Directors
Nicholas Phillips, NCTM
East Central Division, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Nicholas Phillips, NCTM, is
professor of piano at the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
and has maintained a studio of
pre-college students for more
than 20 years. He is an active performer
and frequent presenter at
conferences. Phillips was program
chair for the 2019 MTNA National
Conference in Spokane and president
of the Wisconsin MTA from 2015–2018.
Alison Barr, NCTM
Eastern Division,Hanover, Massachusetts
Alison Barr, NCTM, teaches piano
in her independent studio in
Massachusetts. In 1976, she helped
found Maine Music Teachers
Association. She’s served as president
of Maine and Massachusetts
MTAs, Eastern Division Certification
Commissioner and National IMTF
Chair. Alison created Massachusetts
MTA’s Music Connect Program, which awards grants to
deserving students. At the 2018 MTNA Conference, Alison
was introduced to American Voices and now serves as cultural
ambassador, volunteering with Middle Eastern piano
students.
Steven Hesla, NCTM
Northwest Division, Missoula, Montana
Steven Hesla, NCTM, recently
retired from teaching at the
University of Montana for more
than four decades. During his
tenure, he served as MSMTA
president, served on the MTNA
Foundation Board of Trustees
and was honored as an MTNA
Foundation Fellow in 2016.
Courtney Crappell, NCTM
South Central Division, Leawood, Kansas
Courtney Crappell, NCTM,
serves at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as the dean of the Conservatory, which includes divisions of dance, theatre and music. He
has published more than 40 articles
on music teaching and presented
for teacher workshops and conferences around
the world. His book Teaching Piano Pedagogy (Oxford,
2019) was described as “essential to the professional
pedagogue’s bookshelf.” He was served as a regular
columnist for AMT from 2010–2023.
Joy Poole
Southern Division, LaGrange, Georgia
Joy Poole earned a BA degree
in piano performance and music
education and has been in the
music education field for 32 years
enjoying teaching private lessons
and teaching in schools. She is
active in MTNA both on the local
and state level serving in past
years as president of Cobb County
MTA and vice president of membership, vice president
of Programs and president of Georgia MTA. During
her administration many strides were made with online
opportunities to keep members involved.
Kassandra Weleck, NCTM
Southwest Division, Tucson, Arizona
Kassandra Weleck, NCTM, has
served as Arizona’s president,
competitions chair and secretary
as well as MTNA’s Southwest
Division Composition Competitions
coordinator. She holds degrees
from Bowling Green State
University and Arizona State
University. Kassandra teaches at
Pima Community College and in
her Tucson private studio.
Cyndie Caruth, NCTM
West Central Division, Ankeny, Iowa
Cyndie Caruth, NCTM, a BM
graduate of Iowa State University
and independent instructor
since 1973, was among the first
to achieve national certification
through MTNA’s examination program.
Cyndie was a 2017 MTNA
Foundation Fellow, elected IMTA
president 2007–2009 and 2017–2019,
chaired Local Associations, Auditions, Foundation, Theory,
Certification and is IMT editor, advertising and web consultant.
She received the 2019 “Steinway Top Teacher Award,”
IMTA’s “Certified Teacher of the Year” and “Distinguished
Service Award” in 2004.