About NMTA

Nebraska Music Teachers Association is an organization of nearly 300 musicians dedicated to a practical role of artistic service in today’s society. NMTA provides cultural leadership through a wide variety of activities for its members and their students. It promotes high professional standards in music and fulfills its responsibility to artistic and educational leadership in the state.

NMTA was founded in 1916. NMTA is affiliated with Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), which has a membership of over 24,000 musicians nationwide. NMTA subscribes to the aims and goals of the parent organization, which provides its members access to a wide range of benefits and services.

Dues-paying members are afforded all the benefits of membership provided by NMTA. Nationally Certified Teachers of Music (NCTM) are teachers recognized by MTNA for many accomplishments, including:

  1. Continued professionalism demonstrated by the pursuit of continuing education and of excellence in teaching and performance.
  2. Continued development of high standards in professional teaching and business practices.
  3. Ongoing service in creating opportunities for students, supporting musical outreach in their communities, and contributing to professional music organizations and partnerships.

NMTA Bylaws Revision 3.2023

Composers Commissioning Program

NMTA annually partners with MTNA to commission new compositions from American composers to be premiered at the state convention. The NMTA Commissioned Composer is considered for the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year Award, presented each year at the MTNA National Convention.

For more information, contact Stacey Barelos.

Outreach and Education

NMTA is a partner in the effort to maintain music as an essential element in a complete education. The organization also supports independent music teachers in their efforts to publicize their professional status and defends the traditional workplaces of the independent music teacher.

For more information, contact Brenda Wristen.

MTNA Foundation

NMTA supports the MTNA Foundation, established in 1989 to assist the educational endeavors of MTNA. The Foundation awards grants to individual teachers. State and local MTNA-affiliated organizations receive grants for student festivals and other educational outreach projects.

Students of MTNA teachers win cash awards in the prestigious MTNA annual competitions and receive funds to help with expenses incurred in traveling to the divisional and national levels of the competitions.

For more information, contact Sarka Stehnova.

Local Associations

Membership provides the opportunity to join one or more local associations. Each local association provides a full schedule of programs for students and teachers in addition to the benefits of state and national membership. 

Omaha Music Teachers Association

Contact: Mark Dickmeyer
Website: www.omahamusicteachers.org

Lincoln Music Teachers Association

Contact: Krista Hafez
Website: www.LMTA.info

Central Nebraska Music Teachers Association

Contact: Linda Dahlstrom

Western Nebraska Music Teachers Association

Contact: Sarah Arneson

Northeastern Nebraska Music Teachers Association

Contact: Angela Miller-Niles

NMTA Officers/Board Members