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Schmitt Music's 82nd Annual EXPO: RSVP for events in Edina and Brooklyn Center

– THIS PROMOTION HAS EXPIRED –

CLICK HERE FOR EXPO 2020!

EXPO 2019 Piano Workshops and Sacred Choral Sessions will be held at Schmitt Music Edina on 8/12 through 8/15, with a special Pre-EXPO event with Jennifer Eklund (Piano Pronto) and Kristin Yost on Sunday, August 11th! We’re also hosting an exclusive concert with Lorie Line on Tuesday, August 13th!

NEW: all are invited to join us for BAND DAY at Schmitt Music Brooklyn Center on Thursday, 8/15. Plus, you’ll find exclusive print music offers at your Schmitt Music store for International Sheet Music Day on Saturday, August 17th!

EXPO new music workshops, clinicians and performers

RSVP for your EXPO events!

There’s NO REGISTRATION FEE for EXPO 2019, but we would appreciate an RSVP. Please view the complete schedule of events below. Select the “checkbox” next to each EXPO event you plan to attend, then enter your contact info and submit the RSVP.



RSVP CLOSED FOR EXPO 2019



Teachers: find out how to get an additional 10% OFF your print music purchases for a whole year! Coming to EXPO from out of town? Get a $25 Schmitt Music Gift Card with your hotel receipt! One gift card per guest for each night’s stay. We recommend the NEW Homewood Suites by Hilton, across the street from Schmitt Music Edina! We have a “block rate” available for single/king beds.

Contact our Print Music Manager for details, or follow the Schmitt Music Sheet Music & Books Facebook page!


Schmitt Music is proud to host so many great educators, artists, composers, and clinicians at EXPO 2019! Click below to view bios and learn more:

Kristin Yost

YostIn her mid twenties, Kristin began a teaching path that was inspired by the traditional but propelled by the creative. She began trying to solve the puzzle of how to keep students interested in making music with a goal of keeping them involved in live music throughout their lifetime. Through almost a decade of research and hundreds of students, Kristin has achieved a formula for success not only for her students, but also for herself. She emphasizes joy, creativity and perseverance with long-view goals that focus on each person as a collection of strengths.

• Certified Teacher with The Royal Conservatory, 2016
• Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, 2006
• M.M. Piano Performance and Pedagogy Southern Methodist University, 2006
• B.A. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, 2004

Jennifer Eklund, Piano Pronto

EklundI began studying the piano at the age of six and was fortunate to develop my talents with many different teachers throughout the years. The instructors that managed to hold my interest were the ones who offered me a wide variety of music to explore. I have modeled my own teaching philosophy around the idea that the implementation of exciting repertoire makes practice less of a chore and leads to faster progression.

My primary teacher encouraged me to start teaching beginning level students at the age of fourteen. I was a bit skeptical because of my age but decided to take the plunge. My business started small and has continued to grow throughout the years along with my experience and understanding of a positive and effective teaching approach. During my college years I continued teaching as well as performing. After receiving my Associates Degree in Music from Orange Coast College I continued my education at California State University Long Beach where I achieved my Bachelors Degree in 2002.

After graduation I continued teaching privately and spent many years developing and testing the Piano Pronto piano lesson books on students of all ages and levels. My experience as a teacher played an integral role in the selection of material for the books as many of the pieces have been requested by my students. Arranging music has become a real passion of mine as I find it extremely rewarding to write music that is both educational and enjoyable to play. In the fall of 2008 I returned to Cal State Long Beach and completed my Masters Degree in Musicology. This new pursuit combined my love for music history, research, and writing.

In 2014 I retired from teaching in order to run Piano Pronto Publishing on a full-time basis. While it was a difficult decision, I am truly living my dream now with 110% of my focus on creating new products to benefit students all over the world. When I’m not packing orders, or networking with customers at workshops or online I spend my time writing and arranging new music. There is nothing like giving a brand new piece of music to a student and seeing their eyes light up – as educators these are the moments we live for! I do hope that you will see the same positive effects in your studio as I have in mine by implementing some of the Piano Pronto materials into your regular teaching curriculum.

Kris Skaletski, KiddyKeys©

SkaletskiKris Skaletski is the owner of KiddyKeys®, a Preschool Piano Lesson Preparation and Music Discovery Program founded in 2003. She is the co-author of the Roadtrip! primer piano book series published by Piano Pronto. Kris has over 30 years of experience with piano lesson programs and preschool music in both home and school settings in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Stacy Fahrion, Composers Community

FahrionStacy Fahrion is a pianist, piano teacher, and composer of “Whimsically Macabre” solo piano pieces. Her solo piano compositions invite you into a fantastically offbeat world where strange dissonances and oddly familiar melodies combine.

Sarah Reaser O'Brien, Composers Community

OBrien
Education

• B.A., Piano Performance, Hollins University
• Certificate in Piano Teaching, Hollins University
• Certificate in Arts Management, Hollins University

Academic Honors & Scholarships

• First Faculty Award, 4.0 GPA
• Mary Garrett Lunsford Music Award
• Evelyn B. Bradshaw Award for Excellence
• Academic citation for biographical work on pianist Josef Hofmann (1876-1957)
• Peacock Music Scholarship

Honor Societies

• Pinnacle
• Omicron Delta Kappa

Professional Affiliations and Offices

• Roanoke Valley Music Teachers Association
– President-elect (2004-2006)
– President (2006-2008)
– Immediate Past President (2008-2010)
– Webmaster (2008- present)
• Virginia Music Teachers Association
– Secretary (2007-present)
• Music Teachers National Association
– Certification (NCTM) received 2006

Performance Interests

• Piano Brava! Quartet
• Josef Hofmann original piano compositions

Mark Cabaniss, Jubilate Music Group

CabanissMark Cabaniss is a music publisher, writer, producer, broadcaster, and speaker. He is President/CEO of Jubilate Music Group, a worldwide music publisher (distributed by Alfred Music) creating printed and digital music, recordings, and videos.

As an ASCAP composer and arranger, Mark’s published compositions have been performed nationally and abroad, and include choral anthems, musicals, cantatas, and instrumental pieces. His stage adaptation of the film “It’s a Wonderful Life” titled Miracle In Bedford Falls (co-written with Lowell Alexander) was premiered by the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre and has been subsequently performed throughout the United States and Canada. Other musicals include The Homework Machine, co-written with Tony-nominated composer Keith Herrmann and premiered by the Boston Children’s Theatre and The Stardust Supper Club (featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael) co-written with Alan Bailey and given an Off-Broadway workshop production by The York Theatre Company.

Mark is the author is two books: Confessions of a Shameless Name-Dropper and Music Business Essentials: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals.

Mark is a multiple recipient of ASCAP’s Popular Music Award, the NAMM Believe in Music Award, and is a Dove Award and Angel Award-winning producer. He is a member of The Recording Academy, The Dramatists Guild of America, and serves on the Board of Advisors for The Music Man Square, a museum and foundation in Mason City, Iowa, dedicated to furthering music education and honoring the legacy of Meredith Willson (creator of Broadway’s The Music Man). Mark was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by Mars Hill University and serves on the University’s Board of Trustees. Mark is also the founder/donor of The Helen Cole Krause Music Scholarship, awarded annually to qualifying students who choose music as a college major.

Mark also serves as a correspondent for Hollywood 360, a weekly nationally-syndicated entertainment radio show based in Chicago.

Mark’s work in music business and broadcasting has led to collaborations with television icons Bob Barker, Kathie Lee Gifford and Andy Griffith; Academy Award-winner Shirley Jones; legendary entertainer Steve Allen; composer Charles Strouse (Annie/Bye Bye Birdie); Broadway/pop songwriter Rupert Holmes; jazz pianist/composer Loonis McGlohon; gospel singer Cynthia Clawson and others.

Mark also serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education and Communications from Mars Hill University and The University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Mark resides in Nashville.

Lloyd Larson, The Lorenz Corporation

LarsonLloyd Larson earned a B.A. from Anderson University of Anderson, Indiana in 1976 and a M.C.M. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky in 1979. He has done additional graduate work at Southern Baptist Seminary, The Ohio State University, and Northern Baptist Seminary, Chicago, Illinois.

Since 1982, Lloyd has been an active composer and arranger for several major publishing companies of church and school music. His compositions and arrangements include well over 1,500 published works—including choral anthems, numerous extended Christmas, Easter and non‑seasonal works, keyboard collections, vocal solo and duet collections, instrumental works for solo and ensembles, orchestrations, and handbell settings. The resulting notoriety has placed him in constant demand as a clinician throughout North America. It is Lloyd’s work in his local church that continues to be the catalyst for much of his writing. He currently directs the adult choir in his home church in addition to being involved in worship planning and leadership.

Lloyd and his wife, Marci, live in Maple Grove, Minnesota. They have three children: Stephanie, married to Brandt; Philip, married to Kylee; and Jeff, married to Jacquelyn. They also have four grandchildren, Addie, Eli, Izzy, and Oliver.

E.L. Lancaster, Alfred Music

LancasterDr. E. L. Lancaster is Executive Editor, Piano for Alfred Music. He is also an adjunct piano faculty member at California State University, Northridge. Dr. Lancaster holds degrees from Murray (KY) State University, the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. From 1979 until 1998, Dr. Lancaster was Professor of Music at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, where he taught courses in piano pedagogy and coordinated the group piano program. Dr. Lancaster established the masters and doctoral programs in piano pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma in 1980 and served as Major Professor for more than 50 doctoral dissertations in that field. He taught pre-college students in the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program, combining group and private instruction. In addition, from 1981 to 1996, he and his wife, Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk, operated a large independent piano studio in Norman, Oklahoma.

Dr. Lancaster has served as National Chairman of Group Piano and National Chairman of Student Chapters for MTNA. He has held offices in the National Conference on Piano Pedagogy, including Chair of the Administration/Pedagogy Liaison Committee. Dr. Lancaster has received numerous teaching awards from the University of Oklahoma, including the Regents Award for Superior Teaching (1984), Associated Distinguished Lectureship (1987), Provost’s Outstanding Academic Advising Award (1996), and Outstanding Faculty Award in the College of Fine Arts (1996). In 1991 he was awarded a David Ross Boyd Professorship, named in honor of the first OU president, given to faculty members who excel in teaching, counseling and guiding students.

In 2013 he was named a Signature Sinfonian by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, national music fraternity. This award honors members who exhibit high standards of excellence in representing the fraternity as an alumnus. Murray State University honored him in 2014 with a Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honor granted by the University. At their 2016 convention, the California Association of Professional Music Teachers presented him with their Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a 2019 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Dr. Lancaster has presented workshops for teachers throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. He is the author or co-author of more than 400 publications designed for students of all ages. He now lives in the Los Angeles area.

Joyce Grill

Joyce GrillJoyce Grill, a former faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, provides practical suggestions from her extensive teaching experience as she presents workshops to teachers and students across the country. Grill holds the MTNA Master Teacher Certificate and has been active in MTNA serving as the Wisconsin State President and the Division Vice-President. She also founded the La Crosse Area Music Teachers Association and serves on several arts advisory boards. In 2006, she was named a MTNA Foundation Fellow.

Grill holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has also received training at the School of Fine Arts in Fontainebleau, France, where she studied theory and composition with Nadia Boulanger and piano with Robert and Jean Casadesus.

Known for her ensemble writing, Grill is also a frequent guest conductor for multi-piano concerts. Some of her best-known publications originally published by Warner Bros. Publications, including In Style, Down the Road, and Accompanist (Yes, It Really Happens), are now available from Alfred Music Publishing.

Grill holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has also received training at the School of Fine Arts in Fontainebleau, France, where she studied theory and composition with Nadia Boulanger and piano with Robert and Jean Casadesus.

Known for her ensemble writing, Grill is also a frequent guest conductor for multi-piano concerts. Some of her best-known publications originally published by Warner Bros. Publications, including In Style, Down the Road, and Accompanist (Yes, It Really Happens), are now available from Alfred Music Publishing.

Wynn-Anne Rossi, FJH Music Company

RossiWynn-Anne Rossi is a nationally acclaimed composer and dynamic educator whose works have reached audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Iceland and Australia. Commissions include works sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio, the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Composers Forum and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Wynn-Anne has over 70 piano publications, with original repertoire ranging from vocal works to full orchestra.

Rossi specializes in composition residencies in public schools, sponsored by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and other professional arts organizations. Special commissions include orchestral and band works inspired by student musical ideas. Her passion for promoting creativity in young musicians reflects in her choice of publications with Alfred, including the series called “Creative Composition Toolbox”. Rossi has lectured throughout the United States and beyond its borders on a variety of subjects. Learn more on her website: rossi-music.com.

Glenda Austin, Willis Music

AustinAs a young child, little did Glenda Austin think, when she began playing on her first piano, that she would one day go to Japan and record her own compositions, promote music, and present workshops to Japanese teachers on teaching piano. It’s been quite a trip in space and imagination for a girl who was born, raised, and, as wife and mother, still lives in the small town of Joplin in southwest Missouri.

Glenda is the daughter of Audrey and Monte Brittenham, who encouraged the musical talents of both Glenda and her sister Gloria – and their first public appearances were as pianist and organist respectively for the Friendship Baptist church in Joplin. Family and the music of worship have always been important in Glenda’s life – and she and her sister are still featured keyboard musicians, now at First United Methodist church in Joplin.

Glenda received her academic training at the University of Missouri at Columbia, where she received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and her Master of Music-Piano degrees … as well as marrying her high-school sweetheart, David Austin, who was a player for the Missouri Tigers football team.

Besides being active in family and church life, Glenda is involved in the local community through playing for local theater productions, club programs, and is a member and past president of the Joplin Piano Teachers Association. She has, of course, taught piano at all levels, from kindergarten through high school and advanced students. Presently, Glenda teaches at College Heights Christian School classes ranging from elementary music through high school choir.

In addition to an already full, productive and blessed life in Joplin, Glenda is known regionally, nationally, and internationally. She has been composing for Willis Music Company for several years and has been commissioned to compose music for various organizations, as well as Clavier magazine. Many of her pieces have been included in state repertoire lists as well as the Federated Music Clubs. And Glenda herself is often invited to judge festivals and competitions.

Her association with Willis Music has taken Glenda to states from Hawaii to Florida, where she presents workshops for conventions and teaching organizations. Now known internationally, Glenda’s music is published in Japan by Zen-On publishers, Tokyo and recorded by Victor Recording, Tokyo. Glenda has had the good fortune of visiting Japan twice in recent years for the purpose of recording her music, and presenting workshops throughout Japan.

Glenda’s website at glendaaustin.com allows music lovers from around the world not only to order her compositions and instructional books but, as well, listen to it performed. All who know her continue to look for good things to come for and from Glenda, as she shares her talent and teaching ability in her home, her church, states, nation, and the world.

Mona Rejino, Hal Leonard

RejinoAn accomplished pianist and teacher, Mona Rejino is co-author and contributing composer and arranger for the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library. Ms. Rejino maintains an independent piano studio in Carrollton, Texas, where she has taught students of all ages and levels since 1983, as well as teaching privately at the Hockaday School in Dallas. She frequently adjudicates festivals and competitions throughout the Dallas area. Mona is a member of Who’s Who of American Women. Other professional achievements include two recordings, Music for the Adult Student and Pupil Savers, produced and distributed by the National Piano Foundation. Her compositions have been featured in Keys magazine. Ms. Rejino received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at West Texas State University, and completed her Master of Music in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under pianist Joseph Banowetz. She and her husband, Richard, frequently work together presenting programs on a variety of topics for music teacher associations throughout the Dallas area and at state and national conventions.

Autumn Zander, Piano Adventures

ZanderAutumn Zander, piano, joined the MacPhail faculty in 2012 and has been teaching for over 18 years. She enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities. With the Frances Clark quote “There is music in every child. The teacher’s job is to find it and nurture it.” as the guiding tenet of her teaching philosophy, Autumn strives to help students of all ages achieve their musical best. By helping young students develop a strong musical foundation and enhancing the musicality in older students, every individual can enjoy a music-filled life. Lessons go beyond “just reading the notes” and explore aspects of music theory, improvisation, music history and collaboration in order to create a sense of relevancy to daily life.

With a keen interest in pedagogy, her most recent project will enable her to attend the Golandsky Institute Summer Symposium to learn more about the Taubman Approach to piano technique in August 2018. She has written feature length articles and book reviews for American Music Teacher, Clavier Companion, Piano Journal of the European Piano Teachers Association and the Australian magazine The Piano Teacher.

Autumn is a performing member of Thursday Musical and a regular presenter at the Minnesota Music Teachers Association State Convention. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance & Pedagogy from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and a Masters of Music degree in Piano Performance & Pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Charlene Shelzi, Kjos / TCW

ShelziCharlene Shelzi Jarvis is an independent piano teacher now residing in Scottsdale, Arizona. Until July of 2000, Charlene was a faculty member of the Utah State University Youth Conservatory where she taught individual piano lessons and various group music theory classes for 14 years. She served on the committee for selecting curriculum for the Conservatory and was an adjunct faculty member at Utah State University. She has maintained a private piano teaching studio for over 20 years.

Charlene co-developed numerous piano teaching materials, including the Keyboard Gymnastics Achievement Program and the Kreative Keyboard Collection, as co-founder of TCW Resources (Three Cranky Women). She has also published several theory books, Brillante, Animato, Energico, Sprito, Con Moto and Con Brio as well as numerous music games through the Kjos Music Company that have inspired teachers and students at many of the nation’s top universities, preparatory programs and studios across the country.

She has presented at the Music Teachers National Association national conference on several occasions. TCW Resources and Kjos keep her busy presenting at many state and local MTNA conferences each year, with multiple appearances as the keynote speaker. Her most recent conference presentations were at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) held in Chicago, July 2019 where she presented two sessions to teachers from across the US.

Charlene was the Director of the first Arizona Youth Piano Competition, held in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2006. She was pleased to be asked by the Keogh Health Foundation to direct the inaugural event for Arizona’s young pianists, where students competed for over $12,000 in prize money.

Charlene studied at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho (now BYU Idaho), and Utah State University where she was a student of Gary Amano. Charlene is an active member of MTNA and a past president of her Utah MTA Chapter. She completed training and taught the Musikgarten curriculum for young children for many years. She has participated in master classes with Nelita True, Jane Magrath, Claude Frank, Daniel Pollack, Leon Fleischer, Andre-Michel Schub, and Charles Rosen. She is active as a clinician, adjudicator, and performer.

Since moving to Arizona, she has been active in PMTA (Phoenix Music Teachers Association) and has served on the state board of ASMTA (Arizona State Music Teachers Association) as editor of all ASMTA state publications. She currently volunteers on the PMTA Ensemble committee and is a conductor for several annual performances.

In addition to her work with PMTA, Charlene is affiliated with Yamaha Music Delights, a program that teaches beginning piano lessons for Crystal Cruises. This opportunity has allowed her to see the world while teaching what she loves! This program has enabled her to have students from over 30 different countries.

Charlene runs marathons in her spare time (21 to date) and is working toward completing one in every state.

Larry Clark, Excelcia Music Publishing

ClarkLarry Clark (b. 1963) is the founder and President of Excelcia Music Publishing. His new company will focus on educational music for band, choral and orchestra along with related methods and books. Prior to Larry starting his own publishing company he served for over eighteen years as Vice President, Editor-in-Chief for Carl Fischer Music, and before that an Instrumental Music Editor for Warner Bros. Publications. He travels the world presenting doing clinic/workshops and guest conducting appearances. His diverse background as a former middle school and university band director at Syracuse University, combined with his composing and editing, have placed Larry at the forefront of music for school ensembles.

His music is some of the most popular and most performed by concert bands and string orchestras of all ability levels. Larry is equally adept at writing music for beginners as he is for high school and college ensembles. His music is characterized by rhythmic verve, tuneful melodies, contains a fresh harmonic perspective, is well scored and stretches the musicianship of the performers. He prides himself on producing music that is not only intriguing to performers and audiences alike but that contains a playability that comes from a keen understanding of the technical difficulties inherent in all instruments. His pieces have been performed internationally and appear on numerous contest/festival performance required music lists. He is an ASCAP award-winning composer, has over 300 publications in print and is in demand to write commissions for bands and orchestras across the country.

Larry’s music has been influenced by a variety of composers and teachers. He credits his father, a long time band director in Florida, for teaching him the joy of music. He was influenced early in his writing career by Robert W. Smith. His decision to pursue composition and arranging was influenced further by Dr. John Hillard, composition professor at James Madison University. Dr. Pat Rooney, director of bands at James Madison University, gave Larry his first performance opportunities by performing his arrangements with the popular Marching Royal Dukes. Larry considers himself to be a product of the school band movement. His works are highly influenced by the standard band repertoire of composers such as Holst, Grainger, Schuman and Persichetti.

Larry is in demand as a clinician and guest conductor around the country. He has presented clinics recently at the Midwest Clinic, the New York State School Music Association conference, the Texas Music Educators Association conference, the Ohio Music Educators Association conference, the Florida Music Educators Association conference and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association conference as well as numerous guest-conducting appearances internationally.

He is co-author with Sandy Feldstein of the innovative band method The Yamaha Advantage. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Florida State University and Masters Degrees in Conducting and Composition from James Madison University in Virginia.

Lantz Berets, Berets Publishing

BeretLantz Berets brings a diverse background to his compositions. A graduate of Western Washington University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he has served as a bassoonist in the United States Air Force Band program and as a Minister of Music. Now in the music retail business, he finds time to compose, play the bassoon, conduct his church choir and orchestra, and conduct the Debut Orchestra of Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia.

Michael Levine, Harmony Bridge

LevineMichael Levine is originally from St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He first attended the University of Minnesota and then The Juilliard School, where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree. For three years he held the position of Assistant Principal Trombone in the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Michael founded the Dallas Brass in

1983, and played trombone in the group until 2015. He continues to serve as the ensemble’s Master of Ceremonies and Artistic Director. Michael has recently created a program called Harmony Bridge, which is designed to connect school band students with people in senior communities around the country. At present, Harmony Bridge has been launched in nine states. After living in Dallas for over 30 years, Michael now resides back in Minneapolis, MN.