Happy New Year to one and all!  This new year brings with it a number of changes in our studios and school loads, our families and communities, and in KMTA.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristi Baker, and as of October 2017, I am the new president of the Kansas Music Teachers’ Association. I have degrees in Piano and Music Education from both Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, which makes me the object of numerous jokes and puns from my family and friends, and I currently operate as a freelance pianist and independent piano teacher based in my hometown of Topeka, Kansas. I believe, as do we all, that my mission is to ultimately create lifelong learners and lovers of music. To that end, I believe in the power of our organization to not only bring our passion for what we teach to the community at large, but to equip us as teachers to take on this powerful task.

KMTA has been, for me, one of the best resources out there for continuing education. The conferences, workshops and webinars provide invaluable information on teaching techniques, injury prevention, studio building, and a host of other topics. The networking opportunities speak for themselves. KMTA members also have access to discount programs at Office Depot, prescription plans, and various types of insurance and liability coverage.

I was very happy to see so many new faces at the state conference in McPherson, Kansas last October and I am so pleased to see a number of new faces filling empty positions on the state board. I look forward to working with all of our members, new and established, in the coming year. I will report in this column as plans for the upcoming year unfold.

To those of you reading this column who may be considering membership in KMTA, I would love to encourage to take the big step and join us. I will be happy to visit with any of you who have questions. To all of my member and non-member colleagues, I would like to wish you all the best in every endeavor. Let’s continue doing our best to make lifelong learners and lovers of music.

Respectfully yours,

Kristi A. Baker, DMA/NCTM

President, Kansas Music Teachers’ Association