Charleston Music Teachers Association
CHARLESTON MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION is a professional association of music teachers affiliated with the South Carolina Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association. Our purpose is to promote professional fraternity and to stimulate professional growth among music teachers.
In addition to monthly meetings with programs addressing a variety of topics for our members, we offer many events for our students: master classes, recitals, and scholarship auditions. Each year approximately 300 students participate in Achievement Day where they are adjudicated in performance, applied technique, sight reading, and written theory.
If you have questions about membership, please contact our President or Vice-President for Membership. If you are looking for a music teacher, try the “Find a Teacher” link on the Resources for Parents page or contact our President.
If you are looking to Join or Renew your membership, please visit the Music Teachers National Association where you will be able to join the National association as well as the South Carolina and Charleston chapters.
PROGRAMMING FOR 2025-26
CMTA August Social
Saturday, August 23rd,2025 at 4-6pm
at Edmunds Oast Brewing [1505 King St #115, Charleston, SC 29405]
*This is a drop in so come when you can, stay as long as you like. It’s family and pet friendly too!
September Meeting
New Year Kick Off featuring Achievement Day 2026 information and new “book club”
Friday, September 12th, 2025 at 10am
at Fox Music House [4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405]
October Meeting
Presentation by Matthew Elias Blake
Topic: “The Waltzes of Florence Price”
Friday, October 10th, 2025 at 10am
at Fox Music House, 4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
*A short presentation on the new SCMTA Piano Skills Festival will be given by May Lauren Brinkman at the beginning of the meeting.
South Carolina MTA 65th Conference
Featuring guest artist HieYon Choi and guest clinician Sophia Gilmson
Thursday, November 6th through Saturday, November 8th, 2025
at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC
CMTA Fall Ensemble Recital
Semi-Annual Ensemble Recital for CMTA Members, All Instrumentations and All Levels Welcome.
Sunday, November 16th, 2025 at 3pm (register via this Google form by November 9th)
at Parkside Church, 45 Moultrie St, Charleston, SC 29403
Note: This event is a fundraiser for the Louise Mathis Scholarship. There is a $5 ticket for adults (except those who are performing). CMTA accepts cash and check as well as Venmo and Paypal (via QR code).
December Holiday Luncheon
Friday, December 12th, 2025 at 11am
at Saffron Bakery [333 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401]
*This is a social function. No presentation will be given, etc.
CMTA Book Club Meeting
Sunday, January 11th, 2026 at 3pm
at Orange Spot Coffeehouse, 1011 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
January Piano Masterclass
with Dr. Matthew Manwarren (from Winthrop University)
Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 10am-11:40am and 1:15pm-2:45pm
at Fox Music House, 4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Note: The morning session is for 5 intermediate level students (20 minutes each). The afternoon session is for 3 advanced level students (30 minutes each). Submissions will be accepted beginning Monday, January 5th at 8am and will close when all spots are filled. Teachers may submit one student.
February Meeting
Presentation by Dr. David Gross (from Furman University)
Topic: “Marie Jaëll (1846-1925): Pianist, Composer, and Pedagogue”
Friday, February 13th, 2026 at 10am
at Fox Music House, 4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Note: This is an early release day. Teachers may schedule a private session with Dr. Gross in the afternoon.
Louise Mathis Scholarship Auditions^
Summer Study Scholarships for Piano Students
Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 9am (registration opens on February 7th and closes on the 20th)
at Charleston County School of the Arts, 5109 W Enterprise St B, North Charleston, SC 29405
^Winners will be invited to perform at the CMTA Ensemble Recital in April.
Registration Form –> HERE
*Registration Fee is $25 per student
Achievement Day (In-Person & Virtual Auditions!)
for Piano, Vocal, and Violin students
Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 9am (registration opens on February 7th and closes on the 21st)
at Charleston Southern University, 9200 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406
New Registration Portal –> https://charlestonmta.tenutoweb.com/
*Registration Fee is $25 per student
Submit Videos for Virtual AD –> https://charlestonmta.tenutoweb.com/submit-links
**Note: Be sure to follow the Video Guidelines
Achievement Day Honors Recital^
Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 3pm
at James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Rd, James Island, SC 29412
^Featuring students selected as Honors Recitalists from Achievement Day the weekend prior.
SCMTA District VII Auditions*
Saturday, March 21st, 2026 at 9am (registration deadline is Saturday, March 7th)
Registration via SCMTA’s website here
at Charleston Academy of Music, 342 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
*Students who receive an “Outstanding” rating are invited to the State Auditions on April 18th, 2026.
SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Competition
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 (before midnight)
Registration via SCMTA’s website here
*Winners will be invited to perform at the SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Honors Recital on Saturday, May 11th, 2026 at 130pm at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.
SCMTA State Auditions*
Saturday, April 18th, 2026
at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC
*Students who received an “Outstanding” rating at District Auditions are invited to State Auditions.
CMTA Spring Ensemble Recital^
Semi-Annual Ensemble Recital for CMTA Members, All Instrumentations and All Levels Welcome.
Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at 3pm
at South Bay in Mt Pleasant, SC
^Featuring Winners of the Louise Mathis Scholarship Auditions
Note: This event is a fundraiser for the Louise Mathis Scholarship. There is a $5 ticket for adults (except those who are performing). CMTA accepts cash and check as well as Venmo and Paypal (via QR code).
CMTA Book Club Meeting
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at 6pm
at Kudu Coffee, 4 Vanderhorst St, Charleston, SC 29403
Spring Luncheon
End of the Year Luncheon
Friday, May 11th, 2026 at 11am
at Holly Slice’s home
You can help us empower and support students, aspiring musicians, and educators by giving a donation to support and help fund the opportunities we provide for their benefit and development.
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