Choosing the right teacher for music lessons can be daunting. How do you know if your teacher is qualified and experienced? You will want to find someone who will work well with you and your family and it sure is nice if the music teacher is local to your area. Fortunately, the National Music Teacher Association has created an information page.

Music teachers who belong to the local Edmonds Music Teachers Association are also members of the Washington State Music Teachers (WSMTA) and the National Music Teachers (MTNA) Associations. Being part of these organizations allows members to network with the fellow teachers and participate in the following programs for the benefit of themselves and their students:

Pedagogical training for teachers
Being a member of the EMTA gives teachers lifelong training in the latest pedagogical research and best practices through local meeting presentations, state and national conferences, and associated periodicals and webinars.

Numerous local, state, and national musical opportunities for students
Members of the local association have access to and participate in numerous local events geared toward student participation, performance, composition, festivals, and examinations for their students. Many of these events allow students to perform and get advice from well-known music professionals.  Please see the EMTA events information page to see the local opportunities provided for students. In addition, local music teachers also host their own events within their private studios or in collaboration with other teachers for their students.

Scholarships
The Edmonds Music Teachers have access to various scholarship opportunities for students including the Joan E. Brown Scholarship and WSMTA scholarships.

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM)
The MTNA Professional Certification program exists for teachers who teach music to students of any age level in private or group settings. The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do. Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). To maintain the MTNA Professional Certification credential and designation, NCTM must continue fulfilling the program’s standards through the renewal process.