About Us
OUR MISSION
To encourage an exchange of ideas in the field of music; to enrich the love and understanding of music; to raise the standards of teaching music by recognizing the training, experience and challenge necessary for professional growth.
Enrich, Encourage, Exchange
Naperville Music Teachers Association (NMTA) is one of eighteen local chapters making up the Illinois State Music Teachers Association. Founded in 1886, ISMTA is a state affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA – www.mtna.org) the nation’s oldest professional music organization.
ISMTA members include independent music teachers who provide instruction in piano, voice, and instrumental music, as well as in music theory and composition. One of its unique offerings is its Achievement in Music program (AIM), a curriculum designed to develop strong performance, theory and technical skills in piano, voice and strings. The Joint West Suburban group, which sponsors the Berkley-Pendell Piano Competition and Festival, includes chapters from three communities in the Western Suburbs of Chicago: Naperville, Salt Creek, and West Suburban.
In addition, the national organization, MTNA, offers a professional certification program for applied music teaching which identifies qualified, competent teachers within the community. Music teachers may find membership information at www.mtna.org, or by contacting an NMTA Executive Board officer.
2026 Member of the Year
NMTA PRESIDENT VERA PELIN (L) WITH OUR 2026 MEMBER OF THE YEAR, MILA TAYLOR (R). MILA WAS HONORED AT OUR MAY MEETING/LUNCHEON.
Mila Taylor
TreasurerMila’s prowess with finances (she is a trained accountant) has been a blessing to our chapter, and we have put our trust in her skills and commitment. Mila has served as Treasurer of our chapter for many years, an essential role that keeps our very active group running efficiently. Most of her her many tasks are behind-the-scenes: maintaining impeccable financial records, receiving fees (hundreds of checks!) and paying the many bills incurred for our group’s activities (programs, venue rental, AIM, Recital, and Sonata-Sonatina Festival events, membership fees and more). The Treasurer is also tasked with preparing and submitting NMTA’s financial books to an annual audit/report for MTNA, as well as complying with IRS regulations.
More important, however, are Mila’s musical and teaching skills. As described by a close friend and colleague: Mila is professional, deeply knowledgeable and a very kind person. She is devoted to her students who, in turn, love and trust her. One could not wish for a better colleague or a better teacher.