dr. pamela D. pike
2017 Fellow
Dr. Pamela D. Pike is the Aloysia Landry Barineau Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Louisiana State University, where she coordinates the group-piano and piano pedagogy program. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Oklahoma, Pike has extensive experience teaching piano to students of all ages, both privately and in group settings. In 2002 she founded the “Third-Age Piano Program” for senior citizens to study piano and make music in a group setting. The program has become a model for successful community engagement. She has won awards for her teaching in Arkansas and Louisiana, and is dedicated to helping pedagogy students develop skills necessary to become successful piano teachers. Graduates of the LSU piano pedagogy program are working in colleges and private studios throughout the United States and central America.
Dr. Pike has published over three dozen scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals including the International Journal of Music Education, Music Education Research, the Journal of Music, Technology & Education, the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Problems in Music Pedagogy, Clavier Companion, Keyboard Companion, Symposium, MTNA e-Journal, and American Music Teacher. In May 2017, Dr. Pike’s book entitled Dynamic Group-Piano Teaching: Transforming Group Theory into Teaching Practice was published by Routledge. Pike has contributed chapters to recent and forthcoming publications on pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), adult learning in The Handbook of Adult Learning (Routledge), and online internships in High Impact Practices in Distance Education (Stylus Press).
During the past decade, Dr. Pike has presented research papers at international conferences throughout Asia, Europe, Scandinavia, North and South America. In the United States, she is regularly invited to present papers and workshops at the Music Teachers National Association, College Music Society, Association for Technology in Music Instruction, and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.
Pike is president-elect of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association, chair of the CMS Music in Higher Education Committee, the immediate-past chair of the Adult Learning Committee for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, where she also serves on the Research Committee, and is a board member of the Yamaha Distance Education Network. She is on the editorial board of the MTNA e-Journal, the Journal of Music, Technology & Education, and is the past president of the Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association. Internationally, she is the chair of the International Society for Music Education’s Commission on the Education of the Professional Musician.
dorothy swindle sahlmann
2016 Fellow
Dorothy Swindle Sahlmann, NCTM, joined MTNA in 1968 in Arkansas. Currently a member of the Louisiana MTA, she recently retired after 27 years of independent piano teaching. With degrees in piano performance from the University of Arkansas and post graduate studies in music theory at the University of North Texas she held teaching positions at McNeese State University, Sam Houston University, Arkansas State University and University of Central Arkansas. She served LMTA as Vice-President for Rallies and chaired elementary and high school auditions. LMTA honored her and her husband, Fred Sahlmann, with the 2009 Outstanding Teacher Award. She has performed actively as a soloist and collaborative pianist and is a frequent adjudicator for state and local events.
regina walker
2015 Fellow
Regina Walker was named a Foundation Fellow in 2015 at the MTNA Conference in Las Vegas. She received her Bachelors of Music Education and Master of Piano from Louisiana State University. She is the recipient of the 1997 Distinguished Contributions to Music Education Award by the LSU School of Music Alumni Association. In addition, Walker was LMTA’s Outstanding Teacher for 2007. A past president of Baton Rouge MTA, Walker co-authored the Piano Teacher Certification Plan for Louisiana and co-authored the first LMTA Piano Rally Handbook. As a choral director, Walker’s choirs have been recognized nationally and internationally. Walker’s former students are in every music genre possible today. Regina Walker’s impact on music in the state of Louisiana is immeasurable.
marjorie mccord stricklin
2014 Fellow
Marjorie McCord Stricklin was named a Foundation Fellow in 2014 at the MTNA Conference in Chicago. She is a native of Corinth, MS, but grew up in Vicksburg. An independent and former college piano instructor, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance with honors from Murray State University, Murray, KY, and a Master of Music degree in piano performance from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Additional studies were completed at Aspen Institute of Music in Colorado and Chicago Musical College. Her teaching career includes tenures at Fairfax Hall, Waynesboro, VA; Hinds Community College, Raymond, MS; Mississippi Piano Camp; and private instruction at her studio in Monroe since 1967. Active in music teacher organizations, Marjorie is a National Certified Teacher of Music and is state certified by LMTA. In 1995 she was named Outstanding Music Teacher in Louisiana by LMTA. She is a charter member of Monroe District Music Teachers Association and was chairman of the LFMC Festivals in Monroe for many years. When the Monroe Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1970, she became Principal Double Bass, a position she held until she retired in the spring of 2010. For many years she served on the Monroe Symphony Board and continues to serve on the Artistic Advisory Committee, and was a charter member of the Monroe Symphony League. For seventeen years she administrated and facilitated the Young Artists Competition for the league. In 2008 the competition was renamed the Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artists Competition in her honor. In 2005 the MSO bestowed her with the Roger DiGiulian Lifetime Musician Award and in 2010 she was inducted into the MSO Hall of Fame. Marjorie served as pianist at Parkview Baptist Church for twenty-one years, and in 1988 became the pianist at Northminster Church, a position she joyfully continues in her long career.
dr. susanna garcia
2012 Fellow
Susanna Garcia was named a Foundation Fellow in 2012 at the MTNA Conference in New York. Dr. Garcia holds the Masters and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the Bachelor of Music from Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, Texas. She is Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she has taught since 1990. She holds the Ruth Stodghill Girard Endowed Professorship in Music and in 2001 was named a University of Louisiana Distinguished Professor.
Dr. Garcia has presented workshops and papers for the International Society for Music Education, College Music Society, Music Teachers National Association, National Association for Humanities Education, National Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum, Louisiana Music Teachers Association and a host of state music teacher groups. Her work has appeared in such publications as Piano Pedagogy Forum, 19th Century Music and Interdisciplinary Humanities. She has performed concerts across the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Italy, and Ghana. Dr. Garcia is the co-developer of eNovativePiano: Multimedia Resources for Developing Musicianship Skills, published online at eNovativePiano.com. She recently retired from the executive committee of the National Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum after ten years of service to that organization.
donna toney
2012 Fellow
Donna Toney was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2012 at the MTNA Conference in New York. She is an Independent Music Teacher from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Immediate Past-president of Louisiana Music Teachers Association. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and Louisiana State University, she has been and enthusiast independent teacher for thirty-seven years. Donna is certified by LMTA and MTNA and is highly respected by her colleagues for her commitment to professionalism in teaching piano. Her students have been successful at local, state and national festivals and competitions. Toney has inspired many colleagues through her presentations for local and state MTNA affiliates as well as MTNA National Conferences (2008 and 2010). A past-president of Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association, Donna has chaired many local events and currently serves BRMTA as Certification Chair.
As LMTA President elect, she restructured the Collegiate Chapter annual convention events to encourage more members across Louisiana, and she promoted a session for College and University faculty to meet and share ideas in their fields. Donna also was instrumental in planning the new LMTA Pre-College Chamber Music Competition to promote music students of all instrumentations to enjoy chamber music.
katherine tobey
2011 Fellow
Katherine Tobey was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2011 at the MTNA Conference in Milwaukee. Katherine is an independent piano teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, maintaining studios in her home and at Episcopal School in Baton Rouge. She is certified by LMTA and MTNA. A frequent adjudicator and clinician, Katherine has presented sessions for many LMTA conventions and for various local associations in Louisiana, as well as presenting at the 2010 MTNA National Conference in Albuquerque.
A native of Chicago, she has also lived in New York, where she studied at Barnard College, and Florence, Italy. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Louisiana State University. Tobey has served Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association as President, Member-at-Large and Rally Chair, and is currently BRMTA’s Allen-Fleming Scholarship Auditions Chair, chair of Membership/Mentoring and co-chair of Theory Carnival. She has served Louisiana Music Teachers Association as President, Secretary and MusicLink Liaison, and is currently LMTA’s Immediate Past-President and Webmaster. She also has served as Composition Chair for LMTA and MTNA’s South-Central Division, and Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs, and currently serves on MTNA’s Nominating Committee. Katherine was the recipient of LMTA’s Outstanding Teacher Award for 2010.
cindy hockenjos
2011 Fellow
Cindy Hockenjos was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2011 at the MTNA Conference in Milwaukee. Cindy maintains a private studio on the campus of Cedar Creek School in Ruston, Louisiana. She has taught private piano, voice, and girls’ ensemble for 31 years. She holds a Bachelors in Music Education and a Masters in Piano from Louisiana Tech University where she studied with Sue Holder. Cindy is MTNA certified in piano and voice and LMTA certified at the Professional Advancement level in piano and voice.
She is one of the founding members of the Ruston Area Music Teachers and has held the offices of President, Treasurer, Secretary, and was Rally chairman for twelve years. Also an active leader in LMTA, she has held the offices of President, President-elect, VP/Membership, Treasurer, IMTF Chair, and currently Outstanding Teacher Award Chair. She has served the South Central Division as Secretary and MTNA as a member of the IMTF Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the State Affiliate of the Year Committee.In addition to her teaching and leadership activities, Cindy actively participates as choir member and soloist at the First Baptist Church Ruston and has served as music/worship leader for the Concord Association Women’s Conference.
dr. charles jones
2010 Fellow
Charles Jones was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2010 at the MTNA Conference in Albuquerque. He has taught piano at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts since 1993. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he also holds master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Jones won the UNC Concerto Competition and was alternate winner of the MTNA/NCMTA Collegiate Artist Competition, also earning second prize at the Bartok-Kabalevsky International Piano Competition. Jones received the Fullerton Merit Award for excellence in teaching while at Limeston College in South Carolina. He has served LMTA as president and treasurer and is MTNA South Central Division director.
ernestine durrett
2010 Fellow
Ernestine Durrett was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2010 at the MTNA Conference in Albuquerque. Steve and Johnny Durrett accepted the award for their mother, who passed away in 2009. An independent music teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she served as president of BRMTA, LMTA and the MTNA South Central Division. In 2003, she was recipient of the LMTA Outstanding Teacher Award.
Ernestine was instrumental in establishing many LMTA programs and policies and helped to establish guidelines for receiving credit for independent study through the Louisiana State Department of Education. Ernestine was also Philharmonic Music Club president, a member of the Music Club Piano Quartet and a member of the First Methodist Church Choir for more than 50 years.
fred sahlmann
2009 Fellow
Fred Sahlmann, of Lake Charles, was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow at the 2009 MTNA Conference in Atlanta. An NCTM Master Teacher, he is Professor Emeritus at McNeese State University where he taught piano, theory, organ and harpsichord and served an eight year term as music department chair. His degrees are from Elon University, Teachers College of Columbia University and Eastman School of Music, where he earned his DMA.
Dr. Sahlmann is a Past President of Louisiana Music Teachers Association and has also served LMTA as Piano Chair. He has served as President and Treasurer of Lake Charles Piano Teachers Association. Dr. Sahlmann has appeared widely in solo, chamber and orchestral performances and has adjudicated competitions throughout the mid-South. He continues to perform as pianist with McNeese’s chamber ensemble Pastiche and as organist/choir master at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
Fred Sahlmann is highly respected by his colleagues for his musical accomplishments and his continuing involvement in music as a performer, mentor and exceptional role-model.
SUE STECK-TURNER
2008 Fellow
Sue Steck-Turner was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2008. She is an independent teacher in Lafayette, Louisiana, maintaining a studio of approximately sixty students and specializing in very young children and learning disorders. She holds a B.M.E. degree from Bowling Green State University and an M.M. in Piano from the University of Maryland, with additional study with Frank Glazer at the Eastman School of Music and Albert Hirsh at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Prior to moving to Lafayette, Sue was an associate professor of piano at the State University of New York at Oswego, where in 1982 she was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of fifty to be so honored in the state of New York. She has also taught as an adjunct professor of piano at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette and continues to perform as a collaborative pianist and clinician throughout Louisiana and surrounding states.
The Immediate Past President of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association, she has begun her nineteenth year as an officer, having served as VP/Certification for eleven years, and as President-elect and President. She was the 1999 recipient of LMTA’s Outstanding Teacher Award and now serves as chairman for that award, as well as chairing their new Students Helping Students Fund. Also active at the national level, Sue has presented sessions at many MTNA conferences, has served on various MTNA committees, and was Chair of Music Learning and Research on the National Convention Program Committee for 1997-1999. She is certified by both LMTA and MTNA as a Master Teacher.
As an active member of her local association, Sue has served as Vice-President and President of the Lafayette Piano Teachers Association, as well as currently serving as chair for many of their events. Extending her musical activities beyond the piano studio, Sue is an active choir member and soloist at the First Presbyterian Church-Lafayette and a member of the Lafayette SAI Alumni Chapter.
SUE HUMPHRYS HOLDER
2005 Fellow
Sue Humphrys Holder, of Ruston, Louisiana, was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2005. Before retiring, she was professor of music and chair of the keyboard area at Louisiana Tech University, teaching applied piano, piano pedagogy and piano literature classes. In addition, she conducted master classes, judged piano competitions and coached students for area teachers.
An active member of MTNA since the 1970s, Holder served MTNA as national vice president, member of the MTNA Board of Directors, and chair of the national award committee. She also served as president, vice president, secretary and collegiate artist national competition chair for the MTNA South Central Division. She served Louisiana Music Teachers Association as piano area chair and vice president and founded the Ruston chapter of LMTA.
Sue Holder was named Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Music Teachers Association (1994) and received the University Senate Chair and Quest for Quality Fellow Award from Louisiana Tech University. She also is a member of the gold-medal Sweet Adelines International Chorus.
constance knox carroll
2001 Fellow
Constance Knox Carroll, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2001. She has been teaching piano for almost fifty years, has been the featured artist at many state Music Teachers Association conventions, and has given lecture-recitals at national MTNA conferences in Houston and Kansas City.
Following twenty-one years of being Artist-in-Residence at Centenary College, Carroll was appointed to the faculty of Louisiana State University, where she served as the Aloysia Landry Barineau Professor of Keyboard. She also served on the faculties at Wisconsin State University and Lenoir-Rhyne College. She has taught at Brevard Music Center, the University of Houston High School Piano Camp, the Frank Mannheimer Piano Festival and the University of Kansas Piano Institute, and she has served as artist-juror at the New Orleans Institute for the Performing Arts. In March 2001, Carroll adjudicated the national finals of the MTNA Student Performance Competitions in Washington, D.C.
A native of Arizona, Carroll received her principal training from Julia Rebeil at the University of Arizona. She went on to earn a master of music degree at the Eastman School of Music, along with winning a professor’s certificate. She studied as a Fulbright scholar in Vienna and Salzburg, and has won numerous awards and honors at national and international competitions.
Constance Carroll was named Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Music Teachers Association (2001) and received the Louisiana State University Excellence in Teaching Award. She continues to be an active member of LMTA and Baton Rouge MTA.