President’s Message

Welcome to Utah Music Teachers Association!

If you are thinking about upgrading your skills as a music teacher, looking for friends and mentors, or hoping to share a great product or idea, you are in the right place. The kindness and expertise of Utah’s amazing teachers and professionals creates a space for belonging. At UMTA you have a voice and an opportunity for meaningful participation. Whether coming from years of study and experience, or just getting started, you will feel accepted and supported by the teachers in this organization.

In 1987 I was a young mother of five, an excellent pianist with no formal music education, and a burning desire to remodel my dilapidated kitchen. Enter UMTA. What started out as a means to an end soon became a burning desire to be a better piano teacher! Thirty five years later, I am still both challenged and fulfilled by that same goal.

UMTA has fantastic student programs: • AIM, a carefully crafted evaluation program which takes beginning students on a 10 year journey, finishing as a well rounded musician, college prepared • RCM partnership • State and National Performance Competitions, Piano, Voice, and Instrumental • Concerto Competitions • State and National Composition Competitions • Performance Evaluations and Honors Recitals • Community service opportunities

Young Professionals will find a place here, with seven collegiate chapters at this point. We value the fresh ideas, latest research, tech savvy, and high energy of our collegiate members!

UMTA is an affiliate of MTNA, which allows members the benefits of belonging to a national organization of the finest teachers in the world. My favorite MTNA benefit is the opportunity to become a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. Who wouldn’t want “NCTM” added to their credentials?! More important than the title is the knowledge gained by the process.

Each month, teachers have the opportunity to meet within local chapters studying a variety of skills, addressing problems, and sharing great ideas to take home to students. Each year we have the opportunity to attend one of the best state music teacher conferences in the nation, recharge our batteries and rub shoulders with members of other chapters as we learn from the best! These dear members become our support system, our cheerleaders, our mentors and our instructors as we learn from each other’s experience.

I am forever grateful for the friendships gained, the knowledge freely shared without judgment, and the progress I have made as a music teacher. UMTA has made all the difference. Although my ability to contribute is small, it is a huge honor to give back to this great organization. I invite music teachers of all backgrounds to say “Yes!” to UMTA. You’ll be glad you did!