Happy New Year! After a bit of time off and whether you chose relaxation, family time, organization or none of the above, I hope you're ready and looking forward to all the activities scheduled for this new semester. Read carefully and mark your calendars for some very memorable events coming up. Do your best to be a part in whatever ways you're able.

Let's make 2023 our best teaching year yet!

Melody Stroth, KCMTA President

Our Multi-Piano Concert, Reflections of America, is this Sunday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bell Events Center at MidAmerica Nazarene University (2030 College Way in Olathe). Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at our dress rehearsal Saturday morning or on the day of the concert. Come ready to be inspired by patriotic duets played by 160 pianists, with 11 grand pianos on stage directed by our wonderful conductor, Chad Reed!

Heather Lewis, Multi-Piano Chair

KC area teachers and students of all ages are encouraged to attend this free event hosted by the piano faculty of William Jewell College. This Cardinal Keyboard Day will focus on Performing with Confidence. There will be a performance featuring area students of local teachers followed by a panel discussion with teachers. Attendees are invited to join us for a lunch on campus and then pianists of all ages are encouraged to perform for feedback for WJC faculty after lunch. Scan the QR code on the flyer below to register for this free event!

Jessica Koebbe, DMA

See the flyer below for more information regarding Piano Days at UMKC January 27-28. The cost is free but registration is due by January 17, 2023. You'll want to observe master classes by presenters Dr. Peter Mack and Dr. Kara Huber. Sign up on the teacher registration to let them know how many to expect.

MASTERCLASS OPPORTUNITY:

Students interested in performing for either Peter Mack or Kara Huber's masterclass can submit a link to a recent performance to Dr. Jeffrey Savage at jrsavage@umkc.edu. Please submit the link by January 17. We encourage you to apply!

Questions? Contact Dr. Jeffrey Savage at the above email.

January 20 - DEADLINE Jr. Concerto Competition/Recital Enrollment

February 5 - Junior Concerto Competition/Recital - Music Academy of KC, 7:00 p.m.

February 7 - Meeting with Dr. Scott McBride Smith, KC Piano, 10:00 a.m.

February 14 - Executive Board Meeting, KC Piano, 10:00 a.m.

Be sure to have our next workshop on your calendar...Dr. Scott McBride Smith will talk about our next Fall Festival era....the Romantic Era! Dr. Smith has a world of knowledge (and great stories) so you'll want to be there on that Tuesday morning, 10:00 a.m. at Kansas City Piano!

Calling all music students, families, and studio teachers:

While cultivating solo playing skills is often the primary focus of weekly lessons, there is a wide variety of musical opportunities available to young musicians when it comes to collaborating and engaging with their communities beyond the private studio!

Please join us on Saturday morning, February 11 at 10:30 a.m. (Steinway Piano Gallery of Kansas City, 9512 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, KS) for a "Topics in Chamber Music: Opportunities Beyond Solo Playing" Information, Discussion and Q&A Panel with chamber music professionals currently active in the areas of performance, education, and arts administration.

Panel speakers include: Lee Hartman (Director of Programming, Harriman-Jewell Series), Ellen Sommer (Professor of Practice, KU School of Music) and Ashley Stanfield (Violist, The Opus 76 Quartet) with moderator Nicholas Dold (Director, Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians).

Admission is free and open to the public, but requires RSVP to ensure seating: send email to info@kcycm.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Nicholas Dold