OMEA 2009--Hoorah!

OMEA stands for Ohio Music Educators Association. It's a sub-organization of MENC, Music Educators' National conference. Every year, MENC hosts adjudicated events called "Solo/Ensemble" competitions. This year I had 5 girls enter, and I couldn't be prouder of them!

Here we have the twins, Andrea and Kendra, on either side of Melissa. (and me, trying to talk to someone while having my photo taken). All three girls are members of my church, so we have an extra connection that way. Melissa and her mom have been instrumental in helping me develop my studio out here in Columbus. I am so grateful to them. They let me teach lessons at their home for several months. What generosity--I can hardly believe it.


Melissa is graduating from high school this year. She's been accepted to SUU and BYU-I for their music education programs, and is waiting to hear back from BYU-Provo. They take so long to get back to people! I remember that. It was an awful wait, especially considering that I was silly and didn't apply anywhere else. I'm going to miss Melissa, but I'm so proud of her!! She met several of my old voice teachers when she went to a summer singing workshop at BYU. I feel like we're fellow students because of that (we are!).


Here are Marie, Anna, and their mom Teresa. Marie competed this year as a freshman, and Anna (6th grade) came to watch. Both Marie and Anna take from me and are doing extremely well. Teresa has also studied voice, and she has taught them a lot. Just another example of how teaching in the home has a greater effect than anything else.




Here are the twins again with their choir teacher at school. L to R: Andrea, Mrs. Wolgemuth, Kendra.


They are so gorgeous. It always surprises me when I am taller than my students. I am so used to being the shortest person in a group. And I'm also used to sitting at the piano while looking up at my students--it's weird to have a standing perspective!


Here is Hannah with her mom, Beth. Hannah has been with me since the days of teaching at Colonial Music. It's been great to see her vocal development. We have so much fun during lessons because she has a such a funny sense of humor!
The room they gave us for vocal warmups was the ceramics room, hence all the shelving in the background. There was a ceramic "severed" hand I should have photographed...

I got to accompany all my students on the piano, which is also very fun for me (although they have to be patient during lessons, because it takes me a while to get things right on the piano...). I love teaching voice! It was such a great day, to be there doing what I love best and helping my students show off their skills. Stay tuned for many more years like this one.