Music Teachers' Association of California®

Alameda County East Branch is one of 67 branches of the Music Teachers’ Association of California®.  The MTAC, founded in 1897, is one of the largest and most respected professional music teacher associations in the nation.  With approximately 4,700 members, it is a professional organization dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in music education.  Each branch of MTAC maintains its own schedule of diverse and enriching programs and events and also participates in various programs and projects sponsored by the state association.

 

History

 

Alameda County East Branch of the MTAC was chartered on May 9, 1988.  Originally a part of Southern Alameda County Branch, Carol Abbanat and other founding members organized and formed the Alameda County East Branch for the growing numbers of teachers in the tri-valley area.  Today our general membership includes teachers in Dublin, Danville, Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, Tracy and other nearby cities.  We are a vibrant and growing branch with many enriching programs and opportunities for our teachers and students.

 

We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Alameda County East Branch on May 13, 2013!  A concert presented by the teachers of the branch and a formal luncheon took place at the studio of Lu Ping Yang.  A branch anniversary display at the 2013 state convention proudly announced our joyous occasion.

 

Our Goals

 

Our goals as professional music teachers are to provide the following opportunities for our students:

 

• Exploration of their musical potential

• Expansion of their knowledge of music

• Appreciation of music

• Cultivation of their varying musical skills and abilities

 

Benefits and Opportunities

 

What are the benefits of studying music with a member of this organization?

 

Alameda County East Branch sponsors events and programs throughout the year in which students may participate, including:

 

• Student Recitals which feature students from different studios in formal concerts.

• Master Classes and performances by the finest Bay Area teachers and professionals.

• Community Outreach Programs include community performances at nursing homes and other public venues during the holidays and other times of the year.

• Certificate of Merit® is a music study program sponsored by MTAC.  The program provides a standard of curriculum that requires students to strive for focused musical excellence in performance, technique, ear training, sight reading/singing, and music theory.

• MTAC State Convention which offers performance opportunities in recitals, master classes, and the Young Artist Guild through the Certificate of Merit® program.

• Blankenship Memorial Project offers piano lesson scholarships for low-income children.

• Festivals for students of all levels to perform and learn a particular period or style of music.

• VOCE, a prestigious competition for vocalists, strings, winds/brass, and chamber music at the Branch and State levels.