Welcome to the NHMTA Quad-State Convention 2025, where piano pedagogy, performance, new music and technology meet in a single conference!

Pre-Convention Concert – Friday October 17th

On Friday October 17th at 7pm, there will be a special performance of the Apple Hill String Quartet at the Redfern Arts Center’s ‘Alumni Recital Hall’, Keene State College – 90 Wyman Way, Keene NH 03435. (purchase tickets below)

Program Schedule:

Saturday, October 18th – Full-day Quad-State Conference with our Keynote Presenter, Wendy Stevens! All presentations to be held in the Alumni Recital Hall, Redfern Arts Center, Keene State College.

Download the Final Program PDF

• 8:30am – Reception in the Redfern Lobby
• 9:00am – Duy Bui, President of NHMTA – Introduction, Prof. Christina Wright-Ivanova, Associate Professor, Chair of Music @ Keene State
• 9:10am -10:20am – Session 1: Key Note, Wendy Stevens, Have You Forgotten What It’s Like to be a Child?
• 10:30-11:45am – Session 2: Rhythm is Fundamental! Here’s how to make it fun…
• 12:00pm-12:45pm – Lunch at Zorn Dining Commons
• 1:00pm-2:15pm – Commissioned Composer’s Concert
• 2:15pm-2:40pm – Steinway Spirio Demonstration, with Patrick Elisha, Vice-President, Steinert & Sons
  Short break
• 2:45-4:00pm – Session 3: Teaching Teens: What Researchers, Therapists, and Teens Wish You Knew
• 4:00pm – Q&A
• 4:15 – Adjourn – VP Programs Closing Remarks

Presentation Topics:

Have You Forgotten What It’s Like to be a Child?

It’s been anywhere from 10 to 70 years since any of us have been a child, so it’s pretty certain that all of us have forgotten at least some of what it’s like. In this session, you will learn 5 characteristics of childhood that we forget and 20 practical ways to apply this knowledge to help our students leave every single lesson feeling excited and competent! This session is relevant to any teacher of children (no matter what instrument), any parent of children, or any person who regularly works with children. One attendee even said, “You’ve helped me understand my own grandchildren better!”

Teaching Teens: What Researchers, Therapists, and Teens Wish You Knew

Teaching teenagers is fraught with challenges. They change so quickly from being an excited and energetic child to being a pensive and moody teen. It’s really hard to get inside their heads! Why didn’t they practice? Where has their zest for music gone? Why are they being so snarky? Why can’t I motivate them anymore? But pulling out quick fixes like pop music or letting them choose their own music only address surface issues. We really need to understand what teens are thinking, feeling, and what deep, foundational changes we can make to not only teach them more effectively, but also help them develop into caring adults who can make a beautiful difference in this troubled world.

Rhythm is Fundamental! Here’s how to make it fun…

Have you heard of teaching rhythm by cup tapping? It’s taking the music teaching world by storm and in this session, we will have a super fun time cup tapping, jumping, high fiving, and doing all kinds of fun antics to learn how to internalize rhythm. Tips on what to do and what NOT to do in teaching rhythm will also be presented and you’ll have a great time learning about a reproducible rhythm series that isolates learning rhythm in such a way that it transfers to all parts of teaching. Exciting and appropriate for all private and classroom music teachers!

Information and Registration

This event is over – thank you for making it a big success!