April 2018

Greetings friends! Somehow it’s April already and even though the air conditioning is on again, I hope you’re staying cool and relaxed as the days and schedules become busier in anticipation of the end of the school year and the end of our DVMTA year. Still so much to do, but we can do it!

Special thanks to Corinne Walker, who gave us so many useful ideas and tips to use our singing voices in the studio at the March General Meeting. I’ve been singing up a storm, and have enjoyed implementing the ideas shared into my teaching. It’s made many concepts easier to teach!  Thanks also to Nicci Lovell for her wonderful solfege demonstration. 

With much school testing done in April and the end of the school year, this can be a very stressful time for our students. Add to it the stress of preparing for Awards in Excellence and/or Achievement Day in May, and the anxiety level can increase even more.  Such a life adventure. It’s often difficult for students to believe that they can make it through all the daily challenges they face. One of my children’s favorite movies was “Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin.”  In one scene, Winnie the Pooh is concerned that Christopher Robin might not always be with him to help him. Christopher Robin tries to assure the bear that he’ll be alright on his own. He says, "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Wonderful advice for Winnie the Pooh and wonderful advice for our students, and even ourselves as we face our own challenges. What great opportunities we have as we teach and spend time with our amazing students, to help them to develop belief in themselves. They can do difficult things, they can overcome challenges, they can deal with disappointment, and they can grow into self-sufficient and capable young people who have so much to offer. Music gives us so much!

Enjoy your April, everyone!

-Shannon Payne, DVMTA President

General Meetings:
You are invited to the April Brunch, Friday, April 27th at 9:30 a.m. at the LDS Church, 1415 E. Southern Ave. in Mesa. Thank you to Linda Carpenter and all those on the committee. There will be a music “give and take” table so be sure to bring any music you are looking to part with. We look forward to seeing you at our last meeting of the year.

Welcome to our DVMTA Executive Officers 2018-2020! 
    Carolyn Rooder: President
    Hollie Lunt: Vice-President
    Joni Walker: Treasurer
    Kelli Riding: Secretary

We wish them all the best as they guide our wonderful organization. This new Executive Board will be installed at the April Brunch. One of the largest tasks for the incoming President is organizing the new DVMTA Board and Committees. If you are interested in becoming more involved, or there is a certain committee you’d love to be part of, please feel free to contact Carolyn at carolynrooder@gmail.com. 
DVMTA gives so many students and teachers opportunities for growth. Serving on a committee, and being involved in planning DVMTA events and activities is a way to give back to the organization, and is great fun as well!  Amazing friendships are made and there is great satisfaction in being part of something that benefits so many. 

Awards in Excellence:  
Congratulations to all those who competed in Awards in Excellence Auditions Sat. April 14th for their hard work. And Congratulations to the winners! You are invited to attend the Winners’ Recital Sat. April 21st at AZ Piano, even if you don’t have students participating.  The Recitals are at 1:30 or 2:45 p.m. We love to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of these dedicated DVMTA students and teachers. Please contact Alayne Favreau with any questions.
 
East Valley Piano Sale!
Stilwell Pianos and My First Piano are combining inventory for one huge piano sale. Over 200 pianos!! April 7th through April 28th at the NW Corner of McClintock and Southern. Make your viewing appointment at 480-207-6645. 

Membership:
Believe it or not, the school year is coming to an end!  Your DVMTA membership is current from August 1st through July 31st each year.  The earliest you can begin registering for the 2018-2019 year is April 27th at our brunch and we encourage you to check that off your list early!  The annual price for membership is $50, but if your membership is renewed by July 1st there is a $5 discount making it $45.  What a deal!  The fee for new members is $45. 

Registration involves 2 steps:  filling out a registration form and making your payment.  You may fill out the form and pay directly from the website or print the form and mail to Tammy Shorts along with your check.  Registration forms will also be available for you at the brunch.  For your convenience, we will also have a card reader at the April Brunch for you to use a card for payment. 

Please pay attention to the following requests as you register:

1. If you are a current member registering online, please select Member Renewal and not New Members. 
2. Please take the time to fill out all parts of the registration form including giving us your feedback, ideas, and suggestions which are appreciated and used to improve our organization and have great General Meetings.
3. Make sure you provide a phone number and select which number you would like to have in the Membership Directory.

The DVMTA website provides you with the opportunity to participate in the Online Referral System.  This system provides interested students and parents with your email and preferred phone number to contact you.  We are also providing the opportunity for you to include a personal biography about yourself and your studio to guide them as they choose a teacher.  If you fill out the registration form online, you will be able to submit your information automatically.  If you fill out the paper registration form, you will need to email your information to Tammy Shorts at 7shorts@cox.net.
 
Can Achievement Day possibly be just around the corner?  Yes, indeed!  There are 196 students from 25 studios participating this year!  I was so excited to see some teachers trying it for the first time this year!  I hope you and your students each have a great experience!  Here are a few pointers to help make it a great day:

This Achievement Day will take place at the Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center.  The best way to access the Performing Arts Center is to enter the campus off of Longmore south of Southern.  You can see the building easily from Longmore.  All teacher volunteers need to arrive by 6:45 a.m.  Since our location is different, you may need some time to familiarize yourself with the building. Evaluations will start promptly at 7:00 a.m. Water bottles and snacks will be available to you throughout the morning  - Location TBA.  

You will receive a packet at the April Brunch with instructions for the day, your volunteer assignment and a variety of nametags with evaluation times that you will distribute to students in whatever way works best for the students in your studio.  (You will get a couple of extra nametags to help alleviate scheduling problems).  You will also receive green option sheets and one copy of each of the evaluation forms.  It is up to you to copy and fill out the forms for each of your students. 
PRIOR TO THE EVENT, TEACHERS NEED TO:

• Copy all necessary forms for students
• Fill out a green option sheet for each student.  Note:  If a student is doing Level Primer through Level 3 ear-training, write down a couple of possible times for the student to complete this option on their green option sheet taking the student’s evaluation time into consideration.  The testing times can be found on the student checklist.  (We are returning to recorded evaluations for Levels 4 – 12 this year which can be done at any time during the morning.)
• Fill out everything in bold on all evaluation forms (name, titles, teacher #, etc.)
• Make sure students have original copies of all music, even the memorized pieces
• Review all expectations with students for every option they’re doing
• Make sure parents understand where to be and what to bring

STUDENTS NEED TO:

• Make sure they have all necessary forms and nametag
• Bring all original music with measures numbered.  It is also helpful to the evaluator if pieces are marked with post-its or paper clips.
• Bring necessary option items:  music for duet, composer study sheet, written report, and/or original composition
• Be there at least 10 minutes before their evaluation time (they can do their other events either before or after their assigned time)
• Dress nicely – not required, but makes a nice impression and gives the students that “Look good, feel good” advantage!
• Turn in their green option sheet at the information desk when finished

AT THE END OF THE EVENT, TEACHERS NEED TO:

• Wait until all filing is finished before leaving.
• Double check your envelope—do you have all theory tests, evaluations, etc. for each of your students? Do you have any that do NOT belong to you?
• Pick up your trophies and ribbons from the snack room. Please leave behind any trophies for students who did not show up or who chose to drop from expanded to standard requirements (or were forced to for lack of memorization, etc.) 
• Grade the theory and ear training tests that day (a key is provided for ear training). Remember that to receive a trophy for expanded requirements, students MUST pass the theory, technique and sight-reading or ear training portions, as well as one additional option. If they do not pass, please return the trophy to Carolyn Rooder.

Thanks in advance for all your help that day and for your preparation of students. This is an excellent way to boost their confidence and help them realize just how much they have mastered over the year. If you have any questions or concerns at all about the event, please contact Carolyn Rooder carolynrooder@gmail.com .


The Awards Plus presentations will be held on Monday, May 14 at 7:00 pm in the multipurpose room of Legacy Retirement Residence of Mesa, 5625 E McKellips Rd. We will celebrate the achievements of these very devoted DVMTA students.  We anticipate recognizing 10 Devoted Performers and one Senior Scholar. A huge thank you is due to these students, their teachers, and their parents for their many years of support of DVMTA events. All are welcome to attend and help recognize these dedicated students. If you have questions, please contact Lorri McHardy.