Teacher programs and Events
What do our Teacher Programs look like? See snapshots below featuring students and teachers across the Des Moines Metro!
DMMTA meetings are held monthly, September through April.
Meetings begin at 9:00 A.M. with a social time and refreshments.
The business meeting is convened at 9:30, followed by the featured program at 10:00.
Adjournment is at 11:00. Visitors are always welcome!
If interested please the Contact Us page of this website.
NEW! View links below each meeting to recap what you missed.
Here are the exciting new programs for the 2025-2026 year!
Friday, September 12, 2025
Fall Kick-Off Brunch
Program: Creative Teaching Share: Everyone and Everything from A to Z!
Location: Courtyards at Harvest Ridge Clubhouse, 6202 NE Grant Ln Ankeny, 50021
Time: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Brunch Hosts: Mary Beth Shaffer, Pat Schroeder, Cyndie Caruth, Zoe Abrahamson
Friday, October 10, 2025
Program: Playing it cool! Memorization, performance anxiety, and other aspects of performance preparation
Clinician: Dr. Nicholas Roth, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Social; 9:30 a.m. - Meeting; 10:00 a.m. - Program
Refreshments Host: Irina Kaplan
Friday, November 14, 2025
Program: Topic: wrist technique to aid musical expression
Clinician: Dr. Janci Bronson, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Social; 9:30 a.m. - Meeting; 10:00 a.m. - Program
Refreshments Host: Bonnie Strong
Friday, December 12, 2025
Program: Christmas/Holiday Party - Mingle, jingle, laugh, engage and connect
through musical games!
Location: Cheryl Corbett’s home, 12279 NW 85th Ave., Grimes, 50111
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Refreshments Hosts: Devon Guerra and Sherri Lauritsen
Friday, January 9, 2026
Program: “Helping Distracted Kids Stay ‘Tuned In’”
Clinician: Anna Attig
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:30 a.m. Business Meeting; 10:00 a.m. Program
Refreshments Host: Galina Jarrell
Friday, February 13, 2026
Program: All About Littles from Start to Finish
Clinician: Cyndie Caruth, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:30 a.m. Business Meeting; 10:00 a.m. Program
Refreshments Host: Glenda Kernen
Friday, March 6, 2026
Program: Masterclass for Elementary, Intermediate & Advanced Students
Clinician: Jason Sifford, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:30 a.m. Business Meeting with Election of Officers;
10:00 a.m. Program
Refreshments Host: Susan Kuyper
MTNA National Conference - 150th Year Anniversary Celebration
Dates: March 21 – 25, 2026
Location: Chicago, IL
The MTNA National Conference, held annually, brings together the most representative cross-section of the MTNA membership. National competitions feature the outstanding performances of students in all instrument areas, as well as composition. Conferences include master classes, technology and informational sessions, pedagogy sessions, exhibit hall, evening concerts, and much more. Members have an opportunity to participate by submitting proposals and papers for presentation.
View video to learn more! https://vimeo.com/1124280499/e5bca89643?share=copy
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Program: Camp Scholarship Auditions & Duet/Chamber Music Festival
Location: Grand Living at Tower Place, 540 S. 51st St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Time: 8:30 a.m. Camp Scholarship Auditions; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Duet &
Chamber Music Festival; 12:00-12:45 p.m. Lunch and Business Meeting;
1:00-4:00 p.m. Duet & Chamber Music Festival
Refreshments Host: Sarah Reeves
IMTA State Conference
Dates: June 7 – 9, 2026
Location: The University of Iowa
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DMMTA meetings are held monthly, September through April.
Meetings begin at 9:00 A.M. with a social time and refreshments.
The business meeting is convened at 9:30, followed by the featured program at 10:00.
Adjournment is at 11:00. Visitors are always welcome!
If interested please the Contact Us page of this website.
NEW! View links below each meeting to recap what you missed.
Here are the exciting new programs for the 2025-2026 year!
Friday, September 12, 2025
Fall Kick-Off Brunch
Program: Creative Teaching Share: Everyone and Everything from A to Z!
Location: Courtyards at Harvest Ridge Clubhouse, 6202 NE Grant Ln Ankeny, 50021
Time: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Brunch Hosts: Mary Beth Shaffer, Pat Schroeder, Cyndie Caruth, Zoe Abrahamson
Friday, October 10, 2025
Program: Playing it cool! Memorization, performance anxiety, and other aspects of performance preparation
Clinician: Dr. Nicholas Roth, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Social; 9:30 a.m. - Meeting; 10:00 a.m. - Program
Refreshments Host: Irina Kaplan
Friday, November 14, 2025
Program: Topic: wrist technique to aid musical expression
Clinician: Dr. Janci Bronson, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Social; 9:30 a.m. - Meeting; 10:00 a.m. - Program
Refreshments Host: Bonnie Strong
Friday, December 12, 2025
Program: Christmas/Holiday Party - Mingle, jingle, laugh, engage and connect
through musical games!
Location: Cheryl Corbett’s home, 12279 NW 85th Ave., Grimes, 50111
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Refreshments Hosts: Devon Guerra and Sherri Lauritsen
Friday, January 9, 2026
Program: “Helping Distracted Kids Stay ‘Tuned In’”
Clinician: Anna Attig
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:30 a.m. Business Meeting; 10:00 a.m. Program
Refreshments Host: Galina Jarrell
Friday, February 13, 2026
Program: All About Littles from Start to Finish
Clinician: Cyndie Caruth, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:30 a.m. Business Meeting; 10:00 a.m. Program
Refreshments Host: Glenda Kernen
Friday, March 6, 2026
Program: Masterclass for Elementary, Intermediate & Advanced Students
Clinician: Jason Sifford, NCTM
Location: Rieman Music, 6501 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:30 a.m. Business Meeting with Election of Officers;
10:00 a.m. Program
Refreshments Host: Susan Kuyper
MTNA National Conference - 150th Year Anniversary Celebration
Dates: March 21 – 25, 2026
Location: Chicago, IL
The MTNA National Conference, held annually, brings together the most representative cross-section of the MTNA membership. National competitions feature the outstanding performances of students in all instrument areas, as well as composition. Conferences include master classes, technology and informational sessions, pedagogy sessions, exhibit hall, evening concerts, and much more. Members have an opportunity to participate by submitting proposals and papers for presentation.
View video to learn more! https://vimeo.com/1124280499/e5bca89643?share=copy
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Program: Camp Scholarship Auditions & Duet/Chamber Music Festival
Location: Grand Living at Tower Place, 540 S. 51st St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Time: 8:30 a.m. Camp Scholarship Auditions; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Duet &
Chamber Music Festival; 12:00-12:45 p.m. Lunch and Business Meeting;
1:00-4:00 p.m. Duet & Chamber Music Festival
Refreshments Host: Sarah Reeves
IMTA State Conference
Dates: June 7 – 9, 2026
Location: The University of Iowa
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11/8/24: Drake Piano Students Present IMTA Repertoire Selections
12/13/24: Holiday Party at Cheryl Corbett's Home!
2/14/25: Masterclass with Dr. James March
4/11/25: Summer Camp Auditions at Rieman Music
