Please join us for the 2019 Quad State Conference of the Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont Music Teachers Associations on Saturday, October 5, 2019 (with BONUS EVENTS on Friday, October 4) at the stunning waterfront destination of Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Endicott College in Beverly is a gem of Massachusetts’ North Shore, right on the water, near historic Salem. You will be surrounded by New England’s natural fall beauty! Plan to be embraced by the warmth of good colleagues and friends and inspired by a most amazing and gifted international speaker, Dr. William Westney. The theme, “Collaboration, Empowerment and Motivation in the Studio,” promises to be relevant to teachers of all instruments and voice, at all levels. You will also be the first to hear completely new compositions, commissioned by our quad states.
On Saturday morning, coffee and refreshments will greet you as you register. Lunch will be an all-you-can eat feast in the Callahan Center Dining Commons, just a brief walk around a sparkling pond (or you can drive over). All in all, we want to offer to you, our colleagues, a conference experience that will resonate for years to come.
Ellyses Kuan, MMTA President, cordially invites you to join us for this destination conference!
Collaboration, Empowerment, and Motivation in the Studio
Dr. William Westney, Featured Presenter
Author of "The Perfect Wrong Note" and creator of "The Un-Master Class®"
Dr. Westney is a concert pianist, university professor, author, researcher, studio teacher, workshop facilitator, and keynote speaker. An internationally noted educator, he was awarded a grant from the U.S. State Department's Fulbright "Senior Specialist" program (Council for International Exchange of Scholars,) to teach throughout Korea and China in 2006. Westney has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2012 MTNA “Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award”, and three special teaching honors from Texas Tech University – the Chancellor’s Council distinguished Teaching Award, the Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor of Piano, and the Eva Browning Artist-in-Residence.
2019 Quad State Conference Schedule
Friday, October 4, 2019 (BONUS EVENTS!)
12:00 p.m. Solo piano recital by Dr. William Westney (free!)
Program: Beethoven (Op. 10, No.1), Grieg, and selected song arrangements by Gershwin
Location: Rose Performance Hall, Manninen Center for the Arts, Endicott College, Beverly, MA 01915
7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
Please join MMTA and Quad State Conference Chair, Alison Barr, for a reception to welcome all Conference attendees! Hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
Location: Courtyard by Marriott, (Conference Hotel) 275 Independence Way, Danvers MA 01923
Saturday, October 5, 2019
8:30 a.m. Registration and Refreshments
Rose Performance Hall
9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Keynote Presentation by Dr. William Westney
Rose Performance Hall
“The Powerful Key Ingredient for High Achievement and Motivation: Enjoyment!”
Among the huge benefits of physical and mental “enjoyment” at the piano: technical health and problem- solving, rich and satisfying tone, relaxation and virtuosity, motivation to practice, spontaneous communication with an audience. William Westney will demonstrate with many illustrations - and citations from scientific research - just what he means by the term “enjoyment” in the context of piano study (at all levels).
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. BREAK
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Commissioned Composers’ Concert
Rose Performance Hall
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH
The Callahan Center
Cafeteria style, with ample choices, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan ($15 - must register in advance)
1:15 – 2:00 p.m. The Power of Musical Collaboration: A Concert by our Members
Rose Performance Hall
2:00 – 3:45 p.m. The Un-Master Class® with Dr. William Westney
Rose Performance Hall
The Un-Master Class® is a popular and unique performance workshop, developed by William Westney, and designed as a lively, engaging alternative to the traditional master-class. Starting with interactive group warm-ups, an environment is created that builds trust and breaks down barriers to artistic expression. The class then focuses on prepared performances by selected participants.
3:45 – 4:15 p.m. Q & A with Dr. William Westney
Rose Performance Hall
4:15 p.m. Conference Adjournment
Directions and Parking
Endicott College, 376 Hale St., Beverly, MA 01915
Find directions and parking for the Manninen Center for the Arts on the Endicott College website. A main campus map is also available online.
Conference Lodging
Marriott Courtyard Boston Danvers
275 Independence Way, Danvers, MA 01923
SPECIAL RATES:
Single room, Standard King: $219 per night (normally $269)
Double room, two Queens: $249 per night (normally $294)
Conference attendees are eligible to stay at the Marriott Courtyard Boston Danvers for the discounted rates on Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th.
The cut-off for the discount rate is Friday, September 13, 2019.
Please make your reservations prior to this date.
RESERVATIONS:
To book a room with the discounted group rate: Book online using this link or call 888-686-5064 and reference the MMTA Conference Room Block at the Courtyard Boston Danvers.
Fees and Conference Registration
MTNA Member (early registration before July 1, 2019): $75
MTNA Member (late registration after July 1, 2019): $85
Non-MTNA Member (early registration before July 1, 2019): $95
Non-MTNA Member (late registration after July 1, 2019): $105
Student Member: FREE with college ID
Spouse of MTNA Member: $25
Lunch: $15 (same price for all attendees)