The Fox Valley Music Teachers Association (FVMTA) has named New London resident Diane Wilson as its 2010 Local Association Member of the Year. Since 1995, the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association has encouraged all local associations to honor one of their members as Member of the Year.
Wilson has been a private piano instructor for 25 years. After receiving a BS in Biology and a minor in music (piano pedagogy emphasis) from UW-Stevens Point in 1982, she spent two years in Zaire, Africa, teaching music and giving piano lessons at a boarding school for missionary children.
Upon returning to the United States, she maintained a piano studio at Heid Music in Green Bay and was choir director at N.E.W. Lutheran High School before moving to New London, where she has lived and taught for 22 years. In 2002, she received a Bachelor of Music Education from UW-Oshkosh, where she studied composition with Dr. James Chaudoir.
Wilson is on the WMTA Board, currently serving as Theory chair, and before that, Music Teachers National Association Composition chair. She is active as an accompanist for ‘Vision’ show choir band, and runs choir sectionals when called upon. In her current studio of 30 students, everyone composes, and many of her students have won awards for their compositions.
Wilson was presented her award at the fall WMTA Convention held in Wisconsin Dells. This year marks the 100th year of the state organization.