Northwest District Fall Pedagogy Seminar with Janna Williamson

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The Northwest district is inviting all to attend their fall Pedagogy Seminar with Janna Williamson on Saturday, October 1st in Bowling Green, Ohio.

20/20 VISION FOR TEACHERS:
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR EXPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE

In these sessions, Janna Williamson discusses the importance of a clear vision and examines how having a vision specifically for expressive advanced performance can inform our teaching at the elementary and intermediate levels. Musical expression can and should be strategically taught at the lowest levels, and our own experience as more advanced musicians and performers should be incorporated in how we train even the least advanced students.

She is also a Baroque ornamentation specialist and will demonstrate some of her artistry during the second half of the day.

The final session of the afternoon will be a Masterclass. If you have students that would like to participate, please get their information to me soon. There are only three slots available. We ask that you limit their pieces to no longer than five minutes so there’s enough time for the clinician to work with them.

Important Information about this year’s seminar:

  • If you invite a friend who is NOT an OMTA member, we will refund your application fee for the day.
  • If you are currently NOT an OMTA member and sign up for membership by September 15th, we will refund your application fee. (This does not apply to collegiate memberships since they are heavily discounted.)
  • College students regardless of membership status are the same fee. Please encourage your college students to attend and check us out.
  • Our event will be held in the Conrad Room at the Wolfe Center, directly behind the Moore Musical Arts Building on the campus of BGSU.
  • We will begin the day with our Annual meeting at 9:00 am. If you are a member, please plan to be there. We have some exciting things to discuss and would like input from as many members as possible.
  • We will have reservations for lunch at a local restaurant (with plenty of time allowed.) Please indicate on the application form if you would like us to reserve a spot for you.
  • Reservation deadline is September 20th.
  • We now accept VENMO! (See details on application.)

The application form, along with further (or updated) information can be found at https://nwomta.org/

Mark your calendars. We are so excited to see you again in person this fall!

Miriam Brown Named 2022 NCTM Teacher of the Year

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Miriam Brown – 2022 NCTM Teacher of the Year

Each spring, the Ohio Music Teachers Association (OMTA) highlights a leader in the organization – a Nationally Certified member who excels as a teacher, serves as a role model, and who volunteers time to our organization. This year, Miriam Brown, has been awarded the 2022 Music Teacher of the Year.

Miriam taught elementary music in Gahanna, Ohio where she incorporated music techniques of Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze. In total, Miriam taught public school music for 33 years. After she left public school teaching to concentrate on private instruction, she joined OMTA in 2010. Since 2014, Miriam has served as “Out and About” Chairman, organizing volunteer playing opportunities for students at local hospitals, senior living facilities, malls and more.

For the past eight years, she has also served as Vice President of Student Activities for OMTA, helping to bring Pianorama, Scale Olympics and student recitals to the Central Ohio music community. Miriam maintains a piano studio at her home and enjoys teaching students of all ages including adults. She is also a member of the American Harp Society and the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

Miriam earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree (piano major) from Wittenberg University and her Masters in School Counseling from the University of Dayton. While a student at Wittenberg, she began to learn the harp. Now, as a professional harpist, Miriam regularly performs for weddings, corporate events, and private parties in the greater Columbus area. Her long-term engagements have included Franklin Park Conservatory Candlelight Tours, Sunday Brunches at the Hyatt Regency, and she also performs in a flute-harp duo.

Six years ago, Miriam took steps to become a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM.) In her Philosophy of Teaching, she wrote: “As a piano teacher, I want to develop musicians, not just piano players. The musical and emotional characteristics of music mirror our own feelings as human beings. A technically, skilled performance, although impressive, can be void of emotion and feeling. We need to learn to play the notes AND play musically… to connect to the heart and soul of the audience; to help students look inside themselves to extract experiences and feelings to create expression and a beautiful work of art.”