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2026-2027 Board of Directors

SMTA Elected Board Members

Suzanne Grant, President

Suzanne Grant has been a vocal coach, piano teacher, music teacher, music director, composer, singer and keyboard player in the Seattle area for 50 years. She taught at Seattle Talent, for Disney Musicals, and for 30 years at Seattle Children’s Theatre Drama School and as a Teaching Artist in private and public schools and colleges. She music directed, composed and performed for several professional theatres, including A Contemporary Theatre, the Seattle Repertory Theatre, Youth Theatre Northwest, the Village Theatre, and Honolulu Theatre for Youth. As Music Director of Seattle Peace Theatre, she toured to Tashkent, Switzerland and Latvia, where her original compositions were part of collaborative shows written and performed by international casts of young people. She has sung with Harmonia, City Cantabile Choir and Seattle Peace Chorus. Her years with a punk rock band “The Enemy” were documented at the Experience Music Project and in five books. She sang in the premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s “MASS” in 1971 at the opening of The Kennedy Center, at The Metropolitan Opera House, and on the cast recording. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She currently teaches singing in her home studio. She sang her song “There’s a Hole in the Sky” to the Seattle City Council in 2020 as testimony regarding saving mature trees. Her performance went viral and her song can be viewed on her YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/_JOuZg7Q1_w
Email: smtapresidentofficial@gmail.com

Josie Zocco, Immediate Past President

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada Josie moved to Seattle in 2011. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Piano Performance and Ethnomusicology at York University as well as an Associate’s Degree in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She has been an active teacher, performer, and accompanist for more than 10 years. She previously served as SMTA’s Newsletter Editor and VP of Marketing and Communications.

C.R. Ryan Worswick, Board Member at Large

Seattle native and dedicated teacher of music and math, Ryan can be found finding the good fight with technology on behalf of music teachers everywhere, tending his two cats and one dog that bring him endless joy and consternation in equal measure, and periodically even finding time to practice that which he wishes to learn.
District II director (which includes us, the SMTA!) for the WSMTA and a number of other roles in the SMTA, I’m here to help as much as I’m able. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or other prompts and I’ll respond as quickly as I can

Ann Simonson, Treasurer

Ann Simonson is a longtime SMTA member, currently serving as Treasurer on the Board. She teaches piano in the south end of Seattle, and is the Director of Music at Magnolia Lutheran Church. In her many years as a member of SMTA she has served as President, and as Adjudications Chair.
Email: smtatreasurerofficial@gmail.com

**Mengyiyi Chen, Secretary**

coming soon

Haeyoon Krentz, Board Member at Large

coming soon

SMTA Appointed Board Members

Peter Mack, VP of Teacher Development

Irish pianist Peter Mack is in great demand as a performer, clinician, convention artist, adjudicator, and teacher. Celebrated for his moving playing, and his easy rapport with audiences, he has performed throughout the United States and Europe, as well as in Australia, India, and the former Soviet Union.

His students are frequent winners of local, national, and international competitions. An active educator, he is current President-elect of MTNA.

“Mack is one of those lucky ones, born with a completely balanced set of talents… In all capacities he is indefatigable....” --Los Angeles Times

Kathy Mortensen, VP of Legacy Management

Kathy has held many positions in SMTA. She enjoys working with the dynamic and caring people on the Board of Directors. She co-Chairs the Dorothy Woodcock Oversight Committee (with RoseMarie Tamburri), organizes The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award, and manages music donations for SMTA. Kathy also serves on the budget committee and the proofreading team. She is currently Immediate Past President of WSMTA.

Stephanie M. Emery, VP of Recitals

Stephanie Emery is a pianist and teacher in West Seattle. She earned her music degree from Western Washington University and has been passionate about the piano since beginning formal study at the age of six. With many years of teaching and performing experience in her hometown Seattle, Stephanie also lived and taught in the Los Angeles area, San Diego, and London. Stephanie inspires her students to aim high, grow in confidence, and enjoy the journey of making music. She is thrilled to serve on the board of SMTA.

Colleen Young Kennedy, VP of Competitions

Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. Colleen Kennedy has taught and performed in the Seattle area for more than 24 years. She received her D.M.A. and M.M. from the University of Washington, where she studied with Dr. Robin McCabe. An active performer of solo and chamber repertoire, Colleen has performed solo and collaborative recitals, piano concerti with symphony orchestras, and has appeared in public masterclasses with internationally-recognized artists. She greatly enjoys teaching as owner and operator of the Kennedy Piano Studio in the Ballard neighborhood, where she works with dedicated students of all ages.

Colleen joined the board of the SMTA in 2023 as Secretary and moved to her current role, Vice-President of Competitions, in 2025. She currently chairs the Simon-Fiset piano competition and is a former co-chair of the Music Artistry Program. Colleen appreciates the camaraderie of her fellow board members and feels fortunate to serve alongside such warm and accomplished colleagues.

Jessica Evotia Andrews-Hall, VP of Membership

Jessica Evotia Andrews-Hall is an award winning performer who enjoys a vibrant international career as a collaborative pianist, teaching artist and arts advocate. A Steinway teacher and educational partner, she is the founder of JAM Studios where she has taught private and group piano lessons to all ages for 15 years. She is also currently a staff pianist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Theatre Group and the Seattle Opera where she is preparing to go on her fourth tour. Jessica is an active member of SMTA and SKCTMA where she serves as Vice President of Membership and Vice President respectively.

Tom Lee, VP of Student Development

Born in Hong Kong and raised in the Pacific Northwest, pianist Tom Lee enjoys a diverse career as a performer and educator of the instrument. As both a solo and collaborative pianist, he has performed extensively around the state, as well as throughout the United States and abroad. Tom holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Washington, a Master of Music from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Music from Rice University. As a teacher, he believes strongly in maintaining high musical standards while fostering an atmosphere of warmth, kindness, and support in his studio.

Sophia Pereyra-Johnston, VP of Strategic Engagement