Earning My MTNA National Certification: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

“Congratulations on your MTNA Professional Certification”

Wow, I thought as I read this subject line. I did it! I’ve been a member of the Music Teachers National Association, a nationwide organization, since I graduated from college. Though they require a Bachelor of Music to join, they offer an in-depth certification process to advance the professionalism of the music teaching field.  

This certification feels like a huge win for me, considering only a handful of years ago I had falsely given up on calling myself a musician. I had a few students who were receiving great marks from judges, and I was “performing” with my local church’s worship band. But I was no longer in the world of academia, performing on a classical music stage, or operating a full piano studio. I didn’t believe I was a “true” musician, like my brother who was playing in a professional top-tier orchestra.

Then life shifted for me dramatically when I got divorced as a homeschooling, stay-at-home mother of six. Not sure where to turn, I returned to teaching piano, but virtually this time due to the global pandemic.

Returning to teaching was one of the best things I could have done for myself  at the time. All the knowledge and passion I had for music and the piano flooded back into me. I came to teaching from a different perspective, not one to turn all my students into professional musicians, but one to help my students of all ages bring the joy of music into their hearts and homes.

These past six and a half years have been so much fun, reconnecting to my musical roots, inspiring my students, bringing my best self to each lesson, and truly listening to each student’s individual goals and curating a unique curriculum for each student.

When I looked at the teacher projects required or the certification process, I thought, I can do this, but I was still a bit overwhelmed.   

Doubts flooded my mind. What if they don’t approve of my philosophy of education? What if my playing isn’t good enough? What if my studio policy isn’t thorough enough? What if my teacher demonstrations aren’t good enough? What if my students don’t perform at a high enough level? What if…?

Am I good enough for this certification? 

The answer was yes!

Fifty-five pages of essay writing and multiple video submissions of my teaching and playing later, I see how powerful this process has been for me. I am a musician. I am a music teacher. I know what I’m doing. I always have.

Maybe I didn’t need a certification to prove this to myself, but it sure is affirming to have a board of other professional teachers recognize my skills, work, and studio organization. 

Now I know, without a shadow of a doubt, I, Catherine Sipher, NCTM (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music), am meant for this work.  

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If learning the piano is on your list (or the list of someone you know), I would be honored to help in the journey.

It is my true honor to bring the joy of music into hearts and homes through personalized remote piano lessons that will leave you feeling inspired and accomplished. 

The process is simple:

1. Schedule a call to talk about your goals.

2. Select a lesson time.

3. Take your first lesson! 

Contact me today!