Dear CAPMT Members,

It is an honor and privilege to be chosen as President for the 2021-2023 term. 

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Wendi Kirby for her leadership in the past two years.  I am also very appreciative of the work by the event chairs, and district/chapter presidents who have dedicated their time and energy.  I am looking forward to working with the new board members, event chairs, and district/chapter presidents.  Thank you for your willingness to serve.

We are hopeful our student programs, competitive and non-competitive, will tentatively be in-person following state safety protocol guidelines.  We are monitoring the environment carefully and are ready to move these programs online, if necessary.

Our upcoming hybrid conference will be in-person at California State University Fresno and Online on Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16, 2021.  The theme for the conference is “Recovery & Renewal: Music Moving Forward” with guest artists Piano Duo Ran Dank and Soyeon Kate Lee.  

I hope to see you at the conference!

Mona Wu DeCesare, President

Amy Stephens, Commissioned Composer

Pianist Amy Stephens is an award-winning Third Stream and jazz composer. Her solo piano works include Scenes of San Francisco and Becoming: Suite for Solo Piano. She has recorded several albums of her jazz ensemble compositions with her critically acclaimed quartet, Amy Stephens Group. 

Teaching privately since 1993, Amy is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. Amy earned two Bachelors, a Masters, and Performer’s Certificate in classical & jazz piano from Indiana University. Her jazz and classical mentors include David N. Baker, Lynne Arriale, Luke Gillespie, Marius Nordal, and Evelyne Brancart. Amy also enjoys serving as a clinician and evaluator for festivals and adjudications. She loves living in San Francisco and exploring the coast with her family. 

For recordings and scores: www.amystephens.com

Amy’s ‘Scenes of San Francisco: Suite for Solo Piano’ was filmed at home while studios were closed during quarantine and is dedicated to SF’s essential workers.