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Texas Music Teacher Association (TMTA) Teacher of the Year is awarded for the highest service to and representation of Music Teacher National Association (MTNA), TMTA, and the music teaching profession in addition to an excellent record in the teaching profession.
 
"Dear Marti,
Congratulations! You have been voted as Austin District Music Teachers Association’s (ADMTA) nominee to TMTA for the TMTA Teacher of the Year. Your nomination will be sent to TMTA as ADMTA’s candidate for this award.
 
We would like to express our gratitude for your many contributions to the teaching profession.
 
We admire your dedication to the advancement of musical knowledge and education. You are an excellent example of being a consummate teaching professional.
 
May we all follow your example of maintaining the highest standard of professional conduct and personal integrity.
 
With our best wishes for your continued success."

 

ADMTA Awards Committee


Martha Mortensen Ahern 

Professional Experience: Private Piano, Voice, and Organ Instructor (1981-present); Accompanist/Coach, The University of Texas at Austin (1994 – 1998); Substitute Church Organist (1994 to present); Austin Chamber Ensemble Artist 2001 - present, Artistic Director 2008-present; Artist: Austin Choral Union, Gilbert & Sullivan Society Austin, Zachary Scott Theatre Productions; Master Class Presenter: The Grammy Foundation, Austin, TX, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Orpheus Academy; Session Presenter: TMTA State Convention (2008-2010, 2017), MTNA National Conference (2012, 2013), AGO Region VII Conference (2013), Fairfax – Louden (VA) Music Fellowship Virtual Workshop (2021); Adjudicator: Piano Guild, Texas Federation of Music Clubs Festivals, ADMTA, University Interscholastic League, TX; Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA); Orpheus Academy and Velocity Music Academy, Austin, TX  

Professional Memberships:  MTNA; TMTA; ADMTA; American Guild of Organists; National and Texas Federation of Music Clubs; Texas Music Educators Association; American Choral Directors Association; Mu Phi Epsilon

Offices Held: ADMTA First Vice President (1997-1999), President (1999 – 2001), Board Member (2001 – 2009) ; State Convention local contact (2000); MTNA National Conference Local Contact (2006); TMTA Chair: Events State Convention (2003 – 05), Arts Advocacy and Awareness (2004 – 07), IMTF (2007 – 2010); ADMTA Chair: Hymn Festival (2001 -03), Whitlock Fall Theory (2003 -2009), Mentor (2011 – present), Honors Recital  (2012 –  2015), Austin Youth Music Ambassadors (2016 – 2019), Publicity (2015 – 2018), Clavier Companion/Piano Magazine (July 2017 – present), 100th Year Celebration Committee Member (2016 – 2017), Fall Theory Committee – 2020; Mu Phi Epsilon Austin Alumni Chapter - Treasurer, Sept. 2003 – present; Sept. 2003 – Sept. 2004 Mu Theta Chapter Advisor 

Honors and Awards: ADMTA Teacher of the Year 2001; ADMTA’s Nominee to TMTA for TMTA Pre-Collegiate Teacher of the Year 2003;ADMTA’s Nominee to TMTA for TMTA Teacher of the Year 2021

Publications: Pianist - "This Land…America!" CD recorded Roundtop, TX (1995) with Austin Choral Union Chamber Ensemble; Pianist - “Music and Literature” Vol. I and II, CD’s for Holt, Rinehart & Winston Publishing Company, premiered live at the National Conference for Teachers of English 2004, 2005; Author - Article “Begins with T’ in Southwestern Musician Magazine, August 2005

Students’ Activities and Awards:  Music Scholarship recipients to attend The Ohio State University, Miami (Ohio) University, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech, University of North Texas (Denton), Millikin University, and Brigham Young University.  MTNA Master Class participant for Ingrid Clarfield (2006); students consistently receiving Superior Ratings for Festival Performances and Gold Medal Theory Awards from ADMTA; Voice Student selected to sing solo for Austin Opera production of ‘Carmen’. 

Other Activities: Volunteer – Church Leadership Positions for Youth and Women organizations for 10 congregations, Adult Sunday School Teacher,  Supporter – Eagle Scout awards for Boy Scouts of America with time and means, Church World Service CROP WALK.

Brief Biological Sketch: ‘Marti’, a native of Columbus, OH, has been involved with music since the age of 3, formal piano study began at the age of 5. Elementary – High School, she played viola and bass in orchestra and sang in choirs. She served as school choir accompanist from Grades 6 – 12continued serving as choir accompanist in college. Currently resides in Austin, TX with her husband, Ted. 

EMPLOYMENT: Ms. Marti Piano Studio https://msmartipianostudio.mymusicstaff.com/

Austin Chamber Ensemble https://austinchamberensemble.org/

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Music Degree, Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ  Piano Major/Voice Minor, emphasis in collaborative piano

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