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 2026-2027
CMTA August Social
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 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
Presentation by Fred Hudson on “Frustration in the Studio”
Friday, September 11th, 2026 at 10am
at Fox Music House [4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405]
October Workshop | Healing Through Music
Presentations by Dr. Frank Clark and Catherine Black (M.M.)
Saturday, October 10th, 2026 at *10am-1145am / Lunch Break / ^1-230pm
at Fox Music House, 4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
*Dr. Frank Clark, board-certified psychiatrist at Prisma Health Upstate. Trauma exists on a spectrum, and its impact varies among individuals that experience it. This presentation will explore how trauma affects sound processing. Additionally, the talk will outline therapeutic strategies to help educators improve the health and well-being of their students who are survivors of trauma.
^Catherine Black, M.M., Artistic Director for Classical Healing Keys. The goal of Classical Healing Keys is to reduce stigma around mental illness, provide wellness tools, and bring mental health resources to people through concerts and concert-workshops. Learn about the work of Classical Healing Keys and what you can do to support the mental health of your students and others around you.
CMTA Fall Ensemble Recital
Semi-Annual Ensemble Recital for CMTA Members, All Instrumentations and All Levels Welcome.
Sunday, October 25th, 2026 at 3pm (contact Eszter Hollo at eszterah@gmail.com to register)
at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 299 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island, SC 29492
Note: This event is a fundraiser for the Charleston MTA Scholarships.
South Carolina MTA 66th Conference
Featuring guest artist Andrew Cooperstock and guest clinician Peter Mack
Thursday, November 5th through Saturday, November 7th, 2026
at Newberry College, Newberry, SC
December Holiday Luncheon
Friday, December 11th, 2026 at 11am
at Wildflour Pastry, 1750 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
*This is a social function. No presentation will be given, etc.
January Meeting
Presentation by Dr. Carol Ann Barry on “Working with Neuro Diverse Students”
Friday, January 18th, 2027 at 10am
at Fox Music House [4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405]
February Piano Masterclass
with Dr. Philip Bush (from University of South Carolina)
Saturday, February 20th, 2027 at 10am-11:40am / Lunch Break / 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 4th at 8am and will close when all spots are filled. Teachers may submit one student.
Charleston Music Teachers Association Scholarship Auditions^
Summer Study Scholarships for Piano & Composition Students
Saturday, February 27th, 2027 at 9am (registration opens on TBD and closes on TBD)
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 → TBA
*Registration Fee is $25 per student
Achievement Day (In-Person & Virtual Auditions!)
for Piano, Vocal, and Violin students
Saturday, March 6th, 2027 at 9am (registration opens on TBD and closes on the TBD)
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 14th, 2027 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 TBD, 2027 at 9am (registration deadline is TBD)
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
Thursday, April 1st, 2027 (by 11:59pm)
Registration via SCMTA’s website here
*Winners will be invited to perform at the SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Honors Recital on Saturday, May 15th, 2027 at 3pm at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.
April Meeting
Presentation by May Lauren Brinkman on Improvisation
Friday, April 9th, 2027 at 10am
at Fox Music House [4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405]
SCMTA State Auditions*
Saturday, April 17th, 2027 at 9am (registration deadline is TBD)
at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC
*Students who received an “Outstanding” rating at District Auditions are invited to State Auditions.
**Winners will be invited to perform at the SCMTA Honors Recital on Saturday, May 15th, 2027 at 11am at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.
CMTA Spring Ensemble Recital^
Semi-Annual Ensemble Recital for CMTA Members, All Instrumentations and All Levels Welcome.
Sunday, April TBD, 2027 (contact Eszter Hollo at eszterah@gmail.com to register)
at TBD
^Featuring Winners of the Charleston MTA Scholarship Auditions
Spring Luncheon
End of the Year Luncheon
Friday, May 7th, 2027 at 11am
at TBD
SCMTA State Honors Recital
Saturday, May 15th, 2027 at 11am (Performance) and 3pm (Composition/Songwriting)
at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC
*Featuring Winners of the SCMTA State Auditions and SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Competition
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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