Professional certification.(Association News)

The Piano Technician's Guild has generously agreed to once again award $750 scholarships to two MTNA Nationally Certified Teachers of Music. The recipients of this award agree to use the funds to further their teaching skills, use and recommend a registered Piano Technician member of the Piano Technicians Guild, and are willing to write a short follow-up report to the PTG Board about how the scholarship was used to advance their careers and/or businesses. One of the two scholarships is to be used by a certified piano teacher to attend classes specific to Recreational Music Making as presented by MTNA. These scholarships will be awarded at the 2009 MTNA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tanya Brooks

Tanya Brooks, NCTM, is from Panama City Florida. She has an independent studio in her home, where she teaches 65 students of all ages. She has been teaching 30 years.

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I love teaching! I have taught all ages and have had special training in teaching very young children. But during the past year, I have been able to teach music appreciation to mature adults at our local community college. I absolutely love teaching this class because these adults are wonderful students. They have enthusiasm and a great desire to learn. After all, they are there because they want to be there, not because mom or dad say they have to attend.

When I saw the Recreational Music Making link on the MTNA website, I was so excited I couldn't wait to tell my college classes about my plan to teach RMM this fall.

To begin establishing a client base, also attended health fairs and caregivers alliance meetings around town, introducing myself as a teacher planning to launch an RMM program and explaining the benefits of studying music as an adult. In addition, I have met and spoken with the activities directors of several area retirement centers and senior centers about using their facilities to hold RMM classes. They have been quite receptive. I tell them I am one of the last of the very large baby boomer generation with time on their hands. Our area has a large retired population and many Canadians and northerners come here in the winter wanting something constructive to do. This award has enabled me to go to Denver and get the training needed to implement RMM this fall. I can hardly wait!