Conference Forums



IMTA hosts forums at the annual State Conference: Independent Music Teachers, College Faculty, and Collegiate Chapters. These forums provide a medium for open discussion and expression of ideas.  Past topics are listed below.

Independent Music Teachers Forum

IMT Forum 2025 – Speed Networking

Topics

Please email suggested topics to the forum chair, Christina Whitlock.

2025 – Speed Networking for Independent Teachers 
2024 – Idea Share: The Teacher as the Method 
2023 – Finding 21st Century Value in IMTA Membership (All Forums combined)
2022 – The FAQ’s of Independent Teaching
2021 – [Forum did not meet]
2020 – Virtual Happy Hour via Zoom
2019 – Serving You Better: Roundtable Discussions
2018 – Let’s Get Together: Planning Successful Group Activities for the Independent Studio
2017 – Preparation for the Opus Composition Competition
2016 – Achievement in Music (AIM): Strategies for Preparing Students for Festival Day
2015 – Music Mind Games: Engaging Students from Elementary through Intermediate Theory
2014 – Using Music Mind Games for AIM Theory Prep
2013 – Teaching Composition / OPUS Composition Festival
2012 – Motivation Matters
2011 – Irina Gorin: “Tales of a Musical Journey” piano method
2010 – Musicians & Social Media:  Why the Two Should Collaborate
2009 – Music Entrepreneurship Education: Setting the Groundwork for our High School and College Music Students
2008 – The piano in collaborative music experiences
2007 – Exploring intermediate piano repertoire with learning styles in mind
2006 – Keys to a well-balanced professional studio
2005 – Motivating students in the private lesson
2004 – Using technology in the independent studio
2002 – Early childhood instruction
2001 – Collaborating for better teaching: Tips of the trade
2000 – The importance of standardizing the music curriculum
1999 – Wellness issues for the independent music teacher
1998 – Getting the job done: Efficiency within the independent music studio
1997 – Panel: Issues for the private music instructor

College Faculty Forum

2016 Collegiate Faculty Forum
2016 Collegiate Faculty Forum at Goshen College

Topics

Please email suggested topics to the forum chair, Janet Palmberg.

2025 – Continuing Problems in Higher Education and Competitions
2024 – The Changing Landscape of Piano Teaching
2023 – Finding 21st Century Value in IMTA Membership (All forums combined)
2022 – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College Music Curriculum
2021 – [Forum did not meet]
2020 – Ideas for Remote Learning
2019 – Entrepreneurship for College Music Majors
2018 – Improvisation and Harmonization Skills for the Piano Major Student
2017 – Modifying the Traditions of the Senior Recital
2016 – Guiding Our Students in Their Practicing
2015 – Sight Reading: How Do We Teach this Skill?
2014 – The Faculty Recital: Are we performing outside of the university?
2013 – Recruiting College Piano Students
2012 – Memorization
2011 – Teaching Collaborative Skills in the Undergraduate Private Piano Lesson
2010 – Preparing Our Performance Majors for a Secondary Field of Study
2009 – Music Entrepreneurship Education: Setting the Groundwork for our High School and College Music Students
2008 – Let’s Get Out of the Cocoon: College Professors Promoting Advocacy for Piano Lessons during Elementary and Secondary School Years
2006 – Oh the Pain!:  Retraining Strategies for College Pianists
2005 – Career Possibilities for the Piano Major:  How do we advise our students?
2004 – The Undergraduate Piano Proficiency:  Preparation for prospective music majors
2002 – Preparing Students for College Music Study

Collegiate Chapter Forum

2016 Collegiate Forum
2016 Collegiate Chapter Forum at Goshen College

Topics

Please email suggested topics to the forum chair, Lori Rhoden.

2023 – Finding 21st Century Value in IMTA Membership (All forums combined)
2021 – [Forum did not meet]

2018 – Graduate Student Current Research Presentations
2017 – Perspectives on the Joys and Challenges of Teaching Piano – featuring Margy Roby and Christina Whitlock
2016 – MTNA Collegiate Membership: Stop missing out and chart your own chapter
2015 – My Back Hurts: Strategies for Lifelong Healthy Music-Making

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