Recognition & Archives
2026 TMTA Teacher of the Year: Laura Triplett
Laura Dilatush Triplett is an established piano educator, accompanist, and active leader within the regional music teaching community. As the owner and instructor of Prestissimo Piano Studio since 2005, Laura brings over three decades of teaching experience to her students. Her foundational teaching career includes operating Laura’s Piano Studio in the late 1990s and conducting student teaching through collegiate music departments early in her professional journey.
In addition to her private studio, Laura has worked within higher education and community youth programs. She has served as an Adjunct Instructor of Class Piano and Music Appreciation at Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC), and has taught general music for the Kids Kollege Summer Program. An active collaborative artist, Laura regularly lends her talents to the local musical community. She currently serves as an Independent Church pianist and accompanist for seven churches across Northwest Mississippi. Her extensive background in sacred music includes tenures as Staff Pianist for Arkabutla Baptist Church, as well as appointments with Boulevard Baptist Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She has also worked as a theatrical accompanist, serving as the collaborative pianist for the Como Opera Guild’s production of Many Moons and NWCC’s production of Guys and Dolls.
Laura’s commitment to her profession is reflected in her steady administrative service at both the local and state levels. A long-time member of the Greater Memphis Music Teachers Association (GMMTA), she has supported the organization in nearly every executive capacity, serving terms as President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. On the state stage, she currently serves as the State Competition Chair for the Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA), following a successful tenure as the Junior Piano Coordinator. She also maintains active professional memberships with the National Federation of Music Clubs and the National Guild of Piano Teachers.
Laura holds a Master of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Music, both with specialized emphasis in Piano Pedagogy, from the University of Central Missouri. She began her formal undergraduate training at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where she earned her Associate of Arts in Music.
2026 Distinguished Service Award: Deanne Irvine
Deanne W. Irvine, pianist, teacher/mentor, collaborative pianist with numerous performers, holds a B.M. in Music Ed. from Rhodes College and an M.M. in Piano Performance from Peabody College, now at Vanderbilt. Currently retired she served on the music faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she taught piano, harpsichord, several classes and was pianist for the Tennessee Chamber Players, the Chattanooga Brass Trio, the Cadek Trio, and many vocalists and instrumentalists locally and regionally. She additionally taught community students as a Faculty Associate of the Cadek Conservatory of Music on the UTC campus and was pianist/coach accompanist and musical assistant for the Chattanooga Opera as well as a pianist and a soloist with the Chattanooga Symphony.
Deanne credits membership and service in both the Chattanooga and Tennessee Music Teachers Associations for having brought much inspiration and many gifted and supportive professional colleagues into her life. In her local CMTA chapter she served in several offices including Program Chair, Vice President, Auditions Chair, President, Adjudicator for Auditions and Competitions and Chair of Arts Awareness and Advocacy.
For her state TMTA board she has served as auditions Chair for High School and College, Chair of Arts Awareness and Advocacy and adjudicator for state competitions. In addition, she has co-chaired several of the TMTA State Conferences held in Chattanooga. She has known the joy of seeing her students frequently participating and winning top ratings in auditions and competitions from both CMTA and TMTA. Several have won scholarships that have enabled them to complete their music studies and begin careers in music.
Deanne credits membership and service in both the Chattanooga and Tennessee Music Teachers Associations for having brought much inspiration and many gifted and supportive professional colleagues into her life. In her local CMTA chapter she served in several offices including Program Chair, Vice President, Auditions Chair, President, Adjudicator for Auditions and Competitions and Chair of Arts Awareness and Advocacy. For her state TMTA board she has served as auditions Chair for High School and College, Chair of Arts Awareness and Advocacy and adjudicator for state competitions. In addition, she has co-chaired several of the TMTA State Conferences held in Chattanooga. She has known the joy of seeing her students frequently participating and winning top ratings in auditions and competitions from both CMTA and TMTA. Several have won scholarships that have enabled them to complete their music studies and begin careers in music.
Deanne's personal awards include being named a Tennessee Governor's Outstanding Teacher, a national MTNA Foundation Fellow, and a Chattanooga Lung Association Woman of Distinction for her contribution to Music and the Arts. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of String Theory Chamber Music and is a founder and the chair of St. Paul’s Episcopal Friends of Music that supports their Music Series. She shares her love for and support of good music with her attorney husband of 43 years, Nelson Irvine. They enjoyed traveling together to many new places to experience different cultures and hear great music. Now their very special joy is any time spent with their 4 adult children and their spouses, their 9 grandchildren, 4 of whom are married, and their young 6 great grandchildren who are already showing a love of music!
2026 MTNA Fellow: Artina McCain
2025 TMTA Teacher of the Year: Arunesh Nadgir
2025 Distinguished Service Award: Karen Ann Krieger
2025 TMTA/MTNA Foundation Fellow: Jerome Reed
2024 TMTA Teacher of the Year: Lynn Worcester-Jones
2024 Distinguished Service Award: Mark Hussung
2024 TMTA/MTNA Foundation Fellows: Katheryne W. Bauman, Deanne Irvine, Janet Sump
Teacher of the Year Past Recipients
Distinguished Service Award Past Recipients
Foundation Fellows Past Recipients
MTNA Awards Past Recipients
TMTA Newsletters
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