Wednesday, October 22 --- 9:45am social time / 10:00am program

C’ville Band Building, 1119 5th St SW

Musicking and Peacebuilding - Benjamin Bergey

Learn how peacebuilding frameworks can help us understand music's amazing capacity to create common ground, build empathy and understanding, and improve dialogue skills to benefit students in all types of music classes.

Saturday, September 13 --- 1:00 – 2:30 pm season opener

Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave.

VMTA Theory Test: Administered in Charlottesville

The Virginia State Theory Test is open to all current students of CMTA teachers. Unless your student has a specific requirement for another MTNA or VMTA event, teachers may choose the test level for each student. Sample tests and ear training exercises are available on the VMTA website. Watch for updates in the Allegro newsletter. 

Day/Time: March 14, 2026

Location: TBA

For additional inquiries and registration for the test, please contact Melinda Goodwin.

Wednesday, April 15 --- 9:45am social time / 10:00am program

C’ville Band Building, 1119 5th St SW

Fun with Scales – Eric Ruple

Are you ever bored “teaching scales?” Do you ever wonder, “Is there a better way?” or, “Why do we teach them the way we do?” or “Why do we teach them at all?” I ask you, Do you still regularly practice scales yourself?  Well, if nothing else, I promise a very new and fresh approach. You will never be bored again!

Wednesday, May 14 --- 11:00am Brunch Social and Meeting

Home of Carol & Jim Prodan

Wednesday, April 9 --- 9:45am social time / 10:00am program

C’ville Band Building, 1119 5th St SW

Noteworthy Business - Jeanne Jackson

Managing a studio takes significant time and energy. Come for a discussion of policies that streamline the administrative process so you can enjoy more time sharing what you love about music with your students! IMTF (Independent Music Teachers Forum) Chair, Jeanne Jackson, will lead the discussion and present the results of this year's CMTA Business Policy Survey.

Wednesday, March 12 --- 9:45am social time / 10:00am program

Municipal Arts Center, 1119 5th St SW

Playing Well with Others - Jeannette Fang

Avid chamber musician Jeannette Fang will discuss the importance of chamber music in education and how it can teach one to be a better musician, pianist, soloist, and human being.

As an avid chamber musician Jeannette has collaborated with such acclaimed artists as the Parker Quartet, Ensō String Quartet, Roger Tapping, Aaron Berofsky, Peter Frankl, Bonnie Hampton, and Aisslinn Nosky. Jeannette enjoys exploring many different interests, has published many articles on music, and currently hosts a podcast entitled So Many Wrong Notes. She received her DMA from University of Michigan and holds degrees from Juilliard and Yale.

CMTA FESTIVAL

The CMTA Festival provides students of all ages and ability levels the satisfaction of sharing their music with others, as well as hearing music performed by their peers. Students perform in recital format before a small audience of family, friends, and other performers. Students receive ratings and feedback from 2 judges as well as a certificate of participation. A special Comment Only category allows adult students to perform privately for judges’ comments only. All students earn a medal for every 3 years of participation (the years do not have to be consecutive). This event is open to piano, organ, string, wind, harp and voice students.

Check the CMTA website for complete information and watch for Allegro newsletter updates.

PIANO/ORGAN/HARP DETAILS:

Chair: Joyce Polifka

Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025

Place: First Presbyterian Church (500 Park St.)

Registration Deadline: January 19, 2025

Eligibility: Any student of CMTA members, all instruments including voice. Contact chairs for non-member policy.

Fees (non-refundable): $25 (solo), $30 (duet or trio), larger ensembles consult with the chair (non-CMTA member rate is double)

CMTA FESTIVAL

The CMTA Festival provides students of all ages and ability levels the satisfaction of sharing their music with others, as well as hearing music performed by their peers. Students perform in recital format before a small audience of family, friends, and other performers. Students receive ratings and feedback from 2 judges as well as a certificate of participation. A special Comment Only category allows adult students to perform privately for judges’ comments only. All students earn a medal for every 3 years of participation (the years do not have to be consecutive). This event is open to piano, organ, string, wind, harp and voice students.

Check the CMTA website for complete information and watch for Allegro newsletter updates.

STRING/WIND/VOICE DETAILS:

Chair: Erin Flynn and Stanley Beckwith

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025

Place: University Baptist Church, University Avenue

Registration: January 8 – 20, 2025

Eligibility: Any student of CMTA members, all instruments including voice. Contact chairs for non-member policy.

Fees (non-refundable): $25 (solo), $30 (duet or trio), larger ensembles consult with the chair (non-CMTA member rate is double)

Sunday, January 19 --- 1:30pm – 3:00pm

First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St

A Piano Masterclass - Jeremy Thompson

Jeremy Thompson was born in Dipper Harbour, a small fishing village in New Brunswick, Canada. He furthered his studies at McGill University in Montreal, studying piano with Marina Mdivani who was herself a student of Emil Gilels. He also began organ studies while he was in Montreal, among the many incredible instruments of that city. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to continue his studies with Dr. John Grew. He is currently the Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church Charlottesville. In 2005, he earned a Doctorate of Music in piano performance from McGill, where he held two of Canada’s most prestigious doctoral fellowships. He has appeared frequently with orchestras including the Saint Petersburg State Academic Orchestra, the Saratov Philharmonic Orchestra, the Georgian National Orchestra, the Charlottesville Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony and the McGill Symphony Orchestra. He has performed extensively throughout North America in both solo and chamber music settings and has also completed three tours to Russia and the Republic of Georgia.

CMTA’s Adult Student Recital will be held Friday, November 22 at 7:30.

Location for this event is TBD. Watch for updates in the Allegro newsletter. We welcome all adults currently studying with a CMTA member to share their music with each other. Duets and ensembles are encouraged, as well as solos.

CMTA teachers may contact Beth Cantrell for information and to register your student(s).

2024 YOUTH STUDENT RECITAL

“Captivating Classical Music”

This year, students of CMTA members are invited to perform at a recital comprised entirely of music from the Classical period (1750 – 1827). All instruments, including chamber ensembles and voice, may participate. Each CMTA teacher may submit up to two students to perform for this event. Teachers should confer with the Recital Chair ahead of time about any questions regarding a particular composition or before selecting a longer piece. Please note that all solo performers are required to have their pieces memorized.

Chair: Marie Powers Ellis

Date/Time: Sunday, November 17; 1:30 pm Place: The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd

Eligibility: Any CMTA member's student, grade 12 or younger

Fee: None

Deadline/applications: Received by November 10; applications are accepted by email (preferred) or by post.

More information in the CMTA Yearbook.

PLAY-A-THON FUNDRAISER

The 2024 CMTA Play-a-Thon Fundraiser will take place at the Mudhouse Coffee Crozet on the afternoon of Saturday, November 16 (located at

5793 The Square, Crozet). All proceeds will benefit the Charlottesville Emergency Food Network. CMTA members will have the opportunity to enroll their students via SignUpGenius.com. As the date approaches, keep an eye out for the signup in Allegro!

Wednesday, November 13 --- 9:45am social time / 10:00am program

C’ville Band Building, 1119 5th St SW

Popular Music Styles in Classical Music Pedagogy - Jake Roege

There has long been a stigma around the inclusion of popular and contemporary music idioms in musical instruction in favor of the tried-and-true classics. "Pop" music can feel cheap and a waste of time to incorporate when students are struggling to practice the important things! So let's discuss realistic ways to incorporate a wider diversity of music into our curricula and why it can be a positive source in your studio.

Jake is the second violinist of the Triforce Quartet, as well as Principal Second Violin of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. He has previously served as President of the Charlottesville chapter of the Music Teachers National Association, and Associate Concertmaster of the Waynesboro Symphony.

Sunday, September 15 --- 12:45pm social time / 1:00pm program

The Front Porch, 221 Water St E

Journeys of a Late Beginner - Harold Bailey

Front Porch music teacher Harold Bailey will discuss his journey as a late beginner starting at the age of 16, and the impact a formal music education has had on his growth as a pianist. Through this, teachers will hopefully learn helpful information on the best practices for achieving great success with those coming to the instrument later than others.

Harold Bailey is originally from Richmond, VA. Harold was a Semi-Finalist of The American Prize National Competition, College University Division, and 2nd Place Finalist of the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, which led to a solo performance at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. He received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Piano Performance from Radford University (Radford, VA), and the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA). During his time at JMU, Harold served as graduate instructor of Class Piano and graduate student accompanist.

Wednesday, May 8 May Breakfast & Business Meeting

9:30am Jim & Carol Prodan’s house, Charlottesville

Wednesday, March 13 Continuing Education: The influence of Bach on Twentieth Century Composers

9:45am Social Time Municipal Arts Ctr, 1119 5th St SW 10:00am Program Dr. Adam Carter, Cellist

Adam Carter will present a program of solo cello music that explores the connections between the Bach Cello Suites and 20th-century solo works. The program will include excerpts from compositions by Bloch, Hindemith, Britten, Ligeti, and Reger as well as excerpts from various Bach suites. Adam will explore how Bach influenced motive, form, style, and character in these 20th-century masterpieces. Adam is principal cello of the Charlottesville Symphony and an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia. Dr. Carter grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts. He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree with Distinction from the Eastman School of Music, and completed his Doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In his free time, Dr. Carter and his wife are passionate animal advocates, and foster kittens through the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.

PIANO/ORGAN/HARP DETAILS:

Chair: Joyce Polifka - joycepolifka@gmail.com

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024

Place: First Presbyterian Church (500 Park St.)

Registration Deadline: January 21

Eligibility: Any student of CMTA members, all instruments including voice. Contact chairs for non-member policy.

Fees (non-refundable): $25 (solo), $30 (duet or trio), larger ensembles consult with the chair

STRING/WIND/VOICE DETAILS:

Chair: Erin Flynn - erinannflynn@gmail.com

Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024

Place: Location TBA

Registration opens: December 15; Registration Deadline: January 8

Eligibility: Any student of CMTA members, all instruments including voice. Contact chairs for non-member policy.

Fees (non-refundable): $25 (solo), $30 (duet or trio), larger ensembles consult with the chair.

Saturday, Feb 3; Music from the Stage and Screen; 10am-noon; The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd

Dr. Matthew Cataldi, Pianist

In the first hour of his program, Dr. Matthew Cataldi will present a recital of classical masterpieces, virtuoso transcriptions, and original arrangements of music inspired by opera, ballet, musical theatre, and television. From Beethoven to Gershwin, Liszt to Broadway - there will be something for music lovers of every age and background. The second hour of his presentation includes a discussion of improvisation and a masterclass.

Dr. Matthew Cataldi holds MM and DM degrees in Piano Performance and Literature from Indiana University. He has enjoyed a versatile career as a piano soloist, collaborative artist, conductor, composer, and educator and has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in addition to many other venues across the Americas and Canada. As an experienced conductor and musical director in the theatre world, he's premiered several new works in New York City in collaboration with Tony Award winning Broadway artists. He enjoys bridging the classical and popular worlds, creating, and presenting exciting new music that caters to his unique background and interests. Dr. Cataldi is president of the Highlands Chapter of the Virginia Music Teachers Association and is Director of Piano Studies at Radford University in Radford, Virginia where he was recently awarded the Dalton Eminent Scholar Rising Star award - a university-wide award for creative scholarship that recognizes faculty with distinguished international reputations in their discipline.

This program is free and open to the public.

Chair: Lynanne Wilson; lyncello@hotmail.com

Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, 7:00 pm

Place: University Baptist Church, 1223 W. Main St., Charlottesville

Eligibility: Any adult (post high school) students of any CMTA member

Fee: None

Chair: Marie Powers Ellis

Date/Time: Sunday, November 19; 1:30 pm Place: The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd

Eligibility: Any CMTA member's student, grade 12 or younger

Fee: None

Deadline/applications: Received by November 12; applications are accepted by email (preferred) or by snail mail.

The 2023 CMTA Play-a-Thon Fundraiser will take place at the Mudhouse Coffee Crozet on the afternoon of Saturday, November 18 (located at 5793 The Square, Crozet). All proceeds will benefit the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.

For additional inquiries, please contact: Marie Powers Ellis, marie@ivypianostudio.com

Wednesday, Nov. 8 Guiding Intermediate Students Through the Bridge

9:45am Social Time Municipal Arts Ctr, 1119 5th St SW

10:00am Program Dr. Paulo Steinberg, Pianist

Research shows that a big percentage of students who quit piano lessons are between ages 11 and 14. That is when many extracurricular activities are added to their schedule which affect their performance in other areas, including piano. How can we prepare our intermediate students for that inevitable phase? How can we keep them engaged and motivated? More importantly, how can we GUIDE them through the bridge that will lead to their success? This lecture will discuss a few tips that might help your students make progress and succeed during a very busy phase in their lives.

A winner of several national competitions in his native Brazil, Dr. Steinberg was also the recipient of a prestigious scholarship from the Brazilian Government while pursuing his advanced degrees in piano performance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in piano from Universidade de Sao Paulo, a Master’s degree from Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University. Among his distinguished teachers are Brazilian pianists Carlos Yansen, Elizabeth Barthelson, Gilberto Tinetti, Caio Pagano, Paulo Gori, and Belgian pianist Ms. Evelyne Brancart. Dr. Steinberg is Professor of Piano at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.

Wednesday, Oct. 11 Without the Instrument, Without the Music: Teaching Beginners Through Music Games

9:45am Social Time Municipal Arts Ctr, 1119 5th St SW

10:00am Program Melinda Goodwin

Welcome to Melinda’s bag of tricks. There are so many ways to teach beginners to play an instrument without one. Teaching sight-reading, rhythm and musicality through games and fun activities is a great way to add variety to

your teaching day. Pre-teaching for new pieces before the student even opens

the book makes the lesson flow smoothly. Join Melinda to learn the variety of tips she has invented and picked up from other teachers over the years. Manipulatives to make yourself and favorite teaching aids will be shown along with resources of where and how to make and buy them for your own students.

Before moving to Virginia, Melinda had her own piano studio in Plano, TX. As an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University for two years in the Piano Pedagogy department, she instructed master’s level pianists to teach private and class piano lessons in the preparatory academy, and she also taught class piano to undergraduate students. Melinda has a Master of Music from Southern Methodist University in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, and a Bachelors of Music from the University of Oklahoma in Piano Pedagogy and Performance.

Saturday, August 26 Opening Meeting

3:00-5:00 pm The Colonnades, 2600 Barracks Rd. Member performance, plans, and activities for the 2023-24 season.

                                                               WMC ADULT RECITAL

                                         SUNDAY,  JUNE 4,  12:00 - 3:00

                                           THE CENTER at BELVEDERE

The Wednesday Music Club is happy to offer an opportunity for students of college age and beyond to share their musical accomplishments!  Students of both vocal and all instrumental music, at all levels of proficiency, from Early Intermediate to Advanced may enjoy an informal format which will make available performances on either the Steinway in the Atrium or

the concert Yamaha in the auditorium.  We're always delighted at the response from pianists but would be even more delighted to add to the pianists more voice, strings, winds, and ensembles of all kinds!

From 12 until 1:45 there'll be opportunities to warm up for 5 or so minutes on the pianos or other instruments.  The actual recital will begin at 1:45, starting in the Atrium and then everyone will move to the auditorium to hear those eager to try out the Yamaha.

Deadline for submissions is JUNE 1.  Please send the following information or any questions by email to Pat Davis, patdav5@gmail.com:

-----name, length, and composer of composition.

-----performance venue  (atrium, auditorium, or undecided).

Wednesday, May 10 May Breakfast & Business Meeting

9:30am Home of Lynanne Wilson