Dr. Yelena Balabanova is our EMTA Volunteer of the Month for October, 2025. She has replied to the EMTA volunteer of the month questions as follows:

I feel very honored and deeply touched by this honor. I always feel that there are people who do so much more than me and they deserve all the gratitude.

Here are my answers. If you or anyone would like to send more questions, they are very welcome.

Please list the ways in which you have volunteered service to EMTA.
I co-chair the Music Era festival and the Gala performance. In the past, I also chaired the Ensemble festival.

How have you balanced your teaching load with the huge amount of time that you have devoted
to EMTA volunteer work? I find that volunteer work actually helps my teaching. Staying involved in the music community provides motivation and inspiration.

Is there a special memory about one of your volunteer activities that you would like to share?
There are always special performances that stand out for their sincerity and authenticity. Seeing many students and parents happy and smiling, being proud of their progress, is very rewarding.

Besides benefiting students and EMTA members, please tell our readers about any benefits or
personal rewards that you feel that you got from doing volunteer work for EMTA?
I made new friends and got to know teachers more closely. There is always a lot to learn from other teachers about everything, from how to balance the work and family to teaching tips.

Is there anything else that you would like to say to our members about volunteering for EMTA?
EMTA is a very special chapter where members are very supportive, encouraging and inspiring each other. They are always quick to help and go the extra mile to do that. So volunteering ior EMTA is a very joyful and rewarding activity. Highly recommend it!

Thank you so much!
Yelena

Dr. Yelena Balabanova, Steinway Artist,
Steinway Hall of Fame Teacher 2023
Royal Conservatory of Canada Teacher of Distinction
Accredited Speaker
International Conservatory Studio, Inc.
http://www.SkymusicSpeaker.com
The mission of the ICS,Inc. is to educate, inspire and
bring out the best in every student.

Thank you to EMTA member Rick Asher for organizing the EMTA Volunteer of the Month program.