Teacher Enrichment Workshops
Oregon Music Teachers Association in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation and the Nellie Tholen Fund present statewide teacher enrichment workshops. These valuable and varying presentations are free and open to all music educators, members and non-members alike.
Upcoming Events
Lions and Tigers and…PARENTS!…Oh My!: Constructive Communication with Parents
Date/Time: Friday, February 5, 2021, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Date/Time: Friday, February 5, 2021, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Presenting District: Lincoln County Dr. Tutunov maintains a busy performing schedule in Europe, China, Mexico, and the United States as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and on radio and television. He is also in demand as an adjudicator for piano competitions. Dr. Tutunov graduated magna cum laude from the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory (studies with Anna Artobolevskaya and Lev Naumov) and University of North Texas (piano studies with Joseph Banowetz). Awarded his doctoral diploma with honors in concert performance from the Belarusian State Conservatory, he has taught at the Minsk College of Music, the University of North Texas, and Illinois Wesleyan University. Dr. Tutunov now lives in Ashland, where he is Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at Southern Oregon University. A successful piano pedagogue, he continues to prepare award-winning students. Dr. Tutunov is Artist in Residence at the University of Alaska Southeast, Artistic director of the SOU International Piano Institute, and was recently named the Director of the Chinese-American International Piano Institute in Chengdu, China. Date/Time: Saturday, February 6, 2021, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Timmons has performed with orchestras throughout the US including the Oregon Symphony, Syracuse Symphony, Newport Symphony, Central Oregon Symphony, Springfield (Illinois) Orchestra, Festival Orchestra of the Oregon Coast Music Festival, among others. As a frequent guest artist, Timmons has appeared in such summer festivals as Tanglewood, Chenango Musikfest in New York, the Olympic Music Festival, the Oregon Coast Music Festival, Festillésime and Festival Mozart in France. In France she has been artistic director for Musique à Beaumont, and is a member artist through Perspectives Musicales in Paris. As an award-winning author, Timmons has written on topics that include entrepreneurship, and volunteerism within the arts and humanities. She is a recipient of the Wilk International Literary Prize from University of Southern California. Her best-selling career guidebook, The Musician’s Journey: Crafting Your Career Vision and Plan, is published by Oxford University Press and will be forthcoming in a Second Edition in 2021. Timmons works with both individuals and non-profit groups to move their cause forward, ultimately supporting an artistic vision backed by concrete strategies for success. Currently, Timmons is the Artist/Teacher Affiliate with Classic Pianos at their flagship store in Portland, Oregon, and in their satellite locations in Bellevue, Denver, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Boston, and Albuquerque. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington and the Master of Music degree from Boston University. Her seminal training as a pianist has been with György Sebök, Béla Bösörményi-Nagy, and Randolph Hokanson. “She is a sensitive musician…Her playing is graceful, lyrical, detailed and intimate.” Tim Page, The New York Times “Timmons soars with the eagles. She plays with vitality and élan.” Fanfare Magazine Date/Time: Saturday, February 6, 2021, 10:00 am Jennifer graduated summa cum laude from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance and studied for two years at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst and Universität Stuttgart in Germany. She was awarded several Distinctions for her Masters Degree achievements in performance and musicological research at the Trinity College of Music in London, England in the Historically Informed Piano Performance degree program. Jennifer mischievously mixes experimental, visceral, and utterly listenable elements in an ever-evolving mix of her wide-ranging obsessions and curious whims, including repurposing pianos and other instruments, video art, found sound, alternative keyed instruments, sound sculptures, theatricality, trash instruments, the natural world, movement/dance, science, silliness, electronics, fashion, and live art-making. Much of her work focuses around her one-of-a-kind “Skeleton Piano,” an upright piano that she stripped of its exterior, altered mightily, and plays from the inside out with wild extended techniques and electronic modification. Her compositions have been performed at the 29th and 31st Annual Festival de La Habana de Música Contemporánea in Cuba, the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, The Astoria Music Festival, Portland International Piano Festival, Portland’s March Music Moderne festivals, Crazy Jane Composers and Cascadia Composers concerts, on KBOO, XRAY and KTCB radio, on KGW TV and Cuban National TV, by Portland’s Resonance Ensemble, the Free Marz String Trio, the Delgani Quartet, and in recitals in the U.S., England, and Finland. More info available at jenniferwrightpianostudio.com and skeletonpiano.com. Which perspective is the right one? Surprise: they all are – to a point! The secret is in the mix. This workshop shows how to reconcile these viewpoints into a joyous lifelong practice approach and gives you the tools and practice techniques to eliminate mistakes (and the terrible fear of mistakes) entirely from your playing. Let’s waste no time in giving this gift to ourselves and to our students! In this workshop we’ll cover: Bring your “That’s impossible” stories, your “I’ve tried and I can’t” tales, your burning questions, and your overwhelming challenges with you – so we can knock them down one by one! Date/Time: Monday, February 8, 2021, 10:00 am to 11:30 am Timmons has performed with orchestras throughout the US including the Oregon Symphony, Syracuse Symphony, Newport Symphony, Central Oregon Symphony, Springfield (Illinois) Orchestra, Festival Orchestra of the Oregon Coast Music Festival, among others. As a frequent guest artist, Timmons has appeared in such summer festivals as Tanglewood, Chenango Musikfest in New York, the Olympic Music Festival, the Oregon Coast Music Festival, Festillésime and Festival Mozart in France. In France she has been artistic director for Musique à Beaumont, and is a member artist through Perspectives Musicales in Paris. As an award-winning author, Timmons has written on topics that include entrepreneurship, and volunteerism within the arts and humanities. She is a recipient of the Wilk International Literary Prize from University of Southern California. Her best-selling career guidebook, The Musician’s Journey: Crafting Your Career Vision and Plan, is published by Oxford University Press and will be forthcoming in a Second Edition in 2021. Timmons works with both individuals and non-profit groups to move their cause forward, ultimately supporting an artistic vision backed by concrete strategies for success. Currently, Timmons is the Artist/Teacher Affiliate with Classic Pianos at their flagship store in Portland, Oregon, and in their satellite locations in Bellevue, Denver, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Boston, and Albuquerque. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington and the Master of Music degree from Boston University. Her seminal training as a pianist has been with György Sebök, Béla Bösörményi-Nagy, and Randolph Hokanson. “She is a sensitive musician…Her playing is graceful, lyrical, detailed and intimate.” Tim Page, The New York Times “Timmons soars with the eagles. She plays with vitality and élan.” Fanfare Magazine Date/Time: Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Date/Time: Saturday, March 6, 2021, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Dr. Tutunov maintains a busy performing schedule in Europe, China, Mexico, and the United States as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and on radio and television. He is also in demand as an adjudicator for piano competitions. Dr. Tutunov graduated magna cum laude from the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory (studies with Anna Artobolevskaya and Lev Naumov) and University of North Texas (piano studies with Joseph Banowetz). Awarded his doctoral diploma with honors in concert performance from the Belarusian State Conservatory, he has taught at the Minsk College of Music, the University of North Texas, and Illinois Wesleyan University. Dr. Tutunov now lives in Ashland, where he is Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at Southern Oregon University. A successful piano pedagogue, he continues to prepare award-winning students. Dr. Tutunov is Artist in Residence at the University of Alaska Southeast, Artistic director of the SOU International Piano Institute, and was recently named the Director of the Chinese-American International Piano Institute in Chengdu, China. Date/Time: Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Date/Time: Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Date/Time: Saturday, March 9, 2021, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Date/Time: Friday, May 7, 2021, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (The following videos are available to OMTA members and are password protected. Members may find the password in their members handbook. It is the same as for other password protected areas of this site.) Presented by Barbara Chapman NCTM Presented by Leila Viss, 88PianoKeys.me Presented by Donna Gunn, M.M., NCTM Presented by Emily Ross, M.A., M.T. – B.C. Presented by Heidi Evans NCTM Presented by Dr. Crystal Zimmerman NCTM, Professor of Piano, Willamette University Presented by Dr. Crystal Zimmerman NCTM, Professor of Piano, Willamette University Presented by Daniel Stephens, M.F.A. and Judith Kennedy, M.A.
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Deborah Butler.
Presenting District: Salem
Presenter: Rebekah Carter Read Presenter BioTechnique: and the Russian School Tradition of Piano Training
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Mary Morganti.
Presenter: Alexander Tutunov, NCTM Read Presenter BioPedaling Through the Ages–Cracking the Code: Historical Guidelines and Strategies for Informed Performance
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Rebecca Gooch.
Presenting District: Mid-Columbia
Presenter: Dr. Jill Timmons, NCTM Read Presenter BioPlaying Perfectly: What It Takes to Practice and Perform Completely Without Mistakes (or Fear of Mistakes)–Yes, It’s Possible!
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Sue Nelson.
Presenting District: Umatilla-Morrow
Presenter: Jennifer Wright Read Presenter Bio
• Why do we make mistakes?
• What are you actually doing wrong? (Hint: it’s usually not what you think.)
• Practice techniques: the good, the bad, and the useless
• How to fix ingrained mistakes and habits
• The power of habits and human nature: you can fight them, or you can make them work for you…it’s your choice
• Tapping into your innate learning instincts for powerful progress
• Once you get it, it’s all fun and games!Pedaling Through the Ages–Cracking the Code: Historical Guidelines and Strategies for Informed Performance
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Dr. Janet Pollack.
Presenting District: Eugene
Presenter: Dr. Jill Timmons, NCTM Read Presenter BioHow Do I Get My Student to Sound Artistic?
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Tammy Johnson.
Presenting District: Umpqua Valley-South Coast
Presenter: Dr. Thomas Otten, NCTM Read Presenter Bio
A recipient of numerous national and international awards, Dr. Otten has studied with artist teachers John Perry and Nelita True, and worked intensively with biomechanics expert Barbara Lister-Sink. He has been on the faculties of the International Young Artists Project (Italy), Saarburger Serenaden International Music Festival (Germany), the American Institute of Musical Studies (Austria), and the Kent/Blossom Festival (Ohio), as well as concerto soloist at the Chautauqua and Brevard Summer Festivals. He has been a member of competition juries in the U.S. and abroad, and was founder of the Kent Piano Seminar in Ohio, as well director of the UNC Liszt Festival, UNC Etude Festival, and the Ginastera Centennial Celebration in North Carolina. His discography includes transcriptions of Franz Liszt and a premiere recording of etudes by African American composer Leslie Adams. He is committed to diverse music of our time, having also premiered works by electronic music expert Frances White and jazz pianist/composer Joe Utterback.
Dr. Otten is Professor Emeritus of Piano at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; previously he was chair of piano at Kent State University. His former students include prize-winning concert artist Andrew Tyson, along with other professional musicians who are active throughout the country. His collaborations include the Miami and Vega String Quartets, violinist Richard Luby, as well as baritone Marc Callahan and soprano Louise Toppin.
For more information on Dr. Otten’s activities as a master teacher/pianist, please visit his website: www.otten.studio.Master Class
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Rebecca Gooch.
Presenting District: Mid-Columbia
Presenter: Alexander Tutunov, NCTM Read Presenter BioThe Inclusive Studio: Successfully Teaching Students Who Have Special Needs
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Sue Nelson.
Presenting District: Umatilla-Morrow
Presenter: Andrew D’Antonio Read Presenter Bio
Andrew has a bachelors of music in piano performance from Pacific Lutheran University, a masters of science in teaching in early childhood special education from Fordham University, and a masters of music in collaborative piano and music history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He regularly performs as a soloist and chamber musician. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Andrew returned from the East Coast in 2019 and currently lives and teaches in Portland, Oregon.
This workshop is intended as an introduction to special education techniques that can be applied in small group and one-on-one settings. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the most common (and most commonly misunderstood) disabilities that can be disruptive in a traditional private lesson setting: autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. Participants will have a chance to discuss and problem-solve scenarios specific to their own studios, and they will leave with a range of resources that will help support them in the future.Integrative Alexander Technique: for Performance and Wellness
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Jan Miller.
Presenting District: Blue Mountain
Presenter: Dr. Matt Goodrich Read Presenter Bio
Goodrich was national finalist in the Music Teachers National Association (Young Artists Division) and Young Keyboard Artist Association competitions. He has performed extensively on the West Coast, including a headline recital for the Seattle Spring Contemporary Music Festival and a Washington State debut tour, and has appeared as soloist with the Syracuse Symphony, University of Washington Symphony, UW Wind Ensemble, Victoria Festival Orchestra, Willamette Valley Symphony, and Seattle Thalia Symphony.
An active chamber music and theatrical performer, Goodrich was featured in the inaugural concert of the Auburn Symphony Chamber Series and performs frequently with diverse performing groups such as Expanse Ensemble, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Harrington-Goodrich Duo, Lucia Neare’s Theatrical Wonders, and Northwest Boychoir. He spent 2016 on the road with the Broadway national tour of If/Then and has been an Oregon Shakespeare Festival company member for six seasons. He has earned Alexander Technique International Teaching Certification and is currently Instructor of Piano at Southern Oregon University. He resides in Ashland, OR.Teaching the Special Learner: Wisdom and Strategies for the Independent Music Teacher
Location: TBA, for more information please contact Tammy Johnson.
Presenting District: Umpqua Valley-South Coast
Presenter: Emily Ross Read Presenter BioNon-verbal Teaching: Identifying and Utilizing Learning Styles
Location: Zoom, for access please contact Mary Morganti.
Presenting District: Lincoln County
Presenter: Dr. Crystal Zimmerman Read Presenter Bio
Crystal is professor of piano at Willamette University where she teaches class piano, individual piano lessons, as well as courses in music technology. At Willamette, she is also staff accompanist and coordinator of the accompanying program. She frequently performs in collaborative, chamber music, and solo recitals as well as being pianist in the Salem Chamber Orchestra. Zimmerman is in demand as a lecturer and clinician, and her articles have been featured in American Music Teacher magazine. She is currently working with FJH music company on the series, Succeeding with Sonatinas.Workshop Videos
Pilates For Musicians
Nurturing Potential Into Passion
Starter Steps for Playing Eighteenth-Century Repertoire on the Modern Piano
Teaching the Special Learner: Wisdom and Strategies for the Independent Music Teacher
Tips For Preparing For Syllabus Exams
Succeeding With Sonatinas
Music and the Brain – How We Hear And Understand Melody and Rhythm
Authentic Baroque Dance