It doesn’t seem possible that NWSMTA is a couple of months from closing another year. This year started with an in-person party and the fun has not stopped. We brought back the Duet Program, which the students were missing. The celebration will continue with another Festival of Piano for our duet enthusiasts in the fall. AIM has updated the program in several areas. We have entered a new generation to make the testing more friendly for the students and their teachers. NWSMTA has grown in its commitment to support each other and to continue with our passion for passing music on to students more in need of what music offers, than ever. We introduced a brand-new program to help students enjoy performing in a unique way. At the Midwest Keyboard Performance Challenge it was possible to see students jump for joy after they finished their performance. This month Eric Sutz will present a program that will answer questions about how to encourage students to think creatively and grow in their theory background. Then the students will have a chance to perform at an on-stage gig featuring many styles of music; from improv to jazz, to rock, or possibly their own composition or arrangement.

To make this year so successful, we have the committees and their chairs, amazing presenters delivering stellar programs and many, many volunteers to thank. Check out the programs that are still available on our website to see what you missed, or to review again. If you missed entering students in some events, you still have next year. Try out a new activity with a few of your students. Join a committee, so you have an inside track. Talk to the person sitting next to you at our future meetings. And join us for lunch following the meetings.