Board of Directors
President
João Paulo Casarotti
Vice President
James L. Heuser
Treasurer
Radmila Stojanovic Kiriluk
Secretary
Michele Adler Cohen
Social Media
Michael Zheng
Music Teachers Online Beginnings
In recent years, there has been a notable and growing interest in online music instruction among teachers, fueled by advances in technology and a desire for more flexible and accessible teaching methods. Recognizing this trend and the evolving needs of music educators, the ASMTA Board made it a priority to support professional development in this area. Guided by the Board’s leadership and initial vision, the idea of creating an online music teacher association began to take shape. This concept was further developed through a series of collaborative meetings and the dedicated efforts of a group of passionate and forward-thinking teachers. The Music Teachers Online (MTO) association was officially approved on March 28, 2025, by the MTNA Board.
We are a local affiliate of the Arizona State Music Teachers Association ASMTA and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
The Music Teachers Online is led by a group of dedicated and passionate educators whose inspiring leadership is already making a meaningful impact, empowering teachers to reach new heights in music education. With this strong foundation, we are ready now to share our vision with music educators across the United States—no matter where they live.
Bylaws
BY-LAWS of the MUSIC TEACHERS ONLINE ASSOCIATION (MTO), affiliated with MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
The name of this organization shall be the Music Teachers Online (MTO) affiliated with ASMTA and with Music Teachers National Association, Inc. (MTNA), Cincinnati, Ohio, a Code Section 501(c)(3) organization.
Section 1. The purpose of the Music Teachers Online (MTO) is to create opportunities for the advancement of musical knowledge, support professional development, encourage collaboration, and promote ongoing education by organizing online meetings, workshops, and various activities.
Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any individual.
Section 1. Membership classifications in this Music Teachers Online chapter shall be: Active, Retired, Student, and Patron. All members of this Music Teachers Online chapter (except patrons) shall hold membership in the ASMTA and the MTNA.
A. Active membership is open to all persons professionally engaged in any field of musical activity who are members of ASMTA and MTNA associations. Such membership provides the privileges of voting, holding office, and participating in the activities of the Association.
B. Retired Membership is open to those who have been active members for at least 20 continuous years, are age 65 or greater and are essentially retired from teaching. A member must send written notice to the MTNA executive director for this class of membership to be activated. Retired members may vote, but cannot hold elective office at the division or national levels or enter students in MTNA competitions. A retired member must also be a member of ASMTA association.
C. Student membership is open to any student of music subject to membership regulations of the ASMTA and MTNA associations. Student members may attend all meetings of the Association, can be appointed by the president to a committee and become voting members.
D. Patron membership shall be individuals, organizations, institutions, or business firms wishing to support the association and its activities. They shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in activities. Dues are paid to the Music Teachers Online (MTO) association. No membership in the ASMTA and the MTNA is required.
Section 2. Annual dues will be established by the Executive Board and approved by the members. Dues are delinquent June 30 for active members, September 30 for collegiate members, after which time members are not in good standing or entitled to any of the privileges of membership until dues are paid for the current membership year.
Section 3. The membership year shall be the same as the MTNA fiscal year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30 for active members; the collegiate membership year begins October 1 and ends September 30.
Section 4. A person’s membership may be revoked for cause, other than nonpayment of dues, by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the Board of Directors. The vote for revocation shall occur only after the member complained against has been advised of the complaint so lodged and has been given reasonable opportunity to present information on his or her behalf. Such members, if membership is revoked, may appeal for reconsideration of the decision by the Board. In no event will a dues refund be given. Revocation of membership for nonpayment of dues within the prescribed time period shall be automatic and not subject to any further procedure.
Section 1. The officers of the Association shall be: President, 1st Vice-President/President Elect, 2nd Vice President of Chapter Activities, Secretary, and Treasurer. All are voting members.
A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, and the Executive Board, shall appoint all standing and special committees with the approval of the Executive Board, and shall perform such other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association. The President shall attend all State Board meetings or appoint a representative to attend instead.
B. The 1st Vice-President/President Elect shall assume all duties of the President in the absence of that officer and shall perform such other duties as may be designated by the President and/or Executive Board or prescribed by the parliamentary authority of the association. The 1st Vice‐President/President Elect will assist the President and work with chairpersons of areas not directly designated as student activities. The 1st Vice-President/President Elect, upon completion of designated term of office, will become President of the Association.
C. The 2nd Vice President of Chapter Activities shall preside in the absence of the President and President elect. The 2nd Vice-President should plan activities and coordinate the duties of chairpersons for all student activities.
D. The Immediate Past President shall attend all Board meetings, act as Chair of the Nominating Committee, serve as an advisory resource, and act as Parliamentarian according to Robert's Rules of Order – Newly Revised.
E. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Executive Board and shall take roll and provide the minutes of previous Board meetings.
F. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the payment of all bills authorized by the Association, shall keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, shall prepare an annual budget, and shall present reports to the Association as requested.
Section 2. Each officer shall be elected for a two-year term of office and shall serve until their successor assumes office. The term of office shall begin at the end of the last meeting within the fiscal year, and end upon the installation of the next officer. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, except the office of treasurer.
Section 1. A nominating Committee of three members shall be elected by the members or Executive Board, or appointed by the president at the annual meeting, which is the last meeting of each fiscal year, to serve for the ensuing year. The nominating committee shall announce a slate of one candidate for each office at the meeting preceding the annual meeting. Before the election of officers at the annual meeting, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.
Section 2. Officers shall be elected by ballot, except in the event of only one nominee for an office in which case the presiding officer may declare the nominee elected by acclamation.
Section 3. A vacancy in any office, except that of President, shall be filled for the unexpired term by presidential appointment and approval by the Executive Board. A President-elect, appointed in this manner, cannot assume the office of President unless elected to the office in the same manner as the other officers.
Section 4. Any officer shall cease to hold office upon termination of membership, or may be removed from office by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a regularly scheduled meeting. Such action may be taken when it appears evident that an officer has been or is unable to serve or is otherwise unqualified.
Section 1. The Executive Board shall be President, 1st Vice-President/President Elect, 2nd Vice President of Chapter Activities, Secretary, and Treasurer and Immediate Past-President.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the association between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the association, and perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the association, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the association.
Section 3. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held as needed, or at the request of a majority of the Board.
Section 4. Minutes of the Executive Board meeting shall be read at the next regular meeting of the Association.
Section 5. Action taken by unanimous written consent of the Executive Board members via mail, or electronic transmission, shall be a valid action of the Board. Such actions of the Board shall be preserved and reported in the minutes.
Section 1. Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board and/or members to facilitate and accomplish the work of the association.
Section 2. Other committees, such as task forces or special committees, may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board and/or members to facilitate and accomplish the work of the association.Section 3. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.
Section 1. Regular meetings of the association will be held online at such time as are decided upon by the Executive Board of the Association, but they shall be guided by the wishes of the membership.
Section 2. Annual meetings of the association will be held at the regular meeting designated as the annual meeting by the Executive Board. The election of officers, annual reports of officers and committees, and any other business that may arise will take place at this meeting.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board or upon the written request of one quarter of the members. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.
Section 4. One quarter of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
If a quorum is not in attendance at a meeting where a vote is to be taken, an electronic ballot will be distributed to the membership after the meeting in order to meet that quorum.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, any special rules of order the association may adopt, or a higher-level rule, i.e. the state or national association.
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
Section 2. All amendments must be consistent with Article II of the Bylaws and a copy of the same must be sent to the MTNA National Office.