About Us

Our Story

Northwest Arkansas Music Teachers Association (NAMTA) began in 1991 as a small group of area teachers who met together to form an organization to encourage each other as teachers and to serve the people of northwest Arkansas in the area of music. 

Led by Fran Shuler-Ellis who had recently relocated from Wisconsin where she had been active in the state music teachers organization, this group of teachers held its first meeting March 4, 1991. The group elected officers, commenced writing a mission statement, approved dues at $7.00 per year, and set a date for a spring Mozart Festival. 

Soon after, the Arkansas Music Teachers Association (ASMTA) accepted NAMTA as a local affiliate. 

The teachers of NAMTA have actively provided various avenues for student performance, musical enrichment,  and personal growth in deeper understanding of music through the study of history, theory, and musicianship.  NAMTA currently sponsors the Sonata-Sonatina Celebration in the fall,  the ASMTA regional festival in the spring, and various recitals and events throughout the school year. 

As teachers participating in these events with our students, we have watched our students become challenged and motivated in their commitment  to the study of music.  It has been our joy year after year to view their development and their increased love of music.