In 1952, Evelyn Jackson organized the Atlanta Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association. It was one of only two local chapters in Georgia at the time. Georgia joined the MTNA in 1954 and the Atlanta Chapter was renamed the Atlanta Music Teachers Association in 1957. In the summer of that year, the AMTA hosted the first Piano Clinic on record.
As the city grew, other chapters opened and in 1972 the Metropolitan Atlanta Music Teachers Association was founded (later renamed Greater Atlanta Music Alliance), forming a union of the metro area chapters. MAMTA/GAMA began hosting workshops in 1973, just as the AMTA had done since 1957, bringing such notable guests as Lynn Freeman Olson, Fred Coulter, Ilda Novik, William Gillock, Maurice Hinson, Sidney Foster, John Perry, Joseph Rezits, Nelita True, Marvin Blickenstaff, Kenneth Drank, Anthony and Mary Lenti, Jo Ann Baker and Richard Cass.
In 1984, AMTA member Janice Broadhurst founded Atlanta's MusicFest, a public performance opportunity for local students who do not wish to enter competitions. MusicFest gives students of all ages, levels and abilities the opportunity to perform for an impartial, professional judge to be evaluated and given positive reinforcement so they will feel encouraged to continue their studies in music.
All three current GMTA Scholarship Funds were established either by a member of the AMTA or in memory of a member. Several members have founded or co-founded highly successful chamber groups, including the Atlanta Chamber Players, Thamyris, the Inman Piano Trio and the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble.
As the city grew, other chapters opened and in 1972 the Metropolitan Atlanta Music Teachers Association was founded (later renamed Greater Atlanta Music Alliance), forming a union of the metro area chapters. MAMTA/GAMA began hosting workshops in 1973, just as the AMTA had done since 1957, bringing such notable guests as Lynn Freeman Olson, Fred Coulter, Ilda Novik, William Gillock, Maurice Hinson, Sidney Foster, John Perry, Joseph Rezits, Nelita True, Marvin Blickenstaff, Kenneth Drank, Anthony and Mary Lenti, Jo Ann Baker and Richard Cass.
In 1984, AMTA member Janice Broadhurst founded Atlanta's MusicFest, a public performance opportunity for local students who do not wish to enter competitions. MusicFest gives students of all ages, levels and abilities the opportunity to perform for an impartial, professional judge to be evaluated and given positive reinforcement so they will feel encouraged to continue their studies in music.
All three current GMTA Scholarship Funds were established either by a member of the AMTA or in memory of a member. Several members have founded or co-founded highly successful chamber groups, including the Atlanta Chamber Players, Thamyris, the Inman Piano Trio and the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble.
