The benefits of MTNA: membership for the IMT.(Forum focus: independent music teachers)

As an independent music teacher, I have taught piano and group keyboard from 1980 through 1987 in Louisiana, very briefly in Texas and in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since 1994.

In my early years in Albuquerque, I was unable to be very involved in my local or state organizations because my two sons were preschoolers. In those years, there were times when I seriously considered dropping my MTNA membership because I felt I wasn't getting much out of it. A letter from Barbara English Marls, AMT's editor for articles and reviews at the time, made me reconsider what MTNA had to offer. I realized that benefits of membership were great, but I wasn't taking advantage of them.

Be sure you are getting the full benefits of your MTNA membership! Your membership dues are not well spent until you put in the time and effort to get your maximum benefit.

American Music Teacher--Teaching more than thirty students a week limits my professional reading during the school year, though 1 always skim AMT's collection of articles, reviews, columns, announcements and advertising on arrival. If this is your situation, make an effort to get your back issues of AMT out in the summer and really read the articles. Better yet, set up a discussion group with local teachers, which will force you to read and research!

Other Professional Publications--MTNA's Brief Legal Guide far the Independent Music Teacher proved very useful to a new local member who had to fight a zoning battle this fall. Other professional publications are listed in each issue of AMT.

National Conference--While I don't have the temporal, physical or financial resources to attend every year, MTNA's National Conference is a wonderful opportunity to get new ideas, hear new music and see new materials. It has been so helpful to meet and talk with the composers of my students' music. I've found that sharing insights from composers brings the music to life for students.

Insurance--My recital location requires insurance, and since 9-11, the cost of my previous policy had almost doubled. My new insurance policy through Robert H. Clarkson Agency (available for MTNA members) is much more affordable. The staff was courteous, and Clarkson's response time was rapid.