fullest potential.

This is an exciting and busy time as we approach the end of the school year. We are
looking forward to the April Brunch, Achievement Day, and the Awards Plus recognition ceremony. 

I invite you to join us at the April Brunch on Friday, April 28th at 9:30 am. The details are in this newsletter, and on the DVMTA website. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, connect with other teachers, and to celebrate the wonderful year we have had. Also, please feel free to bring items to share at the Give & Take table.

Keep inspiring and empowering your students!

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full April 2023 Newsletter

One of the many benefits of being members of DVMTA is the monthly General Meeting. As we look at ending the 2022-23 DVMTA year our last General Meeting was wonderful. We met on March 31st at My First Piano Recital Hall, and were privileged to hear from one of our own members, Nancy Chase. She was phenomenal as she presented "Setting up Your Studio for Success." She spoke about topics such as teaching philosophies, creating and developing strong studio policies, curriculums, and professional development. As teachers, we must always be willing to learn, grow, or change our methods or policies to reflect our current stage of life. We also took time to honor our friend, Linda Carpenter, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of piano teaching. She has served many years on the DVMTA Board, and has given so much to our organization. She will be missed!

Happy March everyone! Spring is right around the corner, and believe it or not, so is the end of the school year. Our final events for the year include the Awards in Excellence piano competition, the April Brunch, Achievement Day, and the Awards Plus recognition ceremony. Many of you are also preparing for your Spring Recitals. We are entering a busy season for sure.

Now is the perfect time to catch your breath and prepare yourself and your students for these year-end performance opportunities that showcase the progress they have made throughout the year. Let’s finish strong together and remind our students of the importance of practice and dedication in achieving success. It’s important that we our best to ensure that our students feel confident and prepared to perform. Continue to inspire them, challenge them, and encourage them to achieve their very best on their musical journeys.

Congratulations to Linda Carpenter and Debbie Engelsman on their wonderful careers as music teachers as they retire from teaching and begin new adventures in their lives. “Never underestimate the difference you made and the lives you touched.” Thank you for your examples and contributions to our organization.

Happy teaching!

Tammy Shorts
DVMTA President 2022-2024

Read the full March 2023 Newsletter

After months of preparation, the performance day for Cavalcade of Rhythm 2023 arrived. Rehearsals were finished, and 210 performers were ready to put on a great show in the auditorium of Skyline High School in Mesa. Performers were dressed in their best, and the audience was excited to hear all that they had accomplished. The "Pirate Partners" show began with Pirate Bill entertaining everyone, and the audience playing along as he tried to search for his pirate treasure. Duet groups performed their pirate-themed pieces, and they were amazing. They were well-prepared by their teachers and directors, and showed great confidence in their playing. It was a huge success, and at the end, the treasure was discovered, which stated, "Music is a treasure best shared with others." We agree, and we thank the many teachers, students, parents and volunteers who helped make this evening so memorable. A very big thank you is also extended to the Cavalcade committee: Carolyn Eldredge, Sara Pratt, Charles Newton and Lisa Hunt.