Decatur Music Teachers Association

Beautiful lecture/recital on life and music of French composer Mel Bonis by DMTA member Robert Cushing and assistance with Caroline Owen.

A very informative and enjoyable presentation by DMA candidate Min-Chen Lee on preventing music related injuries and a focus on left hand repertoire for pianists who have injured their right hands.

After a weather related postponement, DMTA was able to hold its first ever collaborative festival, Meet Me at the Piano at Waller's Coffee Shop in Decatur. The event was loads of fun, well received and well attended. There are calls to have it again next year. ther event afforded performance opportunities for both teachers and students of all ages.

January, 2025 presentation by Artist in Residence at Kennesaw State University, pianist/teacher Huu Mai: "Breathing and Rhythm: the Missing Link to Expression." With his relaxed manner, he clearly loves to teach and share his proven ideas with us!

Wonderful presentation by Composer/Teacher Mary Williams on the benefits of Free Play, a safer description of Improvisation, to build listening skills, get familiar with the possibilities of the piano and most importantly to have fun making music.

Congratulations to DMTA member William Ransom who is among the few recipients of this year's Chamber Music Acclaim award. "The award recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to their community through presentation of chamber music performances, educational outreach initiatives, collaborations with local musicians and organizations or audience development programs. In more than three decades, Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta has enriched the lives of the greater Atlanta area and created a new generation of chamber music enthusiasts and advocates. Under the helm of the Artistic Director William Ransom, Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta has grown into one of the largest chamber music organizations in the Southeast and presents over 60 concerts, masterclasses and events each season that are all free to attend.

DMTA President and Theory Chairperson Pamela Martin gave an overview on the new Georgia MTA Theory Curriculum. Although the new curriculum is very challenging for students and teachers alike the goal is to produce knowledgeable musicians as well as performers.

Jo Evans Scholarship Competition winner for 11th and 12th graders, Nathan Liu pictured with DMTA Program Chairperson LuAnn Latzanich. Nathan performed for the August meeting of DMTA with the Adagio grazzioso movement of Beethoven Sonata, Op. 31, #1 and the Rigoletto Paraphrase by Franz Liszt. Nathan is a student of Joanna Kim. Congratulations Nathan! A very promising future!

Recital by brilliant, versatile and sensitive pianist Caroline Owen. A recent recipient of the DMA degree in piano performance from Florida State University, she is co-director with Robert Cushing of the new Decatur Fine Arts Academy located at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

Michael Kurth, bassist with the Atlanta Symphony and composer- an enjoyable and entertaining program. Laura Gordy tries her hand on the Boom Bass.

DMTA was honored on November 7, 2022 to have Dr. Elena Dorozhkina present a wonderful program titled:"" Well-known and "Hidden Gems" of Russian Romantic Piano Music of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Dr. Dorozhkina shared her knowledge and insight into these composers and performed the selections with passion, precision and a broad range of color and touch.
DMTA was also informed of Dr. Dorozhkina's recent award of MTNA National Certification. Congratulations Elena!