October Program
October 17, 2025 | Student Testing Opportunities
Topic Description
PTFGR members Joy Holtrop (SAT), Connie Dabney (Guild Auditions), and Mary Jane Timmer (NFMC)
will share more about their respective organizations' events in a roundtable discussion.
Speaker Biographies
Joy Holtrop: Joy has been teaching in Grand Rapids for 35 years and entering students in SAT for 30. She has chaired the GRPTF SAT event for the past 3 years.
Connie Dabney: After graduating from Aquinas College, I have enjoyed teaching piano in the Grand Rapids area for many years. I have used the American College of Musicians program with confidence. My students and their parents are proud of the progress that is made each year.
Mary Jane Timmer: Mary Jane was born and raised in Grand Rapids and began her piano studies with Joyce VerHaar. At Hope College she studied with Dr. Anthony Kooiker. Following graduation, Mary Jane taught vocal music
in the Rockford Public Schools. In addition, she directed both children and senior choirs at Trinity Reformed, Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed and Westend Christian Reformed Churches and continues to play services at Westend CRC. She has maintained a private studio of approximately 30 students for 50+ years and is a member of Grand Rapids Piano Teachers Forum and Grand Rapids Musicians’ League. Mary Jane has held many positions within the National and Michigan Federation of Music Clubs. She was the NFMC Federation Cup Chair, and has been a Past President of MFMC, Northwest District of MFMC and Grand Rapids Musicians League. She is currently the MFMC State Festival Chair, and the GRML Scholarship and Award Chair. Mary Jane and her husband, Ken, have four children (all were junior members of GRML) and eight beautiful grandchildren.