State Board

Vedrana Subotic

Serbian-Croatian-American pianist Vedrana Subotic leads a vibrant and multi-faceted career as an internationally acclaimed concert artist, pedagogue, and chamber musician. Subotic's solo performances have been lauded by critics and audiences for “fierce playing and impressive chops” (Salt Lake Tribune) and “nuanced and expressive playing, beautifully phrased lines, and a wonderfully light touch.” (Deseret News). Subotic is a Professor-Lecturer at the University of Utah where she teaches courses in Career Development, and students in undergraduate and graduate piano performance programs. She is the Director of the Utah Liszt Festival and the Bach Festival, and is the coordinator for the Music Entrepreneurship Certificate and the Sundays@7 faculty concert series. A Steinway Artist since 2003, Subotic studied music in Europe and the US, and holds five performance and pedagogy degrees. She maintains a busy concert and masterclass schedule with engagements in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Subotic serves as President of the World Piano Teachers Association for the US, President of the Utah Chapter of the American Liszt Society, and as the Artistic Director of INTERMEZZO Concert Series

Dr. Christie Sowby, NCTM

Dr. Christie Sowby, NCTM, attended Brigham Young University, Harvard University, the New England Conservatory, and the University of Utah. Christie has served in various organizations, with highlights that include Encore Piano Teachers Association President, UMTA-OC President; UMTA’s State Board Communication Chair; BYU UMTA Collegiate President; U of U UMTA Collegiate President; and MTNA’s National Conference Committee. In 2024, she was the recipient of UMTA’s Legacy Award. Christie has received the UMTA Student Teacher of the Year, the Phi Kappa Phi National Love of Learning award, several MTNA Teacher Enrichment Grants, Utah’s “Best of State,” Federation’s National Vivian Nelson Award, Federation’s National Ouida Keck Award, and the prestigious MTNA National Studio Teacher Fellowship. In 2023, she was honored with the Teacher of Distinction Award from RCM.

Audrey Ricks

Audry Ricks is a graduate student instructor at Utah State University, teaching Youth Conservatory pre-college students and undergraduate Keyboard Harmony. She served as president of the USU Collegiate Chapter when it was named MTNA’s 2023 Collegiate Chapter of the Year. Audry participates in the Gina Bachauer Foundation’s Music-in-Our-Schools program. She frequently performs in masterclasses and has performed at presidential investiture ceremonies, donor events, and for state legislators. She works with the USU Summer Piano Festival, adjudicated at the Heber Valley Piano Festival, and contributes to Monster Concert and PianoFest. A researcher, she has presented at MTNA, UMTA, and Research on Capitol Hill, and led projects on performance anxiety and music technology. Her work has been featured in Utah State Today and Utah State Magazine. In 2025, she was named university-wide Undergraduate Researcher of the Year and received Presser Scholar, Presidential Scholarship, Scholar of the Year, and Val R. Christensen Service Award. Audry is pursuing a master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at USU with Dr. Sasha Kasman Laude, having studied with Dr. Cahill Smith.

Jared Pierce

Jared A. Pierce is an acclaimed pianist, composer, and teacher serving as an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at Brigham Young University. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Utah and tours globally as a soloist and collaborative artist.

Laurisa Ward Cope, NCTM

Laurisa Ward Cope, NCTM, received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University, where she studied with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox and Robert Smith. In addition to classical piano studies, she also studied jazz with Steve Erickson, Craig Larson, Dan Waldis, Steve Call and Ray Smith, and was a member of Synthesis, BYU’s top jazz band. She has performed in Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands and has soloed with the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra. Laurisa currently serves as both an adjunct faculty member and the Assistant Director of the Piano Preparatory Program at Weber State University. She is a recipient of the D. H. Baldwin Fellowship, a national award for teaching, and the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow award. Laurisa’s students have been prize winners in local, state, and national competitions. Laurisa has served as an adjudicator for competitions in Utah, Idaho, Washington, and Nevada. She has held many positions in the Utah Music Teachers Association, including UMTA President from 2018-2020. Laurisa and her husband, Eldon, are the parents of four children.

Kristin Whipple, NCTM

Kristin Whipple is an accomplished piano instructor with over 15 years of experience. She earned a Certificate in Piano Pedagogy at Utah Valley University in 2024, and is currently studying with Dr. Hilary Demske. She has also studied with Dr. Gerta Wiemer and Juliet Preston. She holds additional music degrees from Brigham Young University and Rick’s College. Kristin also earned National Certification of Teachers of Music (NCTM) designation through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) in 2024. A member of the Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA) and the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC), Kristin’s students have earned top scores in in AIM (Achievement in Music) and NFMC solo festivals. She is a frequent adjudicator for AIM and NFMC solo festivals. She serves as the Chair of the Composer Commissioning Committee for UMTA, and Vice President of the Provo/Orem Chapter.

Kylee Fullmer, NCTM

Originally from Lehi, Utah, Kylee moved to Cache Valley to study at Utah State University. She received both her masters and bachelors degrees in piano performance and pedagogy. After graduating, Kylee decided to stay in Logan to run a private studio and work as an associate faculty member at USU. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Kylee is passionate about teaching people of all ages to enjoy music, whether that is by playing, listening or creating their own music. When she is not practicing or teaching, Kylee enjoys reading, sewing, exercising, camping, and skiing.

Gerta Wiemer

Meryal Hylton

M. Meryal Hylton is a pianist and teacher who is passionate about helping students learn. As a teacher, she enjoys staying current in educational methodology and has six years' experience. She recently presented on educational neuroscience as it applies to piano in the annual Utah Music Teachers' Association state conference (November 2022). As a pianist, she was one of four winners in U of U's Give Bach competition; placed third in the adult division of UVU's American Mountain West International Piano Competition; and performed in a recital at a music festival in Maryland. Meryal graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in Piano Performance from UVU Fall 2022 as president of UVU's UMTA chapter, and as part of her new life chapter (pun intended!) is excited to lead the UMTA piano concerto competition for the next two years. When she's not practicing or teaching, Meryal enjoys spending time with her adorable husband and daughter.

Gerta Wiemer

Juliet Preston

Juliet Gamero Preston, a former student of Solveig Lunde Madsen, teaches at Utah Valley University and has taught at Weber State University and the University of Montana. She is active as a soloist and collaborator, having performed with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Great Falls Symphony, and Timpanogos Chamber Music. She composes for piano ensemble and has had many of her sacred choral works performed. With her band memoryfield, she has released albums and music videos of original rock music. She co-founded the Collaborative Pianists Guild of Utah to help grow the community of collaborative pianists. She has presented at NCKP and MTNA national conferences.

Jenny Boster, NCTM

Jennifer Boster, NCTM, has loved teaching piano lessons for almost 30 years. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from BYU. Her piano teachers include Dr. Bonnie Winterton and Dr. Scott Holden. Jenny is a prolific author and resource creator, a frequent guest on podcasts and exhibitor and presenter at conferences, and the founder of The Playful Piano - a website offering engaging piano teaching resources. Her dedication to uncovering and celebrating the contributions of female composers throughout history has made her a sought-after authority in the field. Jenny maintains a thriving piano studio in her home in Farr West, Utah, where she lives with her husband and five children.

Jennifer Jackson

Jennifer Jackson started playing the piano at the age of 8 and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Piano Performance in 2000. She studied with Lenora Ford Brown during that time. Jennifer has been teaching piano since 1995. She is heavily involved in planning community events in Davis County, such as the Davis County Monster Concert and the Silent Film Celebrations. Jennifer runs a large studio in West Bountiful and enjoys sharing her love of the piano with her students.

Christian Bohnenstengel, NCTM

Pianist Christian Bohnenstengel feels equally at home in a wide range of musical genres. Praised as “a master of contrasts” (Aalener Nachrichten) and for his ability to “put the audience into a state of sheer awe” (Gmünder Tagespost), Christian’s performances have taken him all over the United States, to South America, Asia, and to Europe. Christian is a founding member of Southern Utah University’s faculty jazz combo Kind of Blue, and he frequently performs with different jazz ensembles and combos. Christian has performed on public radio, and he has presented at state, regional, national and international conferences. David DeBoer Canfield (Fanfare Magazine) remarked about his Albany Records CD Set No Limits with clarinetist Dr. Jessica Lindsey that the “piano parts are superbly rendered by Christian Bohnenstengel, whose artistry also greatly impresses me.” His latest recordings are Jazz Hands II with the Shawn Owens Project Trio and Southern Utah Jazz Collective. Christian has been Director of Keyboard Studies at Southern Utah University since 2011. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Missouri Western State University, and he earned Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Christian founded the MTNA collegiate chapter at SUU, and he served as chair for collegiate programs on the UMTA state board for several years. He currently serves as secretary for the Southwest Chapter of the College Music Society.

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 UMTA State President 2020-22, MTNA Chair for the State Presidents Advisory Council 2020-21 and currently serves on the MTNA Membership Committee and as Southwest Division Director-elect. She and her husband are grateful to have raised five beautiful children and are the proud grandparents of eleven!

Risha M. P. Russon

Risha Russon is a private piano and organ teacher and is currently serving as the UMTA State Chair over Performance Evaluations Risha’s love of music is inspired by her family’s examples. Hearing her mother play and singing at the piano together are treasured memories. Risha has been playing the piano for over 24 years. As a child, Risha was taught by her mother, Lorelei Andrews, and Denise Frost. She studied the organ with her mother. Risha participated in band, choir, and numerous extracurricular activities. She participated in All-State choir for two years. Risha studied Economics and History with a management emphasis at Utah State University. She also studied organ for six years with Professors Lynn Thomas and Mildred Camire.

Margaret Burr, NCTM

Margaret Burr is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) and is a member of both UMTA and Encore, a Utah county-based music organization. She has taught piano professionally for 22 years in Utah and Maryland, and currently teaches 45 students at her home studio in Orem. She studied piano at Brigham Young University with Marlene Bachelder while completing a degree in French and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Utah Valley University in Piano Performance. While at UVU, she studied with Dr. Hsiang Tu, Dr. Koji Atwood, Dr. Hilary Demske, and Kurt Reeder (jazz piano). Margaret received her master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Utah, studying under Dr. Jie Lu.

Amy Ferguson

With enthusiasm and endless passion for music, Amy has spent her lifetime sharing and creating music on the piano. Amy studied piano with Elaine Beckstrand and Dr. Yu-Jane Yang and she has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Weber State University. Amy has had 27 years of piano teaching experience and loves her piano studio. She is an experienced accompanist, composer, and arranger and enjoys sharing these skills with others. She has composed and arranged dozens of piano pieces for students and recently had the opportunity to write new school spirit songs for two new elementary schools. Amy is married to her high school sweetheart, Michael, who is an incredible jazz pianist, and together they are parents to four awesome kids. Amy also enjoys gardening, raising chickens, reading, taking walks, crafting, and listening to classical music.

Emilie Blake, NCTM

Emilie Blake, NCTM, has taught piano for over 30 years, Raised in Taylorsville, Utah, she began with flute lessons, added piano, and later earned a minor in music from Brigham Young University while completing her Bachelor's degree. Emilie is grateful for her parents who provided lessons, and for teachers who mentored her, particularly Melanie Squires and Marlene Bachelder. Their examples of patience, encouragement, and trust in students continue to shape the atmosphere of her studio. Emilie has found UMTA membership to be a steady source of renewal, and MTNA Certification to be a defining professional experience. In her role as UMTA State Certification Chair, she is committed to helping other teachers move through the process and discover its benefits for themselves.

Brianne Call

I’ve been a piano teacher for 20 years now! I live in Farmington, Utah! I have an amazing husband Bryan and 3 beautiful kids! I started taking piano lessons when I was 7 years old and never quit once. I studied music at Utah State University. I served a LDS mission in São Paulo Brazil in 2003-2005!! I love to speak portuguese :) I am involved in the Davis chapter federation festival and worked with Natalie Campbell for 6 years! I love to teach piano because music is what brings me the most joy! I love working on a piece of music to be able to accomplish a great task and to uplift others around me with music we play and create :) I love learning from the students that come to my studio! They teach me so much too! I love to hike, be in the mtns ,travel, be with good friends and family! and I love to substitute teach and I am in the Utah Voices Choir :) I love to sing!

Ashlee Leonard, NCTM

With a deep passion for teaching, Ashlee Leonard has taught from her home studio for more than a decade, but was found teaching piano to anybody willing since she was a teenager. She believes piano lessons are more than just learning notes but rather a pathway to confidence, creativity and focus that benefit every aspect of life. In 2022, Ashlee discovered the professional side of piano teachers, the camaraderie that came with it, and she can’t wait to see what the future holds within. Having recently earned the status of NCTM, she is excited and honored to serve on the UMTA board.

Bonnie Hopper Jack, MM

Bonnie Jack has been teaching piano lessons for over 25 years – first as a high school student, then for 17 years at the Art City Music Academy in Springville, and currently as an independent teacher in Sandy, Utah. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2000, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2006, both from Brigham Young University. Her teachers include Gerald Dahling, Carolee Eriksson, Robin Hancock, and Scott Holden. She has served as President of the Sandy Chapter of UMTA, and is currently serving as State AIM Chair for UMTA. She has two children, and her hobbies outside of piano include photography, reading, doing projects, lifting weights, walking her dog, and hiking.

Caroline Jennings, NCTM

Caroline Jennings received her master and bachelor’s degrees in piano performance from the University of Utah. Ms. Jennings became a Permanent Professional National Certified Teacher of Music in 2020. She has enjoyed serving in UMTA as the president of the St. George chapter, a member of the State AIM Board, and as local AIM chapter chairman. She maintains an active private studio and is a part time professor at Utah Tech University.

Sharalyn Heath, NCTM

Leanna Minnick, NCTM

Patrice Hunt, NCTM

Patrice has served on the UMTA State Board in several positions over the past 15 years. Having recently returned from serving an 18 month mission in Texas for the LDS church, she is happy to jump on board again, this time serving as the Performance Evaluation Chair.

Suzannah Rose

Suzannah Rose holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Utah (UofU). She has over a decade of teaching experience and currently serves as an instructor at the UofU Piano Preparatory Division and faculty member at the Peterson School of Music, teaching piano and music theory. She also maintains a private piano studio. In addition to her work as a performer and educator, Suzannah recently completed an Arts Administration Fellowship at the Wintergreen Music Festival in Virginia. An award-winning pianist, Suzannah has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in venues across the U.S. and abroad, and has enjoyed pursuing musical educational experiences throughout Europe.

Dr. Christie Sowby, NCTM

Dr. Christie Sowby, NCTM, attended Brigham Young University, Harvard University, the New England Conservatory, and the University of Utah. Christie has served in various organizations, with highlights that include Encore Piano Teachers Association President, UMTA-OC President; UMTA’s State Board Communication Chair; BYU UMTA Collegiate President; U of U UMTA Collegiate President; and MTNA’s National Conference Committee. In 2024, she was the recipient of UMTA’s Legacy Award. Christie has received the UMTA Student Teacher of the Year, the Phi Kappa Phi National Love of Learning award, several MTNA Teacher Enrichment Grants, Utah’s “Best of State,” Federation’s National Vivian Nelson Award, Federation’s National Ouida Keck Award, and the prestigious MTNA National Studio Teacher Fellowship. In 2023, she was honored with the Teacher of Distinction Award from RCM.