About Kathryn

Kathryn B. Hull

I've been a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) since the 1960's. This trade association now has approximately 25,000 members and offers an annual conference, ongoing education, a monthly magazine, business services support, and national and state certification to its members.

I like to serve in volunteer capacities because I feel it’s important to give back. I served four years as a Director on MTNA’s Executive Board, four years as Treasurer, two years as Southwest Division Coordinator and two years as Vice President for Professional Activities.

The California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) is the state affiliate of MTNA. I was a charter member of CAPMT when it was founded in 1968 and served two terms as President and two terms as Treasurer, among other offices.

Locally, I served two terms as President on the Music Teachers of the Desert (a local chapter of MTNA). I’ve taught music classes in K-6 schools and was on the music faculty at the College of the Desert.

I’ve been involved in many other activities related to music and the arts that I’ve been passionate about. Here are some:

 

  • I’m the composer of and was music director/conductor for five stage musicals presented in Hollywood – “Hudson Taylor in China,” “Henrietta,” “He Ain’t Done Right by Nell,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.” The last two productions received the Golden Halo Award for excellence from the Southern California Motion Picture Council. It was a joy to be a part of these.

 

  • I was manager of the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition (now the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition) and also served as a judge in its early years. Winning pianists receive cash awards and performance awards, some of which have launched their careers.

 

  • I was a co-founder of The Associates of Brand Library Art Center in Glendale – the largest music library west of the Mississippi – and through the local music teacher’s organization, I helped obtain a new Grotrian‑Steinway grand piano as a donation for the library’s new concert hall. My daughter, Laurice, was one of the first to perform on it in a recital sponsored by the Glendale Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California.

 

  • I founded the Glendale Regional Arts Council in 1974 and after serving on the Board of Directors for twelve years, I then served as Executive Director for eight years. This was an organization that gave me a lot of satisfaction. We presented mini-concerts in public places, raised funds for and managed arts programs in the community and schools, and I advised the City of Glendale on cultural development.

 

  • I founded the Glendale Youth Orchestra that provides learning and performance opportunities for students in grades 6-9.

 

  • I organized a series of music concerts for the City of Rancho Mirage at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and it is a continuing series in the City. As a commissioner for the City of La Quinta from 1992 to 2000, I was Chair of the Cultural Arts Commission. I left the Commission to form the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance in 2000 and was its founding president. I was a founding director of The Steinway Society of Riverside County, serving as Secretary and then President.

 

  • There was little classical music in the desert when I moved here. So in 1994 I founded Encore! which presents professional and young award-winning artists in concert in private homes in the desert communities of Palm Springs. I bring musicians from all over the world here for concerts in salon settings. This has been my latest passion but I have since discontinued this program.

 

Kathryn B. Hull, NCTM