MTNA Foundation Fellow

The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Fellow program offers a meaningful method for honoring deserving individuals while supporting the efforts of the MTNA Foundation Fund through a donation to the Foundation Fund in an individual’s name. Anyone can nominate and fund an MTNA Fellow.   Each year, the ISMTA board nominates one fellow, and raises funds to fund that fellow.  

To contribute to the MTNA Foundation Fund and help fund the ISMTA fellow, click the button below, check the box that reads “Foundation Fellow (enter name below),” and enter this year’s fellow as the Fellow name.

For more information about the MTNA Foundation Fund, visit https://www.mtnafoundation.org/

2026 Foundation Fellows:
Yeeseon Kwon, Jeffrey Kleinsorge, and Debi Inch

The following people have been designated MTNA Foundation Fellows in recognition of their extraordinary service to ISMTA:

2025

Jennifer Cohen

2024

Heidi Mayer

2023

Amy Jo Sawyer

2022

Cathy Albergo

2021

Craig Sale

2020

Janice Razaq
Christopher Goldston

2019

Lynette Zelis

2018

Ludmila Lazar

2017

Bruce Berr
Patricia Nyien

2017

Lynd Corley

2015

Helen Grosshans

2014

Emi Murata
Marlene S. Chatain
Rita Brown
Linda K. Barker

2012

Frances I. Onley
Phyllis A. Hill

2011

Brenda L. Conroy

2010

Mary Beth Molenaar

2008

Elvina Truman Pearce
Kenneth O. Drake

2007

Karen Rogers

2006

Frances H. Larimer

2003

William Ronald YaDeau

2002

Mary Veverka

2001

Anna McGrosso
James Lyke

Dr. Yeeseon Kwon is Professor and Co-Chair of Interdisciplinary Conservatory in the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Specializing in andragogy she teaches adult group and applied piano at Northwestern University Music Academy. A nationally recognized adjudicator, clinician, conference, and masterclass presenter, her lecture performances encompass Romantic pianism, innovative group piano musicianship, instructional technology, and adult learning. Her international performances include solo, duo piano, and collaborative engagements. She is President of Illinois State Music Teachers Association; Director of Institutional Engagement at the Frances Clark Center; Vice President of The College Music Society; and MTNA East Central Division Director-Elect.

Dr. Jeff Kleinsorge is the Director of the Preparatory and Community Music Program at Concordia University Chicago, where he also teaches Piano Pedagogy and Keyboard Skills. He is also a member of the Interlochen Arts Camp piano faculty. Dr. Kleinsorge is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the Music Teachers National Association and Immediate Past President of Illinois State Music Teachers Association. He holds advanced degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and Michigan State University.

 

Debi has a BA from Wheaton College and has run an Independent Piano Studio since 1988 in West Chicago.  She has been an MTNA member for 31 years, serving in many leadership roles in her local association and at the state level. She has inspired her students to love their music, learn confidence in every endeavor and watched them become confident, successful adults. She has been passionate about incentive programs within her studio including a medal program, piano store, practice contests, and a recital picture brochure. That same energy has elevated the Foundation Fellow program in Illinois to great success.