Get to know KMTA.
A group of music teachers in the Bremerton area gathered at Brown’s Music Store in October of 1948 to discuss their mutual problems. As a result, they decided to meet regularly and to present their students in monthly recitals. Mrs. H. A. McNeill was elected president and Mrs. Aileen Stroberger, secretary. The following year, Kitsap Music Teachers Association affiliated with Washington State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association -- the oldest music teachers' professional organization in the United States.
Today KMTA sponsors many musical and educational events for our students and for the community at large. Our active membership base includes teachers of piano, voice, strings, winds and percussion instruments, as well as a community strings class for homeschooled students.
Monthly Meetings
Monthly meetings are the heart of KMTA — the point of member-to-member contact and the place where upcoming events are discussed and prepared. Each month a guest speaker or program is offered in addition to the business meeting. These meetings offer an opportunity to network and learn with your fellow teachers, gaining ideas to improve our teaching and studio practices. Prospective members are invited to visit one of our meetings to find out more about KMTA.
WHEN: Generally the 2nd Friday of every month except December and March; 10:00am to 12:00 pm. There are exceptions when special events are planned in lieu of a chapter meeting.
WHERE: Locations around Central Kitsap – check the Calendar and Quavers newsletters for latest information. Most meetings are at Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church.
Our dedicated members!
KMTA works best when we all participate. Therefore, the ideal KMTA Member will:
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Read and respond to communications from KMTA, WSMTA and MTNA.
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Attend at least one chapter gathering a year. We want to know who you are!
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Personally participate in or assist with at least one KMTA event each year.
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Uphold the MTNA Code of Ethics.
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Share positive and constructive feedback with your Board.
Pursue professional certification.
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) offers the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) professional certification. The certification process involves completing several projects including demonstration of effective teaching, performance proficiency, music analysis from an instructional perspective, studio policy development, and commitment to professional ethics in line with MTNA standards.
WSMTA has financial and knowledge resources to help teachers complete their certification journey.
More information at certification.MTNA.org and WSMTA.org.
Dorothy Woodcock Endowment
In order to realize the goal of music-making for everyone, and to perpetuate the tradition of live music in our community, the Kitsap Music Teachers Association has established the Dorothy Woodcock Endowment (DWE) to provide funding for programs in support of:
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Music Students, recognizing a broad range of learning goals and achievement levels.
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Music Teachers, sponsoring continuing education opportunities and workshops.
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Music Listeners, cultivating attendance for live music events in Kitsap County.
Funding Guidelines
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DWE funding is intended to support activities and events that serve KMTA teachers and their students through programs that, individually and collectively, meet an array of the goals stated above.
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DWE funding is not intended for need based grants.
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DWE funds shall not be awarded to compensate individual members of KMTA for their services.
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If you have an idea for an event or opportunity that the Dorothy Woodcock Endowment Fund could support, please contact a member of the KMTA Board.
To be considered for DWE funding in the upcoming budget year (July 1-June 30), requests for funding must be submitted by the prior March 15.
Oversight
The activities and financial status of the fund are directed by the Investment Advisory Council (IAC) and the Funding Advisory Council (FAC).
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The Investment Advisory Council (IAC) consists of the KMTA President, Treasurer and one non-board member. They review the investment portfolio and set annual spending parameters.
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The Funding Advisory Council (FAC) consists of the immediate Past President, President-Elect, Secretary, one Chapter Representative and one non-board member. They receive and review funding applications for the fiscal year, make funding recommendations to the KMTA Board, according to the Investment Funding Guidelines.
Past DWE-Supported Programs
Programs supported in whole or in part by the Dorothy Woodcock Endowment:
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KMTA Music Carnival
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Christmas at the Mall
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Continuing Education Workshops for Teachers
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WSMTA District III Conference
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WSMTA Conference
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Ticket Vouchers for Kitsap Music Events
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Strings Summer Camp
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Community Concert with Guest Artist(s)
NADEAN CLARKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Nadean Clarke Memorial Scholarship is available for students who would like to attend part or all of the WSMTA State Conference, often as Chapter Representatives to the State Honors Recitals. Scholarships are available for any KMTA students who would like to take advantage of this opportunity to attend recitals, concerts, and helpful sessions about different areas of music study. To obtain a scholarship if not an Honors Recitalist, students should request one through their teacher, who can forward the request to the KMTA Board.
Nadean Clarke was a founding member of KMTA who had a huge heart for students and music education. She lovingly included initial funds for this scholarship in her estate, and we are proud to present it in her memory.
Past Presidents
We honor our heritage by recognizing all past KMTA presidents.
1948 – 1951 Beverly Sherman
1951 – 1953 Aileen Stroberger
1953 – 1954 Aida Lytle
1954 – 1955 Vern Brooks
1955 – 1956 Nadean Clarke
1956 – 1957 Anee Duensing
1957 – 1959 Dorothy Levin
1959 – 1960 Mrs. H. A. McNeill
1961 – 1962 Nadean Clarke
1962 – 1964 Myrtle Baxter
1964 – 1966 Wilma Richardson
1966 – 1968 Myrtle Siewert
1968 – 1970 Lorna Randall
1970 – 1971 Eileen Clee
1971 – 1973 Bertha Croes Mjelde
1973 – 1975 Faye Bichon
1975 – 1977 Hazel Tucker
1977 – 1979 Joan Brennan
1979 – 1981 Martha Stine Thatcher
1981 – 1983 Kathy Sprague
1983 – 1985 Jan Hyde-Batt
1985 – 1987 Pat Stodden
1987 – 1989 Debra Florian
1989 – 1990 Dr. Irene Bowling
1990 – 1991 Claire Marshall
1991 – 1993 Georgene Corey
1993 – 1995 Marilyn Karr
1995 – 1997 Dianne Johnston
1997 – 1999 Gwen Guidici
1999 – 2001 Laura Kornelis
2001 – 2003 Mary Foster Grant
2003 – 2005 Janice Parker Peterson
2005 – 2007 Krista Seely
2007 – 2009 Mary Elizabeth Reynolds
2009 – 2012 Patti Ray
2012 – 2014 Leslie Devine
2014 – 2016 Melanie Harris
2016 – 2018 Diane Layton
2018 – 2020 Jane Melin
2020 – 2022 Laura Meredith
2022 – 2024 Melanie Stroud
2024 – 2026 Farida Roberts
2026 – Melanie Kurtzbein