Eastern Division - Division News - New Hampshire Music Teachers Association - New York State Music Teachers Association - Brief Article

American Music Teacher, April-May, 2002 by Carleen Graff

The New York State Music Teachers Association (NYSMTA) recognizes an individual each year who has displayed outstanding services to the music profession. This year the citation was awarded to Genevieve Federico, a respected and devoted teacher of the Greater Syracuse District 9. Forty years ago Genevieve was a founding member of the NYSMTA and since has held several offices. For years she has been a tireless force at state conventions and has been responsible for working directly with the Kilian family and NYSMTA to fund and develop the requirements for the Kilian Competition.

The NYSMTA has granted the new Empire State Competition permanent status. Created in 1999 as a challenging alternative to the multi-tiered MTNA Competitions, the Empire State Competition has prospered under the visionary leadership of Past President Deirdre O'Donohue. O'Donohue and Diane Birr have chaired the event in the two "experimental" years and, along with Competitions Chair Gary Fisher, will be formulating future policy. The competition features instrumental, voice and piano categories at the high school and collegiate levels.

The New Hampshire Music Teachers Association (NHMTA) offers the Doris Dodd Schuster Music Scholarship yearly to a first-year college student majoring in music. Schuster was an active member of NHMTA for many years prior to her death in an automobile accident in 1981. Applicants must be New Hampshire residents and must submit an essay, resume, transcript, recommendation letter and an audio performance tape. Angela Olszta at Plymouth State College is the recipient of this year's scholarship. She is a former student of MTNA member Jack L'Ecyuer and is currently a collegiate chapter member studying with Carleen Graff, NCTM, at Plymouth State College.

--Carleen Graff, NCTM Eastern Division President Plymouth, New Hampshire