June 2012 - Florida State Music Teachers Association

I had the
privilege of attending
the FSMTA
Competitions in
Tampa at the
Hillsborough Community College Ybor City campus
in May. It certainly was an exhilarating day! The
talent of the students and teachers in Florida is
remarkable. We want to congratulate all of the
winners and their teachers. Read the following
competitions articles to learn the results of these
prestigious competitions.
The judges had a challenging task in choosing
the winners of each level. Many thanks are due to
Lesia Schulha and her coordinators, Elizabeth
Kiebler, Norma Mastrogiacomo and Anne McLean.
Not to be forgotten, we also need to thank Kenneth
Hanks of HCC who was the extremely helpful site
coordinator. Without his assistance and knowledge
of the school, the day would have been much more
stressful. To stage these competitions is definitely
a collaborative effort, and these generous
volunteers spent many hours working together to
produce a day of true harmony. They are to be
congratulated for the great success of the day,
expressed not only by the students themselves, but
also by the parents, teachers and the judges.
Those among us who were fortunate enough
to travel to the Big Apple in March were treated to
an outstanding conference in a fantastic city. The
presenters and workshops were all very
informative; there were so many subjects to
instruct, inspire and entertain that it was difficult to
decide where to go. We were told that 435 people
submitted applications to be presenters, and they
had to limit it to 30, so you can see that they were
really the cream of the crop.
It was exciting to be a Floridian there, as many
non-Floridians were greeting us with
congratulations and comments about what a great
state we have. We all know that, but Florida was
outstanding this last year. We should all be very
proud of our state.
President’s
Message by Adrienne LeBlanc
At the business meeting of MTNA, we were
awarded the State Affiliate of the Year Award and
presented a plaque which will join the one we
received in 2006. Those plaques will be displayed at
our state conference this fall for all of you to see.
There were several of us there to receive the
plaque and hear the comments on how the decision
was made. Among other things, our website was
mentioned as being outstanding. Our thanks go to
Amy Turon, our talented and very hard-working
webmaster. She has done a beautiful job in setting
up a web page that is not only good-looking but also
extremely functional. If you take a few minutes and
visit some of the other states websites, you will
appreciate her even more as you see how all of her
time and efforts have paid off. Also mentioned was
our newsletter. Although it is online now, it
continues to be an excellent example of what a
newsletter should be. Thanks go to Becky Barlar for
putting this together for us. Another thing that
affected our being chosen State Affiliate of the Year
was the donation given to the Alabama Tornado
Relief fund. Many other states also contributed, but
our generous contribution to that effort was
certainly noticed. They also mentioned the amount
DATES AND DEADLINES
of awards we give to our students through our
Foundation. In addition, Florida stood out by having
an orchestra at our state conference to play with
our FSMTA State competition winners. We can
certainly be proud of our state, but most of all, we
need to remember that this all happens because of
the hard work of so many of our members who
generously donate their time. Thank you!
We are honored to be the home of the new
Southern Division Director-Elect Marc Hebda. So
many people came up to me and told me how happy
they were that Marc was elected. He is very wellknown
throughout the organization, and everyone
seemed to feel like he will keep us in good hands
throughout his term of office. We all congratulate
Marc. I am sure he will do a terrific job. And, I want
to thank you all for your votes!
MTNA Distinguished Composer of 2012,
Florida’s Dr. Shawn Hundley was honored at his own
recital which featured his composition, A New
American Ballad. It was performed by his colleague
at Bethune-Cookman University, Dr Rose Grace. His
composition was chosen from 23 works submitted
by various states. Following the performance, he
continued on page 2
June 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FSMTA Executive Board Meeting – Cabot Lodge, Gainesville
June 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline for state conference clinicians’ and
presenters’ applications*
July 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Next Newsletter Deadline
July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline for applications – FSMTA Excellence in Teaching Award*
July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline for applications – Local Association of the Year Award*
September 12 – 3 pm . . . Deadline for applications – MTNA Competitive Events*
October 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline for submitting 2013 Commissioned Composer nominees
November 1-4 . . . . . . . . . FSMTA State Conference, Deerfield Beach
January 19-21 . . . . . . . . . Southern Division Competitions – University of
North Carolina in Greensboro
March 9-13. . . . . . . . . . . . MTNA National Conference – Anaheim, California
*See article in this issue

President’s
Message continued
had a discussion /question-answer session chaired by the MTNA
Commissioned Composer Program Chair, Ann Rivers Witherspoon.
It was a very exciting time for him and he was a charming and
humble winner!
At the Gala, Florida was very happy to present Sue Colvert as
their 2012 MTNA Foundation Fellow. Her many years of service to
MTNA certainly make her worthy of such a prestigious award.
How fitting that our keynote speaker, Benjamin Zander, the
conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, spoke of avoiding
downward spirals by looking for the possibilities in our lives. One
example he used was when a musician makes a mistake, the
downward spiral is lurking, but we should view the mistake as
‘interesting’, and then consider the possibility of not making the
same mistake again. We are in control of our future, and we can
inspire our students to always seek the highest goals. Every
session I attended seemed to reflect that particular theme – How
can we best inspire ourselves as well as our students? This is a
challenge which we should all take very seriously. Mr. Zander’s
presentation was one of the most outstanding and memorable
experiences of the conference, given to a SRO audience who all
became completely enraptured by his style.
There were usually 3 or 4 sessions at all times to choose
from, all being presented by major composers, performers and
teachers. A master class with Menahem Pressler was so inspiring,
as was the presentation given by duo-pianists Stecher and
Horowitz. It was so hard to decide which to attend, and many
attendees tried to divide the time and go to two at once.
Away from the conference venue, the city and all of its
excitement and culture awaited the conference attendees. There
were so many possibilities of absorbing our culture through the
arts – in Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, art museums, Broadway,
botanical gardens, tours of the Steinway & Sons New York Factory,
the variety was endless. In the evening, MTNA members would
scatter throughout the city to fabulous restaurants and a variety of
events. One of those exciting events was held at Carnegie Hall.
There was a beautiful reception held celebrating the collaboration
of MTNA and the Carnegie Hall Royal Achievement Program. We
were then treated to a taping of NPR’s From the Top with
Christopher O’Riley. The featured students played flute, guitar, and
violin, and there was also a string trio. What a fantastic program! It
was a great sample of looking forward to the possibilities that are
out there for everyone.
Watching the MTNA competitions was also very exciting.
There were so many instruments involved. The winners’ concerts
featuring the MTNA competition winners were all spectacular. Such
talented students! They all received monetary awards, and one
pianist went home with a brand new Steinway piano.
The time went so quickly but the memories will linger for a
long time. If you have never attended a national conference, please
consider going to Anaheim, California, in 2013. The rewards
received when attending a conference easily outweigh the cost and
time spent. When planning your yearly schedule for 2012-13,
include some well-deserved time for yourself at the National
Conference. You will not regret doing so.
MTNA
Commissioned
Composer
of the Year
Shawn Hundley
with Rose Grace
FSMTA members received the State Affiliate of the Year
Award from MTNA Executive Director Gary Ingle
AWARDS DEADLINE
IS APPROACHING
by Michelle Snow, FMSTA Teacher Awards Chair
YOU STILL HAVE TIME! The deadline for FSMTA's
highest awards, the Excellence in Teaching and Local
Association of the Year awards, is July 31, 2012. You have
plenty of time to gather that information about the fine teachers
and members we have in our state. To get started, download
the applications directly from our state website at fmta.org.
Go to ‘Membership’ and select ‘Annual Awards’. You will also
be able to see our most recent winners of both awards – a truly
inspiring and motivating experience. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact Michelle Snow.
Page 2

FOUNDATION NEWS
FLORIDA STATE MUSIC TEACHERS FOUNDATION, INC.
On behalf of FSMTF I would like to express appreciation for
and acknowledgement of the following contributions to the
FSMTF Funds since the last newsletter:
District 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125.00
2011 Conference Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,203.25
Saturday, May 12th, I attended the FSMTA Competitive Events in
Tampa’s Ybor City. After a discussion with FSMTF Interim-
Treasurer, Paulette Kilts, a decision was made to present the
monetary awards to the winners of the FSMTA competitions in
the spring, and those of the Florida-MTNA competitions at the
FSMTA conference at the competitions when winners are
announced. It was a great pleasure to personally present the
competition winners with their checks from the Foundation
and, hopefully, send them home with even bigger smiles on
their faces!
Although we are all sometimes bombarded with requests from
other entities to consider making monetary donations, it is
through the continued generosity of our members that FSMTF
is able to fulfill one of its four stated purposes that is
particularly relevant in having mentioned the above two
competitions: the providing of financial assistance and
scholarships to talented pupils. Members want to hear of the
accomplishments of our students. Such accomplishments
can be found in our newsletters and on our website and
demonstrate that both FSMTA and FSMTF are putting their
Sue Bentley Colvert receiving her Florida Fellow
award from MTNA executive director Gary Ingle.
Looking on is MTNA president Benjamin Caton.
by Marc J. Hebda, FSMTF President
Page 3
missions first in advancing music in the state of Florida by
awarding prize money to our competition winners. Please
remember FSMTF when you are able to contribute. When
making a monetary contribution to the Foundation, please
forward it to my address which is found on the last page of the
newsletter. Please note in the memo line where you would like
your contribution directed. In addition to contributing to the
FSMTF general fund, contributions can be directed to any
specific endowment or competition listed on the FSMTA
website. This list is accessible by clicking ‘FSMT Foundation’ on
the left side of the FSMTA home page and then ‘Awards’ and/or
‘Opportunities for Giving’ on the Foundation page. Having
been given the opportunity to meet and get to know state
Presidents from around the country the past few years, I have
found that FSMTA is unique in that we are one of few state
associations that has its own Foundation. This is yet another
reason to be proud of music in the state of Florida! Thank you
in advance for your consideration.
For those of you who will be attending the 2012 FSMTA
conference in Deerfield Beach, please consider attending the
FSMTF Gala as part of your conference plans. This is an ideal
way to support the Foundation and its purposes and be able to
socialize with friends and colleagues of FSMTA. Details will be
forthcoming on the FSMTA website and in conference
materials.
Thank you -
Sue Bentley Colvert receives
FSMTA 2012 Florida Fellow Award
by Mary Seal, MTNA Foundation Chair
FSMTA Past President Sue Bentley Colvert was awarded special
distinction as the FSMTA 2012 Florida Fellow honoree on Monday, March
26th, in New York. The ceremony was held during the MTNA Foundation Gala
at the 2012 MTNA Conference.
This special honor is bestowed upon outstanding individuals from
across the United States who have made significant contributions to the
music world. It was a proud moment for the Florida contingent to watch as
Sue was welcomed into the ranks of these esteemed musicians, and to
reflect on how much she has contributed to the music students and
teachers in our state, especially through her work for FSMTA.
Congratulations, Sue, on your well-earned achievement.

FSMTA 2012 CONFERENCE
November 1-4, Deerfield Hilton Hotel
Deerfield Beach
CALL FOR CLINICIANS AND WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
WHO WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE 2012 CONFERENCE
Programs for the annual Conferences fall into the following categories:
n PIANO PEDAGOGICAL WORKSHOPS
n INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL PROGRAMS
n HISTORICAL AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
n TECHNOLOGICAL WORKSHOPS
n RECITALS AND LECTURE RECITALS
If you have expertise in any of the general categories above and wish to be considered for the Deerfield Beach Conference,
please send in a summary of your program. If possible, please include audio/visual samples of your program or if you do not
have these, audio or audio/visual samples of other programs you have presented.
In addition to the general categories above, interest has been shown in the presentation of the following specific topics
n PERFECT PITCH
n TEACHING THE HANDICAPPED STUDENT
n DRUMMING AS A TEACHING TOOL IN THE PIANO STUDIO
n A LEGAL PANEL ON COPYRIGHT:
THE DO’S AND DON’T’S AFFECTING MUSICIANS:
n WORLD MUSIC: This year’s Conference theme is
MUSIC UNITES US!. In honoring that theme, we plan a concert of world music. If you play the
didgediroo, the sitar or any of the many indigenous instruments of the world, let us know.
The Conference Program Planning Committee will give careful consideration to your submissions and will respond back to you
by early July. We appreciate your interest in wishing to contribute to the success of this year’s FSMTA Conference. Please send
all materials that can be emailed by June 15 to:
jdjwaxman@comcast.net
or by mail to:
Donald Waxman: Program Planning Committee Chairperson
5667 Wind Drift Lane, Boca Raton, FL 33433
Page 4

FSMTA COMPETITIVE EVENTS
The FSMTA Competitions were held at Hillsborough
Community College Ybor City campus in Tampa on May 12th.
There were 53 participants competing in the following
categories: Piano, Voice and Strings Concerto; Duo Piano
Ensemble College and Pre-College levels; Pre-College
Chamber Music; and Young Artist Piano Collegiate
Competition. Cash awards for first place ranged from $150 to
$600. Winners will also be featured in the FSMTA Newsletter
and online at www.fmta.org , and Senior winners are invited to
perform at the State Conference in Boca Raton in November.
The capable chairs of these competitions were Norma
Mastrogiacomo for Byrd Piano Ensemble and Gray Perry
Young Collegiate Piano, Anne McLean for all Concerto, and Liz
Kiebler for the Chamber Competition. The judges for the Gray
Perry and Byrd Ensemble were Prof. Emeritus Ray Luck, Dr.
Eugene Flemm and Prof. Laurent Boukobza. Judges for String
Concerto were Fred Gratta, Alison Heyd, and Sarah Shellmann,
for Piano Concerto Dr. Kevin Orr, Prof. Emeritus Leonard
Matrogiacomo and Prof. Mary Seal, for Voice Concerto Prof.
by Lesia Schulha-Bobrek, Vice-President for Competitive Events
FSMTA 2012 Concerto Competition Winners
by Anne McLean, Chair
Page 5
Jaworski, Alison Heydt and Brett Karlin. We were fortunate this
year to have present FSMT Foundation President Marc Hebda
to personally hand out winners’ checks during the two Award
Ceremonies.
My sincere thanks goes to Professor Ken Hanks who
procured the HCC facilities for us and answered countless
email questions, and to his unflappable building manager
Keith Arsenault with whom I sat until 9:20 p.m. Friday night
allowing a late additional Concerto rehearsal to go its full
length. Our extra grand piano was from The Music Gallery in
Clearwater. I need to thank FSMTA President Adrienne
LeBlanc and Mid-State MTA President Theo Boylan for their
wonderful work at the Registration Desk. I realize that they
don’t need any additional jobs, but am grateful for their
graciousness to help out at our state event. Also, thanks to
Paulette Kilts for assisting in the Tally room while writing
checks. A final thank you goes to the hardworking Chairs of
the events. I look forward to another successful competition
next year in District 8.
On May 12, 2012, thirty-two talented young musicians assembled at the Performing Arts Building of the Hillsborough
Community College’s Ybor City Campus, Tampa, to compete in the FSMTA Concerto Competitions. This year the students were all
exceptionally well-prepared and the judges were very impressed with the high level of teaching from our FSMTA professionals.
The First Place winners of the Senior Competition Levels, Alice Yu (piano), Charles Glazer (violin), and Parker Trefz (voice)
eagerly anticipate performing their concertos at the 2012 Fall FSMTA Convention at Boca Raton.
u SENIOR PIANO – Alice Yu, District 5, Teacher, Dr. Gary Wolf,
Concerto in e minor, First Movement, by F. Chopin
u INTERMEDIATE PIANO – Christopher Tam, District 4, Teacher, K.
Shahtaktinski, Concerto no. 1 in D Flat Major, by S. Prokoviev
u JUNIOR PIANO – Christine Tao, District 6, Teacher, Mrs. Maria
Gomez, Concerto, K. 413, Third Movement, by W.F.A. Mozart
u SENIOR STRINGS – Charles Édouard Glazer, Violin, District 5,
Teacher, Lev Gurevich, Concerto no.1, First Movement,
by J. Sibelius
The following students won First Place in each of these categories:
u INTERMEDIATE STRINGS – Stephanie van Duijn, violin, District 7,
Teacher, Reiko Niiya, Concerto for Violin, First Movement by E. Lalo
u JUNIOR STRINGS – Daniel Park, violin, District 9, Teacher, Yan Lu,
Concerto for Violin in G major, First Movement, W. A. Mozart
u SENIOR VOICE – Parker Trefz, Bass-Baritone, District 8, Teacher,
Melodie Dickerson, “Vittorio Mio Core” by G. Carissimi, “Bright is
the Ring of Words” by Ralph Vaughn Williams, “Du Bist Wie Eine
Blume” by Robert Schumann

FSMTA 2012 Concerto Competition Winners
Alice Yu ~ SENIOR PIANO CONCERTO WINNER
Alice Yu is a 17-year-old junior at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando with a consistent 4.0 GPA. She started piano lessons at
the age of 4 and a year later, started lessons under the instruction of Dr. Gary Wolf. She has won numerous local and state
music competitions along with receiving straight superiors for the past 12 years at Federation. Alice has also placed 2nd in
state for Senior Concerto and last year was named state winner of Musically Advanced II of FFMC. She has also placed 1st in
the Orlando Music Club Scholarship Audition Competition three times and 2nd place once. This past summer, she was
accepted into Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina in the Advanced Level of Piano Study and studied with Dr. Douglas
Weeks. There, she played in numerous recitals and master classes. Alice also plays in retirement homes through her
participation in the Winter Park Chamber Music Academy.
Christopher Tam ~ INTERMEDIATE PIANO CONCERTO WINNER
Christopher Lawrence Tam, age 15, is a Jacksonville native and a freshman at Episcopal School of Jacksonville. Christopher
began taking piano lessons at the age of 4 and is currently studying with Kamila Shahtakhtinski. At 5 years of age, he started
performing on stage and has participated in many local and state piano events ever since. Some of the awards he has won
include: 1st place in the district (elementary, junior, and intermediate divisions) and state (junior division) FSMTA Piano
Concerto Competitions, 1st at FFMC Musically Advanced Piano Solo and Honorable Mention in the Senior Concerto categories.
In January 2010, Christopher passed the highest level (12) of FSMTA Student Day tests with all Honors in written theory, aural
theory and performance. In the summer of 2010, Christopher participated in the 11th International Russian Music Piano
Competition where Dr. Namik Sultanov, a jury member of the competition, commented, “For his age, he demonstrates
admirable technique and understanding of the repertoire. I was impressed by his confident manner and controlled playing.”
Aside from piano, Christopher is a straight-A student and participates in the school jazz band and basketball team. His hobbies
include chess and computer programming.
Christine Tao ~ JUNIOR PIANO CONCERTO WINNER
Christine Tao is 12 years old and attends the 6th grade at Nova Middle School. She has studied piano with Maria Gomez
for more than 6 years. During this time, she has won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the Pompano Piano Competition. She has
also won 1st place at the FFMC state competition in both solo and duet categories. Also at the state competition, she
earned honorable mention and was nominated for the Irene Muir award for her performance in Junior Concerto. In 2011,
Christine won 3rd place in the BCMTA Intermediate A competition. In 2011 and 2012, Christine won 1st place in the FSMTA
District 6 Concerto competition, Junior Division. Christine has also performed on public radio station WXEL.
Page 6

FSMTA 2012 Concerto Competition Winners
Charles Glazer ~ SENIOR STRINGS CONCERTO WINNER
Charles Edouard Glazer started his piano lessons with his mom at 6 months old and picked up the violin at 3 ½. He started
playing bass at 8, the same year he started playing at the FSYO. He has played at hundreds of concerts at the White House
and elsewhere, is a fixture at All-State and All-County Orchestras and Jazz Ensembles, and also played bass for the Tri-State
Band Festival. He was lead bassist in the 1st Jazz Ensemble at the FSU 2011 Summer Jazz Camp, and went on to be
Concertmaster of FSU’s Orchestra Camp that same year. He is part of the Glazer family vocal group, their jazz quartet and
the Glazer Trio. He has performed for the Orlando Philharmonic sounds of Summer Series and he has won several statewide
competitions on violin.He was the lone bassist in All-County and All-State and the UCF Jazztet All-Star bands this year.
He opened for Wynton Marslais in 2012 when the LCJO was performing in Polk county, and has played with such luminaries
as Larry Coryell, Per Danielsson and Marty Morell, to name a few. He recently performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with
the FSYO orchestra as well as in Amsterdam for members of the Concertgabow Orchestra. He continues his violin studies with Lev Gurevich. He will perform
the piano solo in Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue later in the season with the Boone Wind Symphony, and he played bass last year at Carnegie Hall with the same
group. Charles plans to double major in math and physics this fall at FSU.
Stephanie van Duijn ~ INTERMEDIATE STRINGS CONCERTO WINNER
Stephanie van Duijn, is 13 years old and is in 7th grade at Cypress Lake Middle School Center of the Arts in Ft. Myers. She
has played violin since age 7 and currently studies under Reiko Niiya, Concertmaster of the Southwest Florida Symphony
Orchestra. Since 2009 she has participated in the Philadelphia International Music Festival where she studies under Kimberly
Fisher, Principal Second of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She performed in master classes lead by Ming Gao, Timothy Fain,
Arturo Delmoni, Timothy Schwartz and Mark Kaplan. In January 2012 she was a member of the Florida All- State Orchestra.
She was the concertmaster of the Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta in 2008-2010 and currently is the
Principal Second in their Youth Symphony. At her school, she enjoys playing chamber music and currently is playing in the
string quartet of the Southwest Florida Youth Symphony.
Daniel Park ~ JUNIOR STRINGS CONCERTO WINNER
Daniel Park is a 3rd grade student at Turner Elementary School in Tampa. He started playing violin at age 4 and currently
studies with Mrs. Yan Jiang Lu. Daniel received 2nd place in the FSMTA State Concerto Competition Junior Strings in 2011.
He is a concertmaster for TMYO Philharmonic Orchestra in 2012. Daniel loves playing for Sunrise Quartet. His favorite subject
is math and also enjoys basketball, swimming and riding a bike with friends.
Page 7

FSMTA 2012 Concerto Competition Winners
Parker Trefz ~ SENIOR VOICE CONCERTO WINNER
Parker Trefz is 17 and a senior at Sarasota Military Academy. He is also dual-enrolled at State College of Florida. He has
been studying classical voice for one year and has sung throughout the Sarasota/Bradenton community. Parker has also
been studying piano for 3 years and has been a part of theatrical productions for about 10 years. He was a finalist in
classical voice at the Young Artist Awards in Ft. Myers and won the district level of the Manatee County Music Teachers
Association voice category. Parker plans to continue his music studies at the university level next year.
Byrd and Gray Perry Awards
by Norma Mastrogiacomo, Chair
The spring competitions of the Florida State Music Teachers Association were held at Hillsborough Community College Ybor
City campus in Tampa on May 12th. The Byrd Piano ensemble and the Gray Perry competition were chaired by Norma
Mastrogiacomo. Both were excellent events this year and highlighted an enthusiastic group of fine performers. In addition, there
were two excellent Steinway B grand pianos and a really great venue that was spacious and comfortable.
Byrd Piano Ensemble
The pre-college level had two pairs:
WINNERS: Mia Shoquist and Polina Zhitskay, coached by Oleg Barsov
2ND PLACE: Nancy Yeung and Ruth Huang, coached by Vera Watson
The College level had one pair from Florida State University.
WINNERS: Stephenson and Samuel Crawford, coached by Norma Mastrogiacomo.
The Gray Perry Young Collegiate Competition (solo piano)
had seven performers this year, and all did a fine job. It was especially exciting to hear how the individual performers worked
with the Steinway B grand which was in superb condition.
WINNER: Tim Stephenson, student of Read Gainsford
2ND PLACE: David Andrew Moenning, student of Michael Rickman
HONORABLE MENTION (in alphabetical order):
Jenny Jieun Park, student of Read Gainsford
Heather Smith, student of Joel Hastings
Congratulations to the students and teachers for their first-rate performances and enthusiastic participation. I would also like
to thank Hillsborough Community College for their hospitality. They have been hosts for the FSMTA competitions in the past, and
again they were warm, helpful and very accommodating to our needs. Their facilities are exceptional, the staff is wonderful and
Ybor City is interesting for all. Thank you so much!!
Page 8

Byrd and Gray Perry Award Winners
Mia Shoquist
Polina Zhitskay
BYRD PIANO ENSEMBLE PRE-COLLEGE WINNER
Mia Shoquist is 12 years old and currently in 7th
grade at Trinity Prep School in Winter Park. She has
been taking piano lessons from Ms. Zalina Gurevich
and Professor Oleg Barsov since age 5. Mia has won
numerous awards in piano from the FFMC, the
Orlando Music Club, CFMTA, FSMTA and MTNA. In
December 2011, Mia won second prize at the
International Savshinsky Music Competition in St.
Petersburg, Russia.
A straight-A student, Mia also enjoys reading, math
and singing. Mia is a member of the Orlando Deanery
Girls Choir and she has appeared in Orlando Opera
Company’s production of Puccini’s Turandot under
Maestro Anton Coppola and Mascagni's Cavalleria
Rusticana. She sang with the choir at the White House in December
2011. Mia will be traveling with the choir to sing at St. Paul’s Cathedral in
London in summer 2012.
Samuel Crawford
BYRD PIANO ENSEMBLE COLLEGE WINNER
Samuel Crawford studied piano with Vickie
Stake while working with Vera Watson at
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in
Jacksonville. He has participated annually in
the FFMC state competitions as well as
holding an officer position as their Junior
President. After high school, he decided to
major in music. Samuel attends FSU where he
will be a sophomore in the fall, studying piano
with David Kalhous and participating in small
ensembles. This past semester, he enjoyed working with his partner and
friend, Tim Stephenson, in the duo piano ensemble class with Norma
Mastrogiacomo. He is also looking forward to expanding his studies in
music theory and composition.
Page 9
BYRD PIANO ENSEMBLE PRE-COLLEGE WINNER
Polina Zhitskay is 13 years old. She is in 8th grade
at Rock Lake Middle School in Longwood. Polina
started her piano training at the age of 5 from
Professor Oleg Barsov and Zalina Gurevich. She has
earned multiple awards from state competitions,
national competitions, and scholarship auditions. For
8 years straight, she has gotten all superiors in the
National Federation Junior Festivals.
Polina also is an accomplished ballerina. She started
her ballet training at the age of 3 with the Russian
Ballet of Orlando. She is being trained by Vadim
Fedotov, the Artistic Director and Choreographer, and
Irina Depler, the Artistic Director and Ballet Mistress.
Polina participated in the American Dance
Competition and danced in the company's production of Cinderella and
had solo performances in Nutcracker, Coppelia and Snow White.
Timothy Stephenson
GRAY PERRY YOUNG COLLEGIATE
COMPETITION WINNER AND
BYRD PIANO ENSEMBLE COLLEGE WINNER
Timothy Stephenson was born in Boston,
Massachusetts, in 1993 and started his piano
studies at the age of 5. He has taken private
piano lessons for 13 years and utilizes his
piano talents at church, in school, and as an
occupation. He is interested in many genres
and has participated in competitions for both
classical and jazz piano. In addition, Tim has
studied privately as a French horn player for
8 years and was selected to participate in the
Florida All-State Music Festival in 2009 and
2011. Tim currently attends FSU, studying
with Dr. Read Gainsford and majoring in
piano performance.

THE PRE-COLLEGE CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION
by Liz Kiebler, Chair
The Pre-College Chamber Music Competition had three excellent ensembles competing in this competition on May 12th, 2012. The winning ensemble was
The Douglas Anderson Duo. The performers were Timothy Stephen, cello, who is a student of Alexei Romanenko and Forrest Christoffers, pianist. The duo
performed "Adagio", from the Prokofiev Sleeping Beauty Ballet. The Spirito Duo took second place with Jocelyn Hsu and Carol Du, violin students of Svetlana
Gubnitskaya, performing the Honegger Suite for Two Violins and the Mozart Duet No. 5. Honorable mention went to The DASOTO duo, with Cameron Michael,
piano student of Dr. Sandra Stewart, and Timothy Stephen performing the beautiful “Andante” from Sonata, Op. 19, by Rachmaninoff. We are very proud of
all of these students. The judges had a very difficult time deciding the winner. All three duos were superior in their musicality and instrumental skills.
Timothy Stephen ~ PRE-COLLEGE CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION WINNER
Tim Stephen, 17, a native of Jacksonville, has been surrounded by and loved music his whole life. Tim started playing cello at
the age of 7 under the guidance of his cello teacher, Ethel Johnson, and the encouragement of his loving mother. He soon
became part of the professional music programs in Jacksonville for young musicians. He has served as principal cellist in LaVilla
School of the Arts Middle School, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (where he is a junior), and more notably, the Jacksonville
Symphony Orchestra. Tim has had the opportunity to participate in FMEA’s All-State Orchestras throughout high school. He
was recently selected as a performing finalist in Jacksonville’s Young Arts Competition. He has also attended summer music
institutes such as Brevard and Stringendo. Since 2010, Tim has been studying with principal cellist of the Jacksonville Symphony
Orchestra, Alexei Romanenko. Tim’s chamber groups have been arranged by and coached by the piano and chamber music
teacher at Douglas Anderson, Vera Watson. Tim’s love and passion is to play in a chamber group at a dynamic level with other
capable and passionate players. He plans to attend a college of music or conservatory and major in cello performance. He can
be frequently found surrounded by family, friends and his four dogs or making music with friends, whether it is as a cellist in a
symphony or a banjo player in a folk band.
Forest Christoffers ~ PRE-COLLEGE CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION WINNER
Forrest Christoffers is a senior attending Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville. At age 17 he is an active member
of the Douglas Anderson Piano Department, often participating in the numerous recitals that it sponsors every year both on campus
and around Jacksonville. He is also a member of the DA piano chamber class where he and other students gain a year of experience
in playing chamber music through application in performance while also learning the etiquette and less obvious practices that
make a performance run smoothly. Forrest has played the piano for nearly 5 years, and for 3 of them he has participated in both
the regional and state levels of the FFMC Junior Convention for piano solo and piano concerto. He has also been a regular in the
Beaches Residents Actively Supporting the Symphony (BRASS Ring) regional music competition in Jacksonville Beach, placing 1st
in 2010 and 2nd in 2012. Forrest also has a strong interest in foreign language and foreign affairs. He has studied German and now
he is studying Mandarin Chinese. Forrest hopes to study international affairs throughout his college career so that he can become
a Chinese-English interpreter and translator. He is taking his first step towards this career by attending Florida State University
in the fall as a double major in international affairs and music.
2013 MTNA Conference
Ready for Disneyland? MTNA is headed to Anaheim, California, and the Disneyland Hotel, for the 2013 MTNA National Conference! The Conference will take place March 9–13, and now is
the time you should begin planning to attend!
The MTNA National Conference provides a great opportunity to learn, communicate with your colleagues, sharpen your teaching methods, gather the latest information and revitalize your
career. Attendees have the opportunity to see some of the best pedagogues in the world, the most seasoned performers, the latest teaching products and colleagues from across the country—all
in one of the greatest cities in the world. Professional workshops, sessions, industry showcases, master classes—are all an excellent way to bring in spring and recharge your teaching batteries.
Prepare for the conference now, as you set your schedule for the 2012–2013 teaching year. Determine how many weeks you are going to teach and when. Ensure you have the time off to
go to the conference, and plan your calendar so you start teaching one week earlier or teach one week later. Another way to set the calendar is to go ahead and schedule the dates that you will
be gone and then plan "make-up" lessons. Also, make sure to budget for the conference—registration, travel, meals, hotel and the like.
Make it a group trip! Find out now if others from your local association or state are interested in attending and make plans now to be roommates. Depending on where you live, you might
even consider car-pooling or even renting a small van together and really make it a "group thing"!
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact MTNA national headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or (888) 512-5278. More information about the 2013
MTNA National Conference will be posted on the MTNA website, www.mtna.org, soon.
Page 10

FLORIDA MTNA COMPETITIVE EVENTS
The 2012-2013 Florida MTNA Competitive Events will be held in conjunction with the FSMTA State Conference in November. Please note the
following changes regarding the competitions:
ALL CATEGORIES:
q The deadline is September 12, 2012. The deadline has been changed to 3 p.m. Eastern time on the second Wednesday after Labor Day.
q Current active membership dues for MTNA or a non-member teacher fee must be paid prior to accessing the student competition application. If the
teacher fees are not paid, the student will not be allowed to enter the competitions.
q Certificates will only be given to winners and honorable mention students.
q Southern Division will be January 19-21, 2013, at University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC.
COMPOSITION:
Scores will be uploaded as PDF’s this year, with NO mailing involved at any level. Judges’ comments will be available online.
CHAMBER MUSIC:
TWO CATEGORIES:
String: The majority of instruments are string instruments. (Piano will be considered a string instrument.)
Wind: The majority of instruments are wind instruments.
CHAMBER MUSIC ENTRANT ELIGIBILITY
q The average age of ensemble members must be 18-26 as of January 1, 2013.
q An entrant may enter in more than one ensemble.
q An entrant may enter both the Chamber Music competitions and the solo performance competitions.
CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLE REQUIREMENTS
q The ensemble must consist of at least three (3) performers and may have no more than six (6) performers.
q During the course of a performance, an ensemble may change in size, through the addition or subtraction of personnel.
(For example, a woodwind quintet might add a piano and become a sextet, or a string quartet might be reduced to a string trio.)
q Ensembles may be any combination of the following instruments: Brass (Trumpet, Horn, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba), Piano, String
(Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass), and Woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone). Ensembles with piano only are not permitted.
q No changes in ensemble personnel may be made.
q The performance is without conductor.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
by Anna Fagan, Vice-President for Membership
Since the previous newsletter, FSMTA is very pleased to welcome the following new members:
Dallas R. Roper (PSMTA) Erica Griswold (SWFMTA)
Dayna Gonzalez (GVMTA) Dr. Mihai V. Preda (MMTA)
Doori Yoo (TALLMTA)
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. If you have lost
your ID number, you are most welcome to contact me at the e-mail address below.
We have recently revised the FSMTA application so that you may share your cell phone number and your business website with us.
Current members are welcome to send me that information via e-mail, and we will include it on the FSMTA website.
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

Student Day Update
by Tanya Brooks, NCTM, FSCTM
Vice-President for
FSMTA Non-Competitive Events
n n n
To all Student Day Chairmen…
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You all did a wonderful job submitting your
reports online in a very timely fashion.
Thanks to you I will, for the first time, have
a complete report for our Summer Board
meeting in Gainesville. Special thanks go to
our Certificates Chair, Mary McOwen, and
our Medals Chair, Bettina Flory. They were
on the spot with the requests that were
forwarded to them from me. It has worked
so well this year for all of you to direct your
correspondence to me first and then have
your requests forwarded to the correct
person. Reminder for all locals –
please remember that Student Day is a state
event and we must all go by the state rules
from the handbook. We cannot add to or
change the rules locally. Thanks so much for
your cooperation this year!
n n n
PLEASE NOTE THESE CHANGES:
n Mary McOwen, the Student Day
Certificates Chair, no longer handles the
District Concerto Certificates. These
must now be ordered through your
District Concerto Chair.
n Current membership dues of
MTNA/FSMTA must be paid prior to
the entry deadline for District
Student Day in order for a teacher’s
students to be eligible to participate.
The old rule was: Current
membership dues of MTNA/FSMTA
must be paid on or before
October1st of the current fiscal year
to be eligible to enter students.
n n n
UPMTA Senior Scholarship Winners
by Elizabeth B. Snedeker, NCTM, Chair
On May 5, 2012, the Upper Pinellas Music Teachers Association held
its fourth Senior Scholarship Award Recital at the Music Gallery in
Clearwater. We honored 11 students with certificates and $100.00 each
for continuing piano lessons all 4 years of high school with a UPMTA
teacher. This is our way of encouraging and recognizing seniors for
their efforts and commitments to piano lessons during the challenging
high school years.
12 students and 7 teachers participated. They were:
v Jeremy Ong, Sarah Wall and Jordan Weber –
students of Kinuyo Engelbrecht
v Taylor Minich – student of Eva Hackett
v Nora Jones and Shree Sundaresh – students Karen
Pasquarello
v Tatyana Zamkovaya and Tijana Igic – students of Stella
Gaukhshteyn
v Catherine Hidalgo-Jara – student of Shirley Hand
v Robert Cui – student of Ivanka Stefanov
v Nicole Hall – student of Darlene Webster
All of these students received Certificates and a Senior Scholarship
Award. Miranda Goot, student of Darlene Webster, who studied for
3 years, received Honorable Mention. Parents, grandparents, and
friends were all there to celebrate the students' accomplishments.
Upper Pinellas Senior Scholarship Winners and their teachers
Page 12

SUMMER
WORKSHOPS
Register now for these
MTNA summer workshops in
New York City and Austin.
Wellness Symposium
June 27–29, 2012
MTNA, in partnership with the Canadian Federation
of Music Teachers’ Associations, will host
“Empowering The Whole Musician—Mind and Body”
at the Yamaha Artist Services Facility in New York City.
This three-day event will offer strategies to help
attendees remain energized, injury-free and
enthusiastic teachers and performers. Speakers will
include Vanessa Cornett-Murtada, Julie Jaffee Nagel
and Kathleen Riley.
For more information or to register, go to
http://www.mtna.org/programs/wellness-symposium/.
National Group Piano And Piano
Pedagogy Forum
August 3–4, 2012
The National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum
will again be held in Austin, Texas, on the University of
Texas campus. This two-day event will concentrate on
the specific needs of college and university teachers
of group piano and piano pedagogy.
For more information or to register, go to
http://members.mtna.org/gp3/index.html.
CERTIFICATION
NEWS
from Helen Dingus,
Certification Chair
Congratulations to
Liana Valente
who has received
MTNA Certification
in Voice!
2011-2013 EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT
Adrienne LeBlanc, NCTM
1001 Wildwood Dr.
Melbourne, FL 32940-1505
(321) 752-9454
pianoade2@cfl.rr.com
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Mary Seal
6861 St. Edmunds Loop
Ft. Myers, FL 33966
(239) 768-9279
maryseal@gmail.com
VICE-PRESIDENT
FOR MEMBERSHIP
Anna Fagan
2806 Imperial Point Terrace
Clermont, FL 34711-5245
(352) 242-0380
anna_fagan@hotmail.com
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR DISTRICT
AND LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
Jo Plunkett, NCTM, FSCTM
2009 Sussex Dr. S.
Orange Park, FL 32073-5922
(904) 269-7919
joplunkett@aol.com
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR MTNA
COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Denise Homsley, NCTM
13294 Stone Pond Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 619-5233
dh88redrose@comcast.net
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR FSMTA
COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Lesia Schulha
2440 Landings Circle NW
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 761-2440
concert_pianist@verizon.net
VICE PRESIDENT FOR FSMTA
NON-COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Tanya Brooks, NCTM, FSCTM
1332 Stephen Dr.
Panama City, FL 32405
(850) 769-5612
brooksmusic@hotmail.com
Page 13
RECORDING SECRETARY
Karen Schaefer, NCTM
1619 NW 19th Circle
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 376-5047
sekaren2@msn.com
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Lisa Leonard
3601 N. Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(954) 975-2996
lleonard@lynn.edu
TREASURER
Albert Rozier
26050 Olla Court
Punta Gorda, FL 33983-6235
(941) 624-4672
fsmta_treasurer@yahoo.com
FLORIDA STATE MUSIC TEACHERS
FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Marc J. Hebda
7801 McClure Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32312-8094
(850) 907-0218
fsmta@comcast.net
FSMTF INTERIM TREASURER
Paulette Kilts, NCTM
4500 Loveland Pass Dr. E.
Jacksonville, FL 32210
(904) 772-8597
fsmtfoundpres@yahoo.com
EDITOR
Becky Barlar, NCTM, FSCTM
11406 West Queensway Dr.
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
(813) 988-5891
barlarb@floridacollege.edu