Northwest Division.

The Northwest Division held its annual meeting at the 2004 MTNA National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Following the meeting, a Northwest Division dinner took place at one of Kansas City's most famous steak houses. This event was one of the few opportunities our members had to hear about specific programs in the various states that make up our division. I would urge our Northwest members to start planning to attend the 2005 National Conference and our annual meeting in Seattle, Washington--in our division.

The state of Oregon will present its state conference July 14-18 in Portland, Oregon, in conjunction with the Piano Festival Northwest, one of the most celebrated piano festivals in the country. There will be many outstanding pedagogical sessions, as well as a series of classes presented by Phyllis Lehrer. NCTM, internationally known piano pedagogue and author. The Florestan Trio of Portland will present a concert during the conference. The state of Washington will hold its state conference June 21-26 at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Marvin Blickenstaff, NCTM, will be the featured clinician. Stephen Beus, 2003 national collegiate young artist winner in piano, will be the guest artist. Casper, Wyoming, will be the site for the WMTA conference June 24-26. Peter Mack, NCTM, will be the featured clinician and performer, as well as presenter of master classes and adjudicator.

--Kenneth Christensen, Bozeman, Montana

Northwest Division President

Kenneth Christensen, MSMTA immediate past president, holds a bachelor of music degree from Montana State University and a master of music degree in piano performance from the University of Montana.