The first meeting of the Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids was held on 21 April 1950 at the Women's City Club. The first president, Mrs. Dorothy Pelck McGraw, had called together several of her colleagues to form a group to "foster congenial fellowship among its members, to offer opportunity for beneficial interchange of thought and to stimulate teaching interest by listening to instructive talks." At this meeting a committee was appointed to draw up a constitution. Early meetings of the organization were occasional and often in the form of five-day workshops.
In 1951, the meetings were changed to the YWCA and then back to the Women's City Club in 1952. During that year, the Forum hosted the Fall Convention of Michigan Music Teachers Association at the Pantlind Hotel. The first auditions for State Certification were held in Grand Rapids on 30 March 1954. In 1956, the Forum became one of the first organizations to affiliate with MMTA.
Through the years, the Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids has seen increased membership along with enhanced member and student services. The organization is the proud sponsor of numerous competitions and activities for young pianists and serves as a vital resource for many piano studios across West Michigan.
The object of the Forum is to provide piano teachers with a positive environment in which they may experience professional and musical growth, and to offer students a wide variety of performance opportunities. We strive to encourage interaction among teachers which will inspire them to teach with greater knowledge and enthusiasm, and will challenge them to hold themselves and their students to a higher standard of musical excellence.
2021 Bernadine Johnson
2020 Ryan Blok
2019 Katie Yankee
2018 Yelena Wells
2017 Alisha Snyder
2016 Andrea Johnson
2015 Michele Wells
2014 Jeanne Hanley Thelen*
2013 Karen VerHulst
2012 Thea Hoekman
2011 Gloria DeJonge
2010 Cynthia Bristol*
2009 Mildred Muller *
2008 Judy VanderArk
2007 Diane Winder
2006 Marjorie Wiltse
2005 Patricia L. Brummel
2004 Philip W. Pletcher
2003 Helen Emerson
2002 Carolyn VanderGriend
2001 Joyce Verhaar
2000 Stephanie Burr *
1998 Katherine S. Rice 1996-97 Mary Scanlan
1995 Sr. Mary Margaret Delaski F.S.E.
1994 Bonnie Jean Johnson *
1993 Vivian Kleinhuizen 1992 Katherine S. Rice
1991 Thelma Knol
1990 Jerre Jean Conran
1989 Marilyn Slenk
1988 Nancy Erickson
1987 Marie Trapp 1986 Mamie Malinowski
1985 Jerre Jean McDaniel * Catharina Hillebrand * 1984 Julianne Vanden Wyngaard *
1983 Margaret Bond
1981-82 Mary Vander Linde *
1979-80 Marjorie Armstrong * 1977 Mary Vander Linde
1973-74 Lucille Dinsmore
* 1970 Elzada Bennett
* 1967 Marjorie Armstrong
1964, 67 William Burhenn
*elected MMTA Teacher of the Year
2020-Present Michele Wells
2018-20 Andrea Johnson
2016-18 Yelena Wells
2014-16 Alisha Snyder
2012-14 Jeanne Hanley Thelen
2010-12 Joyce Stehouwer
2008-10 Cynthia Bristol
2006-08 Judy VanderArk
2004-06 Patricia Brummel
2002-04 Philip W. Pletcher
2000-02 Carolyn VanderGriend
1998-02 Stephanie Burr
1996-98 Mary Scanlan
1994-96 Marilyn Slenk
1992-94 Bonnie Jean Johnson
1990-92 Katherine S. Rice
1988-90 Elizabeth Snedeker
1986-88 Jerre Jean Conran
1985-86 Nancy Erickson
1984-85 Rebecca Knapp
1982-84 Nancy Erickson
1980-82 Jerre Jean McDaniel
1978-80 Helen Emerson
1976-78 Julianne Vanden Wyngaard
1974-76 Carolyn Johnson
1972-74 Jeanne Bond
1970-72 Robert Goldammer
1968-70 Mamie Malinowski
1967-68 Marian Monsma
1965-67 Marie Trapp
1963-65 Marjorie Armstrong
1961-63 Annette Broersma
1960-61 Albina Kowalkowski
1958-60 Thelma Huizinga Knol
1956-58 Joyce Verhaar
1955-56 William Burhenn
1953-55 Grace Wismer
1952-53 Harold Bishop
1950-52 Dorothy Pelck McGraw
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Grand Rapids, Michigan