SRMTA Conference 2024

SRMTA offers affordable, accessible professional development with practical content and participation from SRMTA members across the province.

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CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Schedule

Friday, October 18
7:00 PM Social Evening

At the home of Adria McCulloch – 1618 Lee Pl, Regina, SK, S4V 0S7
Saturday, October 19
9:00 AM Coffee Time – Vendor Show Opens

Many thanks to West Central Branch of SRMTA for sponsoring!
9:30 AM Early Years Teaching – Laurel Teichroeb
10:30 AM Successful Studio and Classroom Music Teaching in 2024 – Merlin Thompson
11:30 AM Piano Masterclass – Cherith Alexander

Voice Masterclass – Dr. Tina Alexander-Luna
12:30 PM Boxed Lunch
1:00 PM Composer Showcase – Heather Godden Waldner, Janet Gieck, Lynette Sawatsky, Brianna Levesque
2:00 PM Meaningful Learning in the Private Studio Lesson through Collaboration – Greg Chase
3:00 PM Coffee Break – Last chance to shop in Vendor Show!
3:30 PM SRMTA AGM
7:30 PM Regina Symphony Orchestra Opening Night – Pictures At An Exhibition & Dvořák Cello Concerto

Sponsors and Advertisers

Speakers & Sessions 

Gregory Chase – Biography

Meaningful Learning in the Private Studio Lesson through Collaboration
Educational Psychologists and researchers, such as Vygotsky and Gordon, have found that students learn best when learning with other students. With a small adjustment in our studio teaching schedules students can take learning from an individual affair to a collaborative affair.

This session will take a look at how collaborative learning enhances deeper musical understanding. Overlapping students’ lessons for 10-30 minutes allows the opportunity of greater meaningful and purposeful learning to occur. Through activities both at and away from the instrument, through singing and movement, and through vocal and instrumental rhythmic and tonal improvisation, we will experience how learning flourishes through collaboration.

This will be a practical and interactive session.

Laurel Teichroeb – Biography

Set Them Up for Success!

Students’ first positive association with playing the keyboard provide the elements for a successful and fulfilling lifetime of making music. Often students may hear the sound they like but cannot easily execute it. Through a “play-based” approach, students can build the technique they need to become masterful musicians.

In this session we’ll explore various keyboard and technical skills, including arm and large motor movement, efficient movement of hands and fingers and use of the whole keyboard for the beginner student from age 3 to adult.

Merlin Thompson – Biography

Successful Studio and Classroom Music Teaching in 2024: Information and Tools for Navigating Change

How can today’s music teachers navigate our continuously evolving music teaching environment in order to meet the needs of music students in 2024? How do we teach given the influence of various practical, philosophical, and pedagogic themes over the previous 100 years? For example: Master/apprentice model; Teacher-directed learning; Student-centered teaching; Old school teaching; Diversity, equity, inclusion. What do we include in our teaching? What do we not include? This presentation brings clarity to the pedagogic challenges facing today’s music teachers by exploring the development and evolution of music teaching, by shedding light on established music teaching practices, and by exploring meaningful insights into current music teaching. The session’s goal is to examine how various factors – teachers’ mindset, the priorities we maintain, the way we interact with students, even the language we use – have changed over time and continue to influence the tone of music
teaching. For studio and classroom music teachers interested in understanding how music teaching has evolved and teachers interested in an up-to-date 2024 pedagogic perspective, this presentation provides timely information and practical teaching tools. The purpose is to support and enhance music teachers’ pursuit of successful results with a skillset that fuels and fulfills today’s music students. A game-changer presentation.

Cherith Alexander – Biography

Dr. Tina Alexander-Luna

Mezzo-soprano, Tina Alexander-Luna, holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Lethbridge, Masters from the University of Ottawa, and an Advanced Certificate in Performance and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Toronto in Voice Performance.

Equally at home in Opera, Concert, CCM, and Choral settings, Tina has sung with the Carnegie Hall Festival Chorus, Opera Chorus Canada, JUNO nominated Canadian Chamber Choir, and Theatre of Early Music and can be heard on several of their recordings. Tina has been a chorus member with Opera Lyra Ottawa and the Canadian Opera Company. Highlighted roles include Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, The Neighbor in Stravinsky’s Mavra, and the Sorceress in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneaus with both the Theatre of Early Music and Tafelmusik Summer Baroque Institute, as well as Musical Theatre Review concerts with orchestra. Tina has adjudicated for music festivals throughout Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, and most recently was on faculty at Northwestern Polytechnic (Grande Prairie, AB), teaching voice and choir and in summer of 2024 was the Vocal Director at the Adirondack Performing Arts Academy in NY State. Tina was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Regina.

In demand as a soloist, adjudicator, workshop facilitator, and voice teacher, Tina loves to connect with community through singing. She is also married and a mom of three beautiful kids and loves all things coffee.

Masterclass Application - SRMTA Conference 2024

October 19, 2024 Conservatory Of Performing Arts - Regina, SK. 11:30 AM, Piano Masterclass – Cherith Alexander & 11:30 AM, Voice Masterclass – Dr. Tina Alexander-Luna

Masterclass Application Form

Parents are welcome to attend the masterclass. The submission of an application form does not guarantee an available slot, but all applicants will be notified as quickly as possible. Students from across Saskatchewan are welcome to apply, though preference will be given to students from Regina and area. Vocal students must provide their own accompanist. DEADLINE TO APPLY: October 1
Name of Performer(Required)
Name of Performer's Parent(Required)
Email for Performer/Performer's Parent(Required)
Name of Teacher(Required)
Email for Teacher(Required)
Which masterclass are you applying for?(Required)
One selection of repertoire is welcome. Any level. The submission of an application form does not guarantee an available slot, but all applicants will be notified as quickly as possible.
Answer can be rounded up to minutes (Example: 3).

Heather Godden Waldner

A graduate of the Gustin studios, for 55 years Heather Godden Waldner has taught piano, theory, composition and trombone. She currently plays trombone in the Saskatoon Concert Band and the ‘Toon Town Big Band. Under the name Heather Godden Laliberte, she is known for her piano and voice compositions and currently her music is published through Godden Publications.

Music for sale at SRMTA Conference

Janet Gieck

Janet Gieck grew up surrounded by rural Saskatchewan culture and landscape, a fact which has profoundly affected her musical output.  After completing music degrees from Prairie Bible College (Three Hills, AB) and the Royal Conservatory of Music, she has had her compositions performed at many concerts, New Music Festivals and on CBC radio.  Her pedagogical compositions are now listed on many different syllabi across the country. Passionate about sharing music with those in her community and beyond, Janet is a member of the Alliance for Canadian New Music Projects, the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers’ Association, and the composer’s collective Red Leaf Pianoworks.

Currently, Janet works as a member of the fine arts department at Millar College of the Bible in Pambrun, SK where she lives with her husband and children. She is also in demand as a piano teacher, adjudicator and clinician.

Janet will be performing music from new publications – Mystery and Merriment (for the elementary pianist), and Music for Theo (early advanced). Previous publications will also be available for sale.

Lynette Sawatsky

Lynette Sawatsky was born in Langham, Saskatchewan, and began her music education at the age of four, being part of the first group of students at Yamaha Music School in Saskatoon. She completed her ARCT (performer’s) in piano during her grade 12 year while studying with Walter Thiessen. She holds a Bachelor of Education (elementary) degree, earning the U of S President’s Medal for academic achievement in her studies there. She has taught in the public school system as a music specialist, and she continues to teach group and private lessons in her piano studio in Saskatoon.

As a composer, Lynette is a musical storyteller. Her pieces are carefully crafted to draw students in with descriptive titles, engaging melodies, and accessible concepts for them to work on. Her music has been described as “charming,” “humorous,” and “pedagogically sound,” making it appeal both to educators as supplemental method book material and to audiences as delightful recital repertoire.

Lynette often writes lyrics for her pieces to engage young learners in the musical narrative and to assist with rhythms. Several of her elementary books include captivating ready-to-colour illustrations that spark student imaginations.

The world is filled with beauty, and Lynette attempts to recreate this beauty in her compositions. Her goal is to create music that students will love and that they in turn will bring the scores to life and communicate something special to those who hear them. She believes that music is a gift that brings joy and enriches lives.

In her leisure time, Lynette enjoys hanging out with her family, drinking coffee with friends, playing word games, and going for long walks. You can find out more about her and her music at www.lynettesawatsky.com.

Compositions to be presented/sold at the SRMTA Conference. 

Brianna Levesque

As a composer, performer, and educator, Brianna Levesque has been extensively involved in the music community of Regina, Saskatchewan. From a young age, Brianna has studied music through the Royal Conservatory of Music which has given her skills as a vocalist, pianist, flautist and accompanist. In addition, she has been a member of several choirs and instrumental ensembles around Regina. Currently, Brianna directs the choirs at Winston Knoll Collegiate High School while she also pursues her Master’s degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Regina, under the direction of Dr. Melissa Morgan. Along with her love of teaching, Brianna has a passion for writing music. Her most recent work is “Above The Clouds” which was recorded and premiered in April 2024 by the University of Regina Choirs. Brianna hopes to inspire and bless others with music through her various musical capacities!

List of Pieces:
1. Above The Clouds (SATB Choir)
2. Earth: Part Two (SATB, TB, SSA Choral versions)
3. Jade’s Song (Solo voice)
4. La Brise (Solo piano)
5. A Star (SSAATTBB Choir)

Vendors

St. John’s Music / Yamaha

Saskatchewan Music Festival 

Composer Showcase – Music sale

Get In Touch

Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers’ Association
Box 2329
Martensville, SK S0K 2T0

registrar@srmta.com

The SRMTA is a proud member of the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations Fédération Canadienne des Professeurs de Musique

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