Newsletter
MARCH 2017
In This Issue
Greetings
Next Meeting
March Madness Music
Annual Luncheon
Renew Your Dues
Meet Our Volunteers
Alice Proctor Recipient
Adult Recital
Looking Ahead
Mentoring
NEPTA Resources
Member Spotlight
Grants-in-Aid
Facebook
Parking
Lost and Found
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Monday, March 28
9:30AM

Luiz De Moura Castro

"The Delights of South American Music"

The First Parish Watertown
March Madness
Music Give-Away, 9AM

* * *

Monday, April 11
9:30AM

Spring Teachers' Exchange

Donna Gross Javel
  "Yoga and Its Benefits
for Pianists"

  • Paul-André Bempéchat
    "Two Versions of the Conclusion of Schumann's Fantasy Opus 17 

  • Wellesley Free Library
    530 Washington Street
    Wellesley, MA 02482
    (no music sale)

    * * *

    Monday, April 25
    9:30AM

    Max Levinson

    Student Master Class 
    (no music sale)

    * * *

    Monday, May 23
    9:30AM

    Awards Meeting and Luncheon

    Deadline to Register for the Luncheon is May 2
     



    MEMBER NEWS 
     
    * * *  

    MUSICAL SOIREE  

    Sunday, April 3
    7PM 

    Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee 
    45 Common Street 
    Belmont, MA
     
    Meet other NEPTA members
    Contact Dianne if you are interested in either performing or attending this event.
    (She has two pianos). 
     
    For more information:
    Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee 
    (617) 489-1848 
     
    * * *    
    CONCERT 
    10-year Anniversary
    Piano Duet Concert

    Sunday, April 24
    4PM
     
    Tatyana Shrago
    & Shizue Sano

    Cambridge Music Consortium 
    315 Broadway, Cambridge, MA

    For more information: 978-771-1677 
    Works by Mozart, Respighi, Dvorak, and Glenn Miller

    $25 donation suggested

    * * *    
     
    YOGA SESSIONS

    Four Free Classes
    Small Groups

       (3 -4 people)   
     
    Tuesdays 10-11AM
    (some Fridays)
    A new 4-week session begins Wednesday April 27
    11:15AM-12:15PM
       
    For more information
     Donna Gross Javel 
      AnythingPiano@yahoo.com  
    781-354-0170    

    * * *    

    WORKSHOP 

    "How To Teach Improvisation to Piano Students"

    Dates: In June  
    (TBA based upon interest) 
    Location: Nina's studio (Belmont) 
     
    For more information: 
    Nina Grimaldi
      857-753-8994  

    * * *  

    CONCERT

    Solo piano recital
    Wanda Paik

    Friday, May 27
    2:30PM
    Bemis Hall
    15 Bedford Road
    Lincoln MA

    781-259-8811
    Free admission
    Refreshments served

    * * *   

    PIANO FOR SALE  
    Yamaha C7 Grand Piano 
    $15,000 
    To connect with owner,
    contact NEPTA member
    Carol Chaffee  
      carolgaryc@aol.com 

    * * * 

    PIANO FOR SALE

    Henry Miller Grand Piano
    Length: 6 foot, 10 inches
    Purchased: circa 1973; rebuilt prior to this
    Asking Price: $1,750
    To connect with owner, contact NEPTA member
    dave@davespianolessons.com

    * * *

    RECITAL SPACE AVAILABLE  
    Steinway Grand Piano
    Seating for 100
    Lexington
    Contact Inga Magid:
    Inga@keys-for-kids.com


    * * *

    SUBMITTING MEMBER NEWS
    Member News should be submitted to Donna Gross Javel by the first of each month to be included in that month's newsletter. Please see the website for further information about
    MARCH GREETINGS

    Dear Colleagues and Friends,

    Hello! There are some important announcements so I will get right to the point: 

    1) March meeting: THIS Monday, March 28 (that's tomorrow-gasp)! See the next article box for more information.

    2) Deadline to register for the Annual Luncheon: May 2. This is a fun event, register now! More information is in the Annual Luncheon section of this newsletter.

    3) Deadline to renew your dues is May 31. If you want to be in the directory please renew your dues before the deadline. You may renew them beginning on April 1. Please note that Janice Spillane is our interim Treasurer. More information is in the Renew Your Dues section of this newsletter.

    4) NEPTA's Music Sale is having the sale of a lifetime at the March meeting.  Everything will be free.  We want to diminish the size of the music we have in stock, so please take some with you! If you want to leave a donation, that would be greatly appreciated.

    5) Please note that you can see a list of upcoming events and deadlines at a glance in the "Looking Ahead" section of each issue of the newsletter.

    I look forward to seeing many of you at the meeting this Monday! If we haven't already met, please introduce yourself to me -- and if we have met, please say hello. Getting to know all of you is my favorite part of my role as President. 
     
    Warmly,
    Donna Gross Javel
    NEPTA President
    MARCH 28 SPEAKER SERIES: LUIZ DE MOURA CASTRO


    March 2016 is a very special month for Luiz De Moura Castro. Not only is he celebrating his 75th birthday this month, he and his wife are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. NEPTA members are certainly fortunate to have the opportunity to hear this wonderful musician share some of his expertise about South American Music with us this Monday, March 28.

    The meeting takes place at The First Parish of Watertown and begins at 9:30AM. Plan to arrive as early as 9AM to take full advantage of the sale of all sales.  Does a Music Sale cease to become a sale when everything is free? Take advantage of this special NEPTA Music Sale Give-Away -- and of course, if you want, you may leave a donation to benefit the scholarship fund.  Many thanks to Ruth Ross f or this wonderful new twist on NEPTA's Music Sale.   
    MARCH MADNESS MUSIC GIVE-AWAY

    Our March Madness Music Give-Away will surely be an exciting event.  Everything will be free for the taking so bring something to carry your treasures home with you.





    T his even t is organized by Ruth Ross, Music Library and Donation Chair. 

    Please join us before the March 28 meeting, at 9AM. This will be the last Music 'Sale' of the season. The regular NEPTA Music Sale will return in September. Members are asked to bring boxes and tote bags to carry away their newly acquired treasures.

    The sale usually serves three purposes:
    • Teachers have access to music that, perhaps, has gone out of print
    • Standard teaching methods and collections can be acquired at a very reasonable price
    • All proceeds go directly to the NEPTA Scholarship Fund.
      The March Madness Music Sale means that you get to take what you want for free. If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please feel free to do so but it is not necessary this month!
    Please direct any questions to Ruth Ross at  
    rrosspiano@aol.com.
    ANNUAL LUNCHEON MONDAY MAY 23 12-2PM

    This is always a special event in which NEPTA members have a chance to relax and get to know each other. Many thanks to Nina Grimaldi who has once again organized this event for us.

    WHERE
    The Talk Town Restaurant
    116 Main Street, Watertown, MA
    (walking distance from the First Parish)

    WHEN
    12-2PM 
    Right after the Awards Meeting

    MENU
    Please visit NEPTA's website for menu details and to register for the event. Special Diets can be accommodated.  If you need to make a special dietary request, you must call Nina Grimaldi before May 2nd to make arrangements. Nina can be reached at 877-753-8994.

    COST
    $25 includes salad,  choice from a selected group of entrees, coffee or tea, and dessert.
    RENEW YOUR DUES BEFORE MAY 31
    NEPTA color logo
     
    NEPTA is an extraordinary organization. Renew your dues now to take advantage of next year's speaker series, recital and competition programs, and many other tangible and intangible benefits too numerous to mention!

    Deadline to Renew Dues: Tuesday, May 31
    $50 Active and Associate Members
    $30 Seniors (over 65) and Student Members
    $70 Two Members In One Household (same mailing address)

    Late Fee
    $20 Late Fee incurred if dues are not received before May 31
    (In September, the Board voted to increase the late fee from $10 to $20)

    If you want your name and contact information to appear in the Membership Directory, you must renew your dues before the May 31 deadline.   This year, there will be no exceptions.

    Please note that by renewing your dues early, you also help many volunteers save time. The Chair of Membership, Treasurer, President, Vice President and Board members end up having to devote more of their time to NEPTA when dues are not renewed on time.  Do your part and help us by renewing your dues early. Thank you!

    NEPTA members may renew their annual dues online at   www.nepta.info through the secure PayPal site with a credit card, or members may download the registration form and mail it with a check to our interim Treasurer:
    Janice Spillane
    25 Riverside Drive
    Reading, MA 01867
    FACES! MEET SOME OF OUR VOLUNTEERS! 

    Many, many thanks to Kathryn Rosenbach, Heather Riley, Elizabeth Landman, Nina Grimaldi, Tong Liu, Niva Fried, Eleanor McLaughlin and Janet Ainsworth for the time and energy they put into making the recitals run so smoothly. Through their efforts, NEPTA is able to give the "Gift of Music" to an entire generation of young musicians. 

    SENIOR RECITALS 
    Senior Recital Committee
    Eleanor McLaughlin, Janet Ainsworth and Niva Fried
    Niva Fried, Chair
    Eleanor McLaughlin
    Janet Ainsworth

    20th AND 21st CENTURY
    Heather Riley, Chair

    Kathryn Rosenbach 
     


    COMPOSITION RECITALS
    Kathryn Rosenbach, Chair
    Heather Riley

    JAZZ AND POP RECITALS
    Kathryn Rosenbach, Chair
    Heather Riley 

    ENSEMBLE RECITALS
    Elizabeth Landman and Nina Grimaldi, Co-Chairs
    Tong Liu
     
    Elizabeth Landman 
    Nina Grimaldi
    Nina Grimaldi
    Tong Liu
    Tong Liu 

    Tanya Schwartzman
    Tanya Schwartzman with her grandchildren 
    Many thanks to Tanya Schwartzman for printing out the newsletter each month and sending it to a list of some of NEPTA's long-time members who do not have access to email.

    Someone who has been a devoted member of NEPTA for decades approached me at a recent meeting to say that she appreciates having the opportunity to read the newsletter each month and that she feels much more connected to the organization as a result.  Many thanks to Tanya for making this possible.


    We will celebrate more of the many faces of our dedicated members in future issues! For now, please accept a big heartfelt thank you to each of you.  
     

    Alice Proctor Award
    Congratulations to the winner of the Alice Proctor award, Sarika Rao and her teacher, Valerie Henkin.
    ADULT RECITAL

    ADULT RECITAL: for students 18 years of age or older
    Date: April 3 
    Location: Home of Diana Impallaria 
    Recital Chair: Janice P. Zaganjori

    Our thoughts go to Dr. David Rosenthal who had hoped and planned to host the recital again this year. Due to damages from broken pipes in his home, he is unable to host the event this year. We feel gratitude for the way he has shared his spirit, enthusiasm and love of cooking with the participants of this event in the past. We wish him well as he deals with these unexpected repairs. 

    Special thanks to Janice Zaganjori, Recital Chair, and Diana Impallaria, committee member and this year's host, for their ability to adjust to unexpected changes in the planning of this recital.  
    LOOKING AHEAD

    MARCH 28: SPEAKER SERIES: LUIZ DE MOURA CASTRO 
    • "The Delights of South American Music"
    • First Parish Watertown, 9:30AM
    • March Madness Music Give-Away 9AM
    REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE MAY 23 LUNCHEON

    MEMBERSHIP DUES RENEWAL PROCESS BEGINS TODAY
    • Renewing your dues early facilitates the work of our volunteers so please renew early. 
    • "Just Do It!"
    • If you want your contact information to be included in the 2016-2017 Membership Directory, you must renew your dues by the May 31 deadline. This deadline will be strictly adhered to this year. No exceptions.
    • Please note that if you are sending in a check rather than paying online, you must send your check to our interim Treasurer:
      • Janice Spillane
      • 25 Riverside Drive
      • Reading, MA 01867
    APRIL 11: SPRING TEACHERS' EXCHANGE  
    • Donna Gross Javel: Yoga and Its Benefits for Pianists
    • Paul-André Bempéchat: 
      Two Versions of the Conclusion of Schumann's Fantasy Opus 17 
    • Wellesley Free Library, 9:30AM 
    MAY 2: DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING FOR THE MAY 23 LUNCHEON    

    MAY 23: ANNUAL MEETING /AWARDS RECITAL/ LUNCHEON

    MAY 31: DEADLINE FOR RENEWING DUES  
    MENTORING

    "Mentoring, an informal or formal process by which older, seasoned people support, educate and counsel younger employees, is critical to the success of just about any enterprise."
        John M. Zeigler, Ph.D. and Nancy L. Ostromencki
        From the website PianoEducation.org

    We may not think of piano teaching as an enterprise, but every piano teacher operating a studio is a small business
    ReedFamily
    Betty Reed
    owner. Every enterprise needs new energy and inspiration. Whether you are just starting your studio, or have already been teaching "for years," the NEPTA Mentoring Program offers a unique opportunity for teachers to learn from teachers FOR FREE. Our roster of mentors include:  Janna Bruenne, Elizabeth Landman, Betty Reed, A.Ramon Rivera, and Linda Vieira

    If you are interested in starting the New Year with new inspiration contact Betty Reed, Chair of the NEPTA Mentoring Program, for more information at 617-489-6862,or via email at  pianoears@gmail.com.
    NEPTA RESOURCES

    HELP DESK FOR ALL ONLINE REGISTRATION
    Diana Tetzlaff is available to talk members through the process on the phone.  She can be reached at 617-816-1777.  
    Tina Liu will help members register online during the breaks of some of the NEPTA meetings.


    MEMBER NEWS GUIDELINES
    All Member News should be submitted according to the guidelines that are described in detail at this link to the NEPTA website.  

    PROGRAM BOOKLET
    Please note that the NEPTA Program Booklet that J anice Spillane produced and designed so beautifully contains all the information you need.  
     
    WEBSITE
    Get to know the NEPTA website!  All the information that is in the Program Booklet is on the website,  www.nepta.info.  Please note that Meeting Minutes and past issues of the NEPTA Newsletter are available on the website.  The meeting minutes are usually posted within two weeks of each meeting. 
    Guidelines for submitting Member News are also on the website.  Many thanks to Caroline Ly Germeys and Sue Demb for maintaining the site and keeping it up to date. 

    NEPTA NEWSLETTERS
    This year, the NEPTA Newsletters will be issued every month from September through May. 

    EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS
    Many thanks to Eleanor Perrone our Email Communicator. She has already provided us with many important emails.

    FACEBOOK PAGE 
    If you are on Facebook, please 'like' our page,  New England Piano Teachers' Association. This is a public page which means that it is available to anyone in cyberspace. You are encouraged to share your news on this page and visit it to find out more about your colleagues.  
    MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

    This section will return in the September issue.  For now, at the very least, I want to provide pictures of each of our volunteers so that you can begin to recognize the people who are keeping this organization alive. We have an extraordinary membership and many devoted volunteers. I'd like you to know who they are. 

    It takes a while to upload and format the pictures into the newsletter so I will be devoting some time to that in the next few issues. 

    If you are a volunteer, and I have not yet included your picture in an issue of the newsletter, please send one to me soon!  Many thanks to each of you!

    ONLY ONE GRANT-IN-AID REMAINS

     

    We began the fiscal year with eight awards in the amount of $125 being available to students in need. There is now only one grant remaining for the current fiscal year (NEPTA's fiscal year runs from July 1 -June 30). To apply, a brief note from the teacher (email is acceptable) stating the family's need and reasons for financial assistance should be sent via email to  Carol ChaffeeScholarship Chair .
    NEPTA'S FACEBOOK PAGE  

    Remember that you can post your own up-to-the- minute concert listings and other items of interest on NEPTA's Facebook page. Visit www.facebook.com/NEPTApiano 
    to see the latest news from your NEPTA friends!

    YouTube videos of your performances are especially welcome.   Don't forget -- when you visit the Facebook page, click the 'Like' button!!
    NEW! 8-HOUR PARKING METERS
    car-sales-lot2.jpg
    For NEPTA members who use the Watertown parking meters for our meetings at The First Parish:
    Natacha Rist has discovered that some red parking meters, located farther away from The First Parish, accept quarters for eight and not just two hours. Check the individual meters. Thank you Natacha for saving us a trip to the parking lot to feed the meters!
    The Watertown Savings Bank has strongly requested that NEPTA members do not park in the bank parking lot for NEPTA events. Please be respectful of this neighboring business and leave the free parking for its clients.  
    Please be aware that Watertown has restricted parking on the side streets immediately surrounding the First Parish and thus eliminating any "free parking." 
    LOST AND FOUND
    A new job description has been added to the roles of President and Vice President!

    The staff at the First Parish has requested that NEPTA members do not contact the church office when they leave something at a NEPTA meeting. So, please, if you leave something at the meeting, contact either Donna Gross Javel or Ranko Konishi-Houston. Better yet, look carefully around you before you leave.