Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids

Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand RapidsPiano Teachers' Forum of Grand RapidsPiano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids
  • Home
  • About
    • Our History
    • Administrative Board
    • Student Opportunities
    • Piano Book Club
    • Become A Member
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Monthly Programs
    • Student Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Conferences
    • Past Programs
  • Member Resources
    • Online Registration
    • Directory & Forms
    • Renew Membership
    • Helpful Links
  • Find A Teacher
  • Performing Arts Passport
  • More
    • Home
    • About
      • Our History
      • Administrative Board
      • Student Opportunities
      • Piano Book Club
      • Become A Member
      • Contact
    • Events
      • Monthly Programs
      • Student Events
      • Events Calendar
      • Conferences
      • Past Programs
    • Member Resources
      • Online Registration
      • Directory & Forms
      • Renew Membership
      • Helpful Links
    • Find A Teacher
    • Performing Arts Passport

Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids

Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand RapidsPiano Teachers' Forum of Grand RapidsPiano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids
  • Home
  • About
    • Our History
    • Administrative Board
    • Student Opportunities
    • Piano Book Club
    • Become A Member
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Monthly Programs
    • Student Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Conferences
    • Past Programs
  • Member Resources
    • Online Registration
    • Directory & Forms
    • Renew Membership
    • Helpful Links
  • Find A Teacher
  • Performing Arts Passport

Our History

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.

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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.

PTFGR

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

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

PAST PRESIDENTS

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

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