MTNA 2026 in Chicago is a wrap!
This conference was one to remember for many reasons.
Most importantly, it was the organization’s 150th anniversary. What a special milestone!
I was lucky to have the chance to chat with Dr. Kevin Chance, the current President of MTNA, about the organization’s history in episode #171 of the podcast.
Another reason it was special for me in particular was that I had my first display in the exhibit hall as part of the Entrepreneur Corner.
I loved getting the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with so many teachers!
As always, there were plenty of photo opportunities, but this year, besides the 150th celebration backdrop, this piano made it onto lots of social media threads LOL. I’ll admit I was doing a very quick run-through of the exhibit hall, so I didn’t take the time to catch the details of the piano, except to snap a photo to share with you.
If anyone took the time to pay attention to the details more than I did, please let us know what you know about it in the comments!
And now onto this month’s finds!
1
One of my favorite parts of the conference was conducting short 20-30 second interviews with teachers who came by my table. They had to pick one of these questions to answer:
- Tell me something AMAZING that happened to you today.
- Tell me something you ROCK at in your teaching.
- Tell me something COOL/INTERESTING that you discovered.
Each reel is only 1:30. Check them out on my Instagram feed or on Facebook. So incredibly fun and touching!
2
I really enjoyed all my neighbors in the Entrepreneurs’ Corner at MTNA. The gentleman next to me ran a non-profit that I had never heard of, so I wanted to share it with you.
It’s called Volunteer Musicians for the Arts. It’s an achievement program for students that develops leadership and community service. Such a wonderful organization!
3
My graduate teacher, Dr. Lori Rhoden, just published a book: Developing Intermediate-Level Piano Performance with Romantic-Style Repertoire. It was on display by the publisher at MTNA, but I missed snapping a picture!
Dr. Rhoden was featured in episode #050 of the podcast – Teacher Talk with My Piano Teachers.
4
What is a Baker’s Dozen? Making O-Words Plural (Grammar Girl Podcast)
5
A teacher friend emailed me recently to share a video she was excited about: How to Play Burgmüller’s ‘Arabesque’ Op. 100 No 2 by Pianist Academy. I can see why she was so excited about it!
6
After almost two years, Liz Boyd, daughter of the late Susan Paradis, has turned the tide and is continuing her mother’s legacy by making it her own. SusanParadis.com is now BettySue.Shop.
Liz shared a lovely look into the life of her mother and her journey leaving her job and taking over her mother’s website in episode #169 – Remembering Susan Paradis.
7
Google Calendar finally has the ability to do appointment scheduling. Yea!
8
A great podcast listen: Anne Katherine Davis on MLT, Audiation, and the Science of Musical Thought (The Fourforty with Eric Branner)
9
A recent recipe win: Viral One-Pan Dumplings.
10
I took a few Trader Joe’s snacks with me to the conference. One was a new find, and it was a winner! Dark Chocolate Bark with Almond, Pretzel, & Sea Salt. So yummy! It comes in big chunks, but you can just break off a bite at a time.
11
As always, I came home with a stack of books at least 6″ tall and more than one order being shipped to me. Items I’m most excited about include:
Explore with Me by Alison Mathews (Piano Safari)
Dreaming Book 1 by Giulio Pietropaolo (Piano Safari)
Melodic Explorations Book 2 by Giulio Pietropaolo (Piano Safari)
Distances: 8 Solos Based on Intervals by Scott Price (Tom Gerou Music)
On Your Way to Succeeding with the Masters by Helen Marlais (FJH Music)
2 Responses
I always LOVE your Friday Finds. It makes you feel like my friend next door!
Aw… I love that Dianne! Thank you. So glad you’re enjoying them. 🙂