2025-26 Programs
When: 2nd Friday of the month September through May. Programs will be starting at 10:30 – 11:30 AM.
Where: At Calliope Music Studios, 2600 S Parker Rd., Bldg 7 #170, Aurora, CO
80016
AMTA is happy to welcome interested guests. If you would like to attend one of our programs, please join us.
September 12, 2025 – AMTA members “Song Flute Ensemble 101”
AMTA members create a Song Flute Ensemble enjoying soli and duet playing on provided instruments. (Or bring your own plastic recorder!) An AMTA commissioned theme song duet will be recorded and downloaded on the AMTA Website!
October 10, 2025 – AMTA members Panel Discussion: “1) Student Recital Options 2) Studio Policies”
Mediator: Kelli Horton AMTA/DAMTA & CSMTA N&N Editor.
November 14, 2025 – AMTA members Ach. Day Prep.
At LDS Dorado Church, 21750 E. Dorado Ave, Aurora, CO 80015
December 12, 2025 – AMTA members HolidAMTA
Self-induced holiday fun with potluck and performances!
January 9 , 2026– Leila Viss “The Unmasterclass”
In a typical masterclass, a skilled pedagogue works with a student who presents an already well- prepared piece and brings the performance to a higher standard of finesse and nuance. This UNmasterclass showcases the initial stages of teaching a piece with engaging activities that excite students and boost confidence. Attendees will gain creative ideas on how to present a new piece, ensuring maximum enthusiasm and motivation for the student to continue on to mastery.
February 13, 2026– Nancy Avalon “Culture & Music of 16th Century England”
Nancy Avalon explores 450 years ago during the age of the TUDORS. Experience the stories and music through song, period instruments, and dance, —plus a peek ‘under a Lady’s skirts’ at the most opulent period of clothing in history!
March 13, 2026 – 2 AMTA Member Panels “Match Wits”
Two teams of 3 AMTA members each Match Wits to compete in a music trivia knowledge competition. Categories will be: Composers, Instruments, Music Theory, Song Titles, Movie Themes.
April 10, 2026 – Fernanda Pulido-Nieto
“Reflexion, nostalgia and dance: discovering the root of folk elements in Argentinean music.” Originally from Mendoza, Argentina, the NFMC awarded Fernanda the Lynn Freeman Olson Pedagogy Award in 2009. She has served as piano faculty for the Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, a pianist for the Colorado Symphony Chorus and the principal pianist for the Colorado Children’s Chorale.
May 8, 2026 – AMTA members May Luncheon, Election of 2026-2027 AMTA Officers.
Location to be announced.
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About Leila Viss
Leila Viss generates creative-based, tech-savvy instructional resources for her private studio near Denver, Colorado, and sells them at her site, LeilaViss.com. She is the past coordinator of the University of Denver’s Piano Preparatory Program and co-founded 88 Creative Keys events with Bradley Sowash for six years. Leila is a full-time church organist and pianist, and arranges and composes sacred tunes in her spare time. Over 100 teachers and students have composed original compositions in her online Composiums. She served on the American Music Teachers Magazine editorial committee, is published in most music industry magazines. Because of her dynamic presenting style, she is in high demand for speaking engagements. She is Colorado’s 2024 Foundation Fellow and a 2025 recipient of the Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Recognition Award.
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About Dr. Fernanda Nieto
Dr. Fernanda Nieto was born in Mendoza, Argentina, where she was recognized by the Argentinean Federation of College Women for her outstanding academic work. She earned her Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Ohio University under the direction of Alejandro Cremaschi and Gail Berenson and her Doctoral Degree in Piano Performance at the University of Colorado in Boulder under David Korevaar.
In 2005 the National Federation of Music Clubs awarded her the Lynn Freeman Olson Pedagogy Award, making her the first international student to receive the award. In 2009, the College Music Society awarded her the Yamaha In-Residence Fellowship. During this one-year fellowship she developed an engagement program with local schools to promote Argentinean music. Her career as a collaborator, performer and clinician includes working with composers, conductors, soloists and artists from Colorado, Ohio, Wisconsin and California.
She has served as piano faculty for the Metropolitan State University of Denver, piano pedagogy instructor for the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, a pianist for the Colorado Symphony Chorus and the principal pianist for the Colorado Children’s Chorale.
She is currently the Director of Education and Community Engagement with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, maintains an active performing schedule, and holds a private piano studio. Fernanda loves performing music from Argentina, curating educational concerts and spending time in nature with her family.
About Nancy Avalon
I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and have loved art since I was a young child. I now live in Littleton, CO. and spend my summers at 11,200 ft. elevation in the rugged Rocky Mountains near Alma, CO. I first became a cartoonist and caricature artist and later ventured into figure and landscape painting with pastels and oils. It’s been a very insightful journey, and a fun one. I still find myself looking at nature like a painting waiting to happen. Art has always held a central place in my heart. I’m a rather social creature, and enjoy talking to people and hearing their stories. I’m drawn to people, history, and cultures, discovering that art has created a deeper sense of connection with others.