Music educators, students share memories, reflections at milestone celebration
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 4 weeks AGO
The North Idaho Music Teachers Association gathered Oct. 18 at the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene to celebrate 25 years of music, mentorship and community. Back row, from left: Marilynn Snyder, Glenda Novinger, Tina Stevens, Melody Puller, Alyssa Jacobs, Andrew Mauer and Luiza Naulin. Front row, from left: Anita Brandon, Colleen Hunter, Julienne Dance, Marietta Hardy, Peggy Lembeck, Betsy McTear and Marilyn Sarber.
Courtesy photo
The North Idaho Music Teachers Association gathered Oct. 18 at the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene to celebrate 25 years of music, mentorship and community.
The event featured performances by local teachers, reflections from charter members and heartfelt remarks honoring the organization’s legacy of sharing music across generations.
In her welcome address, NIMTA President Alyssa Jacobs spoke to the importance of music education and teachers in the community.
“Teaching music is an act of quiet mending,” Jacobs said in a Tuesday news release. “In a world that often feels frayed, we uplift our students with patience, creativity and care. Every lesson, every note shared, is a small way of keeping beauty alive in our community.”
Other speakers echoed that spirit of lifelong artistry. One reminded colleagues that “we learn to teach and teach to learn,” while another spoke of rediscovering the joy of playing simply for love of music — choosing to create not out of obligation or perfection, but out of courage and delight. She reminded colleagues that music isn’t meant to be guarded by fear or criticism but shared freely as a gift that connects and uplifts.
From its small beginnings in 2000 to a thriving network of teachers today, NIMTA continues to celebrate the power of music to build connection, inspire growth and bring beauty to North Idaho. Above all, the organization hopes every musician —teacher, student or listener — feels they have a place where music and community meet.