Butler School Shines at TMTA 2024

Congratulations to Butler students, faculty and recent graduates Margarita Denenburg, Jeanne Hourez, Seonju "Sunny" Jo, Ellen Sirower, Michael Lenahan, and Ana Moiseeva for their presentations at the Texas Music Teachers Association’s (TMTA) 2024 conference. TMTA, an affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association, aims to advance the value of music study and support the professionalism of music teachers. Founded in 1886 it is dedicated to promoting high-quality music instruction. Its membership includes around two thousand teachers in over sixty local organizations. Many music teachers attend these conferences to enhance their teaching by learning from master teachers.

Butler student Seonju "Sunny" Jo, kicked off the conference with her presentation Exploring Four Key Piano Pedal Techniques: Enhancing Musical Expression through a Practical Guide for Performance Excellence. Her lecture and demonstration of proper pedaling showcased a beautiful, singing quality.

Associate professor of Piano Pedagogy Margarita Denenburg commented, "Her playing had such a singing quality that the audience knew they were experiencing something special." Her presentation emphasized the foundational importance of piano pedaling, equal in significance to mastering finger technique, focusing on four essential techniques: Syncopated for seamless note connections, Split-damper for precise control, Dynamic for emotional depth, and Long for crafting captivating legato passages. 

Original article: https://music.utexas.edu/news/butler-school-shines-tmta-2024