2026 Reports
East Central Branch
The East Central Music Teacher’s Association began our year with a meeting at the Rookie’s Restaurant in Humboldt. We discussed the information from the SRMTA convention workshops. We kept in touch through the next months.
Our next meeting was held in April 2026 where we discussed the aspects of hosting the Jean McCulloch Competition. Each member was willing to make soup, muffins, buy supplies and just be available at the competition to help where we could.
In May 2026 we hosted the Jean McCulloch Competition, were inspired by the performers. We also caught up on news amongst ourselves and with other teachers.
Our membership is small and we find it difficult to meet as we live long distances from each other. We are asking younger teachers to join our membership as our numbers are dropping. We are hoping that they will join
us.
President – Marj Moldon
Secretary – Marj Moldon
Treasurer – Christy Waldner
Regina Branch
Regina Branch had a quieter, yet effective and impactful year. We held General Meetings on November 21, 2025, March 13 and June 11, 2026. Coffee Chats were scheduled and held on Friday, October 17, 2025, Friday, January 9 & April 17, 2026. These events gave members an informal opportunity for camaraderie, and also an opportunity for outreach to private music teachers in our community via personal invitations.
In October a Halloween Recital was held with 25 entries followed by a reception. Thank you to Barb Zerr and Liudmyla Hydamacka for organising and running this event.
The teaching year ended with a luncheon gathering in Greg & Jackie’s Urban Oasis on July 7, 2026.
Regina Branch carried on with providing scholarships for Regina Branch Music Festival providing three vocal scholarships and five piano scholarships.)
The scholarships sponsored were:
Vocal: Canadian, Global, Foreign Language, each $100, all junior levels
Piano: Sonata/Sonatina 13 yrs & under ($100), 15 yrs & under ($100), 17 yrs & under ($150), Canadian 17 & under ($150), Grade 5 & 6 ($100).
Regina Branch hosted the Young Artist Series Western Tour 2026 winner, Paulina Sallsbury, on Sunday, September 27, 2026. A special thank you to Melissa Morgan for spearheading and taking on the organising of this concert on behalf of the Regina Branch.
Regina Branch looks forward to moving ahead with our newly elected Executive:
President: Melissa Morgan
Vice President: Tina Alexander-Luna
Secretary: Andrea McCulloch
Treasurer: Kim Engen
Member at Large: Diana Woolrich
Member at Large: Corinne Groff
Past-President: Gregory Chase
Wishing SRMTA Branches and all SRMTA Members a successful teaching year as you impact the music scene in your respective communities.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gregory Chase
SRMTA-Regina Branch Past-President
Saskatoon Branch
The fall season kicked off with a barbecue at the home of Lynn Ewing. Preceding the usual business meeting was a performance of the 1 st movement from Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. The piano quartet on two pianos included Jhena Dela Cruz, Nick Arsenault, Lynn Ewing and Laurien Gibson. New member, Ian Sinclair, was welcomed to our branch. The weather was spectacular, so we enjoyed our supper outside in the sunshine.
Saskatoon branch members attended the SRMTA/SMFA conference in October, forgoing their usual monthly meeting. Hats off to the organizers who arranged a wonderful blend of presentations. The two-day event was held at the Education Building, U. of Saskatchewan.
Calvin Goforth Presbyterian Church was the location for our November meeting, and we began with Nick Arsenault’s performance of a Scarlatti sonata and the third of “Piano Roll” by Graeme Dyck. Its modern notation led very naturally into Paul Suchan’s presentation: “Non-traditional notation and Contemporary music”. The presentation was fascinating and prompted a great deal of discussion and many questions.
We opted for a “no-host” luncheon in January instead of a Christmas party, according to the wishes of our members. Returning to Mano’s Restaurant, we not only enjoyed lunch but were given information on the Saskatoon Music Festival bursary programme by Mariel Unger. An informal group discussion on “The Practicing Issue” replaced our usual business meeting. Members had lots of helpful suggestions!
Laurien Gibson’s presentation, “Grieg”, was the topic for our February 4th gathering at the home of Willette Neijmeijer. Laurien summarized Grieg’s life and musical output using many musical examples to describe his musical style. Particularly enjoyable was a performance of some of Grieg’s Children’s Songs by London Wiebe, accompanied by her teacher, Laurien. Fantastisk, Laurien!
Our AGM was held Friday, March 13th at Redeemer Lutheran Church. After a musical programme arranged by Diane Bestvater, membership participated in the meeting, chaired by Lynn Ewing, President. Nick Arsenault (Treasurer) and Anastasia Winterhalt (Program and Recitals) were re-elected by acclamation. Social time with coffee and treats was enjoyed by all, and we reconvened to take in Heather Waldner’s presentation: “Advice from an Examiner on Taking Exams”. A veteran examiner, Heather provided an abundance of detail, peppered with humorous anecdotes. The presentation was thoroughly enjoyable and informative.
Our membership met out in Aspen Ridge at the home of Bernadette Fanner for our final general meeting of the season on May 20 th . Winners of our festival awards performed. The business meeting featured a lengthy evaluation of the recent music festival including adjudicators, scheduling, and venues. Waning volunteerism was raised as a particular concern. Members enjoyed a delicious potluck luncheon complete with cake to celebrate Bernadette Fanner’s birthday that day.
We held recitals in the months of November, March and May. All took place at Emmanuel Anglican Church on Sunday afternoons and all were well-attended. Participation in Contemporary Showcase held in November was also increased from the previous year. Our thanks go out to Anastasia Winterhalt, convenor, and Laurien
Gibson. Clearly, music is alive and well in Saskatoon!
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Ewing
President: SRMTA Saskatoon Branch
West Central Branch
Yorkton
Yorkton and area continues to be a group of like-minded, enthusiastic music educators who believe that high-quality music education is a gift we can offer to everyone.
We are also happy to call each other “friend.” It’s wonderful to have friends to help and support you in your chosen field. We enjoy socializing, planning, brainstorming, and helping each other navigate the challenges we all face as private music teachers.
We kicked off our 2025/26 season with a potlach breakfast meeting at the home of Laurel Teichroeb, and we planned all our activities for the year.
November 1- We hosted a vocal masterclass with clinician Tina Alexander Luna, professor of voice at the University of Regina. The morning was a choral workshop, with local choir members taking part. The afternoon saw 19 of our solo singing students take part.
Every year, in conjunction with Canada Music Week, we hold a non-competitive festival with a Canadian composer adjudicating. Last year’s was held Nov 14 & 15 with 42 of our students presenting a piano piece by a Canadian composer and being adjudicated by Diana Neufeld. This year, Nov 27 & 28, we will present Peggy L’Hoir as our piano and vocal adjudicator, and all participants will be taking a handbell workshop with Clayton Braybrook!!
Our Christmas Party was supper at Laurel Teichroeb’s again, followed by a performance of Mary Poppins at Sacred Heart High School.
Our final meeting of the season was held at Melrose Place .
President – Barbara Waldbauer
Secretary – Diane Jones
Treasurer – Laureen Kells
Hospitality – Sheri Weinmaster
Submitted by Barbara Waldbauer
2025 Reports
East Central Branch
The ECRMTA is struggling with members. We continue to get together as often as we can. We enjoy our times together, but we find it difficult with our large distances that we drive to get together and the busyness of life.
We’ll be hosting the Jean McCulloch competition on May 23rd, 2026 in a room in the Abby at Muenster, Saskatchewan.
Regina Branch
Sarah and I (Greg Chase) have bought a table at the Bump, Babe, Beyond Expo this Saturday (in Regina) to promote our early childhood music program. We’ll have some SRMTA Provincial brochures that we had for SHBE and the McCulloch competition, so will put those on our table to help promote SRMTA Provincial association.
As a branch we’re still hammering out details and the concept of a Student Teacher Auxiliary group. I suspect this will be ongoing throughout the year, and hopefully next Fall we can start the implementation thereof.
Saskatoon Branch
The season 2024 – 2025 was a busy one for SRMTA: Saskatoon Branch. There were meetings, executive and/or general, most months of the year. We enjoyed two recitals and a Christmas party. A huge snowfall resulted in the cancellation of our Canada Music Week Recital—a first in my memory!
Our meetings were usually held in private homes and generally included a presentation given by one or more speakers. Sometimes we simply discussed topics of interest with a moderator. The presentations were quite varied: “Strains and Stresses for Performers and Teachers” (Shae Sawatsky); “The Life and Music of Kuhlau” (Lynn Ewing); “Staging Musical Theatre” (Garry Gable); “Tips for Collaborative Artists and Duet Playing” (Naomi Pigott-Suchan) and “How to Use Breath and Gesture to Enhance Musical Performance” (Bonnie Nicholson). The moderator-led discussions were also popular with members and covered such topics as planning for festivals, exams and recitals, as well as good ideas for handling studio finances. We all enjoyed the musical presentations that preceded our meetings and thank those students and their teachers.
Contemporary Showcase, chaired by Hannah Marple, was once again very successful. Held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, we noted the increase in numbers of performers.
We thank Hannah and her committee who gave us a very well-organized festival.
On behalf of Saskatoon Branch, I would like to thank outgoing President, Willette Neijmeijer. In addition to performing regular presidential tasks, Willette hosted a number of general meetings as well as executive meetings. She graciously hosted our Christmas party.
We look forward to another season with less business, more sociability and stimulating presentations, as well as lots of music.
Lynn Ewing, President
West Central Branch
West Central is 14 people strong, and we are gearing up for another great year of networking, professional development, and of course student performances. We start with a Canadian Music Showcase on November 21-22 with a full day of student performances and a half day of teacher workshops (Friday afternoon) with Diane Gryba and Heather McNab as clinicians. (If any other teachers are interested in attending the workshop portion, it’s $30. We can also offer it by zoom.)
In other news, Biggar is again hosting an all-Canadian content concert on Wednesday November 19.
Claire Seibold studio is hosting Gallery nights on November 23 and 28, where students perform piano works and display their own art creations inspired by their pieces.
Peggy L’Hoir studio is having the annual Halloween Howl, as well as supporting
Clayton Braybrook just recently hopped off the Standardbred horse-racing cart, so his Canadian music recitals will be combined with Christmas this year.
Yorkton
The Yorkton Registered Music Teachers have been busy preparing two events for their students this upcoming fall.
November 14 and 15, 2025 they will host a Canadian Showcase to celebrate Canada Music Week. Students will all prepare a Canadian piece of music. Adjudicator Dianna Neufeld will dazzle everyone with her expertise in this non-competitive event.
November 1 the YRMTA will host Dr. Tina Alexander-Luna for a vocal workshop. This will be open to all singers looking to master their craft as well as anyone with no prior experience looking to hear vocal tips. The local Yorkton Community choir will attend and sing a selection for her. In the afternoon soloists will partake in a master class. The Yorkton community is looking forward to hosting this magnificent event.
2024 Reports
East Central Branch
Our branch has grown smaller with the retirement of some teachers. We currently have 5 actively attending meetings and continuing to teach. On January 3, 2024, we met in Humboldt to celebrate a late Christmas and to discuss our teaching experiences. We brainstormed topics for future meetings.
On March 9th, we had a demonstration by Ian Elliott of ways that he teaches Improvising and books that he uses to do this. The book that Ian uses is 100 Jazz Lessons by Brent Edstrom. We also inputted our ideas on how we teach improvising. We ended this with a meal together.
On May 25th, we watched a video titled “Teacher, Know Thyself” from the CFMTA website and given by Dale Wheeler. We discussed aspects of the video and ended with a meal. We are taking a break now for the summer.
Lloydminster Branch
Prince Albert Branch
The PARMTA got together in September and regretfully decided that it was time for our branch to fold. One or two members may decide to join the Saskatoon branch. That is up to each individual. We also decided that we would donate the money left in our bank account to the Rose Garden Hospice.
Regina Branch
The Regina Branch completed the season with a masterclass by soprano Heather Newhouse with 14 eager participants of all levels.
Throughout the year, we enjoyed in-person meetings and social time, student recitals, and music festivals, and we look forward to hosting everyone for the Provincial Convention on October 18 & 19, 2024.
Saskatoon Branch
As our year draws to a close, I reflect back on all the happenings in our branch this year.
We started the year off with a September meeting and then lively discussion about, Parents & Practicing: What Works? This was combined with a social time and potluck at the home of Lynn Ewing.
In October, Saskatoon hosted the Provincial AGM at The Venice House in Sutherland. We designed a panel of music teachers from varied disciplines to share their ideas and answer questions about how we can help students with rhythm. Panelists were Anastasia Winterhalt (voice and piano), Alyssa Thompson (clarinet and piano), Adrianne Bank (piano, Suzuki). There was lots of discussion and great ideas. October was also the month that recipients of the Kiwanis Bursary were invited to lunch and performed for the Kiwanis members.
In November, Adrianne Bank ran a marvellous masterclass-style workshop with a few of her young students, sharing how she approaches teaching sonatinas. This was also a busy month with Contemporary Showcase, after which 21 performers were invited to share in a Canada Music Week Recital.
In December, our Christmas party was held at Lynn Ewing’s where she also had Martin Janovsky provide us with wonderful entertainment.
Our theme in January was ‘Wellness”, and our very own Aliah Elliot, who is trained as a life coach, took a more unique approach to this topic. We explored how we talk to ourselves, what messages we give to our students and how our thoughts and attitudes can shape our confidence and energy.
In February, we shared Repertoire and Recital Ideas. Members brought collections of their most used ‘pupil saver’ repertoire and shared them with the group.
March was our AGM followed by a discussion group dealing with how we can effectively help transfer students with common issues that we often see.
During our May meeting, we were gifted with a small concert of 7 SRMTA scholarship winners. Truly marvellous music making! Following our meeting, Lynette Sawatsky presented her approach for helping her students learn to compose their own music. She had great tips and perspective on this topic. This was also the month when Gustin House invited students of SRMTA teachers to perform for a small audience, something that was in the true spirit of Lyell Gustin who loved hearing young people perform.
We continue to be able to function well with only 5 Executive Meetings per year. Even though we are the largest music branch in the province, there are concerns about eventual future viability as the pool of people willing and able to keep this organization going is rather small.
But I believe that I speak for all of us when I say that those of us who are staying involved are benefitting from this organization. We inspire and encourage each other and continue to learn about our craft. I for one, truly appreciate the passion and joy I see in so many music teachers.
We certainly are privileged to be able to pass on that passion and joy to others.
Our Executive for 2024/2025
President – Willette Neijmeijer
Treasurer – Nick Arsenaut
Secretary – Aliah Elliot
Past President – Laurien Gibson
Respectfully submitted by Willette Neijmeijer
Swift Current
West Central Branch
The West Central Branch had another musically enriching year. In November 2023, we hosted our annual Contemporary Showcase in Rosetown, a two full days of celebrating Canadian music with Canadian musicians. We are proud to announce our entry number has been rising in the past few years thanks to the hard work of my fellow colleagues. Laurel Teichroeb, our clinician and adjudicator, started off by presenting two very engaging workshops on teaching pre-piano students and teaching lead sheets. Besides performing, students also got to experience the fun of playing handbells, thanks to the direction of our branch member Clayton Braybrook. We all had a blast!
For the remaining year, we continue to learn, share and grow as we gather. Our professional development sessions include “Challenges of teaching Baroque Repertoire and Ornamentation” by Han Ding, “Russian Technique” by Willette Neijmeijer and “Handbells fun!” by Clayton Braybrook. We look forward to another great year!
Yorkton
The Yorkton Branch of SRMTA remains a vibrant and cohesive group of teachers. Here are our highlights from this past year:
August 2023 – we kicked off our year with a brunch at Laurel Teichroeb’s home, shared our amazing cooking and planned the year ahead.
September 2023 – due to both high schools preparing musicals in November, we decided to hold Canada Music Week early by hosting the wonderful Lynette Sawatsky from Saskatoon.
Lynette offers workshops featuring her books. Students chose which one they want to attend and Lynette presents the pieces through many musical activities. The feedback from the students was excellent and they each received the book of their workshop. We would highly recommend hosting this event!
Nov/Dec 2023 – for our Christmas party we gathered at Laurel Teichroeb’s home for a meal and then attended Sacred Heart High School’s excellent presentation of The Sound of Music. It was delightful to watch some of our music students taking part.
March 2024 – we ended the year with a potluck brunch at Laurel Teichroeb’s home. Although we did not officially meet during the first part of the year, we collaborated on Music Festival and the Music Writing Competition. Our membership has 14 paid members.
June 2024 – we held a mini CNCM ‘Summer Sizzler”, a one-day event for students featuring composers Wes Froese and Diane Neufeld as clinicians. The event ended with a wonderful concert and awards.
Branching Out “Random Acts of Music’ – our participation in CFMTA’s event included recitals at Senior Homes with each teacher preparing on their own.
An Honorary YRMTA Membership was awarded to Thelma Gillis, one of our teachers who gave so much to teaching and the musical community. Thelma now resides in Saskatoon and was presented there with flowers and a card.
Executive:
President – Gillian Rice
Secretary – Diane Jones
Treasurer – Laureen Kells
Hospitality – Sheri Weinmaster
