A Short History of Our Organization

The Charleston Chapter of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association was founded in the early 1960’s. A committee of teachers — Hester Finger, Marguerite Siegling, Marie Taylor, Janice Hagen, Suzanne Taylor, Lee Ezell, Miriam Buvinger, Joan Geilfuss, Eugene Koester, Don Mills, Bob Buvinger, Dubose Robinson, Russell Wragg, and George Lucktenberg (representing SCMTA) — met to organize the CMTA. The first officers were Bob Buvinger, President; Don Mills, Vice-President; and Eugene Koester, Secretary. This organization met monthly for five years.

Following a lapse of ten years, meetings resumed at the Second Presbyterian Church. Lee Ezell, President at the time, originated Charleston Achievement Day. Modifications and improvements to Achievement Day and monthly meetings continued under following presidents including Kathy Toole, Jane Davis, and Faye Taylor.

When Edith Dyal became President in 1987, CMTA had their first Ensemble Festival under the baton of Dr. Robert Pace of Columbia University. In that same year, the Charleston Chapter Yearbook was founded by Barbara Wallace and the local chapter was given a charter sponsor certificate “The Johnny Appleseed Project Award” by the Baldwin Piano and Organ Company for co-sponsoring with Fox Music House the KTV video-conference via satellite “Is Independent Studio Teaching a Viable Career?”

President Mimi Nusbaum coordinated with MTNA in 1989 for the Charleston Chapter to be one of the nationally selected sites for the “Successful Studio Management” workshop. Achievement Day became even larger with the addition of flute, guitar and voice by Judi McNeely and Crescendo Awards I and II Tropies by Faye Taylor, Treasurer.

Charlene Yarborough, our 1992 President, originated and presented Noteworthy Citizenship Award certificates to supporters of the arts in the community. Louise Mathis, a long time member, passed away on January 18, 1992, and the E. Louise Mathis Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established for the deserving students of the CMTA. The first scholarship auditions were held on December 5, 1992 and four winners were chosen to receive certificates and cash awards.

Robin Zemp, our 1996 President, brought to Charleston Walter Hautzig, an internationally acclaimed concert pianist. This was the first concert sponsored by the Charleston Music Teachers Association. Crystal Cassels, our president in 2008 dropped us into the 21st century with on-line Achievement Day registration.

Now, over 50 years from its conception, CMTA has over 50 members, a thriving network of teachers and musicians, a website, and close to 400 students annually participating in Achievement Day. We hope to continue to strive for excellence and growth with each coming year.

CMTA Past Presidents