PRESIDENT

Pianist Akina Yura has been heard in concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and her native Japan both as a soloist and chamber musician. Her CD, Mutsuo Shishido Complete Works for Piano (MSR Classics), has been hailed by critics as “first rate” and “fantastic playing… full of sensitive nuances” [American Record Guide]. With her D.M.A. in Keyboard Performance and cognate in Piano Pedagogy, Yura serves on the piano faculty at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Union College. She also maintains a small private studio in Niskayuna, NY, where she teaches pre-college pianists.

VICE PRESIDENT

Anny Yin, NCTM, holds a Master’s degree in Music from Shandong Arts University. A nationally certified teacher, she is recognized by RCM, MTNA, and ABRSM. Before moving to the U.S. in 2009, she taught at Shanghai University and Tom Lee Music. Now based in Clifton Park and Saratoga, Anny maintains a thriving private studio. Her students actively participate in competitions, festivals, and exams, earning numerous honors. She is passionate about helping students reach their musical goals and currently serves as Vice President of the New York State Music Teachers Association (NYSMTA) District 6.

TREASURER

Yvonne is a Certified Teacher with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, UK with over 30 years’ experience. She taught in Singapore where her students underwent the rigorous ABRSM program and some gained admission into Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Gifted Young Pianist Program. She also ran a music program at the prestigious Raffles Girls’ School. She finally settled in upstate New York and had been busy homeschooling her 3 sons. Yvonne enjoys working with students of different ages. She seeks to provide them with a firm foundation in the art of piano playing and cultivate a holistic appreciation for music.

PAST PRESIDENT

Meg Bassinson is a private piano teacher with a full studio in Delmar. She graduated from Michigan State University where she studied piano, theory, and composition. She has performed in Top 40 and jazz bands and accompanied instrumentalists, soloists, and church choirs. She is a past president and current member of NYSMTA District 6 and a member of the Etude Club, a group of women who perform chamber music.

Pianist, accompanist, and educator, Megan Glikes, enjoys working with musicians and students of all ages. Megan is currently an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Schenectady and maintains a private studio in Albany and Colonie. She was previously adjunct faculty at Lone Star College and Houston Community College (Houston, T.X.), and Roberts Wesleyan University (Rochester, N.Y.). Megan is also the Music Director at Lisha’s Kill Reformed Church. A native of Troy, N.Y., Megan earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from UNC-Greensboro in 2012. She and her husband, Brian, live in Albany with their two daughters. 

Susanna Kyaruns was born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Susanna went to a Specialized Music School under Moscow Conservatory at the age of 5. She Graduated Turkmen National Conservatory performance department and The College of Saint Rose music education. Her teaching career began in 2007. She became a member of the Certificate of Merit of California and an active member of MTNA. By using her extended theory knowledge and multicultural music background, she has developed her own teaching style. Susanna has an established private school named Susanna Kyaruns Piano Lab Academy where students are encouraged to participate in music competitions, recitals and talent shows.

Mary Moran earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music. She pursued further study of the Taubman Approach for Piano Performance with Dorothy Taubman and Edna Golandsky.  In 2003 she co-founded the Golandsky Institute to bring solutions to tension and other playing-related problems to the musical community.  Mary is active as a lecturer and speaker, and has spoken at colleges and universities in California, Oregon, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey. She mentors teachers all over the US, and in Canada, Australia and Hong Kong.  Mary is a master teacher of the Taubman Approach and the author of Basic Alignment & Rotation.