Dawn Taylor-May has been named as the EMTA Volunteer of the Month for October 2026! We offer our appreciation and congratulations to her and thank her for consenting to provide us with this interview. She will receive her certificate of Recognition of Extraordinary Volunteer Service at the October General Membership Meeting.
First, please share with our readers a bit about your teaching.
I have a small “boutique” piano studio that ranges from 6-12 adult students. Adults are my favorite type of student because they are all so different and I like the challenge. I tend to spend a lot of time personalizing my lessons for my students and catering to their interests. When I studied pedagogy in Australia, I had to create my own “teaching book”, so I use a lot of my own theory and technique material with my students.
Please tell us how you have volunteered service to EMTA and to our students.
In Perth, Australia, I was a student member of the West Australian Music Teachers’ Association Inc. (WAMTA). It was quite a different style of association than the association here. I had to get two recommendations from existing members to be considered for student membership and I had to be approved by the WAMTA council. When you join WAMTA, your lesson rates have a minimum rate (they could be higher) which is set by your membership level (this is banned in the USA). I also had to go to the police and get approved for a “Working with Children” identification card in order to teach. I was intimidated by all the long-time professional members of the association at the time and never really felt comfortable when I attended a meeting.
When I moved back to the USA in May 2017, it took a while to set up our residence (including buying a piano) and then I joined EMTA in February 2018. There was a bit of culture shock for me coming back to the USA after many years away, but our EMTA membership chair at that time was very welcoming and immediately made me feel good about joining.
I was originally asked by our EMTA president to work on “publicity” which included the website. I took some time to think about this, but decided that working on the website would be a good “fit” for me. I like computers and previously had a career as an electrical engineer before eventually re-training in Australia to become a piano teacher. I think the key to doing volunteer work long-term is to find a position where you enjoy the work. So, for the last eight+ years, I have been maintaining the website for EMTA. I have generally enjoyed working on the website. I lobbied to make the webmaster a board position so I could be well-informed about EMTA when structuring and updating the website. I also have worked with the board on various committees (especially the logo committee which was near and dear to my heart) and have tried to improve our teacher and student experience by automating our registration for events through Jotform, hosting the EMTA Zoom account, etc.
How have you balanced your teaching load with the huge amount of time that you have devoted to EMTA volunteer work?
I feel I have been very fortunate in my life because I can afford time to volunteer. Given all my efforts to learn to teach and play the piano well, I decided that I wanted to give back to my community by supporting local music teachers. For me, the key to volunteering is life balance. I keep a rather small piano studio of only adult students and then I still have enough time for my family, my other smaller volunteer commitments, and any other activities that interest me.
Is there a special memory about your volunteer activities that you would like to share?
I have a special fondness for all of my fellow EMTA board members. During my time on the board, I have always worked with a wonderful group of fellow piano teachers trying their best to make our association better. I have enjoyed how considerate, respectful, and friendly all of our board members have been over the years even as we take on both easy and difficult tasks for the benefit of our membership.
Besides benefiting students and EMTA members, please tell our readers about any benefits or personal rewards that you feel that you get from doing volunteer work for EMTA?
I think doing volunteering for EMTA has given me a real sense of belonging within our local music teacher community. I love when I walk into an EMTA meeting and I know everyone in the room and are able to say hello and have a conversation with anyone present. I’m sure if I hadn’t volunteered, I wouldn’t feel as close to all my fellow piano teachers.
Is there anything else that you would like to say to our members about volunteering for EMTA?
I feel our EMTA is a very special association that is not only very warmly welcoming to members, but also respectful of everyone’s abilities. Getting involved is a wonderful way for someone who may be an introvert like myself, to gain a sense of belonging with your peers and community. I would encourage everyone to look for their own volunteer opportunity that suits their natural skills within our association and get to know all of our many terrific members just a bit better.
Thank you to EMTA member, Rick Asher, for coordinating the EMTA Volunteer of the Month.
