Networking and marketing: panel discussion.

This panel of remarkable women, similar in that they are all distinguished music teachers who have established unique and successful careers for themselves in the music field, shared their views on establishing strong music programs in studios and communities and professional development for music instructors.

Angela Elster spent the first half of her career teaching music at the Royal Conservatory of Music and at York and McMaster Universities. For the past 12 years she has focused her energies on the professional development of teachers. As founder and executive director of the "Learning Through the Arts" (LTTA) program at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, her work currently helps shape the teaching practices of 4,000 teachers in 12 countries. This national program aims to transform the way in which curriculum is taught and learned in schools across Canada: The LTTA program evolved out of the premise that schools that encourage teachers to make learning and teaching participatory, active and connected to the personal interests and learning style of each student are the most effective in achieving academic, social and personal development in these students. A professional development component is central to LTTA. It offers teachers skill development workshops, frequent in-class practice and support by a team of experienced LTTA artists. An extensive list of programs available can be found on their website www.ltta.ca.

Shelia Vail, director of the Indian Springs Academy of Music (ISAM) in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers prospective teachers professional development opportunities by lecturing at local universities and colleges. In her lecture entitled "Creating, Establishing and Maintaining the Independent Teaching Studio," she provides sample products (such as brochures and business cards) and addresses such practical points as curriculum proposals, fee structures and marketing strategies. As part of this lecture, students are invited to tour her teaching academy.

The Academy's website, www.indianspringsacademy.com, highlights a variety of appealing programs available to both students and teachers. Vail has also lectured at various teachers associations on the topic "Creative Studio Curricula--How to Make Your Studio Pay!" This includes an exploration of the "developmental vs. the recreational" curricula offering ideas such as student merit programs, in-house activities and creative scheduling to keep summer sessions alive.

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Through ISAM, she has created a mentoring program for graduate students of the music pedagogy department at the University of Cincinnati. Another exciting endeavor offered by ISAM is the recording of all formal recitals for broadcast on local television!

As co-owner of the Cincinnati Music Academy, Amy Immerman has offered music teachers the unique opportunity to teach as independent businesspeople in a conservatory environment. Established in 1997, it currently consists of 21 teachers offering varied music instruction. They determine their own fee structure, teaching policies, teaching methods and schedules. The academy provides a vast array of exciting and innovative programs throughout the year for students of all ages and levels, which can be found on their website www.cincinnatimusicacademy.com.

Aside from being an active teacher, lecturer and examiner, Immerman has been published in numerous music magazines. She also serves as a representative for the Yamaha Music "Passport to Music" program, which offers keyboard lessons to passengers on luxury cruises. This year she celebrated the publication of her first beginners books, Getting Started. The Cincinnati Music Academy was recently chosen as "Best of Cincinnati" by City Beat, Cincinnati's weekly news and entertainment paper

Sylvia Coats, professor of piano pedagogy and class piano at Wichita State University, also serves as chair of the MTNA National Certification Program. It is her belief that teachers need to demonstrate their professionalism to the public and that certification validates their qualifications and competence. The goal of this program is to build credibility, improve the quality of music education and thereby increase the visibility of the profession. MTNA Certification is based on five standards: professional preparation, professional teaching practices, professional business management, professionalism and partnerships and professional and personal renewal. Complete details of the program can be found on the MTNA Certification website, www.mmacertification.org. This ambitious undertaking will help establish a more national standard and is something all professional teachers should aspire to.

By utilizing the latest technology available and understanding the importance of networking and marketing themselves and their products, these women have offered the music teachers of 21st century a whole new look.

Pat Frehlich, moderator; Sylvia Coats, Angela Elster, Amy Immerman, Sheila Vail, presenters