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About the Organization
Nashville Area Music Teachers Association (NAMTA) is a professional music organization dedicated to supporting our local teachers and their students. Our organization is includes private studio teachers and college music faculty throughout the Nashville Area.
NAMTA is affiliated with Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) and with Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). These organizations provide NAMTA with many benefits and support, including yearly state and national conferences.
In order to provide music opportunities for students and to help music educators maintain the highest standards of teaching, NAMTA holds local festivals, auditions, competitions and workshops each year.
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History of NAMTA
On Saturday, March 29, 1980, a group of music teachers from the Nashville area met at Belmont College to discuss the possibilities of starting a Nashville chapter of Tennessee Music Teachers Association. Richard Shadinger was elected Temporary Chairman to oversee the organization of the chapter. Gail Patton was appointed chairman of a committee to nominate a slate of officers. Jill Peak was appointed chairman of a committee to draw up a Constitution and By-Laws for the organization. Those present discussed ideas for the new chapter and agreed to meet on May 17 to elect officers and approve the Constitution.
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On May 17, 1980, interested music teachers met and approved a Constitution and By-Laws. Officers elected were Richard Shadinger, President; Sarah Nicholas, President-Elect; Elizabeth Cormier, Vice-President; Marcia Hughes, Recording Secretary; Dianne Barbee, Corresponding Secretary; and Jill Peak, Treasurer.
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On June 14, 1980, the Executive Board of the Tennessee Music Teachers Association gave official approval of the Nashville Area Music Teachers Association.
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Charter members (those who attended at least one of the two organizational meetings) were as follows: Dianne Barbee, Carole Batson, Carol Boeing, Julia Callaway, Elizabeth Cormier, Frances Hill Crutcher, Margaret Graves, Janie Green, Florence Haas, Barbara Hildebrand, Marcia Hughes, Lavelle Jones, Matthew Kennedy, Robert Marler, Judy Mahone, Grace Mangum, Vivian Miller, Sarah Nicholas, Gail Patton, Jill Peak, Betty Polk, Roland Schneller, Joan Scudder, Richard Shadinger, James Sherrill, Bill Summerville, June Warren.
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