2023 MTNA/KMTA COMPETITIONS
NOVEMBER 11-12, 2023
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
3:00pm Eastern Time
MEET YOUR NEW MTNA/KMTA COMPETITIONS TEAM!
KMTA is pleased to present to you the new team leading our 2023 MTNA/KMTA Competitions. The three-tiered Junior, Senior, and Young Artist MTNA National Competitions recognize exceptional talents from across the country. Competitions begin at the state level with winners advancing to Southern Division video auditions and then National Competitions. Composition Competitions include Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Young Artist levels. KMTA Bluegrass Competitions, ending at the state level, provide an opportunity for students to compete with more accessible repertoire requirements.
MTNA/KMTA Competitions Chair: Naomi J. Oliphant, NCTM
8304 Dinah Way, Louisville, KY 40242
(502) 594-3265
naomi.oliphant@louisville.edu
Naomi Oliphant recently retired from the University of Louisville where she served as Associate Dean and Keyboard Chair. She received UofL’s 1994 Distinguished Teaching Award and KMTA’s 2016 Teacher of the Year and 2003 Distinguished Service Awards. Dr. Oliphant authored The History of the Kentucky Music Teachers Association: 1988-2022.
Competition Judge’s Coordinator: Diana Aubrey, KCTM
1091 Hudgins Road, Summersville, KY 42782
(270) 537-4234
dcaubrey@scrtc.com
Diana C. Aubrey is a private music instructor with a studio in Hodgenville, KY. She is a Past President of KMTA and currently serves as Judges Coordinator on the Executive Board. She serves as a church musician and has been extremely active with many of KMTA’s activities with her students.
Young Artist/Chamber Music Competition Coordinator: William Budai, NCTM
520 Lebanon Avenue, Campbellsville, KY 42718
(270) 789-5342
whbudai@campbellsville.edu
William Budai is Professor of Piano and Associate Dean of the School of Music at Campbellsville University where he teaches piano, piano pedagogy, class piano, and music literature. Dr. Budai previously taught piano at Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis and served as the executive director of the IUPUI Music Academy.
Senior Competition Coordinator: Carol Dennes, NCTM
1005 Tulip Hill Way, Louisville, KY 40299
(502) 365-1873
cwdennes@gmail.com
Carol Dennes is a retired independent piano teacher in Louisville. She has worked tirelessly for many years in all capacities with both KMTA and MTNA Southern Division competitions. She remains active on the KMTA Board.
Junior Competition Coordinator: Jordan Amburgey
336 Eve Ct. Campbellsville, Ky 42718
(606) 216-3339
jpaulamburgey@yahoo.com
Jordan Amburgey is completing a M.M degree at Campbellsville University. He has long served as a church pianist and is currently a staff accompanist and a piano technician at Campbellsville University, a Campbellsville area piano tuner, a piano instructor at Jubal’s Academy in Hodgenville, Ky, and a private studio teacher.
Elementary Competition Coordinator: Daniel Light, NCTM
2226 Weber Ave, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 454-3673
dglight@gmail.com
Daniel Light is a pianist and piano teacher based in Louisville. He works full-time as an independent piano teacher and part-time as a church musician. Daniel also enjoys composing and arranging. His music can be found at Daniel-Light.com.
MTNA Composition Competition Coordinator: Nina Belle Durr, KCTM, NCTM
418 West Main Street, Georgetown, KY 40324
(502) 867-5953
ninabdurr@gmail.com
Nina Belle Durr is an independent piano teacher at Nina Belle’s Music Academy in Georgetown and an adjunct professor at Georgetown College. She is also a church musician, free-lance accompanist, and adjudicator. She was awarded the 2021 KMTA Distinguished Service Award and is currently the Immediate Past President of KMTA.
