MTNA Celebrates 150 Years
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) announces the celebration of its 150th anniversary, commemorating a century and a half of advancing music teaching and music making in the U.S. Founded in 1876, MTNA has grown into the largest and longest-running professional music teachers’ association in the country, uniting thousands of independent and collegiate teachers, performers, and scholars in a shared mission to enrich lives through music.
That legacy takes center stage March 21–25, 2026, as MTNA gathers in one of America’s great cultural capitals. The 2026 MTNA National Conference will be held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago—a fitting setting for a milestone celebration honoring the past and shaping the future of the profession.
“The relationship with the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile and MTNA has been one of collaboration, excellence, and shared success,” says Willie Clay, senior sales executive at the host venue. “The hotel’s dedicated tenured staff, meeting spaces, and prime location on Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile set the stage for a memorable event.”
MTNA’s flagship event, the annual national conference is five days of transformative performances, masterclasses, research presentations, pedagogy workshops, competition finals, and meaningful connection. In honor of the sesquicentennial, special programming will reflect on MTNA’s rich history while casting a bold vision for the next century of music teaching, learning, and making.
Headlining artists include acclaimed jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, internationally celebrated pianist Angela Hewitt, and conductor and PBS host Scott Yoo. Along with more than 100 educational sessions and a dynamic exhibit hall, the conference will offer inspiration and practical tools for today’s music educators.
“Since 1876, music teachers have gathered under MTNA’s banner to exchange ideas, challenge one another to higher standards, and celebrate the profound impact of our work,” says Brian Shepard, MTNA CEO. “Our 150th anniversary conference is a testament to the strength and resilience of our profession, and this gathering embodies the very best of who we are. As we honor our history, we also recommit ourselves to ensuring music education and the teachers who champion it thrive in every community.”
About MTNA:
MTNA is a nonprofit organization of independent and collegiate music teachers committed to furthering the art of music through teaching, performance, composition, and scholarly research. Founded in 1876, MTNA is the oldest professional music teacher association in the United States.
Website - www.mtna.org.