9:30-10:00 PRE-MEETING
Presenter: Mary Beth Molenaar
Program: “Sharing Our Tips and Tricks”
Join our January pre-meeting and share a few tips and tricks or just listen to the ideas of other teachers! The moderator will throw out questions such as “How do you respond to students who rarely complete their written homework?” “What tips do you have for teaching hands-together scale playing?” “How do you increase your student’s love of playing and listening to music – not just competing or passing the test?” If you have a question you'd like asked, email it to Mary Beth before Monday.
BIOGRAPHY
Mary Beth Molenaar teaches private and group piano lessons to children and private adult lessons in the Northwestern University Music Academy. She received her Doctor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Northwestern where she taught keyboard and pedagogy classes in addition to serving as director of the Academy for many years.
Mary Beth has learned so much from NSMTA speakers and from other teachers in our discussions. She values her service at the local and state level and counts what she learns in those positions as continuing education as well. In addition to numerous local offices, she served for over ten years as the state AIM Chair overseeing its last revision. She was named a national Foundation Fellow in 2010.
In addition to teaching, Mary Beth enjoys making art and performs regularly on piano and organ at her church.
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: Lam Wong
Program: “NSMTA Competition Program”
Please join us for the NSMTA Competition Program presentation. We will explore the musical and pedagogical aspects of the competition repertoire.
ARTIST PROFILE
Pianist Lam Wong, acclaimed for his “great imagination and extraordinary musicality” (Shantou Daily), made his debut at just fourteen with Liszt’s 12 Études d’exécution transcendante. Since then, he has performed in various festivals and concert venues across Asia and North America, gaining recognition for his artistry. His performances have also garnered commendations for their “unique and insightful interpretation” (Jieyang Daily).
As a recitalist and avid chamber musician, Dr. Wong has appeared in prestigious festivals like the Aspen Music Festival and participated as a fellow at renowned chamber music festivals, including the Sarasota Music Festival, Ravinia Festival’s Steans Music Institute, and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. His performances have reached a wider audience through appearances on WFMT 98.7 Music in Chicago. Recently, his recording was released under the New Focus Recordings label. Dr. Wong’s passion for contemporary music is reflected in his collaborations with notable composers such as Jessie Montgomery, Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Ryan Lindveit. Currently, he is a member of the Nova Linea Musica Trio in Residence, performing with his piano trio during the inaugural season of 2024-25.
Dr. Wong has performed in masterclasses for many notable musicians and chamber groups, including Boris Berman, Philippe Bianconi, Richard Goode, Jeffrey Kahane, Robert Levin, Jon Nakamatsu, Adam Neiman, Anton Nel, Robert Shannon, Nelita True, and Arie Vardi, as well as David Aaron Carpenter, Ida Kavafian, the American String Quartet, and the Miró Quartet, among others. He has won many competitions, including the Thaviu-Isaak Piano Competition, Lillian Fuchs Competition, and Dover Competition, and was also recognized as a finalist in the MTNA Chamber Music Competition.
Dr. Wong recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, graduating with program honors. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music. Among his distinctions, he received the Harold Bauer Award for outstanding accomplishments upon graduating from Manhattan. His teachers include esteemed pianists and notable pedagogues: James Giles, Hung-Kuan Chen, Christopher Elton, Peter Frankl, and Marc Silverman. He has also had the privilege of working with Marcia Bosits, a highly respected figure in piano pedagogy. Throughout his studies, Dr. Wong has been honored with several scholarships, including the First Initiative Foundation Scholarship, Stephen & Denise Adams Scholarship and Fellowship, Harry B. Jepson Scholarship, Mary Clapp Howell Scholarship, and the Eckstein Fund.
In addition to his performing career, Dr. Wong is equally committed to education and outreach. He is the Director of Piano Studies at the University of Chicago, where he leads the piano program for the Department of Music. At Northwestern University, he serves as the Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and he also teaches on the faculty of the Northwestern Music Academy. Dr. Wong regularly conducts masterclasses, workshops, and lectures, and is actively involved in presenting at conferences and universities. He is also a sought-after adjudicator, contributing to festivals, piano exams, and international competitions.