Laurie McFarland has been named as the EMTA Volunteer of the Month for NOvember 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 November General Membership Meeting.
First, please share with our readers a bit about your teaching.
I teach mostly children, ages 5 to 18, though I have a few adult students. I enjoy offering a wide variety of method books, theory lessons, and literature, tailoring what I do to the individual student. I love discovering new-to-me composers and sharing with my students. Many of my students like the challenge of festivals, MAP, and competitions, but I’m happy to allow for different goals and natural ability. I’ve learned over the years that I can’t force everyone into the same mold, but I’ve also learned that sometimes I need to gently push them out of their comfort zone.
Please tell us how you have volunteered service to EMTA and to our students.
I’ve been the EMTA treasurer for 10 years, and before that I was the chair of the concerto and ensemble festival. Before that, I was busy having babies, though teaching and accompanying all along the way. When there was a need for a new Treasurer, I stepped up even though all I really had to offer was my general “number sense” and willingness to learn.
How have you balanced your teaching load with the huge amount of time that you have devoted to EMTA volunteer work?
I like that most of my work can be done in the fringe hours of the rest of my life. For many years I have homeschooled my four boys (3 more years to go…), run my household, played for choirs, and taught my private students, and my volunteering load usually feels manageable.
Is there a special memory about your volunteer activities that you would like to share?
I love seeing all the students at the various festivals. It’s wonderful to observe the fruit of all my colleagues’ labor, inspiring me to keep going with my own students. It’s especially fun to be a judge at the Musicianship Festival, encouraging and supporting the students in their technique, rhythm, and sight reading.
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?
Over the years, many of us have gone through significant challenges in our health and personal lives. Volunteering in EMTA has allowed for relationships to grow beyond just being colleagues. That real-life community is so vital.
Is there anything else that you would like to say to our members about volunteering for EMTA?
I really appreciate and admire all the different strengths of the board members and the event chairs with whom I’ve worked closely. Everyone is so different! No one person could possibly do everything that is needed for a healthy organization. So step out of your comfort zone and try something new!
Thank you to EMTA member, Rick Asher, for coordinating the EMTA Volunteer of the Month.
