LMTA OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD FOR 2009      

Dorothy Swindle and Fred Sahlmann met at McNeese State University in Lake Charles in the mid-sixties.  They played duets and developed a friendship at that time.  Dorothy left Lake Charles after a few years.  Twenty years later, their friendship was reestablished when they worked together as clinicians in an Arkansas Piano Festival.  In 1985, they were married, and Dorothy came “home” to Lake Charles.  To the delight of all who know and hear them, they are once again a duo/duet team.  They are also heralded as soloists, collaborative pianists, teachers, adjudicators, master class clinicians, supporters of all who perform, leaders in the community, leaders in Lake Charles Piano Teachers Association, LMTA and MTNA.

Dorothy Swindle began piano study at age 5.  Her degrees are from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  She also studied at Arkansas A & M, Washington University in Washington D.C., and did Doctoral work at North Texas State University.  She has been on the faculties at Sam Houston State University, Arkansas State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and McNeese State University.  During the last two decades, she has concentrated on private teaching.  Dorothy is a Nationally Certified Teacher, has held many offices in the Lake Charles Piano Teachers Association, and LMTA.  She has done a stellar job as the Lake Charles District Rally Chairman, and will serve as LMTA Vice-President for Rallies.

At an early age, Fred Sahlmann showed interest in learning to play piano and was soon enrolled in lessons and has been performing all of his life.  As a teacher, his artistry and his total love of the music, elevate his students beyond their own expectations.  His degrees are from Elon University, Teachers College of Columbia University and Eastman School of Music, where he earned his DMA.  He studied in Vienna for a year as a Fulbright Scholar.  Dr.Sahlmann is Professor Emeritus at McNeese State University where he taught piano, theory, organ and harpsichord and served an eight year term as music department chair.  He continues to perform as pianist with McNeese’s chamber ensemble PASTICHE and as organist/choir master at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.  He is a NCTM Master Teacher.  He has held many offices in LCPTA and LMTA, including LMTA  Past President, and current LCPTA Treasurer.  He was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow at the 2009 MTNA Conference in Atlanta.

One of Fred’s colleagues describes him as affable, charming and a good listener.  One of his students describes him as the finest of teachers and she could not imagine anywhere where she could have gotten a better musical education than studying with Fred Sahlmann.

One of Dorothy’s colleagues says “Having heard her students play in district and state competitions, I know that her teaching is superb.  Her students are meticulously prepared, play with a fine sense of style, and have been consistent winners for many years”.  One of her former students gives her absolute credit for his place in the professional musical life he now leads.  He says there have been countless times when he has “thanked the stars” for having such an exceptional teacher from the beginning of his musical training.

Either of them standing alone would deserve this honor.  Together, Dorothy and Fred are truly ambassadors for LMTA and for our profession.