2022 Fall State Conference

Guest Artist: Thomas Pandolfi

Thomas Pandolfi began his music career early on at The Juilliard School (BM & MM) where the young prodigy caught the influential ears of Vladimir Horowitz, who would become his mentor, and legendary composer, Morton Gould. Since then he has been an audience favorite, selling out the world's most prestigious stages, including Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall, Strathmore, The Kennedy Center, Kiev Opera House, Bucharest's Romanian Athenaeum, London's Cadogan Hall, and many others. In addition to being hailed as one of the greatest interpreters of Polish masters such as Chopin and Paderewski, this versatile pianist has received accolades from every thing from Bach to Gershwin, with Morton Gould saying, "It's the finest performance of Gershwin I have heard since the composer himself." His original and virtuosic transcriptions of works such as West Side Story and Phantom of the Opera, are one-of-kind, jaw-dropping, and dramatic encores that keep audiences of all ages returning to his performances again and again. Maestro Pandolfi is a Steinway Artist and when he is not on tour, he resides in Washington, DC.

Guest Clinician: Lisa Bastien

On any given day, twenty floors above the bustling streets of New York City, Lisa Bastien's piano studio is abuzz with the joyous sounds of students making and learning about music. For over a quarter century, her home has served as a place where students of diverse ages, abilities, and interests have come to experience joy, discovery, growth, and a passion for music.

Lisa adores teaching piano and has a passion for composing music to engage and motivate her students. Lisa has co-authored over 100 piano books with her mother, Jane Smisor Bastien, and her sister, Lori Bastien. Collectively, the Bastien family has authored over 500 books that are translated into 14 languages and have taught millions of students how to play the piano. Lisa has clocked countless days, weeks, and months in planes, trains, and automobiles traveling around the globe to share the Bastien publications with other teachers at workshops and conventions worldwide.

• Guest Artist Concert
  Friday, October 28, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM:
  

  Thomas Pandolfi will open his concert with a selection of Chopin's most beloved piano works. He will follow with an original piano transcription of musical themes from West Side Story before concluding the concert with the 1927 piano solo version of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". (Concert Hall)

• Masterclass with Thomas Pandolfi
  Saturday, October 28, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM:
  

  Second place winners of VMTA and MTNA piano competitions concluding before 1pm on Saturday, October 29, will be invited to participate in this masterclass with VMTA State Conference Guest Artist, Thomas Pandolfi. (Concert Hall)

• "The Bastien Family: A Tribute to Jane and Jim Bastien"
  Thursday, October 27, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM:
  

  Jane and Jim Bastien made a difference in countless lives with their composing, teaching, writing, and performing. With more than 500 publications to their credit, and books translated into 16 languages, Jane and Jim revolutionized the way piano is taught. As a tribute to them and the countless students they have inspired the world over, take a step back in time to hear how this remarkable couple met and began their storied careers as innovative piano teachers and pedagogues, and how that tradition lives on in the teaching and writing of their daughters, Lisa and Lori. Join Lisa as she shares anecdotes and insights that will make you laugh, cry, ponder, and understand what the Bastien family "passion for teaching" is all about. You will come away inspired to carry on the Bastien legacy, along with Lisa and Lori in your own musical and life journeys. (Room 305)

• Q and A Lunch
  Friday, October 28, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM:
  

  Q and A Lunch with Lisa Bastien (JF Library Conference Room – Room 001)

• "Bastien New Traditions: Inspiring the Next Generation of Beginning Pianists"
  Friday, October 28, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM:
  

  Discover Bastien New Traditions, a delightful All-In-One series crafted especially for today's generation of beginning piano students. Bastien New Traditions combines the successful, time tested Bastien piano pedagogy with new teaching ideas and techniques that will ensure success for today's busy students. Come experience this fully integrated approach with exciting new music and motivating technology. A FREE reference set for every attending teacher! (Room 160)

• "Successful Piano Teaching in a Rapidly Changing World"
  Saturday, October 29, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
  

  Lisa Bastien adores teaching piano and finding new ways to encourage and motivate her students. From the twentieth floor of her Manhattan piano studio, Lisa has shared her love of music with her students for over 27 years, and will speak of her day-to-day experiences, sharing practical and inspiring teaching tips as well as innovative ideas for running a successful piano studio in a rapidly changing world. (Room 180)

Additional Presenters and Presentations

Dr. Paul Rumrill serves at Liberty University as Associate Dean and Professor of Worship and Piano. An Eastman and UConn graduate, Rumrill's academic interests include the Postromantic Russian tradition, black gospel, Latin-American musics, and ethnodoxology.

Thursday, October 27, 4:15-5:15 PM:
Conference Session: "Syncopation and Structure: Performing the Jazz-Classical Phrases of Nikolai Kapustin" (Room 305)

Session Description: Dr. Paul Rumrill and faculty friends will highlight jazz-harmonic and rhythmic challenges from Kapustin's works. Several piano works will be presented, plus movements from the Violin Sonata and the Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano.

Dr. Magdalena Adamek currently serves on the piano faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is an accomplished solo recitalist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. She is the recipient of many performing and scholarly awards. For more information visit her website: https://magdalenaadamek.wordpress.com

Friday, October 28, 9:30-10:30 AM:
Conference Session: Dr. Magdalena Adamek, “Building Blocks of a Musical Interpretation: Strategies to Help Students Become Creative and Independent Learners” (Room 160)

Session Description: This session will examine the fundamental principles of creating an artistic interpretation. Using examples from the repertoire set at different instructional levels, I will discuss how to inspire our students to become creative, independent learners.

Dr. Christopher Kies is a Professor Emeritus from the University of New Hampshire, where he taught piano, theory and composition for 41 years. His special interests include modern music, ragtime, and compositions with narration.

Friday, October 28, 10:45-11:45 AM:
Conference Session: Dr. Christopher Kies, “Appreciating Augmented-Sixth Chords, Even When They Don't Behave” (Room 160)

Session Description: An historical review of the expressive power of augmented-sixth chords in tonal music. Emphasis will be on how and where the chords were used. Composers from J.S. Bach to Modest Mussorgsky will be referenced.

Dr. Akiko Konishi studied at Rice University, Yale University, and the University of Houston, under the guidance of renowned pianists Peter Frankl and Abbey Simon. She recently joined the music department at Washington and Lee University as Assistant Professor of Music.

Friday, October 28, 10:45-11:45 AM:
Conference Session: Dr. Akiko Konishi, “The Importance of the Bow and Blurb: Introducing Students to Effective On-stage Comportment” (Room 180)

This presentation will explore basic aspects of successful stage comportment for student performances and introduce ways to familiarize students of all ages with these practices in various learning environments.

Pianist Dr. David Berry serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Music Department at Eastern Mennonite University. David is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (BM) and the Juilliard School (MM, DMA).

Friday, October 28, 1:30-2:30 PM:
Dr. David Berry, “Finding Your Voice: Learning to Make Creative Piano Arrangements and Teaching Your Students to as Well” (Room 160)

The benefits of learning to arrange creatively are enormous. This session will feature live demonstrations of unique arrangements, as well as give tools for learning to arrange creatively and teach this skill to students.

Elaine Lim is an active performer of the solo and collaborative repertoire. She is currently pursuing her DMA in Piano at JMU and teaches a studio at the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music at EMU.

Friday, October 28, 4:00-5:00 PM:
Elaine Lim, “Debussy and the Turn of the 20th Century: A Closer Look at This Cosmopolitan Composer and His Compositional Style” (Room 180)

Debussy was at the right place and right time. Paris was a breeding ground for artists who enjoyed the fruits of the industrial revolution. We will explore its influence on representative works of Debussy.

June Huang is Director of Strings and Assistant Professor of Violin at George Mason University's Dewberry School of Music. Ms. Huang is trained in the Suzuki Method and maintains a private studio in Fairfax.

Friday, October 28, 4:00-5:00 PM:
June Huang, “How to Improve Sightreading Skills” (Room 174)

This presentation will focus on ways to strengthen sight-reading skills of intermediate/advanced level string players. The presenter will introduce a simple, stepwise approach that, once learned, students can use to practice sight reading independently. Participants are encouraged to bring instruments.

Bassoonist, educator, and administrator Ryan D. Romine is Associate Professor of Bassoon and Assistant Dean for Recruitment at Shenandoah Conservatory. Ryan also serves as Bassoon Editor for the International Double Reed Society.

Saturday, October 29, 2:00-3:00 PM:
Ryan Romine, “5 Things Colleges Want Music Applicants to Know” (Room 180)

This session covers five areas where music teachers can help their college applicants put their best foot forward: information, preparation, communication, funding, and strategy.

Dr. Rok Palcic is active as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Music School 21 and Chevy Chase Music as well as Director of the Cultural Arts Society Ars Haliaeti and the Art Music Society.

Saturday, October 29, 3:15-4:15 PM:
Independent Music Teachers Forum (IMTF) Meeting (Room 180)

Dr. Rok Palcic will lead a discussion with teachers about topics of concern in today's music studio.

Conductor, composer, violinist and educator Dr. Paul Sanho Kim (MA, MM, DMA) blends classical artistry with popular accessibility. An associate professor of music at Old Dominion University, Kim directs the ODU Symphony Orchestra, teaches conducting and violin, and coordinates the strings area. He also serves as music director of the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore as well as the symphony and string orchestra conductor of the Fine Arts Camps Europe/Czech Music Camp for Youth. Kim has led performances with the Virginia Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, Waynesboro Symphony, and university orchestras across the U.S. and in China.

Saturday, October 29, 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM:
Commissioned Composer Concert: Dr. Paul Sanho Kim (Concert Hall)

World premiere by Paul Sanho Kim featuring Dr. Seung-Hye Kim on piano, Elizabeth Richards on cello, and the composer on violin. Performance includes discussion and Q&A.

Additional Events

Hosted by the VMTA Executive Board. New members are invited to learn more about the VMTA community, gain insight on how to get the most from our conference offerings and share musical interests and experiences.

The Virginia Teachers Concert is a celebration of teachers throughout the state. The concert will feature Virginia music teachers performing a program of diverse repertoire.

Conference Schedule

(Subject to Change)

Thursday, October 27:

Friday, October 28:

Saturday, October 29:

Conference Fees

VMTA Members:

• Early Bird Conference Registration (Deadline: September 30, 2022, 11:59 p.m.): $90
• Conference Registration after September 30, 2022: $110
• Daily Registration: $45

Non-members:

• Early Bird Conference Registration (Deadline: September 30, 2022, 11:59 p.m.): $120
• Conference Registration after September 30, 2022: $140
• Daily Registration: $75

Conference Presenters (VMTA Members):

• Early Bird Conference Registration (Deadline: September 30, 2022, 11:59 p.m.): $45
• Conference Registration after September 30, 2022: $55
• Daily Registration: $22.50

Conference Presenters (Non-members):

• Early Bird Conference Registration (Deadline: September 30, 2022, 11:59 p.m.): $60
• Conference Registration after September 30, 2022: $70
• Daily Registration: $37.50

Collegiate Attendees:

• College students may attend all conference sessions, competitions, and VMTA concerts for free. A ticket for the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra Concert will feature VMTA Concerto Competition Winners on Saturday evening must be purchased using the following website:
  https://www.liberty.edu/music/events/.

For access to all conference amenities, including the conference bag, printed conference program, hospitality tables, and concert receptions, students must register for the conference.

• Full Conference Registration: $25
• Daily Registration: $10

VMTA Banquet (Friday, October 28, 6-7:30 pm) - All conference attendees are invited to attend
      Price: $45 per person
      NOTE: Banquet registration must be purchased by Friday, September 30.

• Banquet served buffet style
• Entrees: Beef tenderloin, chicken marsala, and salmon with lemon caper butter sauce
• Drinks: Water, unsweet tea, and coffee
• Salad: Tossed salad and yeast rolls
• Sides: Mashed potatoes, green beans, and squash casserole
• Dessert: Mini chocolate lava cakes and cheesecake bites

Additional VMTA Concerto Competition Winners Concert Tickets:

• The Liberty University Symphony Orchestra Concert featuring VMTA Concerto Competition Winners on Saturday, October 29, at 7:30 pm. Full conference registration and Saturday daily registration include one ticket to the concert. Additional tickets can be purchased directly from Liberty University at the following website: https://www.liberty.edu/music/events/.

Full Registration Includes:

• All workshops
• All concerts and receptions
• Hospitality table

Daily Registration Includes:

• All daily workshops
• All daily concerts and receptions
• Hospitality table