Newsletter
Oct. 2019
In This Issue
President's Greeting
Fall Speaker Series
Halloween Recital
Teachers' Exchange
Teachers' Master Class
Reminders and Deadlines
Board of Directors
Member News
NEPTA Facebook
Facilities Usage and Parking
UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, Oct. 28
9:30AM

Elisabeth Eschwé

"Clara Schumann's Life & Love:  A Scenic Recital on the Occasion of Clara Schumann's Bicentennial"


***

Monday, Nov. 4
9:30AM

Fall Teachers' Exchange

"The National Guild of Piano Teachers' student auditions" 
Eric Bouwman-Wozencraft 
Fan Li 

"Helping today's piano students balance busy and stressful lives"
Dr. Lisa Wong
Leeann Bailey
Donna Gross Javel


***

Monday, Dec. 9
9:30AM

Teachers' Master Class
with
Ian Hobson





PRESIDENT'S GREETING

 
Dear NEPTA Colleagues and Friends,

I hope you are enjoying the fall foliage season.  I love to watch the colors change daily, with hues of gold, red, orange and brown.  I hope we can capture the brilliance of these colors  into  our music.


It  was wonderful to see many teachers and guests at our first September Speaker Series Meeting.  Marvin Blickenstaff gave an inspiring presentation on "Curriculum Innovations for the New Year."  If you would like a copy of the notes from the meeting please click here.  Many thanks to Eric Bouwman-Wozencraft, NEPTA Recording Secretary, for providing Mr. Blickenstaff's handouts and a detailed recap of the presentation.
 
I hope to see many of you this Monday, October 28th for the Speaker Series Presentation by Elisabeth Eschwé as we celebrate Clara Schumann's Bicentennial.  Ms. Eschwé comes to us from Vienna, Austria and will lead us on an intimate journey back in time through stories, music and letters of Clara Schumann's life.

Our upcoming Teachers' Exchange on Monday, November 4th will be highlighting two great topics:  First, the "National Guild of Piano Teachers' student auditions" and second, we will hear a fabulous presentation by a panel of doctors and musicians on the topic "Helping today's piano students balance busy and stressful lives".  This will include stress management strategies, wellness, mindfulness and time management.  Please join us for coffee and refreshments and rekindle friendships with your colleagues at the Exchange.
 
I am pleased to announce that we have made the leap to our newly upgraded website NEPTA.com.  A tremendous thank you to Sue Demb, chair of the website committee alongside members Valerie Ross, Vice President, Lydia Reed-Guertin, Ranko Konishi-Houston, Caroline Ly Germeys and Shizue Sano. The transition was seamless thanks to each of you and to our web designer, Roger Weiss, of Boston Web Company. 
Please take a moment to become familiar with the website as we embark on a new season of online recital and competition registrations, which are now open.
 
I am grateful to work with an amazing group of NEPTA volunteers - each of you making a positive difference in the lives of students, parents and families.  Together, we bring forth love, hope and inspiration through music in our communities.

Thank you and happy fall!
 
Diana Tetzlaff
President
www.NEPTA.info
FALL SPEAKER SERIES
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for our fall Speaker Series event:


"Clara Schumann's Life & Love: A Scenic Recital on the Occasion of Clara Schumann's Bicentennial"  
Elisabeth Eschwé
 
 
Monday, October 28, 2019
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
First Parish of Watertown
35 Church St.
Watertown, MA 02472

Click here for Ms. Eschwé's biography



Please share this flier with your colleagues and students and invite them to join us.  NEPTA members may attend for free and the non-member fee is $20. 
UPCOMING HALLOWEEN PIANO RECITAL - OCT 27

Donna Gross Javel, Past NEPTA President, with student

NEPTA's Halloween Piano Party for grades K-5 will be held on Sunday, October 27th at First Parish Watertown. Please come and join us in supporting our students at this spooktacular event!  Three recitals will be held throughout the day at 2:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Invite your students and friends to listen and join us for the Halloween party after each recital in the Fellowship Hall downstairs. Hope to see you there!


FALL TEACHERS' EXCHANGE

The Teachers' Exchange is an opportunity for members to learn from each other, either through a special topic demonstration, or through question and answer sessions. Come enjoy coffee and refreshments and meet new members!
 
This fall, we will hear a presentation on two topics:  "The National Guild of Piano Teachers' student auditions" led by Eric Bouwman-Wozencraft (Norfolk center Chair) and Fan Li (Newton center Chair). We will also hear from a panel including a pediatrician and arts advocate at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Lisa Wong, as well as music therapist and mindbody/fitness expert Leeann Bailey and  Iyengar Yoga National Yoga Association member and pianist, Donna Gross Javel
on the topic: "Helping today's piano students balance busy and stressful lives." This will include stress management strategies, wellness, mindfulness and time management.
 
Monday, November 4, 2019, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Wellesley Free Library
530 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
(free parking in the garage below the library)
TEACHERS' MASTER CLASS

NEPTA is pleased to present this Master Class with Ian Hobson as a benefit for NEPTA's Susan B. Demb Teacher Enrichment Grants. Donations are welcome! Donate online at www.nepta.com  or make a cash/check donation at the Master Class meeting.  NEPTA members attend for free.  Non-member fee is $20.
 
Monday, December 9, 2019
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
First Parish Watertown, 35 Church St. Watertown, MA 02472
 
Click here for Mr. Hobson's biography
REMINDERS AND DEADLINES

Recitals and Competitions
Are now open and available for online registration on the website www.NEPTA.com
 
 
Grants-in-Aid
Eight awards in the amount of $150 are available to students in need. To apply send a brief note from the teacher stating the family's need and reasons for financial assistance to Carol Chaffee, Scholarship Chair:  carolgaryc@aol.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I am extremely grateful to work with my Vice President, Valerie Ross, and a dynamic and enthusiastic Board of Directors! Pictured below from left to right: Eric Bouwman-Wozencraft, Shizue Sano, Cindy Null, Caroline Ly Germeys, Robin Cho, Tanya Schwartzman, Vivian Handis, Katya Barash. Also on the Board and not pictured:  Diane Anderson, Fan Li, Jia Shi and Nilly Shilo.

MEMBER NEWS SCHEDULE
 
Member news emails will be sent in September, November, January, March, and May. Please submit member news to Ellie Perrone at e.pi@me.com with the subject line NEPTA Member News and follow the member news guidelines on the website www.nepta.info
NEPTA'S FACEBOOK PAGE  
 
Post your news including pictures, videos and recordings.  Members can share and post general information such as concert listings, upcoming competitions, job opportunities, piano sales, and the latest news on our Facebook page.

NEPTA's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/NEPTAPiano/, or go to NETPA's website and follow the Facebook link. 
FIRST PARISH USE AND PARKING REMINDERS
car-sales-lot2.jpg

Most meetings and student recitals are held at First Parish of Watertown. Please help us maintain a good working relationship with the church by observing the following:
  • Double check your belongings before you leave. The church is not responsible for lost items.
  • Please do not contact the church office if you have misplaced any belongings.
  • No food or drink, aside from water, is allowed in the Sanctuary.
Please note that the same rules apply to the student recitals. 

Members can check "Lost and Found" storage bench that is located right by the church office.  The storage bench is on the left when you enter the church entrance. 

Parking Reminders:
Please do not park in The Watertown Savings Bank parking lot or the church parking lot for NEPTA events.

There is a metered parking lot adjacent to the church.  Blue colored meters accept coins up to a maximum of 8 hours.