9:30-10:00 Pre-Meeting
Presenter: NSMTA Members Jennifer Cohen, Barbara Kreader Skalinder, Heidi Mayer and Mary Beth Molenaar
“Highlights from the NCKP 2025 Conference”
Hear from our presenters as they share their favorite moments, biggest takeaways, and what inspired them most at this year’s conference. From innovative teaching strategies to unforgettable performances, their reflections capture the spirit and excitement of NCKP 2025!
Jennifer Cohen
Barbara Kreader Skalinder
Heidi Mayer
Mary Beth Molenaar
10:00-11:00 Business Meeting
Meeting will be led by NSMTA President, Heidi Mayer.
Coffee/Refreshments provided by Hospitality Chair, Grace Juang.
11:00-12:00 Program
Presenter: Dr. Susan Tang
“The teaching legacy of Nelita True”
Described by Clavier Companion as “one of the world’s most sought-after and beloved pianist-teachers,” Nelita True’s teaching legacy has shaped generations of artist-teachers. Susan Tang, Professor of Piano at Northeastern Illinois University, will share personal memories from her time in True’s studio. She’ll explore topics such as technique, memorization, sound production, and how True created a studio environment that celebrated each student’s unique voice.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Susan Tang
Susan Tang is Professor of Piano at Northeastern Illinois University, Artistic Director of the Chicago Chamber Music Festival (an intensive summer workshop for young artists), founding member of Keys to Inclusion (an multi-institutional initiative to explore the piano repertoire of under represented composers) and program director of the Adult Piano Retreat at Birch Creek Performance Center, WI.
Dr. Tang has performed and toured with Mabou Mine’s Dollhouse, been featured live on New York City’s WQXR and Chicago’s WFMT, performed with the Eastman Symphony Orchestra along with receiving the coveted Performer’s Certificate. Invitations to perform and teach have taken her throughout Canada, United States, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Colombia where she has performed at festivals such as the Ravinia Festival, Jewel Box Series, Dame Myra Hess, Savannah Music Festival, and Shriver Hall Concert Series. She has published articles in Clavier Magazine and has presented at both the MTNA and College Music Society’s national conferences, the National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy and is a member of the Royal Conservatory Of Music's college of adjudicators.
Dr. Tang received her BM and MM degrees from the Eastman School of Music studying with Nelita True and DMA from Manhattan School of Music with Nina Svetlanova.