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Who We Are

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Our Purpose

Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico is the New Mexico affiliate of Music Teachers National Association, founded in 1876. We are teachers – of piano, voice, strings, winds, guitar, and more – working in private studios, schools, and universities across the state.

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PMTNM was formed in 1951 as the New Mexico Music Teachers Association, founded by Byrdis W. Danfelser, who served as its first president. In 1998 the name was changed to Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico, Inc. We are a nonprofit organization, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since July 1981.

PMTNM exists to advance music teaching as a profession and music study as a part of life in New Mexico. Specifically, we work to:

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  • promote the music teaching profession through certification, public awareness, and teacher education

  • support students through auditions, competitions, scholarships, local projects, and school credit

  • advance music in American culture through programs, scholarships, and composer commissions

  • encourage people of every age to take up the study of music

National Affiliation

As the state affiliate of Music Teachers National Association, PMTNM belongs to the MTNA Southwest Division alongside Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Membership in PMTNM includes membership in MTNA, with access to national certification, competitions, and the American Music Teacher journal.

How We're Organized

New Mexico is divided into six districts, each represented by a District Vice President. Officers are elected annually at the state conference, and the association is governed by an Executive Committee and a Board of Directors under bylaws adopted by the membership.​​

Local Music Teachers Associations

The district associations below are affiliated with PMTNM and MTNA. 

Albuquerque Music Teachers Association

AMTA is a large organization of almost 50 members, offering several annual student programs, including:

Northern New Mexico Music Teachers Association

NNMMTA covers the Santa Fe/Los Alamos/White Rock/Espanola/Taos/Las Vegas area. The organization offers several annual student programs, including:

  • Honors Auditions

  • MTNA Competitions

  • Performance Evaluation Program (PEP)

  • Sonata Contest

  • Halloween Masquerade Musicale

  • Spring Musicales

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Music Teachers of Eastern New Mexico

MTENM works closely with colleges and universities in Eastern New Mexico, including Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in Portales, New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces, and other regional institutions. These partnerships enable them to:

  • Host joint professional development workshops and conferences

  • Provide mentorship opportunities connecting university students with experienced teachers

  • Offer student teaching observation and internship opportunities

  • Facilitate connections between music education students and potential employers

  • Share resources and best practices between academic and private studio settings

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Eastern New Mexico's proximity to Texas creates unique opportunities for cross-border collaboration and regional networking. MTENM actively engages with music teacher associations and educational communities in neighboring Texas regions to expand opportunities for their members.

MTNA Collegiate Chapter

Collegiate Chapter of UNM

The MTNA Collegiate Chapter of UNM was chartered in 2025. Their major accomplishment was establishing the Santa Fe International Piano Competition with the help of chapter advisor Dr. Falko Steinbach. First-place winners in 2026 receive a scholarship and travel expenses to participate in the International Lindlar Klavier Festival in Lindlar, Germany. Chapter members also volunteered at the 2025 PMTNM conference.

Scholarships and Funds

PMTNM administers several funds established by members and families to support students and teachers across New Mexico.

 

Byrdis W. Danfelser Piano Scholarship 

For piano students from grade school through high school whose teacher is a PMTNM member. Presented at the annual state conference.

 

Janet Spangenberg Weed Memorial Scholarship 

For students in piano, voice, and other instruments, established by her children in her memory.

 

Joyce Walker Student Foundation (no application needed)

Established in 1980, providing awards to students who have won PMTNM and MTNA competitions.

 

PMTNM Memorial Outreach Fund (awarded by simple written request for an outreach project)

Tax-deductible gifts made in memory or in honor of someone, supporting music outreach programs.

 

PMTNM Student Travel Fund (no application needed)

Grants to MTNA competition winners toward preparing a video for Division (MTNA's second round) and travel to National auditions (finals).


Contributions to these funds are tax-deductible.

PMTNM Board 2025 - 2026

Laura Spitzer

President

Sam Jacobs

Vice President

Successor TBD

Executive Secretary/Treasurer

Sharon Kunitz

Past President

 District Vice-Presidents

Tatyana Bayliyeva

Central

Position open

Southeast

Wendy Ge

Northeast I

Dr. Yoshiko Arahata

Southwest

Lori Dawkins

Northeast II

Position open

Northwest

Committee Chairs

Advertising Manager

Position open
 

Archives

Position open
 

Awareness and Advocacy

Laura Spitzer
 

Budget

Successor TBD

 

College Faculty Forum

Marina Bengoa Roldán
 

Collegiate Chapters

Falko Steinbach
 

Commissioned Composer

Elizabeth Garland
 

Handbook

Laura Spitzer

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Joyce Walker Student Foundation

Cindy Walker

Music Bowl

Terri Reck
 

MTNA Competitions, Composition

Dr. Yoshiko Arahata
 

MTNA Competitions, Performance

Tatyana Bayliyeva
 

MTNA Foundation

Sam Jacobs
 

PEP

Janna Warren
 

Scholarships

Laura Spitzer
 

Segue Editor

Cheryl Pachak-Brooks
 

State Honors Auditions

Melinda Moore
 

Website

Laura Spitzer

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