Conference events.

OPENING SESSION

Saturday, March 25 * 7:00 P.M. Van Cliburn, keynote

The 2006 MTNA National Conference Opening Session will feature legendary pianist Van Cliburn reflecting on his experiences as a musician--from when he began taking piano lessons at age three to being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Cliburn, born Harvey Lavan Cliburn, Jr., was taught piano by his mother, Rildia Bee O'Bryan Cliburn, who herself was a pupil of Arthur Friedheim, who was a pupil of Franz Liszt. At the Juilliard School, Van Cliburn studied with acclaimed Russian pedagogue Rosina Lhevinne.

In 1958, at the height of the Cold War, Cliburn won the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. Cliburn has performed concerts and recitals throughout the world, including performances for royalty, heads of state in Europe, Asia, and South America and for every President of the United States since Harry Truman. In addition to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Cliburn received the Russian Friendship Medal in October 2004. Cliburn has encouraged young talent by serving as a driving force behind the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. First held in 1962, the competition continues to be one of the premier piano competitions in the world.

During the opening session, Cliburn will receive the MTNA Achievement Award in recognition of his significant and lasting influence on piano teaching and performance in America.

Cliburn's appearance is made possible by the Van Cliburn Foundation.

The late Irl Allison, founder of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, also will be honored for his contributions to the profession.

PIANO CONCERT

Sunday, March 26 * 8:00 P.M. Stanislav Ioudenitch

With rich detail of color and gesture and an enormous sophistication of line and form, Stanislav Ioudentich won the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the 11th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June 2001.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Ioudentich has won top prizes at the Busoni, Kapell and Maria Callas Competitions, among others. His concert appearances have taken him around the world, performing in recitals and with numerous symphony orchestras.

Ioudentich was a student of Dmitri Bashkirov at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain, and attended the International Piano Foundation Theo Lieven in Cadenabbia, Italy. He also studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

FROM THE TOP

Tuesday, March 28 * 8:00 P.M. Christopher O'Riley, host

Back by popular demand, From the Top, the weekly Public Radio International program hosted by renowned pianist Christopher O'Riley, will be recorded live in conjunction with the MTNA National Conference. From the Top is a weekly radio series showcasing the nation's most exceptional precollege-age classical musicians. The hour-long program includes engaging performances, lively interviews, lighthearted musical games and unique preproduced segments. Heard every week on more than 200 radio stations across the United States, From the Top is taped before a live audience. This segment of From the Top will be broadcast at a later date.

Conference attendees may be a part of the audience for this live taping. Admission is free; however, reservations must be made in advance. Use the registration form on page 9 or on the MTNA website at www.mtna.org.

FOUNDATION FUND GALA

"Diamonds and Dungarees" Monday, March 27 * 6:00 P.M.

Shine up your boots and don your jewels for this year's "Diamonds and Dungarees" Gala at the Salt Lick Grill. A scenic bus ride will take attendees to this Texas hotspot, an ideal setting for a festive event. The evening will begin with drinks sponsored by Alfred Publishing Company. The Gala will continue with some of the finest authentic Texas barbeque around. Enjoy a choice of chicken, pork, brisket and more. Lively entertainment and recognition of the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND Fellows will finish off the night. Reservations must be made in advance; use the registration form on page 9 or on the MTNA website at www.mtna.org. Cost: $80. All proceeds benefit the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND.

ASSOCIATION BREAKFAST/ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION

Tuesday, March 28 * 7:00-8:00 A.M. Governor's Ballroom, Hilton Austin

This meeting provides an opportunity for all MTNA members to take an active role in the association and have their voices heard. An additional fee must be paid in advance for the breakfast; use the registration form on page 9 or on the MTNA website at www.mtna.org. Cost: $20. Breakfast need not be purchased to attend the Annual Business Meeting.

MTNA STUDENT COMPETITIONS

The national finals of the MTNA Student Competitions are held during the conference, beginning with the Junior Performance Competitions on March 25, and concluding with the Young Artist Competitions Winners Concert, Tuesday, March 28. The winners of these prestigious competitions will be featured in special recitals and awarded cash and prizes donated by corporate sponsors and the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND. Compositions by the winners of the MTNA Student Composition Competitions also will be featured in recital.

MTNA AWARDS BRUNCH

Wednesday, March 29 * 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Governor's Ballroom, Hilton Austin

The 2006 MTNA conference culminates with the Awards Brunch, honoring members who have devoted extensive time and energy to better the association and further the music teaching profession.

During this event, Patricia Dyer Tuley, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, will be honored with MTNA's Distinguished Service Award. A 30-year member of MTNA, Tuley has served as president of the Hattiesburg Music Teachers League, Mississippi MTA and MTNA's Southern Division. Tuley also served on the MTNA Board of Directors. She currently chairs the MTNA Professional Certification Commission.

Reservations must be made in advance; use the registration form on page 9 or on the MTNA website at www.mtna.org. Cost: $30.

PEDAGOGY SATURDAY X [PRE-CONFERENCE ** EVENT **]

Saturday, March 25 * 8:30 A.M.-5:15 P.M.

Celebrate the success of Pedagogy Saturday with Pedagogy Saturday X: The Art of Teaching. Since the inaugural year in Dallas, led by the late Margaret Lorince and the late Richard Chronister, Pedagogy Saturday has brought education and inspiration to music teachers eager to improve their craft. In Austin, attendees will explore ways to more skillfully and artfully promote music learning.

Robert A. Duke, keynote speaker for the day, is the Morton Meyerson Centennial Professor of Music and Human Learning, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Director of the Center for Music Learning at the University of Texas at Austin. Duke's expertise in music learning and his engaging presentation style will educate and inspire you to think deeply and precisely about how your students learn.

Martha Hilley, University of Texas at Austin, and Fred Kern, University of North Texas, will join forces for a plenary session on improvisation and creative activities. Hilley is the author of Piano for the Developing Musician and well-known for her use of technology in teaching. Kern is one of the coauthors of the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library and has more than 200 original compositions and arrangements in the Warner Bros., Kjos, G. Schirmer and Hal Leonard catalogues.

Breakout sessions for the day include three nationally known clinicians. Marvin Blickenstaff is known among piano teachers throughout the country for his teaching, lecturing, performing and publishing. Blickenstaff will present a session on piano technique.

E. L. Lancaster, vice president and keyboard editor-in-chief of Alfred Publishing, will present a session prompting us to look at the future of music education and what the music student of tomorrow will need and want.

Rebecca Shockley is professor of piano pedagogy and coordinator of class piano at the University of Minnesota and the author of Mapping Music: For Faster Learning and Secure Memory--A Guide for Piano Teachers and Students. Shockley will share ideas from her

mapping concepts to help our students learn and understand music more efficiently and effectively.

PROFESSIONAL STUDIO SATURDAY [PRE-CONFERENCE ** EVENT **]

Saturday, March 25 * 8:15 A.M.-5:15 P.M.

The 2006 Professional Studio Saturday program will focus on time--time for teachers to focus on time management, time for themselves, time to market themselves, time for fun and games and time to work together. PSS will bring together speakers presenting topics relevant to today's teacher. Invited speakers include James Jordan, Eugenia Costa-Giomi, Carla Edwards, Katie Goins, Steven Hesla, Beth Gigante Klingenstein, Julianne Miranda and Scott McBride Smith. Speakers will explore ways to balance teachers' personal lives and teaching, all the while tapping into their passion for teaching. And it would not be a PSS without a little "fun and games." "Alex" and his two contestants will bring wit and insight into studio policies and management with a rousing round of MTNA's own version of Jeopardy--a must see! Join us for the sixth annual Professional Studio Saturday--take time to do something for yourself.

[NEW this year] COLLEGIATE EXPO [PRE-CONFERENCE ** EVENT **]

Saturday, March 25 * 8:15 A.M.-5:15 P.M.

Practice may make perfect, but it won't always get you a job. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with fellow collegiate chapter members and learn more about music careers. A panel of experts will offer advice about starting an independent studio, obtaining professional certification, completing auditions, submitting compositions for publication and preparing your portfolio and resume. This is your chance to ask the questions not always answered in college courses.

TECHNOLOGY TRACK

As the field of music education continues to evolve and change quickly in the early 21st century, MTNA is proud to continue its leadership role by offering a wide-ranging selection of lecture and interactive technology sessions at the 2006 National Conference.

Made possible through a partnership with the International Association of Electronic Keyboard Manufacturers, these sessions will take you on a journey through the amazing advances in technology. Best of all, by joining us in these sessions, you will have the opportunity to discover first-hand how new technologies have facilitated the work of your colleagues around the country.

Whether you are a teacher of keyboard, strings, winds or voice--and whether you teach in a private studio or school classroom, we will help you stay on the cutting edge of new developments that really work. Come and discover how you can take your studio forward.

MTNA/NATIONAL PIANO FOUNDATION GROUP TEACHING TRACK

MTNA and the National Piano Foundation again will partner to offer a Group Teaching Track at the 2006 MTNA National Conference. Renowned pedagogues Guy Duckworth and Robert Pace will head the roster of presenters. Sessions will explore effective strategies for teaching group piano and creating an exciting atmosphere for introducing musical concepts and skills. Additional sessions will focus on improvisation, adult group piano study, motivating teens to continue music studies, and playing and teaching by ear.

[NEW this year] COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES MTNA will offer several collaborative opportunities at the 2006 National Conference. Two concerts will showcase the Texas MTA Student Affiliate Ensembles on Sunday afternoon. In addition, Just Duet, a series of four duet reading sessions, will be offered on Monday and Tuesday. These sessions will allow attendees to read music of various levels specifically written for one-piano/four hands.

EXHIBIT HALL

The exhibit hall features one of the most comprehensive gatherings of companies serving the music teaching profession. The exhibit hall will be open Sunday, March 26, through Tuesday, March 28, 9:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M.

Exhibit hall-only times will be offered throughout the conference so attendees can visit the hall without missing any sessions:

Sunday, March 26           4:30-5:30 P.M.
Monday, March 27           2:00-3:30 P.M.
Tuesday, March 28          4:30-5:30 P.M.