Donna Fortney is Retiring!

Long-time North Shore MTA member, Donna Fortney is retiring and was honored by one of her former students in a recital on November 28th, 2021 at St. James Lutheran Church in Northbrook.  Nathan Laube studied piano with Donna for many years, participating in AIM through Level 10 and the Sonata-Sonatina Festival.  Donna says that he distinguished himself with top scores and amazing harmonizations.   

Nathan continued his studies at Curtis and on a three-year Fulbright scholarship in Toulouse.  Nathan served on the organ faculty at Eastman before joining the faculty of the University in Stuttgart, Germany.  He is a Grammy-award winner and considered “A star among young classical musicians.”

Donna joined NSMTA around 1976 in the first years of the chapter.  She has served as President, SCORE editor, and chaired the Competition and the Sonata-Sonatina Festival committees. She remembers when playing times were assigned by hand and took two eight hour days.  “I learned so much by being a member of NSMTA.   I will long remember the many very accomplished piano/music teachers who have become my friends.”

We wish Donna all the best in her retirement, and hope she will still find time to come to our meetings.