9:30-10:00 PRE-MEETING PRESENTATION
Presenter: Jia Meng (NSMTA Member)
This presentation introduces selected piano works by composers of the Mighty Five. These composers created a national musical style but were also influenced by earlier Western composers, especially Chopin. By looking at lesser-known repertoire, including preludes and nocturnes written in forms that Chopin mastered, we can see how the Mighty Five adapted these models while developing their own musical language. The goal is to introduce new repertoire for piano teachers and to offer fresh perspectives on some lesser-known piano music that can be applied in both teaching and performance.
BIOGRAPHY
Pianist Jia Meng is an emerging artist from Dalian, China, and has performed in several venues throughout China and the United States. She has appeared on the front cover of Clavier Companion magazine (July/August 2017 issue). As a winner of the 2022 Concerto Competition at the University of Georgia, she has performed with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble. Meng is an active performer and teacher in the Chicago area and serves as the 2nd Vice President and Membership Chair of the North Shore Music Teachers Association, as well as the Foundation Co-Chair of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association. Meng holds a D.M.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Georgia, where she studied with Evgeny Rivkin and completed a minor in Piano Pedagogy. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she studied with Winston Choi and Edward Auer.
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
NSMTA Competition Repertoire Program
In this lecture-recital, we will explore the musical, technical, and pedagogical aspects of each required piece featured in the 2026 NSMTA Competition Program, providing insights tailored for teachers, students, and performers preparing for the event.
BIOGRAPHY
Pianist Lam Wong, acclaimed for his “great imagination and extraordinary musicality” (Shantou Daily), made his debut at fourteen with Liszt’s 12 Études d’exécution transcendante. Since then, he has performed at festivals and venues across Asia and North America, earning praise for his “unique and insightful interpretation” (Jieyang Daily). Dr. Wong has appeared at the Aspen Music Festival and other prestigious chamber music festivals, including the Sarasota Music Festival, Ravinia Festival’s Steans Music Institute, and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. He is a member of the Nova Linea Musica Trio in Residence, performing during the ensemble’s 2025-26 season.
An avid performer, Dr. Wong also collaborates with leading contemporary composers such as Jessie Montgomery, Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Stacy Garrop. His performances have been featured on WFMT 98.7 Chicago, and his recent recording was released on the New Focus Recordings label. He has worked with esteemed musicians, including Richard Goode, Philippe Bianconi, Ida Kavafian, and the American String Quartet.
In addition to his performing career, Dr. Wong serves as the Director of Piano Studies at the University of Chicago and Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy at Northwestern University. A sought-after adjudicator, clinician, and educator, he regularly presents lectures, masterclasses, and workshops worldwide.
Dr. Wong holds degrees from Northwestern University, Yale School of Music, and Manhattan School of Music, all earned on full scholarships. He was honored with the Harold Bauer Award upon graduation from Manhattan. His teachers include James Giles, Hung-Kuan Chen, Christopher Elton, Peter Frankl, and Marc Silverman.