Music students invited to participate in national piano conference

Four piano­ majors from the Liberty University School of Music have been invited to present at the 2015 Collegiate Piano Pedagogy Conference, a symposium hosted by the Music Teachers’ National Association (MTNA) at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, this weekend.

“We are thrilled to know that Liberty University School of Music students are getting opportunity to present at a national symposium of this caliber,” said Dr. Vernon Whaley, dean of the School of Music. “It certainly speaks well of the level of training our undergraduate and graduate piano students are getting at the School of Music.”

Although the university has been involved with MTNA events in the past, this is the first time Liberty students have been invited to participate in the symposium.

Graduate student Kimberly McKennett and junior Megan Ring spearheaded the initiative by submitting a joint presentation to MTNA along with junior Jennifer Turner and sophomore Jacob Joseph.

“The symposium emphasizes the teaching side of the music profession, and the vast majority of music majors nationwide will earn some of their income through teaching,” McKennett said. “MTNA helps to develop professional skills and opportunities for young adult musicians, enabling them to develop the career realities of the teaching studio.”

Paul Rumrill, chair and associate professor in the Department of Music Education, said that the students will meet with music teachers across the country at the event, including those from the University of Michigan, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and Brigham Young University.

“The students’ presentation will emphasize connecting music majors with the local communities in teaching and performance,” he said.

Rumrill added that if students learn how to teach while still in school, they will be more successful after graduation.

“Our school works to build the techniques in performance, teaching, and business necessary for a musician to get where they want to be,” he said. “MTNA is one of the national voices in music studio development thus, we are thrilled to have Liberty students speak in that environment.”