2023-2025
The State Board of Directors is elected biannually by voting members of MTAC. These dedicated volunteers work closely to govern the organization with MTAC State Program Chairs and Committees, as well as the State Office staff.
Janice Bastin, President
Janice holds a BA in Music from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College and served on their music faculty for classroom and piano instruction for 13 years. In addition to private teaching and performance engagements, Janice is Worship Arts Team Assistant at CrossPoint Church, Huntington Beach. Personal studies include Taubman technique and jazz accompaniment. Janice is the Orange County West Branch Piano Solo Competition Chair, Convention Recognition/Branch Honors Recitals Co-Chair, and Newsletter Editor. Past branch duties include CM Chair, Membership Chair, Recording Secretary, and Director. On the State Board Janice has served as Director 1 and 1st Vice President.
Dr. Margaret Perry, First Vice President
Dr. Margaret Perry is an Associate Professor of Practice in Piano at the University of the Pacific. She teaches group piano and piano pedagogy in the Conservatory of Music and private lessons for Pacific’s Community Music School. Margaret received a BM degree in piano performance and pedagogy and MM in piano performance from Brigham Young University. She completed a DMA in piano performance at the University of Arizona.
Margaret served two terms as President of the MTAC San Joaquin County Branch. She has also held the office of Recording Secretary. She currently served on the State Board as 1st Director and is now 1st Vice President.
Chutaphin Yeager, Second Vice President
Chutaphin received a Bachelor of Music Education from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand and a Master of Arts in Piano Pedagogy from San Diego State University. She has taught both group and private lessons at the SDSU Community Music School since 1997 and at her studio. Chutaphin served on the MTAC San Diego Branch as Director, Membership Secretary and 2nd Vice President. Along with serving as Coordinator of the San Diego CM Team to oversee the set-up logistics at the evaluation sites. She is currently serving as co-chair of the Popular Music Festival as well as served as the 3rd director of the 2021-2023 State Board of Directors.
Jeanette Dreifuerst, Treasurer
Jeanette Dreifuerst received a Bachelor of Music Education from West Texas A &s; M University and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She studied German and Music Pedagogy at the Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich, Germany while studying piano with Susanne Schemann. She taught in Catholic and public school systems for several years as well as teaching piano and violin privately for over 30 years.. Jeanette has served the Contra Costa County Branch MTAC as Recording Secretary and Branch President and the last several years as Co-Chair of the branch’s annual Baroque Festival. She is honored to have serve as Recording Secretary on the 2021-2023 MTAC State Board of Directors.
Michael Eldridge, Recording Secretary
Michael received a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, and a second Master of Music in Music Theory and Composition from Northern Illinois University. He has taught at university and has been teaching piano privately for over thirty years. Michael is a member of the Santa Clara County Branch of MTAC and has served as Branch President, Treasurer and Director, and has served on the state CM Council. He served as a CM Evaluator for several years.
Robin Clary, Membership Secretary
Robin has a B.A. in music from California State University, Northridge. She studied with renowned concert pianist Francoise Regnat, as well as Dr. Eleanor Russell, an expert in Baroque styling. She started as a student member of the MTAC Conejo Valley Branch in 1972, and eventually served their board in many capacities. She is a current member of the MTAC Sierra Branch and served as Branch President for six years. Along with teaching privately, Robin is an adjudicator for MTAC, CAPMT, and the National Piano Guild.
Alicia Ellsworth, Director 1
Alicia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in piano from Brigham Young University. She worked in the performing arts department at Bakersfield High School for 12 years and now, mainly teaches private Piano and Harp lessons from her home studio. Alicia is a member of the Kern Branch of MTAC and has served on the Branch Board as Secretary and currently as Treasurer. She has been a Certificate of Merit Evaluator for both Piano and Harp for many years.
Kate Rubke-Foxworth, Director 2
Kate Rubke-Foxworth joined the MTAC over 15 years ago, mentored by the late Phyllis Eddleman. Her first experience with the organization was as a piano student of Michi Swanson. Kate continued her musical studies in college, receiving a MM in Voice from University of Redlands and currently teaches privately.
She served the Riverside County Branch MTAC board as President and as branch CM and VOCE chairperson. Kate has evaluated for CM and judged for VOCE and festivals.
Kate is also a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing and enjoys leading music as a substitute church musician.
William Wellwood, Director 3
William received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the Yale School of Music, and a Doctorate of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Southern California. He has been teaching clarinet and coaching chamber music in the Los Angeles area for many years, while working as a freelancing clarinetist throughout Southern California. William is a charter member of the San Gabriel Valley Branch of MTAC for which he has served as Secretary, CM Chair, VOCE Chair and President. He is recently served as 1st Director on the State Board of Directors.
Advisor to the State Board
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