This month our spotlight is shining on a piano teacher who has reached Teacher Laureate status in our Hall of Fame. Diane Perett of Arlington, Virginia, is one of only a few teachers who have reached twenty years of teaching with MusicLink. She said, "I was thrilled to be one of the pilot teachers when MusicLink was launched in Northern Virginia. Although I had grown up in a middle class family with the advantages of excellent private instruction and even music camp in the summers, I had also been aware of the ways my public school vocal music teacher in our central Kansas town made sure the musically gifted students without means could still thrive, and I wanted to follow her example.

"My first MusicLink student was a fifth grade beginning piano student, daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, who loved music and worked very hard to "catch up" with other students her age in my studio who had been studying with me much longer. She was a joy at both weekly private and monthly team lessons. Soon, excited by our experiences teaching with MusicLink, my colleague Martha Smith and I co-wrote an article for The American Music Teacher to encourage other teachers to get involved with the program.

"Since that time, except for the years I was living overseas due to my husband's career, I have always been teaching at least one MusicLink student. Not only has it been rewarding to see their skills and love of music grow, but it has been illuminating for me to learn about their cultures.

"I am thankful that Joanne had the vision and organization and trust to make MusicLink a continually resounding success."