MTNA Professional Certification Program

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Kathleen Merwin’s love for music was evident at an early age, with supportive parents enrolling  her during preschool years in a “Kindermusik-style” class. Singing was a favorite activity, both at  home and at church.    Kathleen’s paternal grandmother was a church musician and piano teacher. After her untimely  death at an early age, Kathleen’s father regretted never having studied music as a child. He purchased a piano and began lessons, only to discover a lack of practice time due to career demands.  Soon, however, a small preschooler found her way to the  piano, playing by ear. As the father’s interest waned, the legacy of music continued to the next  generation!    Kathleen ultimately earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois. While in  high school, under the instruction of Dr. William Phemister (Wheaton College), she was awarded First Place in the Illinois State Music Teachers Association Senior Division. At the University  of Illinois, she studied with internationally acclaimed pianist Mr. Ian Hobson, and was also a  summer student of Ms. Susan Starr at Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.    While her concentration at the University of Illinois was piano performance, her meaningful  coursework and subsequent professional training in pedagogy have brought years of enjoyment  and success in teaching children, teens and adults in New Orleans, LA and Hudson, OH. Constantly committed to further professional development, Kathleen has been an active member of  the OhioMTA / Western Reserve Music Teachers Association (WRMTA), National/Ohio Federation of Music Clubs and American College of Musicians. She has continued her post-graduate  study with Mrs. Nancy Bachus and most recently, Dr. Andrew Focks. In 2016, she achieved status as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through demonstration of significant project based standards set forth by Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).     A member of Summit County OhioMTA (subsequently WRMTA) since 2006, Kathleen’s sustained service to these groups includes board positions of Secretary and VP Student Events. She  remains committed to mentoring teachers who are new to the organization, as well as working  alongside teachers pursuing their own certification projects.