EMTA Professional Development Course – Teaching Baroque Music
Facilitated and lead by EMTA member Rick Asher with world-class guest presenters Byron Schenkman and Richard Sparks. Tuesday Mornings 10:00 to NoonFebruary 16, 23, March 16, 23, 30, April 20, 2027Location TBD Byron Schenkman will present on specific techniques of interpreting and performing Baroque keyboard music on the piano. Here is information about Mr. Schenkman:https://byronschenkman.com/about/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Schenkman…
EMTA September 2026 Volunteer of the Month – Jessica Martin
Jessica Martin has been named as the EMTA Volunteer of the Month for September 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 September General Membership Meeting. First, please share with…
EMTA 2026 Jazz, Rags, and Blues Festival, Workshop, and Concert
The Jazz, Rags and Blues Festival will be held November 13-14 at Calvin Presbyterian Church (18826 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177). The event kicks off Friday, November 13 at 7:00 pm with a performance from the Dan Taylor Trio. Saturday, November 14, students will participate in a masterclass and workshop where they will get…
Insurance for Individual Teacher Events at EUUC
Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation (EUUC) has requested copies of our MTNA insurance for events that are held by EMTA at EUUC, like general meetings etc. because their own insurance provider has required that type of coverage for these events. Unfortunately, this type of coverage from MTNA does not include events hosted by individual members and…
The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award
$1000 Award for WSMTA Teacher-Composer Seattle Music Teachers Association launched The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award as a means to support student and teacher composers and encourage composition of new sonatinas. The award alternates between WSMTA teachers in odd-numbered years and student composers in even-numbered years. This season, the award will go to a WSMTA…
EMTA owned portable digital keyboards for EMTA teachers
EMTA has drawn upon our reserve funds to purchase four new portable digital keyboards for use in our Jazz, Rags and Blues Festival and Musicianship Festival. We would like to maximize the benefits of our investment by loaning the keyboards to EMTA members in return for housing them and transporting them to and from those…
Congratulations to Rick Asher, EMTA Member of the Year 2025-2026
Congratulations to Rick Asher, EMTA Member of the Year for 2025-2026. Rick’s well-deserved award was presented at the EMTA June 2026 general meeting by the EMTA Vice-President, Bonnie Thomas. Comments received by EMTA members as part of the nomination process: “Rick has given his time, talent, and professionalism in ways that have helped EMTA grow…
Peter Takacs Masterclasses
Unique opportunity to learn from a renowned pianist and Oberlin professor here, in Seattle at the end of August. Financial aid will be available. The link to the program details is: When? August 19–22, 2026 Where? Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington Who Should Apply? Talented piano students aged 12 and up are encouraged to apply.…
Keys of Kindness Fundraiser
Yelena Balabanova’s studio recital is a fundraiser for the Fred Hutch cancer research. The video recording will be posted on the Keys of Kindness website, and the link will be live for a long time so anyone can donate. It is such relevant and urgent cause. The information and donation link are on the website https://www.keysofkindness.org/
EMTA June 2026 Volunteer of the Month – Roxanne Kar, NCTM
Roxanne Kar has been named as the EMTA Volunteer of the Month for June 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 June General Membership Meeting. First, please share a…
2026 EMTA Gala held on May 30, 2026
The Student Award Gala is a celebration where outstanding students chosen from the the major EMTA festivals and events perform at an end of the year recital. An awards ceremony and cookies and beverage reception follow each recital. The Student Awards Gala is organized by EMTA members, Allan Park and Dr Yelena Balabanova. The EMTA…
2026 EMTA Musicianship Festival Results
Here ye, here ye! The Musicianship Festival Committee is proud to announce that a successful Festival was held on the 9th of May, in the year 2026. 135 students of all ages gathered to perform music and demonstrate their music literacy skills both in-person and online. 18 teachers were represented, and more teachers joined to…
Changes to the format of the 2026 EMTA Gala
Dear Teachers, Please note that Hartley Mansion has a strict fire code capacity and recital seating limit. As a result, the Music Era Festival and JEBS program will now be divided into two separate recital groups. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE. The three concerts will take place at 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.…
2026 EMTA Excellence in Music Awards Results
The 2026 Excellence in Music Awards was held on May 16, 2026. We had 21 wonderful students from 7 teachers participate in this event. This event was organized by EMTA members Angela Michael, Bonnie Thomas, and Dr. Jensina Oliver. Grade Category 11/12 Joan Brown Scholarship Winners 1st Place Winner- Dylan Le – $1,200.00Teacher: Angela MichaelDylan…
EMTA May 2026 Volunteer of the Month – Cathy Baylor
Cathy Baylor has been named as the EMTA Volunteer of the Month for May 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 May General Membership Meeting. First, please share with…
EMTA Adult Piano Social was held April 30, 2026
Another successful EMTA Adult Piano Social was held on April 30, 2026. The social was well-attended with 13 performances and students from 7 different EMTA teachers participating. The music performed covered a wide variety of genres and even included a piano and cello duo. This fun event will be held again in November 2026. This…
2026 EMTA Bylaws Revision
Bylaw Revision – vote scheduled for May 2026 General Meeting The EMTA Board has completed a revision of EMTA’s bylaws to streamline language, modernize policies, and ensure compliance with current legal standards. Key Updates Include: Members are encouraged to review the attached bylaws in advance (attached to this email). We will discuss therevisions at the…
2026 Young Composer Project Results
The Edmonds chapter is known for having a number of composition teachers and placing well in the Young Composer Project. This year this happened again even though the competition was more competitive. Congratulations to EMTA teachers and students who placed in the YCP. Way to go Edmonds chapter! Also, a huge thanks to Rick Asher for being a YCP…
EMTA Member Benefits Survey 2026
The EMTA board is considering transferring a portion of our reserve funds to our operating budget so that we can provide more benefits to our members – and we need YOUR help! Please give us your thoughts on how these designated funds could benefit you professionally and EMTA as an organization. EMTA members can fill…
Excellence in Music Awards Registration is now open!
14 April 2026: EMTA Excellence in Music Awards Program Application Deadline16 May 2026: EMTA Excellence in Music Awards Program 2026 EMTA Excellence in Music Awards Program Detailed Information 2026 Excellence in Music Awards Program Checklist 2026 EMTA Excellence in Music Awards Program Application EMTA has established an Excellence in Music Awards Program which includes the Joan…
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Topic Categories
- About the EMTA Website (4)
- Adult Piano Social (7)
- Community Musical Opportunities (7)
- Community Recital (8)
- Composition Recital (6)
- District Conferences (1)
- EMTA Board (1)
- EMTA General Meetings (2)
- EMTA Membership (3)
- EMTA Teacher Event (6)
- EMTA Volunteer of the Month (10)
- Excellence In Music Awards (5)
- Gala Recital (7)
- General Meeting Presenter Spotlight (3)
- Honors Recital (4)
- Jazz, Rags, and Blues Festival (13)
- Joan E. Brown Scholarship (3)
- Job Opportunities (2)
- Member of the Year (6)
- Member Spotlight (2)
- Miscellaneous (16)
- MTNA Information (2)
- Music Artistry Program (8)
- Music Era Festival (4)
- Musicianship Festival (12)
- State Recital Competition (8)
- Time Era Festival (7)
- Uncategorized (72)
- WSMTA Information (3)
- WSMTA State Conference (2)
- Young Composer Project (2)
Edmonds Music Teachers Association 