Meetings

Gaining access to our annual meetings is one of the biggest benefits of joining our local chapter. Below is a list of upcoming events:

2025-2026 GPC-PMTA General & Board Meetings

  • Board meeting, August 27th from 10-12 noon at Ellen Johnson’s home
  • September 17, at PYCO Katie Palumbo “Your Body Is Your First Instrument”  (co-sponsored with PPTA) Katie is a pianist and Alexander Technique Teacher, check PPTA website for details.
  • Board meeting, October 8th from 9:30-11:30 on ZOOM
  • October 22, 10 AM-12:00 PM –Tips from the Piano Doctor, Luis Hernandez’s home, 3435 Ridgewood Dr., Pittsburgh PA  15235 GPC Member, Luis Hernandez will share tips from his work as a piano technician.
  • December 17, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Annual Potluck Brunch/Meeting at Dee Ann Symington’s home, 412 Fairborough Ct., Coraopolis, PA  15108
  • CANCELLED: January 28, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Zoom Presentation
  • Board meeting, February 11th, 2026 from 9:30-11:30 on ZOOM
  • February 25, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM “I Get by With a Little Help from My Friends”, at Bridgeville Panera, 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA  15017, an open discussion about piano teaching.​​​​​​​
  • Board meeting, April 8th, 2026 from 9:30-11:30 on ZOOM 
  • April 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Book Club at Jeff Harris’s home, 5740 Wilkins Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217, We will be discussing The Inner Game of Music (by Barry Green and Timothy Gallwey)
  • May 27, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Annual Board Meeting/Potluck Lunch at Nanette Solomon’s home, 300 North Woodland Rd., #2A, Pittsburgh, PA   15232

Past Meetings

2024-2025

  • “I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends”
  • Catherine Rollin, “The Magic of Imagery.”
  • “Trekking: The Art of Interdisciplinary Collaboration” presented by the Khasma Piano Duo: Ashlee Mack & Katherine Palumbo.
  • Kevin Lee Sun presenting on “Teaching Neurodivergent Students.”
  • Jackie Herbein will lead a book discussion on Breath by James Nestor.
  • “Mapping the Arm Structure”, presented by Kay Hooper.
  • Luis Hernandez presents piano technician insights.

2023-2024

  • “I Get by With a Little Help from my Friends”
  • Amy Simpson “Practice better, Perform better:  Preparing Music Performance According to Modern Neuro-Music Research”
  • Dr. Glenn Utsch of Slippery Rock University will provide guidance on how to teach jazz concepts.
  • A discussion about pianistic technique by Stan Tucker who studied with Menahem Pressler.
  • Jackie Herbein will be sharing about breathing and the physical aspects of playing an instrument.
  • Dr. Kevin Lee Sun, “From the Waist Down”

2022-2023

  • Melody Bober: “Practice Tips for Musicians and Introducing Composition in the Studio”.
  • Bonnie Kellert:  “10 Technical Issues Facing Pianists and Suggested Solutions”.
  •  Liz Ames: “Coaching for the Collaborative Performer”.
  • Stanley Tucker: “Journey to Broadway and a discussion on Arm Weight and Relaxation”.
  • Group Discussion:  “Teaching Nuggets from our Members”.
  • David Allen Wehr: “A Masterclass on Chopin Nocturnes”

2021-2022

  • Wynn-Anne Rossi: “Spark of Creativity”
  • Field Trip:  Bayernhof Museum
  • Craig Zinger: “Craig Zinger’s Pedagogical Approach”
  • Group Discussion: “Motivation: The Key to a Teacher’s Success”
  • Frederic Chiu: “Mental Practicing: Learning Without Practicing” 

2020-2021 GPC-PMTA General and Board Meetings

  • Group Discussion:”Teaching issues related to Covid-19″
  • Shelle Soelberg  “Sound Beginnings and Let’s Play Music”
  • Peter Mack (Zoom Webinar): “The Art of the Phrase” 
  • Crystal Zimmerman: (Zoom Webinar) “Succeeding with Sonatinas” 
  • Theresa Bogard (Zoom Webinar) “Memorization Techniques for Performers, Teachers and Students”  

2019-2020

  • Ingrid Jacobson Clarfied: “The Road to Chopin: From Method Book to first Chopin Pieces
  • James Inman, presenter: “from Boulanger to Beck, Teaching Pieces by 20th Century Women”
  • Jeff Harris: “The Path to Artistry: How to get There from the Beginning”
  • Webinar: Peter Mack, presenter “The Art of Phrasing”
  • Yeeha Chiu, presenter: “Practical Solutions for Student Practice”

2018-2019

  • Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric:  Using the Trivium Model for Musical Interpretation by Kevin Olson
  • Performance Anxiety: Exploring the Physical Connection by Jackie Herbein
  • Music Therapy 101  by Rebecca Lewis
  • Book Discussion: The Success Factor in Piano Teaching by Elvina T. Pearce
  • Chad Twedt: The Art of Rubato.
  • Wendy Stevens (video): Marketing, Taxes, Business Entities, and Liability for the Piano Teacher.
  • Timothy Schaffer: The Heart and Head Genius of Kabalevsky

2017-2018

  • Testing, Teaching, Training (Marina Lupinacci)
  • Technic Symposium (Group Discussion led by Jeff Harris)
  • Strategies to help Students (and teachers) compose (Stephen Hartke, joint with PPTA)
  • Coffehouse Chat
  • Burgmuller Bash – 25 New Second Piano Arrangements presented and composed by Chad Twedt (performance by Chad Twedt and other teachers)
  • April 2018: Teaching and Performing Schumann (Dr. Caroline Oltmanns, joint with PPTA)

2016-2017

  • The Right Wrong Notes: Contemporary Piano Literature for Intermediate Students (Nanette Solomon)
  • Contemporary Chording Techniques for Improvisation (Rick Gallagher)
  • Coffeehouse Chat
  • Don’t Just Practice, MetaPractice! (Chad Twedt)
  • How Motion Affects Sound (Sheila Paige, joint with PPTA)

2015-2016

  • Sight Reading (Tom Hill)
  • Motivating Students (Linda Kobler)
  • Creativity in Hard Times: The Federal Music Project of the 1930s (Leslie Amper, joint with PPTA)
  • Teaching Group Lessons (Group Discussion led by Dee Ann Symington)
  • Improvisation II (Group Discussion led by Jo Ann Wagstaff)

2014-2015

  • Teaching Students How to Practice (Group Discussion)
  • Pop Music (Scott Anderson)
  • Stride Piano & The Chaplin Project (Tom Roberts)
  • Coffeehouse Chat (Group Discussion)
  • Suzuki Method (Kiki Barley)
  • Technology (Group Discussion)

2013-2014

  • Teaching Creativity (Group Discussion led by Chad Twedt)
  • Uncovering the Secrets of Pedaling (Bonnie Kellert, joint with PPTA)
  • The Truth About Small Hands (Deborah Rambo Sinn, joint with PPTA)
  • YouTube/App/Website Sharing (Group Discussion led by Chad Twedt)

2012-2013

  • The Art of Rubato (Chad Twedt)
  • The Use of Improvisation in the Music Study (Isaac Steiner)
  • Listening is just the beginning: a critic’s life (Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic, joint with PPTA)
  • Book Discussion: Not Until You’ve Done Your Practice: The classic survival guide for kids who are learning a musical instrument, but hate practicing by Philip Johnston
  • Some Women’s Work That’s Never Done: Intermediate and Early Advanced Piano Literature by Women Composers (Nanette Kaplan Solomon, professor, Slippery Rock University)

2011-2012

  • Outside the Methods:  Quality Repertoire in the First Three Years (Group Discussion led by Elizabeth Burnett)
  • The Art of Playing from a Lead Sheet or Fake Book & The Mystery of Chord Symbols (Bob Hilf)
  • Music, the Brain, and the iGeneration: Teaching the Acoustic in a Digital Age (Andrea McAllister, joint with PPTA)
  • Book Review: Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin (Group Discussion led by Jo Ann Wagstaff)

2010-2011

  • Unique Sight Reading Strategies (Group Discussion led by Lee Kikuchi)
  • A Joyful Noise: Come and Play with Us (Jo Ann Wagstaff improvisation session leader)
  • Book Review: A Soprano on her Head by Eloise Ristad (Group Discussion led by Jackie Herbein)
  • 10 Technical Issues Facing Pianists and Suggested Solutions (Bonnie Kellert, joint with PPTA)
  • Music History for Kids (Group Discussion led by Deb Busche

2009-2010

  • What in the World Are They Thinking?  A Discussion About Teaching Children to Read Music (Group Discussion led by Jo Ann Wagstaff)
  • Performance Opportunities for Students (Group Discussion led by Deb Busche)
  • Beethoven and the High School Pianist (Dr. Steven Smith, joint with PPTA)
  • Haydn and Mendelssohn Teaching Pieces (Group Discussion led by Jeffry Harris)
  • Book Review: William Westney’s The Perfect Wrong Note (Group Discussion led by Jackie Herbein)
  • Notational Software and the Music Publishing Industry (Robert Schultz)
  • Share Your Favorite Pedagogical teaching pieces (Group Discussion led by Ellen Johnson)
  • Beyond the Bench: Non-teaching aspects of the job (Group Discussion led by Lee Kikuchi)

2008-2009

  • Instructional Games for the Occasional Group Lesson – bring your favorite ideas to share (Group Discussion led by Ellen Johnson)
  • The Lesson:  Overwhelming or Just Right?  A discussion on pacing and planning the music lesson (Group Discussion led by Sue Garnhart)
  • Toys and Tools (Jacqueline Herbein, joint with PPTA)
  • Music Reading (Jo Ann Wagstaff)
  • Only Pianists begin with Middle C: A critical assessment of how theory is taught to non-pianists (Lee Kikuchi)
  • Nurtured by Love by Suzuki (Group Discussion led by Candy Hutchins)
  • Robert Vandall Workshop (joint with PPTA)
  • What We Do for the Money We Earn and How to Communicate that to Students (Group Discussion led by Elizabeth Burnett)

2007-2008

  • After the Method Books: A Discussion of Piano Literature (Group Discussion)
  • A Workshop for Piano Teachers: Reading, Technique, Interpretation (Marvin Blickenstaff, joint with PPTA)
  • Pedaling with Style: From Baroque to Fox-Trots (Nancy Bachus, joint with PPTA)
  • Teaching with Technology (Becky Lewis)
  • Discussion on The Practice Revolution (Group Discussion)
  • Pupil Savers: A Discussion of Favorite Teaching Pieces (Group Discussion)
  • How Motion Affects Sound (Shelia Page)
  • BYO Teaching and Studio Policy/Business Questions/Social

2006-2007

  • Teaching Beginning Technique (Group Discussion)
  • Self-Directed Practice: The Key to Student Success and Motivation (Elvina Truman Pearce, joint with PPTA)
  • The Zen of Piano Teaching (Group Discussion)
  • Alexander Technique (Lisa Levinson)
  • Preparation and Timing for Performance (Group Discussion)
  • Training Students as Accompanists (Luz Manriquez)
  • Composition in the Lesson (Elizabeth Burnett)
  • BYO Teaching and Studio Policy/Business Questions/Social

2005-2006

  • For Pianists Only: Sequencing Repertoire (Group Discussion led by Jeffry Harris)
  • What We Charge and Why (Beth Klingenstein)
  • Problem Students and Parents, Firing Students (Group Discussion led by Elizabeth Burnett)
  • Russian Teaching Techniques in America (Katherine Fefer)
  • Insurance and Liability (Jerry Stahovic)
  • Share a Teaching QUestion (Group Discussion led by Eileen Nadzam)
  • For Pianists Only: A Comparison of Method Books (Group Discussion led by Connie Kean)

2004-2005

  • Intermediate Piano Literature by Twentieth Century Women Composers (Becky Billock)
  • Capture the Spirit…..of the Romantic Period (Nancy Bachus, joint with PPTA)
  • How to Fine Tune Your Taxes-Don’t End the Year on a Flat Note (Johanna Guehl, C.P.A.)
  • Dealing with Teacher Burnout (Group Discussion led by Deb Busche)
  • Seldom Encountered Treasures for the Intermediate/Early Advanced Student (Deb Ronning)
  • Suzuki and Traditional Music Lessons: Parallels and Contrasts (Jo Ann Wagstaff)
  • Share Your Favorite Pedagogical Teaching Pieces (Group Discussion led by Sue Garnhart)

2003-2004

  • Capture the Spirit…of the Classical Period (Nancy Bachus, joint with PPTA)
  • Performance Anxiety (Sanna Carapellotti)
  • Meeting the Challenge of Teaching High School Students (Group Discussion led by Deb Busche)
  • It’s Not Just About the Fingers:  A Look at Technique Books and Exercises (Jacqueline Herbein)
  • An Invitation to Create: How to guide students on the path to successful, rewarding student composition (Carol Klose, joint with PPTA)
  • The Dummy’s Guide to Creating a Studio Computer Lab (Group Discussion led by Rebecca Lewis)
  • Polish Up Your Policy: Exploring New Ideas for the Upcoming Year (Group Discussion led by Connie Kean)

2001-2002

(no historical records – please contact the webmaster if you have information on this year)

2002-2003

(no historical records – please contact the webmaster if you have information on this year)

2000-2001

  • Vroom! Making Your Studio Run Better (Paula Terrana)
  • The Well-Organized Music Teacher (Group Discussion)
  • Careers in Music (Nancy Boston)
  • Music Advocacy and the Private Teacher (Rebecca Lewis)
  • What Music Majors Entering College Should Know (Eugene Alcalay)
  • MTNA Convention Wrap-Up (Group Discussion)
  • Performance/Social

1999-2000

  • We Teach Who We Are (Christine Kefferstan)
  • Policies and Business Practices (Group Discussion)
  • Judging (Group Discussion)
  • Creating and Composing (Bill Tobin)
  • Favorite Pieces by Lesser-Known Composers (Group Discussion)
  • Teaching Rhythm – From Simple to Complex (Group Discussion)
  • Performance/Social

1998-1999

  • Play it Any Way – Improvisation Techniques (Lyn Gentry)
  • Method Book Review (Group Discussion)
  • Ensemble Music (Group Discussion)
  • Business Organization of Your Studio (Group Discussion)
  • Communication with Parents and Students (Group Discussion)
  • Performance/Social

1997-1998

  • Tricks of the Trade (Group Discussion)
  • Avoiding Sour Notes: Prevention and Detection of Sexual Harassment Claims (John A. Lee)
  • Certification (Beverly Taylor)
  • Computer Software
  • The Legacy of Tobias Matthay (Dorothy Whitlinger)
  • Performance/Social

1996-1997

  • Teaching of Technique (Group Discussion)
  • Humor in Music (Dominic Intili)
  • Piano Technicians Guild Q&A (Randy Mangus and David Barr)
  • Reconsideration of French Piano Music at the Turn of the Century (Henry Spinelli)
  • Music Marketing to Enhance Your Career
  • Performance/social