2024-2025 TAMTA PROGRAMS

September 18, 2024
Frossard Auditorium
at Hardesty Regional Library

Financial Tips and Strategies
for the Independent Music Teacher

Presenter: Lyndell Dunn, CPA

Lyndell R. Dunn, CPA, is a native Oklahoman and graduate of Oklahoma State University. He has been in private practice since 2001 and in public accounting for over thirty years, specializing in taxation and small business accounting.

Mr. Dunn is a former mayor and current city councilor for the city of Owasso, Oklahoma. He is also a former trustee of the Owasso Economic Development Authority as well as the Tulsa County Criminal Justice Authority. In addition, he has served as the treasurer for the Rotary Club of Owasso and as a member of the Indian Nations Council of Governments.

November 20, 2024
Aaronson Auditorium
at Tulsa Central Library

Deep Learning:
Strategies to Engage and Empower
Music Students

Presenter: Sara Ernst, PhD, NCTM

Sara Ernst, PhD, NCTM is Director of Piano Pedagogy and Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. She is co-editor in chief of the new magazine for children, Piano Inspires Kids, and editor of the Proceedings of NCKP 2023. Since 2020, Ernst has served as the program director for The Piano Conference: NCKP. Her past publications have included two online courses in teacher beginners and online piano teaching for the Frances Clark Center, and articles for the Royal Conservatory of Music teacher education courses. She recently completed her service to the South Carolina Music Teachers Association as President and Past President, also previously service as VP of Conference. Additionally, she has served as an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music across the U.S. Canada. Her former professional positions were at the University of South Carolina, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and the New School for Music Study in New Jersey. Ernst received her degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the University of Missouri, and Luther College in Iowa.

Learning a musical instrument requires skills and knowledge that must be drawn from within the self and grown over time, which contrasts to the immediate access we have to vast amounts of information through the internet and A.I. Because of this, music students--perhaps more than ever--need learning environments that promote deep exploration and cultivate internal knowing. discover teacher approaches and communication strategies to increase student engagement, and explore how to empower students as accomplished musicians, regardless of age and level. Concepts are supported by music education research and best practices from piano pedagogy, and illustrated with examples from piano lessons.