Music grows where teachers thrive.
Connecting and championing New York’s music teachers—so they can inspire the next generation of musicians.
We further the art of music by investing in the people who teach, perform, compose and research it.
From independent studio teachers to faculty at leading music schools and today’s concert artists, our members form the foundation of New York’s musical life.
As a state affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association, members access professional development, statewide connections, and student competitions at state, division and national levels.
State Officers
01.
Tomoko Uchino
President
02.
Laura Amoriello
President-Elect
03.
Jacob Ertl
Immediate Past-President
04.
Lily Li
Vice-President for Competitions
05.
Asami Hagiwara & Tasha George-Hinnant
Vice-President for Conferences
06.
Elaina Burns
Vice-President for Membership
07.
Amber Liao
Vice-President for Professional Activities
08.
Gary L. Palmer
Treasurer
09.
Christine Johannsen
Secretary
Local Districts
Amber Liao
District 1: Manhattan–Bronx
Cynthia Macias
District 2: Brooklyn–Queens–Staten Island
Alexander Peskanov
District 3: Nassau–Suffolk
Andrew Marino and Jaejin Lee
District 4: Westchester–Rockland–Putnam
Carolyn Topliff
District 5: Hudson–Catskill
Anny Yin
District 6: Capital Region
Deborah Martin
District 7: Southern Tier
Bernadette Kessler
District 9: Greater Syracuse
Lily Li
District 10: Buffalo–Niagara
Kathryn Sherman
District 11: Northern Region
Tasha George-Hinnant
District 11: Greater Rochester
State Chairs
01.
Gary Fisher
Archivist
02.
Laura Amoriello
Certification Chair
03.
Brian Preston
Chapin Grant Chair
04.
Gary Fisher
Citations Chair
05.
Jacob Ertl
Collegiate Faculty and Student Chapters Chair
06.
Christine Johannsen
Commissioned Composer Chair
07.
Janice Nimetz
Lecture Forum Chair
08.
Maura E. Hall
Independent Music Teachers Forum Chair
09.
Diane Birr
MTNA Foundation Chair
10.
Deborah Martin
Pedagogy Chair
Past Presidents
- 2022–2024 · Jacob Ertl
- 2020–2022 · Hendry Wijaya, NCTM
- 2018–2020 · Beverly Smoker
- 2015–2018 · Ruthanne Schempf, NCTM
- 2014–2015 · Emily W. Boyce, NCTM
- 2012–2014 · Christine Johannsen
- 2010–2012 · Denise Michelle Ivanoff
- 2008–2010 · Richard R. Hihn
- 2006–2008 · Gary Fisher
- 2004–2006 · Diane L. Birr
- 2002–2004 · Zelma Bodzin
- 2000–2002 · Deborah S. Martin
- 1998–2000 · Neva S. Pilgrim
- 1996–1998 · Deirdre O’Donohue
- 1994–1996 · Elier Suarez
- 1992–1994 · Sr. Dorothy A. Flood
- 1990–1992 · Michael Merolla
- 1988–1990 · Bertha Lang
- 1986–1988 · Barbara Woods
- 1982–1986 · Wilma Machover
- 1978–1982 · Hadassah Sahr
- 1977–1978 · Ludwig Sheffield (acting)
- 1974–1977 · Robert G. Hobstetter
- 1970–1974 · Ludwig Sheffield
- 1967–1970 · T. Richard Patterson
- 1963–1967 · Ruth Burgess
- 1961–1963 · Fay Templeton Frish
Constitution & Bylaws
GOVERNANCE
Our principles, structure and commitment to members. Amended April 16, 2019.
Your next chapter starts here.
FIND YOUR COMMUNITY
Build your network, grow your practice, and give your students more opportunities across New York and beyond.
Music lessons should be within reach.
COMMUNITY PARTNER
NYSMTA is a longtime partner of the MusicLink Foundation, connecting students in financial need with professional teachers who provide partial or full scholarships.
