The SMTA offers a variety of grants to provide financial assistance to its member teachers, including support to attend conferences and trainings, teach low-income students, purchase studio equipment, and pursue NCTM (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) certification. Descriptions and application dates for the 2023-2024 season are below.
Dorothy Woodcock Safe and Sound Grant
Chair: Sandra Layman
Application window opens December 1 for new applicants, and February 1 for returning applicants. Application deadline is June 1, 2024.
The Dorothy Woodcock fund is giving grants of up to $100 per person for pandemic related tools and teaching supplies. This grant is intended for SMTA members who need assistance upgrading their setup in order to retain students and to find more ease in their work. Members will only receive one grant, and may not apply more than one time.
Below is a list of items that make a big difference in the comfort, quality, and safety of teaching both online and in person during these times. SMTA members are available to provide technical support if you have questions about upgrading your setup.
Sound/Technology Tools:
Zoom pro account
Software subscriptions
Microphones
Cameras
Headphones
Audio interface/mixers
Tripods and camera accessories
Mic stands
Ring light/lighting improvements
USB hubs
Office chair and ergonomic support
Bluelight filtering screen protector or glasses
Safety Tools:
Masks and face shields
Plexiglass
Cleaning supplies
Air purifier
Hand sanitizer
Thermometer
Application Information:
Click here to fill out the short application form: Safe and Sound Grant Application
Contact the SMTA office for questions or more information.
The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award
In 2019, Seattle Music Teachers Association launched The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award, named in honor of the Sonatina Festival’s Founder. The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award is $750, and alternates between WSMTA member composer/teachers, and students of WSMTA members. Click here for more information about the award.
The works are judged anonymously by a panel of SMTA members, who will choose one composer. The new sonatina will be presented at The Marsha Wright Sonatina Festival in April, 2022. The Festival is supported by a generous gift from Dorothy Woodcock.
Previous Award Winners:
2019: Katie Levine, WSMTA composer/teacher
2020: Rachael S. Kim, student of WSMTA teacher Sharon Van Valin
2021: Liz Nedela, WSMTA composer/teacher
2022: Jeanne Park, student of WSMTA teacher Sharon Van Valin
2023: Nathan Campbell, WSMTA composer/teacher
MusicLink Teachers Stipend
Chair: Amanda Snell
The Dorothy Woodcock MusicLink Teachers Stipends supports the SMTA values of access and widespread availability of music instruction expressed in our Vision and Mission. The MusicLink Foundation is a national non-profit that links promising music students experiencing financial need with qualified music teachers willing to teach them at up to half of their normal fee.
SMTA teachers registered through MusicLink with active MusicLink student(s) may apply for an annual $600 teaching stipend to support their outreach and commitment to teach students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to take music lessons. For more information about MusicLink visit www.musiclinkfoundation.org.
Five $600 Teachers Stipends will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis to SMTA teachers who are registered through MusicLink and actively teaching students registered through MusicLink. Teachers are eligible for one stipend per year regardless of how many MusicLink students they are teaching. Teachers must have taught their MusicLink student(s) for a minimum of 3 months in order to be eligible for this stipend.
Application Process
Complete every section of the application in order to qualify.
The application period opens November 1st at 8:00am and closes when funds are exhausted.
No applications accepted prior to 8:00am on November 1st.
Please apply as early as possible as these stipends will go fast.
Stipends are awarded on a first-come first-served basis, except that preference is given to those applying for the first time. The balance will be awarded to teachers who received the stipend in previous years and have applied again this year.
You may not apply until you have registered with MusicLink.
Teachers are eligible for one stipend per year regardless of how many MusicLink students they are teaching. Please complete every section of the application in order to qualify.
National Certification Grant
Chair: Karin McCullough
Application Period: July 1 – June 30
Encouraging and supporting SMTA teachers in obtaining their National Certification is a priority for SMTA. For this reason, we offer five $100 Stipends to teachers who complete their Certification during the current fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). In addition, WSMTA offers $100 grants to teachers once they apply for Certification, so the entire process ends up costing successful applicants nothing but their time.
Teacher Education Grant
Chair: Katie Levine
The Dorothy Woodcock Teacher Education Grant assists teachers financially to attend workshops, lectures, master classes, or other learning situations. Excluded are degree programs and MTNA or affiliate sponsored programs or events. Grants are given for up to $150 per teacher per year for one event. Each grant is awarded after attendance as a reimbursement for some of the expense. Requests can be made throughout the fiscal year; the annual deadline for requests is June 1. There is a limit to the number of grants awarded annually.
Conference Attendance Grants
Co-chairs: Kathy Mortensen and RoseMarie Tamburri
To encourage participation in State and District conferences, the SMTA Board of Directors approved $1500 to help defray the registration fee for members who wish to attend. The grant is for half of the early-bird registration fee, or half the registration fee if there is no early-bird option. Grant requests must be made at least one week prior to the conference and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out the short application, and then send RoseMarie Tamburri and Kathy Mortensen a copy of the receipt that lists your mailing address.
Requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the $1500 allotment is filled.