In the year 2026, the 150th anniversary of the founding of MTNA, WSMTA is proud to honor not one but two foundation fellows. The two wonderful individuals, chosen by the board of directors for this honor, are Karen Hollenback and Kathy Mortensen.
Each of these nominees is a former president of WSMTA. We are fortunate that they served their presidency at just the right time, when their skills were perfectly fitted for the task.
When Covid hit, we needed a sure and levelheaded leader to guide us. Karen Hollenback was that steady hand. She kept us on the right path at this most difficult time. However, because of pandemic restrictions, she missed out on many of the most fun aspects of the presidency, the social interaction that circumstances denied us. We hope this award will in part make up for that.
Kathy Mortensen provided perfect, wise leadership during her time as president. However, she is also an incredible repository of knowledge – someone most familiar with the past history of WSMTA. Her invaluable awareness of what has gone before has, on many times, prevented us from having to reinvent the wheel. This award is to recognize her for the glorious resource that she continues to be.
Kathy’s bio and photograph appear at the end of this article. Karen’s will appear in the next issue of the Clarion. I encourage you to make contributions in their honor now. They are incredible, worthy individuals, and WSMTA is thrilled to honor them.
To contribute in support of Kathy and/or Karen, click on this link:
At the bottom of the form, there is a list of funds and endowments. Make sure to scroll past that list to the box marked ‘Fellow,’ and to write Kathy or Karen’s name in that box. That way, the gift will go towards her fellowship fund. You have to do this in order for her to receive credit.
Kathryn (Kathy) Mortensen started teaching piano when she was 15, with guidance from her teacher, Donald Denegar, NCTM.
She joined the Eastside Chapter, then moved to the Seattle Chapter. She served on various committees and projects, started out as the newsletter editor and became President of Seattle in 2012 and Washington State MTA President in 2021.
The best part of those experiences for her has always been working with and supporting colleagues and making friends.
Kathy has reliably fulfilled the usual musician roles: playing for weddings, recording sessions, rehearsing musicals, restaurant and club background music, etc., but a highlight and turning point was performing for children of all ages with the musical group Tickle Tune Typhoon.
Teaching continues to be Kathy’s dream job. She enjoys helping people from 5 years old to 80 years old learn to express themselves through music. She feels that she learns as much as she teaches.
Kathy has consistently supported and participated in the arts. Her degree was in painting. The first non-profit board she joined was the City Cantabile Choir and she was later President of the Board of the Creative Dance Center. She organized the WSMTA Representation and Advocacy committee. In 2025 she was elected Chair of the WSMTA Education Board.