Executive Board

Denise B. Frost, NCTM

Denise received a B.S. in Education from BYU in 1985. She returned in 1999 to earn her Kodaly Certification from Intermuse Academy. She joined the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and discovered UMTA in 1987. She has been an AIM enthusiast ever since. In 2014 Denise was awarded the AIM Teacher of the Year. Denise served as San Juan Chapter President from 2000-2018 and is currently chapter treasurer. She earned her NCTM in 2014. From 2000-2014 Denise had the matchless opportunity to study with Marilyn Bidinger, former director of the NY Metropolitan Music School and graduate of the New England Conservatory. Under Marilyn's mentorship, she was able to improve her knowledge of teaching, repertoire, technique, and performance. Denise has maintained an independent studio for the past 37 years. She currently serves on the San Juan County “Messiah” Board of Directors, and also the Blue Mountain Entertainment Board of Directors. She served as the UMTA Vice- President in charge of conferences for the past two years, and is currently UMTA President. Denise is married to Jeff Frost, has six truly amazing children, and 15 beautiful grandchildren. She is thankful for opportunities to serve, and glad she said “YES!”

Carmen Hall, NCTM

Dr. Carmen Wolthuis Hall, a performer, speaker, teacher, and collaborative artist, holds degrees from The University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Dr. Hall is a faculty member at Utah Valley University. During the summers, she teaches at Mountain Springs Music Festival in Utah where she coaches chamber music groups. Carmen is the founder/director of Timpanogos Chamber Music Series, presenting chamber concerts with other professionals in Utah. Her award-winning students have become piano majors, receiving full music tuition scholarships at various universities.

Cassandria A. Mayfield

Cassandria Barlow Mayfield’s performing has been described as poised, controlled and communicative. Cassandria received her Bachelor’s degree in 1998 and Master’s degree in 2003 both in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance from the University of Utah under the direction of Dr. Bonnie Gritton. She has gone on performance tours and studied abroad in both Israel and Europe. Cassandria is the recipient of many top awards in local and national piano competitions. She has been a guest soloist with local and university orchestras and was the guest soloist with the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall in their 1999 Summer Concert Series. Cassandria was a faculty member of the University of Utah Preparatory Division, teaching private lessons as well as Kindermusik classes. She was employed as the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir accompanist and featured as a soloist in several performances. She currently accompanies the local middle school choirs, and enjoys being active in her community. Cassandria enjoys teaching and believes music is a necessary part of a child’s development. She is an active member of UMTA and MTNA. She has served in many UMTA positions including chair of the UMTA Piano Concerto Competition, and chair of the Sandy Progressive Artist Competition. She is currently serving as the 2nd Vice President on the state executive board over competitions. Her students have taken prizes in several performance and composition competitions, as well as earning music scholarships to the University of Utah, Utah State University, and Southern Utah University. Currently Cassandria has a piano studio in her home in Herriman, Utah. She enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is married and has six children.

Bridget Johansen, NCTM

Bridget McBride Johansen received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from USU where she studied on a departmental scholarship. Her students are regular prize winners at various piano competitions, including the Sandy MTA Piano Festival, USU Piano Festival, WSU Piano Festival, Salt Lake Piano Competition, and Utah Symphony Youth Guild. Bridget had the opportunity to team teach with former USU Director of Piano Studies, Gary Amano for six years prior to his passing. Together, they had students perform in three Utah Symphony "Salute to Youth" concerts. Bridget is married to Rob Johansen, who works as a software engineer. When she isn't teaching she keeps busy with home improvement projects, her gourmet cooking group and caring for her own two children.

Arlene Gates

Arlene Gates holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Utah. She has studied with Lenora Brown, Dr. Douglas Humpherys, and Dr. Marjorie Janove. Arlene began teaching in 1994. She teaches beginning through advanced piano students and an early childhood music program in her private studio.

Lynda L. LeCheminant

Lynda LeCheminant has taught beginning to intermediate students in Sandy, UT since 1998, using MIDI sequencing and technology in her studio. She studied piano with Carole Jensen and Penny Jacobsen in Wisconsin and earned a BS degree from Brigham Young University. She also plays clarinet and has performed with the Murray Concert Band and the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, in local productions of Handel’s Messiah, and has performed twice as part of the Concert Series at Temple Square. She accompanies and directs church choirs and congregations. She is currently serving as Treasurer of UMTA and has served as president and treasurer in the Sandy Chapter. She and husband Chris have 5 children and 3 grandkids, and she enjoys whitewater rafting, backpacking/hiking, reading, gardening, and sewing.

Paula Manwaring, NCTM

Paula Manwaring, NCTM is a music educator, composer, arranger, creator of A Note in Time: Review in Note Recognition and the author of Minimusic, a group theory program used world-wide for young beginners. Paula began her piano studies at an early age and continued through her college years. She attended Brigham Young University where she studied under Dr. Robert Smith. She has enjoyed teaching piano for the past 40 years and loves exploring new technology and engaging her students to enhance their learning experience. Paula has enjoyed serving as MTNA Chair for the State Presidents Advisory Council 2020-21 and currently serves on UMTA's State Board as Immediate Past President. She and her husband are grateful to have raised five beautiful children and are the proud grandparents of eleven!