Texas Music Teachers Association

Make sure to save time on Thursday to see our collegiate chapters in action! We have a full schedule of events designed to showcase the many bright and innovative ideas from students all across Texas.

Arboretum IV
11:30-12:30 Collegiate Master-Master Class with Katherine Fisher

President's Suite (2920)
12:30-1:30 - Young Professionals Meet and Greet

Arboretum IV
1:40-2:00 - Alissa Ruff, "The Piano Teacher’s Spellbook: Magical Metaphors for Musical Mastery"

2:00-2:20 - Emma Fernandez, "Nurturing Creative Musicianship: Improvisation Resources for the Piano Studio"

2:20-2:40 - Lingxi Liu, "The Athlete at the Piano: Investigating Pre-Lesson Physical Warm-Ups and Their Impact on Piano Performance"

2:50-3:10: Soyoung Bae, "Listening and Structure: What Musical Features Help Autistic Learners Engage in Piano Lessons?"

3:10-3:30: Stephanie Christiano, "Unlocking Secure Memory: Revealing Musical Structure through Structural Mapping and Matrix Diagramming"

3:30-3:50: Xiaolin Chen, "Imagination and Integration: Exploring Exoticism in Mozart, Debussy, and Chen Yi"

4:00-4:20: Yuda Jiang, "From Technical Grouping to Musical Pulse: Teaching Upbeat and Downbeat through Physical Motion"

4:20-4:40: Brenno Candido de Lima, "Collaborative Piano as a Musical Discipline: Artistic and Pedagogical Perspectives of Elvia Puccinelli"

In addition to our many wonderful presenters at the Convention next week, don't forget about these performances by our members, new teachers and students!

WEDNESDAY, 7:30-8:30 (Regency Room)
Jo Ann Dunn Fargason Memorial Concert
This exciting concert will showcase MTNA/TMTA State Performance and Composition Competition Winners.

THURSDAY, 5:00-6:30 and 8:00-9:30 (Regency Room)
Performance Contest Winners Recitals
TMTA SA Performance Contest Winners from the Wednesday and Thursday competitions will be showcased on these recitals. There will be an afternoon recital for Junior Division 1 and 2 and Senior Division 1 and 2 winners followed by an evening recital for Senior Division 3 and 4 and Young Artist winners.

THURSDAY 6:30-7:30 (Imperial West)
New College Faculty and Commissioned Composer Recital
The New College Faculty Recital and the premiere performance of this year’s commissioned composition by Jack Benson will constitute this evening recital.

We look forward to seeing all of our members, students, families, and guests in Houston next week! For a full listing of all events, please download the Conference book here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/68x3jw5wokg1t7wcvqpm8/TMTAConventionProgram26.pdf?rlkey=dzvy56dy2m6utgxulifi1hitw&e=1&dl=0

For all other Conference information, including parking and accommodations please view check the TMTA page:

https://www.tmta.org/pages/2026-conference

TMTAConventionProgram26.pdf Shared with Dropbox

Teachers, don't forget about our ensemble training and sight-reading sessions at the convention! Celinda Hallbauer will present strategies for elevating your ensemble on both Thursday, June 11th and Saturday, June 13th:

"Ensemble Music Reading Session for Teachers"
Teachers read through new and “tried and true” ensemble pieces that are chosen by publishers who donate copies for this reading session. The first twenty teachers in attendance will get a spot at the keyboard and receive a complimentary music packet courtesy of the various publishers. Other teachers are welcome to observe and will receive a list of the pieces presented.

TMTA, don't forget that today is the last day for discounted registration for our 2026 Convention AND for tickets to the Celebration Gala on Friday, Jun 12th after Christopher Guzman's recital! Please find more info on registration here, including parking, accommodations, and detailed schedules:

TMTA 2026 Conference   EVENTS:What is happening at the conference?Conference BrochureTENTATIVE Conference Schedule - subject to change!Session Handouts - coming soonStudent Schedules Student Helpsheet (Instructions for each event!) Hotel Meeting Room Floor Plans ACCOMMODATIONS:Where should we stay?T...

Make sure to join us on Saturday, June 13 for this session on how to make a meaningful musical connection with neurodiverse students!

Teresa Stewart-Meli, "The Joy of Teaching the Neurodiverse Student Population"

Teaching piano to neurodiverse learners opens the door to a studio filled with creativity, curiosity, and joy. Drawing from my research and co-authored work in Diversity in Music Education, this session explores how piano teachers can design flexible, engaging lessons that honor each student’s unique neurological profile. Participants will discover practical, research-based strategies for adapting pacing, communication, and lesson flow to support learners with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other neurodivergent characteristics. Together, we’ll discuss how to transform challenges into opportunities for connection—celebrating the musical brilliance that often shines through when students are understood and supported. Teachers will leave with concrete tools and renewed inspiration to create inclusive, compassionate, and joyful piano studios where every mind can make music and thrive.

Make sure to stick around for our Saturday presenters at the convention! We have a day full of creative and engaging ideas for your teaching studio.

Dr. Michael Schneider, "Storytelling in Music: The Most Essential Aspect of Our Craft"

Join pianist and educator Michael Schneider for an engaging lecture and performance demonstration that explores how storytelling brings music to life. This session features a range of pedagogical to advanced works, including performances of pieces by Heller, Grieg, Rubinstein, Mozart, and Chopin, along with connections to visual art. Discover creative strategies to inspire expressive, exciting, and narrative-driven performances at every level by rediscovering our passion for Storytelling in Music.

Technique questions, answered! Join us on Saturday, June 13th for this in-depth look at building a healthy, confident technique.

Ekaterina Loudermilk: "The Magic of Freedom or 12 Keys to Virtuosity"

Playing the piano well is easier than playing it poorly. All one needs to know about piano technique can be summarized in 12 Keys to Virtuosity principles which will help each pianist to organize their body and their mind to achieve freedom at the piano. This is what each teacher needs to know so they teach technique to their students in just 3 steps. What does it mean to use arm weight and why students struggle with it? What exactly happens when you lift the finger? How do you turn your bumpy scales into flawless ones? How do you get fast octaves? Come and get those questions answered, because physical freedom leads to freedom of expression and joyful and fulfilling music-making.

How do you help young children develop a lasting love of music? Dr. Mario Ajero shares some tips from his own experience as a parent and piano teacher on Friday, June 12th at our convention in Houston.

Mario Ajero, NCTM: "Growing Up with Music: Nurturing a Lifelong Love for the Piano"

How do we inspire children to not only study music but to embrace it as a lifelong passion? Join Dr. Ajero as he shares his experience as both a piano teacher and parent, raising two children who began piano lessons at age three and have chosen to pursue careers in music. Get a “behind-the-scenes” look at the journey from those first lessons at home to advanced study, discussing key factors that nurtured their love for music. We will explore strategies for balancing discipline with fun, fostering independence, navigating pre-college challenges and opportunities, and making the transition to conservatory-level study.