"I think that we music teachers should be very grateful. I'm grateful for the fact that music is such an integral and necessary part of my life. There is a sign above the door to my teaching studio which reads, "MUSIC IS FOREVER". I firmly believe that. I frequently point to that sign as I try to impress upon my students how important the study of music can and should be in their lives.

"I'm grateful that I was born into a family where music was a way of life. I feel sorry for people who are never moved to tears when they listen to a beautiful piece of music. I feel sorry for people who don't understand or appreciate the importance that music could play in their lives. And I do appreciate the fact that I have an opporunity to teach students how to play and gain an understanding of music. The saying "I Touch the Future...I Teach" is so very true. One of the neatest things that happens in the life of music teachers is when they have a student grasp the concepts that they're being taught, and then become fantastic musicians in their own right. We truly belong to a noble profession!"

I've just returned from attending the National Conference of MTNA in Atlanta. What a choice experience it is to meet with musicians from all over the country in a setting that allows us to learn, to grow, and to renew acquaintances with other musicians. I always spend a majority of my time at national conferences attending the Piano Performance Competitions. This year, we were well represented by two of our very fine students: Catherine Winters, student of Elizabeth Weissman won 1st place in the Junior Woodwinds; and Natalie Coombs, student of Professor Gary Amano played beautifully in the Senior Yamaha Piano Competition. We can be very proud of these student musicians from our great state of Utah.

RMG Records is making an outstanding offer to members of MTNA: for $35 you can purchase a DVD of most of the presentations made at the 2009 Conference in Atlanta. If you are interested, their e-mail address is" ReynoldsProd@aol.com, telephone number 843-224-4295. I hope that many of you will take advantage of this first time offer. The presentations were fantastic and I know that you would enjoy seeing them!

Finally, we're almost to summer. Best wishes to all of you as you close out your school year teaching experience with recitals, concerts, etc. Remember to put the dates of October 23rd and 24th on your calendars -- the weekend of our next UMTA Conference. I hope to see all of you there.

Lynn Dean, UMTA State President