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ISMTA Teacher of the Year

Individuals and local associations are invited to nominate a member for ISMTA Teacher of the Year.  Teacher of the Year nominees must be a current ISMTA member. Nominees shall have made a significant contribution over an extended period of time to not only their teaching studio, but community, their local association and ISMTA. Contributions may be educational, creative, administrative, financial or service related, but should be significant in both scope and impact.

ISMTA Teacher of the Year will be honored as part of the ISMTA Conference in November.   Winner will also automatically be nominated for the MTNA Teacher of the Year Award.

To nominate a teacher, use the link below to submit the following by July 31, 2024:

  • Nominee’s contact information
  • 150 word bio 
  • 600 word letter of recommendation
  • High resolution photograph of nominee
  • Up to 5 supporting documents (not required)
Nominate a Teacher

To complete the process, please email a high resolution headshot (minimum file size 1 MB) to info@ismta.org.  File title should contain member name (ex. JohnSmith.jpg) and the email subject line should say TOY HEADSHOT.

Additionally, up to 5 (five) supporting documents may be emailed to the same address, and may include additional letters of recommendation, recital programs, awards, newspaper articles, publications or other supporting documents.   Only digital files will be accepted (jpg, pdf, doc).

Please note that nominations which do not adhere to the aforementioned nomination process may be disregarded at the discretion of the Teacher of the Year Committee.

2024 Teacher of the Year:
Lynette Zelis

Read Lynette's Bio

Past Recipients

2023

Joseph Welch

2022

Janice Razaq*

2021

Hannah Voigt

2020

Chee Hyeon Choi

2019

Amy Jo Sawyer

2018

Frances Larimer*

2017

Jennifer Cohen

2016

Janet Hickey

2015

Heidi Mayer

* Jance Razaq was named MTNA Teacher of the Year in 2023
* Frances Larimer was named MTNA Teacher of the Year in 2019

2025 Conference

November 7-8, 2025 at Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL
Learn More

Competition

Happening every Fall!
Learn More

Illinois State Music Teachers Association is an affiliate of Music Teachers National Association

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Copyright © 2025 ISMTA

Lynette Zelis, the visionary behind Noteable Notes Music Academy, is a dedicated piano educator with a deep passion for teaching and discovering new music. She offers private piano lessons and oversees studios for 24 other music instructors, including a talented group of 8-10 emerging professionals. Noteable Notes currently has 3 locations, two in downtown Wheaton and one in Bloomingdale, Illinois. In addition to her role at the academy, Lynette serves as an adjunct professor at Wheaton College, where she teaches the Piano Pedagogy Course for Piano Performance Majors each spring.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field, Lynette was honored as the Illinois State Fellow of the Year at the 2019 Music Teachers National Conference in Spokane, WA. Her leadership extends beyond her academy; she has served as the President of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, the Director for the East Central Division of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and held numerous roles in the West Suburban Chapter of ISMTA.

Lynette’s commitment to the music community is further demonstrated by her long-standing involvement with the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, where she has acted as the AIM State Repertoire Chair, AIM Performance Chair, and held various executive positions including vice president and treasurer for the West Suburban Chapter. She was also honored as ISMTA Member of the Year in 2002 and served as president of the West Suburban ISMTA from 2009 to 2011.

A permanent member of both ISMTA and MTNA, Lynette was one of only five teachers nationwide to receive the Group Piano Teachers Award from the Music Teachers National Association and the National Piano Foundation in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Hope College, MI, and earned both a Master of Music and Master of Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University under the guidance of Donald Walker.

For the past seven years, Noteable Notes has proudly partnered with Steinway & Sons, allowing students to enjoy lessons on exquisite Steinway pianos. Lynette’s dedication to fostering young musicians and mentoring emerging teachers is evident in her vibrant teaching community. She actively engages with local, state, and national music organizations, encouraging student involvement in AIM exams, Silent Film presentations, and fundraising for scholarships. Her students and teachers consistently excel in performances, competitions, and exams, reflecting her unwavering commitment to their growth and success.