NMTA

 Nevada Music Teachers Association

Home Page

A BRIEF HISTORY OF NMTA

In June of 1966, a group of people having the common interest of music met together for the purpose of forming the Nevada Music Teachers Association. Those present were: Pofessor Howard Chase, Mary Kay Chase, Roger Bushell, Alameda Deen, Marjorie Dickenson, Nina Newell, Gladys Pettid, Louis Pressman, Muriel Shaeffer, and Lora Westbury. The Constitution and By-Laws were prepared, approved, and voted on in December of that year, making Nevada the 48th state chapter of the Music Teachers National Association.

Conventions were held from 1967 to 1972 in Las Vegas. The first Baldwin Junior piano representative was Lana Smith, a student of Silvia Roetter. Joanne Gaizutis, a student of Ely Haimowitz, was the high school winner.

In April of 1973, the first organization meeting of the Northern Nevada Music Teachers Association was held at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Reno. The purpose was to encourage teachers in Reno and surrounding areas to meet monthly and improve standards of teaching and performance. Under the direction of Dr. Ronald Williams, the charter members were: Nancy Taylor (President), Cheryl Toti, Joyce Williams, Margaret Sampson, Kellene Gallagher, Gay Goaslind, Florence Billinghurst, Louis Ronchetti, Kim Wynant, and Kathleen Legere.

The first joint state convention with the Las Vegas Association was held in 1975. In 1978 the decision was made to affiliate with the Music Teachers National Association and the local Reno branch became the Silver Circle Chapter.

Advantages of this new status for the entire Nevada Association were: 1) to receive the American Music Teacher magazine, 2) to have opportunities to attend the National Conventions of MTNA, and 3) to broaden opportunities for the students of all NMTA.

NMTA STATE OFFICERS
2003-2004
        

        President                         Doris Chase, Las Vegas,  

                                                        dclc@cox.com

        President-Elect                Kathleen Legere, Reno, 

                                                        klegere@autumnix.com

        First Vice-President         Jie Bu, Las Vegas,

                                                        musicnarts@yahoo.com

        Second Vice-President      Evelyn Summers, Reno, 

                                                        summers@scs.unr.edu

        Third Vice-President        Lynette Cook, Las Vegas,

                                                        lynbcook@msn.com

        Treasurer                        Brenda Swan, Las Vegas,  

                                                        cygnetbs@cox.com

        Secretary                       Meredyth Lewis, Washoe Valley, 

                                                        daveharrisonb@yahoo.com

PAST PRESIDENTS

Howard Chase, 1966-1968

Margaret Presley, 1968-1970

Wanda Wasden, 1970-1972

Betty Henderson, 1972-1974

Beth Burkiser, 1974-1976

Ronald Williams, 1976-1978

James Stivers, 1978-1980

Kim Wynant, 1980-1982

Josephine Williams, 1982-1984

Ruth Brewer, 1984-1986

Sonnet Johnson, 1986-1988

Kathleen Legere, 1988-1990

Josephine Williams, 1990-1992

Carol Stivers, 1992-1994

Brach Thomson, 1994-1996

Mallie Riecken, 1996-1998

Suzanne Gillman, 1998-2000

Nancy Tedford, 2000-2002

Doris Chase, 2002-2004

Comment or suggestions?  

Please notify Webmaster: Nancy Tedford, nancyjnt@hotmail.com

Last  Modified Date:  March 24, 2004

2004, Nevada Music Teachers Association