By Kristine Milbrandt

WAVERLY, Iowa — Dr. Suzanne Torkelson has been chosen as director-elect of the Music Teachers National Association from the West Central division.

Torkelson, professor of piano at Wartburg College, said she is “honored to be elected by the West Central members.” She will become the first Wartburg member of the national board and the first West Central director from Iowa in 20 years.

The election results were announced March 27 in New York City during MTNA’s annual conference. As director-elect, Torkelson will serve on the 2012-14 membership committee and the 2014-16 board of directors.

With approximately 20,000 members, MTNA is the largest association and certifying body for music teachers of individual lessons. The MTNA national board is divided into seven divisions, each with a director serving under the national president. 

“The MTNA provides conferences at the state and national levels with peer-reviewed sessions and competitions for advanced students,” Torkelson said. “There are also competitions and festivals at the state and local level for all students, and monthly programs at the local level.”

Torkelson said the MTNA hopes to expand memberships and offerings to independent music teachers.

“It also is expanding support for collegiate teachers of applied lessons and programs for college students planning to begin a career as an independent music teachers,” she added.

Torkelson has been an MTNA member since 1987. She previously served as the Iowa organization’s president from 1993 to 1995, the West Central division competition chair from 1998 to 2001 and an official accompanist for the MTNA West Central Competitions since 1997.

In 1996 Torkelson received the MTNA Iowa organization’s Distinguished Service award. She was named Certified Teacher of the Year in 2002 and received the Outstanding Service Award at the national level in 2009.