NEPTA News and Events
August 2021
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As we enter the dog days of summer, I want to thank the many NEPTA volunteers working hard behind the scenes, helping to prepare for the upcoming season. Just to mention a few of the projects that we've been working on this summer: Sue Demb and the website committee have been working, along with Roger Weiss and graphic designer Robin Zucker, on some visual enhancements to our website. We hope to launch the improved website within the next month. The new program booklet is in the works, which you will find in your mailbox by the beginning of September. And we have been combing through our historical archives, as we prepare to digitize items of historical interest, some of which will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
But what fun is an organization that is all work and no play? We resumed the tradition of having a summer Presidents’ Brunch, which was a wonderful opportunity to visit - finally - in-person with NEPTA’s remarkable group of Past-Presidents. The Board of Directors and their families met for a picnic, which after more than a year of online Board Meetings, was a much-needed chance to connect in a non-virtual, and non-business, way. Many thanks to Vice President Yun (rhymes with “fun”) Lee for organizing both of these events. And of course, we are looking forward to connecting with members near and far during the remainder of our 2021 Zoom season. See you in September!
With best wishes,
Sivan Etedgee
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Calendar of Events 2021-2022
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We are happy to announce that recital dates, competition dates, and Speaker Series dates are all posted on the NEPTA website! If you click on the "Calendar" Menu, you can view all of our events either as a list or by month. You can also view the Speaker Series programs here.
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Meet Recording Secretary
Eric Bouwman-Wozencraft
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I began piano study at age 8, in the small town of Tehachapi, CA. My first teacher was a wonderful, kind woman, but she did not present student recitals, and I did not practice very well. When she moved away, I started with another teacher who did recitals and the National Guild of Piano Teachers auditions, and my enthusiasm took off. When I was 14, we moved to Oklahoma City, where I studied piano with Helen Ezell. I entered Oklahoma City University as a piano major in 1981, where I studied with Robert Laughlin. I was chosen Outstanding Senior Man of the School of Music, and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance in 1985.
As I was completing my music degree, I was drawn to the possibility of serving as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. I came to the Boston area to study at Boston University’s School of Theology. However, while in seminary I began teaching piano and discovered my true calling, combining a love of music with a fascination with how people learn and grow. I earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1991, and have been teaching piano and serving as a church musician ever since. I travel to my students’ homes for their lessons, except during the pandemic restrictions, when I did them all remotely.
When I began teaching in the Boston area, the chair of the Piano Teachers’ Guild in Boston recommended NEPTA to me. However, I waited until I had one child in high school and the other in college to join, which I did in 2011. I have learned so much from the Speaker Series and the Teachers’ Exchanges over the last decade, and am very grateful. I now serve as Teachers’ Exchange chair and Recording Secretary for NEPTA.
I lived in Medfield for nearly 10 years before moving to Medway in 2002, where I still live with my wife Tanya. Nearly all of my students live in Medfield.
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Teachers' Masterclass - Performers Needed
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On Monday November 21st, the New England Piano Teachers' Association will have the annual Teachers' Masterclass.
We are delighted to have Meng-Chieh Liu as our instructor. He is a wonderful pianist and teacher who studied with Jorge Bolet, Eleanor Sokoloff and Claude Frank at the Curtis Institute. He won the first prize in several international piano competitions. He is an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and is on the piano faculty of the New England Conservatory and the Curtis Institute.
We are looking for three performers who will each play repertoire for about 10-15 minutes and will then receive comments and instruction from Meng-Chieh Liu.
The masterclass will take place on Zoom. The performance fee is $40. If you would like to take part, please contact Robert Finley at rsfinley@charter.net or (508)-393-6740 and provide him with the details of the pieces you would like to play.
With best wishes, Robert Finley
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On Saturday, July 24, several NEPTA Past Presidents joined Sivan Etedgee and Yun Lee for brunch at the Branch Line restaurant in Watertown. Our immediate-Past President, Diana Tetzlaff, was unable to attend, and was greatly missed by all. Pictured with Sivan, from the left, are Janna Breune, Ranko Konishi-Houston, Lydia Reed-Guertin, Shann Wood, and Miriam Gargarian. Not pictured is VP Yun Lee, who was taking the picture. It was wonderful to reconnect in person with NEPTA's inspiring leaders!
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Events
Music Appreciation Lecture
"Baroque Style: Affect, Ornament, Counterpoint and Fugue"
Sivan Etedgee
Thursday, September 23, 12:30 PM
Acton Council on Aging
30 Sudbury Rd, Acton, MA 01720
Acton Council on Aging
Free for Acton Seniors (60+), open to out-of-town seniors for $5
Contact Information:
978-929-6652
It's time to let us know if you have any events in October!
Beginning this month, Member News will once again be included in NEPTA News and Events. The deadline for submission is the 20th of each month for events to be included in the following newsletter. Further information about submitting your news or events can be found at: https://nepta.com/member-news-guidelines/
We look forward to hearing about your events!
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We want to hear from you! If you are interested in writing a blog post for NEPTA's website, please contact Sivan Etedgee at president@nepta.com. Suggestions for content:
- Creative Teaching Ideas
- Technology in the Studio
- Teaching Resources
- Inspiring Stories
- Pedagogy
- Repertoire both familiar and unfamiliar
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You must renew by September 30th in order to enter your students in competitions and recitals. Renew today to take part in all that NEPTA has to offer!
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Exciting Opportunity for NEPTA Members
Susan B. Demb Enrichment Program Grant 2022
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Have you considered attending a National Music Conference or taking an online pedagogy, repertoire, or technology course? Are you a current NEPTA volunteer or have you volunteered in the past? If so, you may qualify for up to $500.00 in grant aid thanks to the creation of the Susan B. Demb Teacher Enrichment Fund.
Established in 2012 honoring retired member Sue Demb for the purpose of fostering teaching excellence, every two years winners are picked by lottery in May at NEPTA’s annual meeting. Past winners have attended MTNA conferences, Royal Conservatory Teacher Training, and Dalcroze eurhythmic classes and have come back energized with fantastic ideas and techniques to use in their studios.
Applications will be accepted until May 1st, 2022. To apply, please contact Lydia Reed-Guertin or click on the button below:
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NEPTA Board of Directors, 2021-22
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Officers
Directors
Bonnie Anderson
Diane Anderson
Anna Avetisyan
Elena Drabkin
Vivian Fang
Vivian Handis
Aleksandra Lvin
Nilly Shilo
Margaret Tuttle
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Board members meeting for a picnic at the Auburndale Cove.
From left: Sasha Lvin, Elena Drabkin, Margaret Tuttle, Vivian Fang, Bonnie Anderson, Eric Bouwman-Wozencraft, Nilly Shilo, Shizue Sano, Yun Lee,
Sivan Etedgee
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