9:30-10:00 PRE-MEETING
Presenter: Jennifer Cohen
Program: What can Google Forms do for my studio?
In this digital age where you’re probably communicating mostly by emails and texts with your students, Google Forms is a great way to gather information you need without having to sift through numerous emails or texts! This interactive session will have you creating a Google Form in no time, which you can adapt for every need in your studio that require collecting information. How about all the information you need to enter students in AIM or SSF? Already know how and use Google Forms? Jennifer will share other creative ways that she uses Google Forms with her students, so bring your iPad, laptop or even your cellphone, and let’s create a Google Form together!
BIOGRAPHY
Jennifer Cohen, NCTM, brings a wealth of teaching experience to her home studio in Hawthorn Woods, ranging from preschool age beginners to advanced high school students. Her passion and creative use of technology in her studio curriculum has earned her wide recognition, and her innovative teaching methods and active participation in the Achievement in Music (AIM) program has her in high demand as a teacher. Her students have been award winners in area festivals and many of her students have achieved the highest level of AIM, presenting Level 12 recitals and have gone on to pursue careers in music.
Jennifer's long-term association and as a member of the state AIM Piano committee, she has had an active participation in shaping the AIM program. Jennifer, with her AIM co-chair, Jia-Yee Tang, has presented numerous AIM sessions and led countless AIM Judges meetings that has led to the wide success of AIM at NSMTA. The solid foundation that students achieve through long-term participation of AIM has been the cornerstone of her home studio.
Jennifer stays active at local and state music associations, having held key positions, including President, 1st Vice President & Program chair, Sonata-Sonatina Festival chair, and for over 15 years, she has served as the ISMTA Competitions Director. Jennifer’s significant contributions have earned her numerous recognitions, including twice as NSMTA Member of the Year and also as NWSMTA Member of the Year. In 2017, she was the recipient of the ISMTA Teacher of the Year, and most recently been named as the 2025 Illinois Foundation Fellow. As an MTNA nationally certified teacher, she has had the privilege to serve as the East Central Division National Commissioner for MTNA Certification.
Jennifer received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Northwestern University. Her teaching career spans over 40 years, and prior to establishing her thriving home studio, Jennifer has been on faculty at DePaul University School of Music, Naperville North Central College Preparatory Division and Northwestern Music Academy.
10:00-11:00 BUSINESS MEETING
Meeting will be led by NSMTA President, Heidi Mayer.
Refreshments to follow, provided by Hospitality Chair, Grace Juang.
11:00-12:00 PROGRAM
Presenter: Winston Choi
Program: Beyond Apples and Oranges: Using Comparison Practice to Enhance Musical Growth
Comparing musical elements (such as hands, fingerings, keys, section) enhances awareness and practice efficiency. This approach encourages musicians to observe differences and similarities, fostering focused practice, improved problem-solving, and greater artistic control. Practical examples demonstrate integrating comparison-based thinking for deeper musical and technical development.
BIOGRAPHY
Canadian pianist Winston Choi is Associate Professor and Program Director of Piano at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. A dynamic concert artist, he gained international recognition as Laureate of the 2003 Honens Piano Competition and winner of France’s 2002 Concours International de Piano 20e siècle d’Orléans. Known for his imaginative interpretations of standard repertoire and passionate advocacy for contemporary music, Choi is in demand worldwide as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.
As a concerto soloist, Choi has performed with orchestras across North America and Europe, including the Alabama Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, CBC Radio Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, East Texas Symphony, New Philharmonic, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Richmond Symphony, and the Victoria Symphony, among others. He has also appeared internationally with La Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, l’Orchestre National de Lille, and l’Orchestre Symphonique d’Orléans.
Choi’s recital engagements have brought him to major venues such as Carnegie-Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, the Metropolitan Museum, the Glenn Gould Studio, and the National Arts Centre of Canada. He is also active in Europe, performing in Spain’s “Cicle Grand Solistes” and at festivals and halls throughout France, including the Salle Cortot and the Messiaen Festival.
A versatile chamber musician, Choi has collaborated with the Aeolus, Avalon, Pacifica, Philomusica, and Spektral Quartets. He tours regularly with the Civitas Ensemble, as Duo Diorama (with his wife, violinist MingHuan Xu), and Trio Diorama (joined by cellist Nick Photinos). In August 2024, he appeared with baritone Matthias Goerne at the Ravinia Festival.
Choi is a tireless champion of new music, having premiered and commissioned over 100 works. His recordings span a wide range of repertoire and labels. His debut album, the complete piano music of Elliott Carter (l’Empreinte Digitale), received 5 stars from BBC Music Magazine. His recordings of Jacques Lenot (Intrada) earned the Grand Prix du Disque from l’Académie Charles Cros. His recent release of piano music by Thomas Adès appears on the Buisonne label. Other labels include BIS, Cedille, Albany, Aeolian Classics, and Naxos. Choi is a core member of Ensemble Dal Niente and a frequent performer on the Chicago Symphony’s MusicNOW series.
He earned degrees from Indiana University (BM, MM) and Northwestern University (DM), studying with Vivienne Bailey, James Tweedie, Menahem Pressler, and Ursula Oppens. Formerly on faculty at Oberlin and Bowling Green, he currently also teaches at the Music Institute of Chicago and New Music School. An accomplished teacher, he is also in demand as a master class clinician and lecturer on a variety of pedagogical topics. Two of his presentations: “Towards a More Organic Approach to Phrasing at the Piano” and “Symmetrical Inversion: A Pianist’s Journey Towards Ambidexterity” have been presented nationally and internationally at conferences.