MTNA membership: priceless.

When I began my teaching career 37 years ago as a very young professional right out of college, my department chair advised me that it was important to join MTNA, a respected professional organization. Wanting to start off on the right foot, I took his advice and joined and, as so often happens, I was quickly given a local association job. I never imagined that years later I would be given new duties to perform within MTNA, this time the duties of the MTNA President-elect.

Throughout all these years MTNA has been an important part of my life. When I moved from Illinois to Ohio and transferred my state membership, it was wonderful to immediately have a circle of professionals who embraced me as a colleague and within a very short time, became dear friends.

As I pay my dues each year, I realize that what I am gaining far surpasses the amount on the check I write. There are the inspiring presentations given at our local association fall and spring conferences, the many performance opportunities open to my students--competitions, recitals and master classes, the stimulating sessions at the state and national conferences, the public recognition of being a certified teacher, and so on. Thinking back to the first national conference I attended as a new MTNA member, I was in awe of the many famous artists and clinicians in attendance that I had previously only read about or heard in recordings. Here they were--at the MTNA National Conference. With a myriad of membership benefits, far more than space will allow me to list, teachers can take advantage of those that match their needs.

This fall I was witness to a more personal and emotional side of MTNA. Within days following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, MTNA made contact with the presidents of the affected states. Hearing the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama state presidents talk of the devastation in their states, their inability to account for some of their members or to even know if they were alive, and the tragic stories of loss and heroism brought tears to everyone's eyes.

I am very proud to say that MTNA stepped up to the plate, demonstrating that we truly strive to be a source of support for our members and for all music teachers in both good times and bad. MTNA established a Hurricane Katrina relief effort to support the music teachers and their students in these affected areas. Elsewhere in this issue you will read about the funds raised and how they are being distributed. In addition, you will read of the generosity of the piano manufacturers who, when contacted by MTNA, made some incredible offers to affected teachers in need.

My students and I have personally and professionally benefited from my MTNA membership in countless ways. Seeing MTNA's humanitarian response during this national disaster--a poignant example of the MTNA family extending a helping hand--made me especially proud to be an MTNA member. If you'll allow me to quote the MasterCard commercial: membership in MTNA--PRICELESS!

Gail Berenson

MTNA President-elect