Our General Meeting on Friday, February 25th was a treat to attend. Our guest presenter was Natalie Burton, who is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at ASU. Ms. Burton gave an informative presentation on "How our Brains Memorize Music: Learning Strategies to Improve Memory." In it she explained the process of memorizing, focusing on creating strong neural pathways in the brain that can retrieve and recall information. She identified and demonstrated musical techniques and tips that teachers can use to help students develop skills for better memorization to help them free their imaginations as they perform.

After her presentation Natalie took time to give a Master Class. Two DVMTA students performed and received instruction and advice to further their performance progression. We love to have guests work with out students, to help them bring out the best in their pieces and performance. We are thankful to Natalie for taking the time to be with us, and wish her the best in her studies and career. 

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

Our January General Meeting was superb, and was a great way to begin the new year. Members and friends gathered together in person, and some attended virtually, to learn from Autumn Hunt, who is a faculty member at Chandler Gilbert Community College, and a DVMTA member. Autumn shared many of her teaching experiences and philosophies on giving students Roots and Wings to help them continue to learn and fly. She is an amazing teacher and instructor, and provided many teaching tools she uses to meet students on their level, and motivate them to reach higher. We loved hearing from her, and appreciated her inspiring words to help us become well-rounded teachers who produce well-rounded students through understanding that music is for everyone. 

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​