Karen Thickstun candidate for MTNA National Office

Indiana Music Teachers Association Past President Karen Thickstun is on the slate for the 2013 MTNA elections.  Thickstun served as director of the East Central Division and member of the MTNA Board of Directors from 2008–2010 and chaired the Local Association Forum. Thickstun has served on the MTNA nominating committee, Standing Rules committee, Local Association of the Year committee and is currently chair of the Affiliate Grants committee. Thickstun is currently on the faculty at Butler University where she serves as the director of the Butler Community Arts School.
To read more about Karen Thickstun and vote on her behalf, visit http://www.mtna.org/about-mtna/elections/secretary-treasurer/

MTNA Professional Support Line

MTNA provides a sounding board and clearing house for members who have questions of a pedagogical or business nature. For more information, contact the MTNA National Headquarters at (888) 512-5278 or e-mail professionalsupport@mtna.org.
Assistance has been provided in the following areas: information on grants, music, acoustical standards of building a new music facility, ASCAP issues, Certification, copyright issues, developing a plan to become a music teacher, creating relationships between other music organizations and local MTNA affiliates, music merchandise questions, prospective member information, lesson fee structures in the United States, assistance helping a member supplement their dues through local and state support, health insurance, finding music teachers around the world and more. Legal issues have been in the matters of copyright, employee contracts, buying and selling music studios, contractual arrangements with ensembles and partnerships, zoning issues and more. For more information visit the support line.

MTNA Announces Educational Opportunities

MTNA is offering these educational opportunities during 2012. So save these dates and plan to attend!
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, visit the MTNA Website.
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, visit the MTNA Website.

Time to renew your dues!

Membership News
It is time to think about renewing your MTNA/IMTA and local association membership for the 2011-2012 year. The national office sends renewal notices in April every year and hopefully you’ve received yours via email and/or postal mail. I encourage you to renew as soon as possible so that you’ll be sure to be in our current IMTA Directory/Membership Handbook.
Renewing membership is FAST and EASY online. Visit www.mtna.org. Be sure to update any personal information while you are there. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.
Becky Baker, VP of Membership
beckybaker2@gmail.com
(317) 432-2029