Meredith Music Department a Vital Presence at MTNA Conference
By Margaret Evans, Department of Music Faculty
Four faculty members of the Meredith College Music Department, piano division, played key roles in the 50th Anniversary Conference of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association (NCMTA), held at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro on October 8-11, 2009. NCMTA is the state chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Kent Lyman, coordinator of Meredith’s piano program, also serves as chair of the piano area for NCMTA. Lyman was responsible for choosing and securing the two conference artists and for arranging their performances, four lectures and two master classes. This year’s artists were Phillip Bush, internationally-known performer, and Dennis Alexander, internationally-known pedagogue and composer. Lyman managed to squeeze in a full day of judging of the Senior Piano Competition on Friday. In addition, one of Lyman’s students performed on the honors recital presented by students who received superior ratings in the NCMTA Piano Contest-Festival.
Frank Pittman has served the last two years as NCMTA president. He played a key role in working with other members of the NCMTA board to plan this very important conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the organization. He chaired numerous sessions, introduced keynote speakers from the national office of MTNA, and produced a stunning slide show chronicling significant moments from the organization’s 50 year history. In addition, one of his students performed on an honors recital presented by students who earned superior ratings in the NCMTA Piano Contest-Festival.
Karen Allred presented a session on “Chamber Music and the Young Artist.” Additionally, one of Allred’s outstanding students, Mendel Nguyen, was declared winner of the MTNA Junior Competition in piano, one of the top honors given in our state. Best wishes to Allred and Mendel in the future rounds of this national event, the first occurring January 8 at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.
Margaret Evans had 12 students perform on the annual honors recital – more than any other teacher in the state. Additionally, her student Katherine Barton was chosen Alternate in the MTNA Young Artist Competition in piano.
Additional contributions from Meredith faculty, students and alumni included:
Pin Pin Jong, also of the piano faculty, participated in all the conference activities. Faculty member Tom Lohr’s studio was represented on the Honors Recital.
Amy Gardner, master of music student in piano and president of MTNA Collegiate Chapter at Meredith College, attended all of the conference presentations. Katie Kim, undergraduate in piano, produced a poster advertizing Meredith’s MTNA chapter and its activities. Kim’s poster was displayed in a prominent place throughout the conference. Meredith College holds the honor of having one of only two collegiate chapters in our state.
The following Meredith piano alumnae , all now operating their own thriving private studios, also participated in the conference: Diane Blanchard (NCMTA president-elect); Sandy Duran (who was awarded her National Certification at this conference, and also had a student who performed on the master class); Debra Heath; Loogwah Tussaporn Kradlak; Rebecca Taylor; Marie Willett; and Christi Wisuthseriwong.
