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Association brings together B.C. music teachers

"Our members are all highly qualified and experienced teachers of music," says Victoria Warfield, president of the Richmond branch of the B.C. Registered Music Teachers' Association (BCRMTA).
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"Our members are all highly qualified and experienced teachers of music," says Victoria Warfield, president of the Richmond branch of the B.C. Registered Music Teachers' Association (BCRMTA). "They have a recognized university degree or diploma, have a level of experience as a teacher in their musical discipline, and have shown a measure of success in the examination and competition processes."

Created in 1947 by an act of the B.C. legislature, the BCRMTA is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 1,000 independent, private music teachers across the province.

"Our Richmond branch is coming up to our 50th anniversary in 2021," Miss Warfield notes. "We have one of the largest branches in the province with over 100 members."

The BCRMTA works to support music teachers, many of whom would otherwise work in isolation. It also provides a central location for parents and students looking for a music teacher who has been recognized as achieving high educational and teaching standards in their field.

For the qualified teacher of woodwinds, strings, voice, or piano the BCRMTA offers a host of benefits, including:

1.     Educational opportunities

"At the Richmond branch, we bring in professionals each month to offer seminars on a variety of topics," Miss Warfield explains.

Seminars might focus on new teaching methods, performance anxiety, teaching special needs students, or preparing students for performances or competitions.

"The monthly meetings also provide an avenue for our music teachers to network. Playing and teaching an instrument can be a solitary activity. It's always helpful to commune with a group of like people."

2.     Insurance

As with many professional organizations, the BCRMTA is able to offer its members group and discounted rates on studio and personal insurance.

3.     Student performance recitals

"One of the unique things we offer at the Richmond branch," Miss Warfield says, "is the opportunity for music teachers to have their students perform in the community up to ten times in a year."

In addition to local performances, students of registered music teachers can also enter provincial and national competitions for music writing, performance, and theory.

4.     Scholarship awards

"We have a number of annual scholarship awards and medals for the highest exam results in each session," Miss Warfield notes.

Awarded in May, scholarships include the areas of both music theory and performance. 

For more information about the BCRMTA and its many membership benefits, or to join the Richmond branch, call 604.268.9559, email, or visit the website. BCRMTA's Richmond branch can also be found on Facebook.