April, 2021

Our first teacher spotlight of 2021 is shining on Judy Zylstra who has taught piano for over 35 years. Judy said, "Having grown up oldest of 5 siblings in a family with limited financial means, I have a heart for those who want to study piano but need financial assistance. Band was out of the question since those instruments were expensive – and produced too much noise! – so I sang in school choirs and my siblings and I did take piano lessons from a local teacher who lived 2 blocks from our elementary school. We were able to walk to her home during our school lunch hour once a week, have our lesson and walk back. This saved money by not driving into town and back. The piano we had to learn on was not in good condition, either. As a good sight-reader I was bored and quit lessons in 7th grade, began playing for our church in 8th grade, listened to the older girls accompany the choir and took the music home to learn it myself. I began accompanying the high school choirs as well. I attended a small private college, the first in our family to go to college, and took piano lessons there but was still not challenged. I was married after receiving an AA degree and worked to support his college years.

"As my husband is a minister, we moved several times. In Wisconsin I played at the church and began taking lessons again from a wonderful teacher who was knowledgeable, motivating and challenged me. During this time, I was asked to teach piano to some local children but declined as I did not have training. I eventually gave in and suddenly had about 20 students each week. I found I enjoyed this and was good at teaching. I returned to college part-time when we moved to Michigan to work toward a music degree. When we moved to Minnesota (where we lived for 22 years) I continued teaching private lessons while raising our two children, helping with churchwork, and finished my college work. I usually had a studio of about 40 as well as some private students at a nearby community college. It was in Minnesota that I began to participate in MusicLink when credit was given toward recertification in MMTA for teaching a student registered in MusicLink. I had already been giving "discounted" lessons to families with financial limitations, so this program was great to find. I have had several MusicLink students over the years and each family has been so grateful for the financial help through this program. I currently have 7 students enrolled in MusicLink and will continue to use this program."

"I have lived for six years now in Villa Grove, IL, teaching private lessons to about 30 students. In every community I have also enjoyed accompanying and being part of music in the schools, colleges, community theatre, as well as many community events, having helped start some ongoing community music opportunities. I have Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, and Master of Music degrees from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and am a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Currently member of MTNA, ISMTA (Illinois State Music Teachers Association), Champaign/Urbana MTA, Orpheus Club (Bloomington/Normal, IL), IFMC (Illinois Federation of Music Clubs), NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs). I have been a very active member of local and state organizations in both Minnesota and Illinois."