Download - Florida State Music Teachers Association

President’s
Message by Marc J. Hebda
Dear Colleagues:
In this, my last
“President’s
Message,” I would
like to take the
opportunity to publicly thank those that made
serving as President an enjoyable and rewarding
experience. First, I must thank the Executive
Board that completed their duties during this
term with enthusiasm and tireless energy to
conduct the business of the association: they
have my respect and admiration for their
commitment to FSMTA and its membership
through their principles of excellence and
integrity. Second, I would like to thank all of you
who sent me kind words either in an email or by
phone in response to one of my messages. Your
comments about these messages were very
encouraging and, to be honest, surprising proof
that these columns are actually read (at least by a
few of you)! I am grateful for the support and
confidence I enjoyed from the Executive Board
and the membership.
In 2009 when I wrote my first message, I outlined
the great legacy that we have in FSMTA by
speaking briefly about its history and those that
came before us. This legacy has inspired us to
accept the responsibility to advance music in the
state of Florida and to carry out the aims
supporting the larger musical purpose. We are,
indeed, carrying on the work of our remarkable
predecessors.
Part of FSMTA’s developing history and legacy
happens every two years with the installation of a
new Executive Board. At the conference in
Daytona Beach in November, I will have the honor
of “passing the gavel” to a new President and a
new board. Every two years the installation of a
new board provides a renewed sense of
responsibility to FSMTA’s legacy and mission. Any
association that is founded for the purpose of
preserving certain principles, as stated in our
Articles of Incorporation, has a responsibility to
know its own nature and to maintain its integrity
by adhering to the core ideals that it was founded
to preserve. One might question what ideals have
to do with music; but, just as a person’s ideals
influence his music, our ideals are the drive
behind our association as we carry out its
essential functions. This is the reason that we
come together at local and district meetings,
conferences, Executive Board meetings,
competitions and other gatherings – to consider
and aspire to ideals so that they will draw our
thoughts, words and actions higher. This principle
that the advancement of music depends on the
character of the musician is not new. Plato wrote
that “the good man is the only excellent
musician, because he gives forth a perfect
harmony not with a lyre or other instrument but
DATES AND DEADLINES
with the whole of his life.” The message is that
what we do for music depends on who we are as
people and that depends on our ideals. I have
every confidence that our next president and new
Executive Board will carry out the ideals of
FSMTA in our time-honored tradition.
Any real influence that FSMTA will ever have on
music in the state of Florida rests upon our
individual and collective efforts as people,
musicians, teachers and colleagues. Our
continuity and success are rooted in each
generation carefully planning for and leaving
something of lasting value for those yet to come.
We are reminded that everyone associated with
FSMTA has time, talent and commitment they can
contribute to ensure FSMTA’s ongoing legacy of
excellence. It has been my privilege over the past
two years to be an eyewitness to those invaluable
gifts and to collaborate with you in serving
FSMTA.
Thank you -
November 3 . . . . . . .Executive Board Meeting – 1:00-5:00 p.m. – Daytona Beach
November 3 . . . . . . .FSMT Foundation Gala – Daytona Beach *
November 4-6 . . . . .2011 FSMTA Conference – Daytona Beach *
November 6 . . . . . . .Executive Board meeting – 8:15-9:15 a.m. – Daytona Bach
November 4-5 . . . . .Florida MTNA Competitions – Daytona Beach *
January 13-16 . . . . .Southern Division Competitions – Clinton, MS
March 24-28 . . . . . . .2012 MTNA National Conference – New York City *
March 31 . . . . . . . . .Application deadline for FSMTA Competitive Events *
*See article in this issue

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COMPETITION
You are cordially invited to attend the
2011 Florida MTNA Performance Competitions
November 5, 2011
Talented young musicians from the State of Florida will be performing and competing at the state level of
the MTNA National Competitions at Daytona State College in the beautiful Performing Arts Building. This is
an excellent location not far from the FSMTA State Conference hotel, the Hilton Daytona Oceanfront Hotel
and Spa.
Date: November 4-5, 2011
Rehearsals are held the afternoon of November 4.
Competitions take place all day November 5.
Location: Daytona State College, Daytona Beach Campus
1200 W. Int’l. Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Directions: From Interstate 95, head east 3 miles on US 92.
(International Speedway Blvd.). Campus is on the left. A campus
map is at http://www.daytonastate.edu/maps/dbcampusmap.html.
Preliminary Schedule: The three performance venues where the competitions
will take place are:
❖ The Theater Center
❖ Goddard Performance Hall
❖ The Rehearsal Room
The preliminary schedule of performances is as follows:
Theater Center Auditorium – Bldg. 220
~ 8:00-12:00 PM Young Artist Piano
Rehearsal Room – Performing Arts Building
~ 8:00-9:55 AM Senior String
~ 10:45 AM-1:30 PM Young Artist String
~ 2:15-5:15 PM Young Artist Brass
~ 5:15-8:15 PM Young Artist Woodwind
Goddard Performance Hall – Bldg. 230
~ 8:00 AM-12:00 PM Junior Piano
~ 1:00 PM- 4:50 PM Senior Piano
Please plan to attend these competitions and hear our many talented young musicians!
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Please visit the MTNA Foundation display at the State
Conference in Daytona Beach and enter the Drawing. Several
music publishers have donated gift certificates and/or music.
Make a donation to be eligible to win!
Your donations support the many programs of the MTNA
Foundation such as:
■ Teacher Enrichment Grants for continuing education
■ Local Association Grants to help provide programs that
positively affect their members
■ State Association Grants to assist in conference planning
as well as other state efforts
■ MTNA Foundation Fellow Program
The MTNA Foundation Fellow program offers a meaningful
method for honoring deserving individuals while supporting
the efforts of the MTNA Foundation Fund through a donation
of $1000 to the Foundation Fund in an individual’s name.
Florida has honored just three such people since 2000 when
the program was introduced.
FOUNDATION
MTNA Drawing at Conference
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2006 Martha Stubbs
2009 Leonard Mastrogiacomo
2010 Martha Mier
We are very proud to have these fellows! We are hoping that a
new Florida Fellow will be named in the near future.
This honor is open to anyone who has made a substantial
difference in the musical community in the state of Florida.
Your donations to the MTNA fund are welcome and will help
support the Foundation that assists students and teachers who
are members of FSMTA. If you are unable to attend the
conference, you can send your donation to:
Adrienne LeBlanc
1001 Wildwood Dr. • Melbourne, FL 32940
Make checks payable to: MTNA Foundation Fund

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
1:00 - 4:00 pm FSMTA Executive Board Meeting
1:00 - 8:00 pm Conference Registration
4:00 - 5:00 pm FSMTF Executive Board Meeting
6:00 - 9:00 pm Foundation Gala
FSMTA 77th Annual Conference
November 3 - 6, 2011
HOSTED BY DISTRICTS 5 AND 9
HILTON DAYTONA BEACH • OCEANFRONT RESORT
Friday, November 4th, 2011
8:00 am-4:00 pm MTNA Competitions Rehearsals
8:00 am-4:00 pm Conference Registration
9:00 am - noon Certification Exams
8:00 am- 8: 50 am LECTURE
Brian Gatchell, “Innovations in Modern Pianos”
SESSION
Katie Carlisle, “Growing the Seedlings of Improvisation”
Membership Meeting, Chair: Anna Fagan
9:00 am - 9:50 am TEACHING SHOWCASE PRESENTATION
Rebecca Penneys, “Motion and Emotion”
Teaching Senior Piano Repertoire
TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE, part 1
Michelle Sisler, “Are you Smarter than Your Students?”
10:00 am -10:50 am PRESENTATION
Martha Mier, “Treasures for Two”
SESSION
Erin Bennet, “Budding Teachers: Offering Pedagogy in Your Studio”
LECTURE/RECITAL
Omar Surillo, “Technology & Performance in New Music”
11:00 am - 12:30 pm FIRST GENERAL SESSION
Guest Speaker: Alvin Davis, 2012 Florida Department of
Education/Macyʼs Teacher of the Year.
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm LUNCH BREAK
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm DISTRICT AND LOCAL PRESIDENTS LUNCHEON
1:30 - 2:20 pm LECTURE/RECITAL
Ayako Yonetani, “Violin Performance with a Computer Accompaniment”
PRESENTATION
“Tre Corde” Piano Ensemble, “A Collaborative Adventure”
Charlaine Free, Tim Murphy & Victoria Williams
SESSION
Gail Smith, “Teaching Tips on Composing and Improvising”
2:30- 3:20 pm TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE, part 2
Michelle Sisler, “Are you Smarter Than Your Students?” continued
SESSION
Sandra Stewart, “Tips on Teaching Today s Students”
3:30- 4:45 pm TEACHERS RECITAL
Independent & Collegiate Teachers
3:15 pm- 4:15 pm SESSION BREAK- ESPRESSO BAR---- PRE-CONVENE AREA
4;45 pm - 5:45 pm “COUNTERPOINT”
an Independent Music Teachers Forum, with Alvin Davis,
Victoria McArthur, Michael Rickman and Martha Stubbs
DINNER on OWN
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm CONCERTO WINNERS’ CONCERT
Conductor Anthony Hose with the Stetson University Orchestra
10:00 pm PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION
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Saturday November 5, 2011
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Conference Registration
8:00 am - 8:00 pm MTNA COMPETITIONS
7:30 am - 8:30 am. FSMTA NON-COMPETITIVE EVENTS MEETING
8:30 am - 9:00 am FSMTA COMPETITIVE EVENTS
8:00-am - 8:50 am LECTURE
Keith Frazier, Piano technician “Teaching Teachers about Pianos”
SESSION
Jennifer Donalson, “Sight Reading Games”
9:00 am - 10:30 am SECOND GENERAL SESSION
Commissioned Composer, M. Shawn Hundley
10:30 am - 11:30 am COLLABORATIVE SHOWCASE
Rose Grace/ Kristy Born, piano duet and Orchesis Dance Ensemble,
“Satie on Parade”
SESSION
Kevin Orr, “Matters of Rhythm”
11:30 am - 12:45 pm PUBLISHER S SHOWCASE:
Part 1 Frederick Harris Music Co., Forrest Kinney, “Pattern Play”
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm LUNCH & LISTEN “JAZZ CAFÉ”
Wes Hamrick, Jazz Pianist
Bring your own lunch from Doc Bales Grill
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm PUBLISHER S SHOWCASE: Part 2
Forrest Kinney, “Pattern Play” continued
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm LECTURE/RECITAL
Rose Grace, Pianist & Curtis Rayam, Tenor “French Art Song”
2:30 pm - 3:20 pm SESSION
Weekley & Arganbright, Piano Duo “Recent Publications of Piano Duets”
LECTURE/RECITAL
Rose Grace, Pianist & Liana Valente, Soprano
“From Commission to Premiere – Collaborating to Bring New Music to
Life”
3:30 pm- 4:20 pm SESSION
Judith Jain, Pianist/Pedagogue “The Lesson as a Student-Teacher Collaboration”
VOCAL MASTERCLASS
Kimberly Saunders, Soprano
TECHNOLOGY SESSION
Anna Fagan & Priscilla Heffield,
“There s an app for That! Teaching with your iTouch, iPhone & iPad”
4:30 pm - 5:20 pm CERTIFICATION MEETINGS
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm COCKTAILS & HORS D’OEUVRES
6:00 pm- 7:30 pm BANQUET
Guest Speaker, Master of Ceremonies,
Dr. Douglas Peterson, President, Daytona State College
8:00 pm CONFERENCE ARTIST’S RECITAL
Pianist - Howard Shelley and the Central Florida Chamber Players
10:00 pm -ARTIST’S RECEPTION-
Sunday November 6th, 2011
8:15 - 9:15 am EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
9:30 - 11:00 am THIRD GENERAL SESSION
Installation of new Officers
11:00 - 1:00 pm PIANO MASTER CLASS, Howard Shelley
STRING MASTER CLASS, Mati Braun

2011 Florida State Music Teachers
Foundation Gala
Thursday, November 3, 2011, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Daytona Beach Shores Resort, 2637 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores
Donation $50 (include with your Conference registration - deadline Wed, October 26)
Dressy attire - Car pooling from hotel (Valet parking at Resort - no charge)
Host: Paulette Kilts
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Cash bar - Bill France A room
7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Buffet dinner - Bill France A room - may include:
❖ Shores house salad and choice of dressing
❖ Sauteed breast of chicken with sweet corn relish and roasted
red pepper sauce
❖ Sliced loin of pork with ten bean ragout and applewood
infused demi glaze
❖ Herbed medallions of salmon topped with banana and chili
butter
❖ Vegetarian pasta primavera
❖ Rosemary and garlic whipped potatoes - seasonal vegetable
medley
❖ Dessert selection of cakes and pies - Freshly brewed coffee
and iced tea
❖ Drawing and Door prizes
8:15 p.m. ❖ Richard Petty room - piano provided by Atlantic Music Center,
Melbourne, FL
❖ Featured performers for the Gala are Jamila Tekalli, pianist,
and David Hartsman, saxophonist.
The program for the evening may include:
❖ Chopin Nocturnes, C minor, Op. 48, No. 1, and B major, Op.
62, No. 1
❖ Darius Milhaud's Scaramouche for alto saxophone
❖ Selections from Anton Piazzolla”s Histoire du Tango on
soprano saxophone
❖ Debussy's Rapsodie for alto saxophone
❖ Ibert’s Concertino da camera for alto saxophone
Pianist Jamila Tekalli
Pianist Jamila Tekalli has performed in concerts, festivals
and competitions throughout the US, Canada and Ecuador as
a solo pianist and chamber musician notable for her dazzling
technical command and penetrating musical expression. As
a winner of the Indiana University School of Music Concerto
Competition, she performed Liszt’s Totentanz with the
Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Tekalli was
awarded third place and National Finalist in the 1998 MTNA
Baldwin Piano Competition. At age eleven, Ms. Tekalli was a finalist in the Junior
Division of the 1995 Stravinsky Awards International Piano Competition.
Jamila has performed in master classes for such distinguished artists as Julian Martin,
Boris Slutsky, Marc Durand and Andre La Plante. She has participated and performed in
various festivals including the Bowdoin International Festival, Tanglewood Festival,
International Keyboard Institute of Mannes College New School in NYC and the
Keyboard Festival in Banff Centre, Canada. As an avid chamber musician, Jamila
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performed a series of chamber music concerts throughout Ecuador, in the Teatro
Variedade of the Teatro Sucre in Quito, Ecuador, and conducted master classes and
piano workshops in the cities of Cuenca and Loja.
Ms. Tekalli is a Doctoral candidate at the University of Miami where she studies with
Prof. Tian Ying. She currently teaches private lessons and instructs class piano at the
University of Miami as a Graduate Assistant. She has a Masters in Piano Performance
from the University of Central Florida where she studied with Laurent Boukobza. She
received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Indiana University’s
Jacobs School of Music where her primary teachers were Evelyne Brancart and Arnaldo
Cohen. Jamila is passionate as a music educator and has served as piano faculty at
Camp Encore Coda in Sweden, Maine.
Saxophonist David Hartsman
Milwaukee native and versatile saxophonist David
Hartsman has performed in a wide variety of settings,
from beginning his career at age seventeen as a
featured soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra to performing on saxophone and flute for
Robert Klein’s 2010 HBO comedy special. Hartsman has
also enjoyed a rich recording career, recording as a
leader with his own “Dave Hartsman Quartet,”
eponymous release and as a sideman on flute, alto and
soprano saxes with the Fareed Haque Group on their CD
“Flat Planet” from Owl Studios. Hartsman has
performed in Spain, Monaco, France, Italy, Chile,
Canada and the US.
Hartsman’s love of music began at an early age listening to his grandmother play piano.
He began studying the saxophone at age 10. Hartsman gained classical proficiency
quickly and excelled as principle saxophonist in several Milwaukee area youth
orchestras. He pursued his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies at the University of
Northern Illinois, all the while maintaining active classical involvement as principal
saxophonist in the wind ensemble, principal flautist in the wind symphony, leader and
soprano saxophonist in the NIU Saxophone Quartet and lead alto in the University’s
Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Professor Ronald Carter. Following his
undergraduate studies, Hartsman moved to Chicago where he became a prominent
member of the city’s vibrant creative music scene. Hartsman has performed at the
Chicago Symphony Center, Harris Theater in Millennium Park, Park West, The Double
Door, The Green Mill and The Jazz Showcase.
In 2008, Hartsman moved to Miami where he earned his masters degree from the
University of Miami. Hartsman held the lead alto chair in the Downbeat Award-winning
Concert Jazz Band and performed with artists such as Geoffrey Keezer, Dave Koz, Sam
Rivers, John Clayton and Shelly Berg. Hartsman maintains a busy freelance
performance schedule and has served as saxophone instructor at Dillard High School
for the Performing Arts and at New World School of the Arts.

FSMTA
Nominating Committee Report
The following slate of officers will be presented at the First
General Session of the 2011 State Conference on Friday,
November 4. Further nominations may be made from the
floor, providing consent has been obtained from each
additional nominee. Election will take place during the
Second General Session on Saturday, November 5 (with the
exception of the FSMT Foundation Treasurer). The newlyelected
officers will be installed at the Third General
Session on Sunday, November 6, 2011. Outgoing FSMTA
President Marc Hebda will preside at the installation.
President-Elect
Mary Seal - District 7
Vice-President (VP) for Membership
Anna Fagan - District 5
VP for District/Local Associations
Jo Plunkett - District 4
VP for MTNA Competitive Events
Denise Homsley - District 4
VP for FSMTA Competitive Events
Lesia Schulha - District 8
VP for FSMTA Non-Competitive Events
Tanya Brooks - District 2
Recording Secretary
Karen Schaefer - District 3
Corresponding Secretary
Lisa Leonard - District 6
FSMT Association Treasurer
Al Rozier - District 7
FSMT Foundation Treasurer
Sheron White - District 9
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Mary Seal
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Mary Griffin Seal, B.Mus.,M.Mus., was
born in Rockville Centre, New York, where
she received her early piano training in the
studio of Margaret Brindley Dennis. Ms.
Seal majored in music at Hartt College of
Music and Boston University College of
Fine Arts, where she completed her music
degrees and was elected to membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, the
National Music Honor Society. Noted teachers have included Watson
Morrison, Edith Stearns, Anita Gelber, and Robert Steinbauer. Performing
frequently as both piano soloist and accompanist for choirs, singers and
instrumentalists in southwest Florida, including the Edison Chorale, Ms.
Seal has also served as a staff accompanist for the American Institute of
Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. She has performed nationally and
internationally as accompanist for choral festivals and tours, and
premiered new music by contemporary composer Emmanuel Dubois,
including his suite for piano “Fantaisie Francaise”. Ms. Seal lives in Ft.
Myers where she is a member of the music faculty at Edison State
College and Florida Gulf Coast University. Since 1992 she has been an
active member of Southwest Florida MTA and FSMTA, serving both
organizations in many capacities, including local and district president.
❖ ❖ ❖
Anna Fagan
VICE-PRESIDENT
FOR MEMBERSHIP
Anna Fagan was born and raised in
Orlando and moved to the rolling hills of
Clermont about 10 years ago. She received
a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance
from the University of Central Florida,
where she was fortunate to study with a
couple of other great FSMTA Teachers -- Gary Wolf and Marie Hasse.
Anna has been an active member of Central Florida MTA and is currently
serving as the Treasurer for District 5 and for the upcoming FSMTA
Conference -- in addition to being the current VP for Membership for
FSMTA. She has a very busy private teaching studio, where she enjoys
working with students from age 5-95! Also trained as a church organist,
Anna has been on staff at the Presbyterian Church of the Lakes in
Orlando for the past 20 years. She also enjoys accompanying many local
choirs, as well as vocal and instrumental soloists of just about any type. In
her spare time (?) she enjoys reading and spending time with her
husband and two wonderful teenaged children -- Max and Olivia.

Jo Plunkett
VICE-PRESIDENT
FOR DISTRICT/
LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
Jo Plunkett, NCTM, FSCTM, is a
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music
and Florida State Certified Teacher of
Music with 42 years of experience. She
teaches in her home studio. She studied
voice and piano in college and received an Associate of Arts in Music
degree from North Greenville Junior College and a Bachelor of Music
degree from The University of Georgia. She has been a preschool
music teacher for 30 years. Jo is an active member of Jacksonville
MTA, FSMTA and MTNA. She is a Certified Judge for these
Associations and adjudicates frequently in Florida and Georgia. She is
Past President of JMTA, Past Vice-President of Student Activities of
FSMTA, Past Certification Chair of FSMTA, the Co-chair of the FSMTA
State Conferences in 1993, 2003 and 2008, Past President for FSMTA
District 4 and currently the Vice-President of Local and District
Associations for FSMTA and the Certification Commissioner for the
Southern Region of MTNA. She is a music reviewer for the American
Music Teacher magazine.
❖ ❖ ❖
Denise Homsley
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR
MTNA COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Denise Homsley, NCTM, holds a B.A.
in Music from Boise State University and
a Master of Music in Music Education
degree from Boston University. She also
received certification for Level One Orff-
Schulwerk Teacher Training from Boston
University. In addition to maintaining her private studio, Mrs. Homsley
teaches piano at Jacksonville Country Day School. She is the founder
and director of Bravo! Music Camp. She is also an adjudicator,
performer, and presenter throughout the area. Mrs. Homsley has
been active in MTNA affiliates for a number of years and is a
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano. Since moving to
Florida, Mrs. Homsley has held various leadership positions in
Jacksonville MTA, including President. Currently, she is serving as
Recording Secretary of JMTA, as well as Treasurer for the Multi-Piano
Festival. Mrs. Homsley is the District 4 Student Activities Chair. She
has served on the FSMTA Executive Board as Recording Secretary,
Co-Chair of the 2008 FSMTA Conference, and Corresponding
Secretary. She currently holds the office of VP for MTNA Competitive
Events. Mrs. Homsley's biography appears in Marquis Who's Who in
the World, Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women,
and Who's Who in Education.
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Lesia Schulha
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR
FSMTA COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Lesia Schulha grew up in London Canada
where she completed an Associate
Conservatory Diploma in Piano Performance
at 15. She continued to win local and
provincial competitions to support her
studies on various scholarships. After
completing an Honors B. Mus. degree from the University of Western
Ontario where she studied with Fulbright scholar John-Paul Bracey and
Horowitz pupil Ronald Turini, she was invited to study in Paris with Cecile
Ousset, an EMI recording artist, Van Cliburn and Busoni judge. After 2
years of piano study and competition overseas, (and completing a
Ukrainian language degree at INALCO in her spare time), Ms. Schulha
came to the United States to complete a Master’s degree at the Eastman
School of Music. Graduate work in pedagogy followed at FSU after Ms.
Schulha married Pavlo Bobrek, PhD. from Anna Maria Island. Since moving
to Bradenton full time 16 years ago, Ms. Schulha has taught at what is now
State College of Florida, has presented pedagogical programs to local
associations, and maintains a private studio. She has performed in the
Tampa Bay area many times both as soloist and chamber musician. She is
in great demand as a judge for all levels of competitions; she has judged
Student Day from Tampa to Ft. Myers, Chopin competitions, District
Concerto competitions, FSMTA Competitive events from Gainesville to
Fort Myers, and MTNA events at all levels, most recently in St. Petersburg.
Finally, Ms. Schulha has served FSMTA in many capacities from local
recording secretary and President, to District President and Concerto
Chair, to chair of our State Conference last year in Sarasota.
❖ ❖ ❖
Tanya Brooks
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR FSMTA
NON-COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Tanya Rodriguez Brooks began her
teaching career with 25 students at the age
of 14. After receiving her Associates Degree
in Music at age 19, she received teacher
training in Suzuki Piano and Violin at UNO
and University of Louisville. She became
state and nationally certified as a teacher of piano in 2003. In 2008 Tanya
was the recipient of the MTNA and PTG Teacher Scholarship. She used it
to receive training in Recreational Music Making at the national MTNA
convention in Denver, Colorado. Tanya became a member of FSMTA in 1991
and has served in various state and local offices since that time. She
currently serves as president for NFMTA and FSMTA Vice-President for
Non-Competitive Events. Tanya has 35 years of teaching experience,
maintains a private studio of 70 students and also teaches Music
History for the Education Encore program at Gulf Coast State College in
Panama City.

Karen Schaefer
RECORDING SECRETARY
Since moving to Florida in 2008, Karen
Schaefer has established a private piano
studio in Gainesville and become active in
FSMTA. She currently serves as the
District 3 Student Day chair, and in GMTA
she is newsletter editor, certification
chair and a former 2nd Vice-President. In
November 2010 she presented a program
to GMTA on innovative teaching tools she has recently incorporated into
her studio. As a member of Washington State MTA for 22 years, she
served as the District 7 Vice-President as well as president and treasurer
of the Spokane chapter. Karen Schaefer holds the MTNA Permanent
Professional Certificate, a Bachelor of Music in music education from
Southwestern University (TX) and a Master of Music degree in piano
pedagogy from Southern Methodist University (TX). She and her husband
have two grown daughters.
❖ ❖ ❖
Lisa Leonard
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Hailed as a pianist who “communicates
deep artistic understanding through a
powerful and virtuosic technique”, Lisa
Leonard enjoys a diverse career as
soloist, chamber musician and educator. In
1990 at the age of 17, Ms. Leonard made
her debut with the National Symphony
Orchestra in six concerts at the Kennedy
Center. She has appeared throughout Europe, Japan, Russia and North
America with many orchestras including recent performances with the
Redlands Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Mozart Players, and the
Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela under the baton of Gustavo
Dudamel. An active chamber musician, she has performed with
members of the Berlin, Vienna, New York, Cleveland and Cincinnati
Symphonies in addition to members of the American and Mendelssohn
String Quartets and the Empire Brass Quintet in performances featured
on National Public Radios’ “Performance Today” and “Command
Performance” programs. Her love of new music has resulted in several
premieres of both solo and chamber music including James
Stephenson’s Concerto for Trumpet and Piano which was written for her
and her husband, Marc Reese, which they premiered with the Lynn
University Philharmonia. The performance was noted as one of South
Florida’s Top 10 performances of 2007 which also included her
performance of the Brahms F minor Piano Quintet at the Palm Beach
Chamber Music Festival. Ms. Leonard has served on the faculties of the
North Carolina School of the Arts, the Meadowmount School of Music
and the Las Vegas Music Festival. She has performed at the Pacific Music
Festival, Gilmore International, Caramoor, the East/West International
Festival and is currently the head of the Graduate Instrumental
Collaborative Piano Program at Lynn University. She can be heard on the
Klavier, Centaur and Summit labels and has been featured on Japan’s
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NHK television network. A native of Washington D.C., Ms. Leonard received
her M.M. and B.M. from the Manhattan School of Music where she was the
premiere recipient of both the Rubinstein and Balsam awards, two of the
highest awards given. Her former teachers include Marc Silverman, Suzanne
W. Guy, Eric Larsen, Isidore Cohen, Thomas Schumacher, Cynthia Phelps,
David Geber and the Meadowmount Trio.
❖ ❖ ❖
Al Rozier
FSMTA TREASURER
Al Rozier received his Bachelor of Music
degree from Georgia State University with a
major in piano performance and minors in
harpsichord and math. He received his
Masters of Music Education and Education
Administration from Florida State
University. Al taught music at the Florida
School for Boys in Okeechobee, Caloosa
Middle School (Lee County) and Edison
Community College. He has had a private studio for many years and has
served as organist and/or choir director at various churches throughout
Florida and Georgia. He recently retired as a systems analyst for the Lee
County School Board and resides in Port Charlotte. He is an active
performer throughout the area and serves as President of the Charlotte
County Two Piano Group. He accompanies students for auditions and the
FBS Solo/Ensemble Adjudications. He received the Charlotte County
“Charlie” award for “lifetime contribution to the arts”. Past services to
FSMTA are: President of District 10 (now 7), Treasurer of Peace River
MTA, Treasurer for District 7 and 2005 State Conference Treasurer. He
currently holds the office of FSMTA Treasurer.
❖ ❖ ❖
Sheron White
FSMTF TREASURER
A former private school music teacher of 12
years, Sheron White recently opened her
own Independent Piano and Voice Studio in
Lakeland. She has been affiliated with MTNA
for the past 10 years and served in various
state, district and local executive and chair
offices. Currently, she is the Treasurer for
Ridge MTA and Registrar for the FSMTA 2011
Conference, where her major responsibility is to handle the registration
and payment process for conference attendees, vendors and exhibitors.
She is a member of NATS, FMEA and RSCM, and has performed with the
Lakeland Opera Company, Lakeland Choral Society, the Orlando Mad Cow
Theatre and other local venues. Sheron and her husband, Archie, serve as
lay leaders in ministry at Christian and Missionary Alliance at the local and
district levels. They have 3 children: Archie Jr. (Des Moines, IA); Dr.
Miriam White, OTCD (Los Angeles, CA); and Jessica White (Senior, Baptist
Bible Sem., Clarks Summit, PA).

FSMTA President
Marc Hebda
Nominated for
MTNA Southern Division
Director-Elect
Our own president, Marc Hebda, has been invited
by MTNA to run for the post of Southern Division
Director-Elect. The August/September 2011 issue of
the American Music Teacher includes his picture
and brief biography, along with all other nominees. If you would like to
have Marc, a member of FSMTA, representing us as Southern Division
Director-Elect, please watch for voting instructions in a subsequent
edition of the AMT and cast your vote for Marc. If elected, Marc will serve
for 2 years as Division Director-Elect, followed by two years as a member
of the MTNA Board of Directors as the Southern Division Director.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
by Anna Fagan,
Vice-President for Membership
Since the previous newsletter, FSMTA is very pleased to welcome the
following new members:
John E. Hernandez (MSMTA) Megan Lombardo (GVMTA)
Judith Jain (MSMTA) Heather Schaeffer (JMTA)
Suzanne Covert (JMTA) Christine D. Banaghan (TALLMTA)
Lorraine M. Caposole (NWFMTA) Shirley Close (TALLMTA)
Jamila Tekalli (UMMTA) Heledys Bory (MIMTA)
The following people were previously members of FSMTA, and have
reinstated their membership:
Patricia L. Baker (TALLMTA) Tommie L. McNair (GVMTA)
Reiko Niiya (SWFMTA) Angela R. Glover (NWFMTA)
Pedro Hernandez (PBCMTA) Nancy Jontz (CFMTA)
Ledean Williams (CFMTA)
New and renewing members will receive an e-mail from MTNA which
contains their MTNA membership ID number. Please save this e-mail, as
you will need that ID number to access secure sections on the websites as
well as for competition entries. You are most welcome to contact me at the
e-mail address below if you have lost your ID number.
Remember that the FSMTA website is updated monthly, so the most
accurate member information is always available online at www.fmta.org.
Please send any address or contact information changes to:
Anna Fagan
2806 Imperial Point Terrace
Clermont, FL 34711
anna_fagan@hotmail.com
Page 11
FSMTA
Competitive Events
2012
by Mary Griffin Seal,
FSMTA VP of Competitive Events
The 2012 FSMTA Competitive
events will be held in District 9 in
May. Please watch your email and
the FSMTA website for news
announcing the precise competition
date and place. FSMTA’s annual
Competitive Events are held
annually in May and these events
include the State Concerto
Competition, the Byrd Piano
Ensemble Competition, the Gray
Perry Young Collegiate Piano
Competition, the Pre-college
Chamber Music Competition and
the FSMTA Guitar Competition. The
application deadline (strictly
followed) for all competitions is
March 31st, 2012. I encourage each
teacher to think about entering
students now, so that we will
hopefully have a great participation
in May.
Updated instructions and entry
forms will be posted in November;
directions to the location, schedule
of events, and other pertinent
information will be posted during
the month of April, as it becomes
available.

A N N O U N C E M E N T
USF-NSC
PIANO STUDY
■ What: A study on pianists’ hand biomechanics is being
conducted at the Robotics Engineering Lab at the
University of South Florida.
■ Who: We are looking for volunteer pianists and piano
teachers of any level who may experience playing-related
pain or injury of the hand and/or arm.
■ Where and Procedure: The volunteer will come to
USF Tampa campus to have a brief interview and hand
measurement and play a set of technical prototypes on a
new Yamaha AvantGrand piano to measure playing and
hand motion.
■ No Risk involved: There is NO risk or damage
involved in this experiment.
■ Time: The total time at the lab will take about an hour.
In addition, an interview may take up to 30 minutes.
■ Benefits: Injured pianists will receive expert review of
their hand biomechanics. The injured pianists may be
given an opportunity to participate in a rehabilitation
program.
■ When: Contact immediately to schedule a Session
during fall semester, 2011.
■ Contact Information: Jeff Chodil
jchodil@mail.usf.edu or Dr. Sang-Hie Lee Email:
slee@usf.edu
This study is funded by Neuroscience Collaborative Grant and
approved by IRB (Institutional Research Board).
FSMTA Certification
Announcement
Anyone interested in taking the FSMTA Certification
Examinations should contact Helen Dingus, FSMTA
Certification Chair, at 850-862-2731 or ddingus@cox.net
right away. MTNA examinations may be scheduled during
the state conference, but this scheduling must be done
through MTNA and Ms. Dingus must also be notified.
Page 12
District Student
Day Update
by Tanya Brooks, NCTM FSCTM
VP for FSMTA Non-Competitive Events
I am pleased to announce the 2011-2012 Written and Aural
Theory tests are now posted online. There are four sets of tests,
and they are rotated each year. We are currently on set two of the four.
Last year was the first year they were posted. These have been archived
by our webmaster, Amy Turon, so that we can use them again when
their rotation comes up.
I am also pleased to announce that we now have a Checklist for
Student Day Chairmen as well as detailed instruction sheets on how
to fill out the Interactive Student Day Tally Sheet and the Interactive
Student Day Leftover Items Tally Sheet. These are the only two sheets that
must be sent to me, plus one check (made out to FSMTA and sent to the
state treasurer) for the certificates you used at $1 each. (You do not
send money for the medals as these are paid for by the state and not
the local associations.) PLEASE DO NOT POSTAL MAIL THESE TALLY
SHEETS! THEY MUST BE EMAILED TO ME ONLY!!!!!!
AND - Amy has posted a picture of a properly prepared Student Day
Certificate. In working with chairmen last year, I realized that there are
many different ideas about how Student Day is actually done. I tried to
be very specific on the detailed instruction sheets and the certificate so
hopefully you will understand exactly who qualifies for the State Medal,
how to fill out the sheets, etc.
Chairmen, please take a look at these updates by clicking here:
Student Day Chairmen only: Adjudication forms and tests
It is imperative that you try to get these tally sheets to me (Tanya Brooks)
within a week after your event. The longer you wait, the harder it is to
obtain accurate information.
Here are the positions for FSMTA Non-Competitive Events:
◆ Vice-President
◆ Certificate Chairman
◆ State Medals Chairman
◆ Theory Chairman
◆ Apprentice Judging Chair
There has been some discussion the past two years about
revising or updating the Student Day Handbook. Now that we
have everything online, we will begin this possible project. Be
looking in your email inbox for a survey concerning Student
Day Activities after the fall conference in November.
*A note from Webmaster, Amy Turon-
“The way the submission process will work now is that the interactive
PDF file will need to be saved to the user’s computer hard drive, and
then sent to Tanya as an email attachment. I know that some members
may have difficulty with this process, so she may have to help walk you
through it. Also, I posted that if anyone is using Google Docs for
viewing internet files, they will first have to download the original
document (PDF file) in order to access the interactive function of the
PDF. I realize that this is all new, and people get frustrated until they
figure out how to do it, but Tanya will be glad to talk with you by
phone if you have a problem. Please call her at 850-769-5612.
She is on CST.”

District 9
Conference
to feature
Helen
Marlais
Acclaimed pianist and pedagogue, Helen
Marlais, will take the spotlight at the
District 9 conference on Saturday, January
21, 2012, at Florida College in Temple
Terrace. After the business meeting from
9:15-10:15 am, Helen will present a
workshop, Essentials for Success: When
Students Practice and Are Motivated, at
10:30. At 12:45, she will present an
Intermediate Master Class featuring
piano students from the five local
associations in the district. This will be
followed by a showcase highlighting
Helen’s new piano method, Succeeding at
the Piano. Participants who pre-register by
January 6 will receive complimentary
packets of music for the workshop and the
showcase, provided by FJH Music
Company and Head’s House of Music. The
cost for this conference is $10 for FSMTA
members and $15 for non-members.
Students may attend for $5, and parents
accompanying these students will be free.
Members from other districts are welcome
to attend. For further information,
contact District 9 President, Becky Barlar,
at barlarb@floridacollege.edu or
813-988-5891.
MTNA National Conference
MTNA heads back to New York City for the first time since 1987 and expects more than
2,000 music teachers from across the country to converge on the city for this annual five-day
event. Menahem Pressler, one of the world’s most distinguished and honored musicians,
will present a piano master class. Internationally-acclaimed piano duo Melvin Stecher and
Norman Horowitz will present the Opening Session. Benjamin Zander, conductor of the
Boston Philharmonic Orchestra since 1979, will act as the conference’s keynote speaker.
Numerous professional workshops, teaching tracks, sessions, industry showcases and master
classes will also take place, as well as the finals of MTNA’s national student competitions.
MTNA will also allow plenty of free evenings so attendees can explore one of the most exciting
cities in the world. Register by December 1 to receive last year's rate of $295. For more
information and to register, go to https://members.mtna.org/conference2012/index.html.
Page 13
The 2012 Music
Teachers
National Association
National Conference
will take place in
New York, New York,
March 24–28 at the
Hilton New York
located on Avenue
of the Americas.