Looking forward to national conference. (Dear Reader).

It is with very mixed emotions that I write this "Dear Reader" column. I am so excited about the upcoming national conference and eager to have you share my enthusiasm as you learn more about the program we've put together for you. At the same time, I am saddened by the sudden and untimely death of my colleague, Carol Winborne, a member of the 2003 Conference Planning Committee and a dear friend.

Carol had a significant role in designing this year's program. In fact, it is due to the vision and talent of the entire conference committee that we have such a varied and comprehensive program to offer you this year. I truly feel we have something on this program for everyone!

Let me share with you a few of the reasons I am so looking forward to this year's conference.

The PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS--Pedagogy Saturday, Professional Studio Saturday, Technology in Music Symposium--continue to explore new avenues, becoming even more valuable to our membership. I know that the chairs for this year's events have planned exciting sessions that will reinvigorate your teaching.

Our CONFERENCE ARTISTS and KEYNOTE SPEAKERS are stellar! Of the nearly twenty MTNA National Conferences I have attended, these artists stand front-and-center with the finest we have ever presented. Abravanel Hall, venue for many of our concerts, has acoustics that will further enhance these performances.

I cannot begin to express how thrilled I am with the wide VARIETY OF SESSIONS we have programmed for this year's conference. Our talented and knowledgeable PRESENTERS will offer sessions that will energize and revitalize independent and college teachers alike. There will be an array of mini-recitals, plus pedagogical, wellness, early childhood, collaborative string and voice sessions, to name just a few. This ...