WSMTA UPcoming and recent eventS
LOIS WHITNER STUDY GRANTS
These grants is open to music students currently in grades 7-11 who have studied a minimum of 4 years and whose teachers are members (of at least 12 months standing) of WSMTA. The applicant will be considered on a basis of financial need and musical commitment.
Application deadline: May 15, 2026
Learn more about Lois Whitner Study Grants
WSMTA CONFERENCE
Music is CENTRAL!
June 27-29, 2026 • Central Washington University • Ellensburg
Join Guest Artists Bardin-Niskala Duo and your colleagues, students and friends at the WSMTA 2026 Conference. Registration fee grants are available for those who need some help (application deadline is May 15). Register for the conference before May 15 to receive the Early Bird Special (applicable to member registrations only).
WSMTA ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING
Every year, WSMTA holds its Annual Member Meeting at the state conference in June. Among the important items for voting is the slate of officers for 2026-2027. The following members have been nominated by the WSMTA Board of Directors:
District I Co-Directors: Meg Krieg, NCTM, and Karen Scholten
District III Director: Ricardo De La Torre, NCTM
District V Director: Lois Roads
District VII Director: Fabio Menchetti, NCTM
Treasurer: Mary Grant, NCTM
Click here for more information about these nominees.
Learn more about the Annual Member Meeting and the nominees
Copyright 2026 Perrie Lam.
STUDENT ARTWORK CONTEST
WSMTA is excited to announce the first annual Student Artwork Contest results showcasing the hidden talents of our students! We invited student artists to submit artworks relating to the theme of the 2026 Conference: Music is Central. Click the button below to see the entry highlights!
Learn more about the Student Artwork ContestWSMTA in Chicago at the MTNA Conference
All Chicago conference photos by David Hollenback
MTNA CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO
WSMTA members celebrating 150 years of MTNA.
Learn more about the MTNA conferenceMTNA PERFORMANCE COMPETITIONS
Congratulations to all of the students from Washington State who participated at the MTNA Performance Competitions in Chicago, including:
Junior Woodwind Winner : Annie Liu, student of Bonnie Blanchard, Seattle Chapter
Senior Piano Winner: Enzo Zhao, student of Oksana Ezhokina, Eastside and Tacoma Chapters
Senior Strings Winner: Jesse Krentz, student of Kevin Krentz, Seattle and Snohomish County Chapters
Senior Woodwind Winner: Xueheng Wang, student of Fred Winkler, Bellingham Chapter
Learn more about MTNA Competitions
MTNA FOUNDATION FELLOWS
Congratulations to Washington State 2026 MTNA Foundation Fellows Karen Hollenback, NCTM, and Kathy Mortensen who were honored at the gala at the MTNA Conference in Chicago.
Learn more about MTNA Foundation FellowsCLARION NEWSLETTER
WSMTA COMMUNITY
important dates and announcements
Lois Whitner Study Grants
Application deadline:
May 15, 2026
2026 WSMTA Conference
Join colleagues, students, and presenters at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
June 27-29, 2026
Music Literacy Program
Please contact WSMTA MLP Chair Melanie Stroud or your local chapter MLP Chair for more information.
New MAP Chair: Samantha Yeung
As of June 2025, Jason Kuo, NCTM, has moved to the Vice President position, so we welcome Samanatha Yeung as the new WSMTA MAP Chair!
WSMTA PRESIDENT
WSMTA CALENDAR
CLICK HERE for the complete WSMTA Calendar of Events
You can click on most items in the calendar list to learn more about the event.
| April 22 | Chapter and District State Honors Recitalists choices due (please use online form) Contact Amanda Harris, Honors Recital Chair |
| May 15 | Deadline for applications to the Lois Whitner Study Grants |
| May 15 | Last day to register for the 2026 WSMTA Conference at the Early Bird Rate |
| June 10 | Last to register for the conference online. Registrations at the door will be available on June 27 but do not include lunch. |
| June 21 | WSMTA Education Board meeting Contact Kathy Mortensen, Education Board Chair |
| June 26 | WSMTA Board of Directors meeting Contact Kira Miller, WSMTA President |
| June 27-29 | 2026 WSMTA Conference – MUSIC IS CENTRAL! Guest Artists: An-Lin Bardin, cello and Naomi Niskala, piano Central Washington University • Ellensburg • WA |
WSMTA SUPPORTERS
WSMTA is grateful for the generous support provided by Central Washington University Department of Music for the 2025 WA State MTNA Performance Competitions, the 2025 Outstanding Artist Piano Competition, and the 2026 WSMTA Conference.
WSMTA is grateful for the generous support of the Tulalip Tribes for the 2025 Outstanding Artist Piano Competition and the 2025-2026 Musical Artistry Program.
WSMTA NOTICES
AVOIDING EMAIL SCAMS
- Check the “from” email address closely to make sure it is the trusted email address.
- Remember that WSMTA Leadership will never ask for money directly.
- Ignore suspicious requests and do not reply to such emails.
- Watch for either a lack of details or a sense of urgency.
- Consider contacting the person whose name was used in the scam.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ONLINE
Communications Coordinator Samantha Yeung has worked with WSMTA members to compile a list of online teaching resources. These include equipment recommendations, tips for setup, pedagogy changes, and advice to give your students and parents.
LEARN MORE