(Photo above: Dr. Carmen Hall, NCTM (my sister), Dr. Erin Hibbard, NCTM, Rene Johnson, NCTM. The three of us were all taught by Virginia Buhn, NCTM in Sweet Home, Oregon. It was great fun my sister and I to finally meet Erin at a National Conference.)

This year’s MTNA National Conference took place in Minneapolis, MN. For me, deciding to attend a national conference always feels like the start of a new adventure. Once I’ve registered and booked my plane tickets, the anticipation begins to build—I know I’m in for several days of inspiration and connection.

Past Conferences

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a number of MTNA conferences: Washington, DC (2001), Salt Lake City, UT (2003), Baltimore, MD (2017), Orlando, FL (2018), Spokane, WA (2019), Atlanta, GA (2024), and now Minneapolis, MN (2025). I also “attended” the virtual conferences. I actually loved them because I was able to “attend” ALL the classes and took many notes. It’s impossible to listen to every presentation in person. However, with in-person conferences, I always come home full of new ideas, encouraged by the creativity and passion of fellow teachers. One of the highlights is reconnecting with people I’ve met at past conferences and spending time with colleagues from Virginia. It’s a true professional recharge!

Presentations

This year was especially meaningful, as I was thrilled to check off a bucket list item—giving a presentation at a national conference. My session, Creating Camaraderie Among Adult Piano Students, shared insights from my experience working with a group of eight adult students over the past few years. It was deeply rewarding to share something close to my heart with a room full of supportive colleagues.

Rene W. Johnson Presenting at MTNA Conference

Extra-curricular Activities and Exploring

Outside of conference sessions and social events, I also indulged in a few personal passions. I had the opportunity to play organs in three different churches throughout the week—a particular joy for me. I also read The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow before my trip and made a special stop at Minnehaha Falls, one of the sites mentioned in the poem, on my way from the airport to the hotel. Visiting the sculpture garden added another layer of fun to the trip.

 

Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis

St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis

 

And of course, our Virginia state dinner capped off the week with wonderful food, conversation, and camaraderie.

Dinner at Lumi’s Restaurant in Minneapolis

Take-aways

I came away with a nice list of things to try in my studio. Here are some of them.

  1.  Key signatures at every lesson
  2. Teach Heart and Soul (I know, don’t groan, kids love it and it’s a fun way to show off “skill”)
  3. Clap rhythms for what you ate for dinner last night
  4. Minute to Win It activity with building chords (or scale building).
  5. Have a Bravo Board to honor students, or have a list of pieces everyone learns, or to show progress.
  6. Explore Mel Bonis music on IMSLP (it’s quite nice!)
  7. Require technique books—it increases accurate fingerings
  8. Play “Cross the Bridge”–a little toy figure on one side of the piano gets to the other side if the repetition is played correctly, or has to go back if not
  9. Piano parent crash course–train parents on how to practice with their child–this could be 4-5 “lessons” and parents register and pay for the class. It often results in new adult students, but at the least, they can be better equipped to support their children at home. (Parents want to learn: Home practice support, Accessing weekly assignments, Beginning Staff note reading, basic rhythms, Keyboard geography, finger numbers, ear training, easy chords and playing from a leadsheet, body-bench position at keyboard, scheduling practicing time, motivating children). This can be required or opt-in. Charge a little less than a weekly lesson per parent.
  10. Study excerpts more for technical skills
  11. I have thought a lot about this chart since the conference. I would like to explore how to teach my students to be more efficient with their practicing.
4+ Practice Days 1-3 Practice Days
Efficient Practice Fastest Possible Progress Slow Progress
Non-efficient Practice Good Progress Very Little Progress

Ways to Save

Last fall, Christy Tallamy posted a number of ways for Savvy Saving with regard to the Virginia State Conference. These are great hints that can apply to State and National conferences as you plan ahead. I hope to see many of you at the Virginia State Conference this fall —in Northern Virginia!!!! and at the next national conference in Chicago!!!

 

  • Check with your local association to see if there are any grants available for continuing education and apply.
  • Reach out to a friend and share a room. 
  • Carpool with fellow local members. 
  • Choose the studio option when you reserve your hotel and prepare a meal or two in your room. Or go to a local grocery store for some snacks.
  • Plan to enjoy a hearty complimentary breakfast at the hotel. 
  • Maximize your time by combining your trip with some personal exploringl. 
  • Be sure to take advantage of EARLY BIRD SAVINGS by registering early
  • Plan group lessons for the conference week so that you don’t lose out on teaching income that week. This can be built into your studio policy for the coming year. In my studio, we do trios. The trio rehearsal takes the place of the lesson for the conference week and I see everyone on 2-3 days before or after the conference. It’s a great opportunity for the students and they prepare for about two months for this big event. Parents come to listen at the end of the practice session.