Continue your music journey with us.
The DAMTA Fall and Spring Courses are a long-established (47-year!) annual series designed to bring together music teachers, students, and community-minded musicians to learn, connect, and grow. It offers a rich and varied program — from piano pedagogy to choral leadership to community outreach and inclusive teaching — with flexible attendance, reasonable pricing (or free for students), and group discounts. It is especially valuable if you teach music, run a studio, or are involved in community/music education in the Denver area.
2026 Fall Course Theme:
Beyond the Lesson:
The Mind, Body & Business of Music Teacher Wellness
Teaching music is more than what happens during the lesson—it is a profession that asks us to care for our minds, bodies, creative lives, and businesses.
Beyond the lesson: The mind, body, & business of music teacher wellness is an 8 part course that explores a holistic approach to music teacher wellness, addressing mental and emotional well-being, physical health and injury prevention, financial wellness, sustainable studio practices, and the health of our instruments and teaching environments. Through practical strategies and mindful reflection, teachers will develop tools to build a healthier, more sustainable, and fulfilling life in music.
2026-2027 Course Presenters
Zachary Stoughton
October 14th
Identity and Musicianship:
Reframing the Performance Self
This presentation examines the struggle many music professionals face with imposter syndrome and its impact on self-perception. By analyzing the distinction between healthy and unhealthy self-labels and how we internalize definitions of success and failure, we will explore methods for developing an authentic, multifaceted, and persistent self-concept. Participants will gain practical strategies to diversify their “identity portfolios,” cultivate personal autonomy, and build resilience necessary to bring their best to every lesson or performance.
Allie Beckmann, RFC
September 9th
Financial Wellness & Empowerment Circle
Money is about more than numbers. In this interactive financial wellness workshop, we’ll create space to talk openly about the financial questions, challenges, and opportunities that matter most to you. Together, we’ll explore topics like saving for retirement, investing, financial decision-making, and navigating money as an independent professional—while also making room for the emotions and beliefs that shape our financial lives. Bring your questions! This conversation will be shaped by the people in the room.
Holly Grodsky, RPT
November 18th
Behind the Keys: Understanding, Caring For, and Maintaining Your Studio Piano
This hands-on workshop covers essential piano care for educators, including cleaning protocols, climate control, and ideal routine maintenance schedules. Attendees will explore the internal parts of the piano(s) to discuss the differences between teaching and residential piano wear. The session features a practical demonstration on safely retrieving foreign objects (pencils, sheet music, and stickers) from the action, avoiding the need for a technician service call.
Cody Weisbach, DPT
December 16th
Musician's Health Basics
This interactive session will focus on the physical demands of being a musician, offering practical tools for injury prevention, movement, strength, mobility, and body awareness so that physical health can become an intentional part of sustaining a lifelong relationship with music. Expect to learn, move, ask questions and learn!