MMTA Annual Convention

Alvin Chow and Angela Cheng will be the featured guest pianists during the 2024 MMTA Convention. The duo will give a keynote speech, perform a 75 minute recital, and host a 90 minute masterclass.

"The Pursuit of Perfection, The Achievement of Excellence".

This focuses on the principle that good performances come from good practice techniques, and we discuss some organizational principles of how to practice effectively, as well as a demonstration of the practice methods which we use most frequently.

Alvin Chow has appeared throughout North America and Asia as orchestral soloist and recitalist. In addition, he has performed extensively in duo-piano recitals with his wife, Angela Cheng, and his twin brother, Alan. A native of Miami, Florida, he graduated summa cum laude and Co-Valedictorian (with his brother) at the University of Maryland, where he was a student of Nelita True. Mr. Chow received the Victor Herbert Prize in Piano upon graduation from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Sascha Gorodnitzki, and held the Joseph Battista Memorial Scholarship at Indiana University as a student of Menahem Pressler.

Learn more about Alvin Chow.

Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng is one of her country’s national treasures. She has appeared as soloist with more than 100 orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Buffalo Philharmonic, and the symphonies of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, St. Louis, Houston, San Diego, Indianapolis, Syracuse, Utah and Colorado. An avid recitalist, Ms. Cheng has performed solo and chamber recitals throughout North America, Asia, and Europe, including New York City (Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and the 92nd Street Y), Wigmore Hall in London, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Disney Hall in Los Angeles, Mozarteum in Salzburg, Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the Mariinsky Concert Hall in St. Petersburg and the Sydney Opera House, as well as in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Montreal, Toronto, Taiwan, Italy and Australia. In 2012 she made her Carnegie Hall debut as soloist with the Edmonton Symphony.

Learn more about Angela Cheng.

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June 3 Duo Piano Recital Program

Hotel Information:

Holiday Inn Bloomington W MSP Airport Area (5120 American Blvd West, Bloomington, MN 5543)

This hotel is located around the airport hotel zoon and it's only 10min driving distance from the Normandale Lutheran Church. When making your reservations, please make sure to click on Make a Reservation then enter your check in /check out dates. This will bring up the negotiated rate of $134.00 per night. Another option would be to call the hotel (612.452.5510) to make the reservation stating that you are with Minnesota Music Teachers Association.

If you prefer to stay at other hotels, feel free to book your favorite one. We will then see you at the convention!

20 min Lightning Sessions

- June 3, Monday -

Oddly Practical Piano Pieces: A brief introduction to the music of Mitch Grussing - Mitch Grussing

Linking Meter and Rhythm via the Conductor's Baton - Rebekah Richards

Piano Solo Festival - Caroline Langfeld

Introducing Improvising Skills with “Musica Nara for Piano” (2005 composition by Minako Tokuyama ) – A New Teaching Approach for Classically Trained Pianists - Dr. Yumiko Oshima-Ryan

- June 4, Tuesday -

One-Hit Wonders By Wonder Women - Sue Ruby

Minnesota's newest online pedagogical music marketplace - Mitch Grussing

MMTA Voice and Instrumental Programs overview - Katie Johnson

Backing track - Gene Swanson

50 min Session

- June 3, Monday -

President's Welcome Opening Session

The Pursuit of Perfection, The Achievement of Excellence - Keynote Speakers: Alvin Chow and Angela Cheng

The French Connection - Sue Ruby

Music Bridges Showcase - Mary Goetz

Piano Exam Preparation - Mary Beth Millner

Beyond Contest - Amy Grinsteiner

That's a lot easier than it sounds! - Rebekah Richards

PIANO SHOPPING 101: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Piano! - Sue Freeman Dopp

Shall We Dance? - Stella Branzburg Sick & George Frederick Litterst

Give me a Minute, 24 Short Piano Pieces in Every Key - John Cheek

Protect Your Hearing in Less Time Than It Takes to Damage It - Brian J. Felsen

Downsizing your home - Sondra Howe

American Women Composers of Ragtime - a Sampler - Gail Olszewski

How to incorporate piano duets in ensemble playing in your studio - Kathryn Karg

The SMART Approach - Sonja Graham

Beyond the Critiques; Benefits of Being an MMTA Judge - JEC Committee Judge Education Committee

- June 4, Tuesday -

Joint Piano Master Class - Keynote Speakers: Alvin Chow and Angela Cheng

Contest Committee - President / Caroline Langfeld / SAs

Pronouns, Gender Reveal Parties, and “The Surgery”: Debunking Common Myths about Gender Diversity -Logan Sand

So You Have Been Asked to Play the Organ: A Guide For Pianists - Mary Newton

Guiding our youngest learners - Sarah McCaffrey Ritchie

A Sneak Peek to the 2023 Syllabus: Etudes to Supplement Teaching - Piano Exam Development Commitee

Out of the Ordinary - Dr. Sara Langmead

Composition, Interpretation & Education - go together like the horse and carriage - Sharon Kaplan

Judging Keyboard Theory Exams Levels 1-4 - Theory Development Committee and the Judges Education Committee.

The Magic of Pedals - Suzanne Greer

Guitar Masterclass - Austin Wahl

Scores! What are they good for? - Michael Rector

ADHD Beyond the Behaviors - Mitch Grussing

Site-Administrator Meeting - (1) President, (2) VP-Education, (3) Program directors (theory, piano, sight playing, bridges), (4) Site administrators, and (5) office staff