Saint Louis Area Music Teachers Association

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Here’s the August SLAMTA newsletter. It includes news from this past summer through September.
08/02/2026

Here’s the August SLAMTA newsletter. It includes news from this past summer through September.

SLAMTA Newsletter August 2, 2026 Dear SLAMTA members, Oksana Shpringman I am saddened to report the passing of Oksana Shpringman. Oksana passed away peacefully at her home on July 19, 2026, surrounded by family, after bravely fighting with an aggressive cancer. She was only 55. Oksana was a ...

We are saddened to report the passing of Oksana Shpringman. Oksana passed away peacefully at her home on July 19, 2026, ...
08/02/2026

We are saddened to report the passing of Oksana Shpringman. Oksana passed away peacefully at her home on July 19, 2026, surrounded by family, after bravely fighting with an aggressive cancer. She was only 55.

Oksana was a long-time member of SLAMTA and served as the District Chair for several years. She most recently participated in the 2022 Monster Concert. These pictures show her with her students and with conductor Blake Hernton. She brought great energy, enthusiasm and love to the event. You can see how much she loved her students, and how much they loved her.

Most recently Oksana was the State President for the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs (MFMC) until she had to step down from that role in late fall last year. Christy Hacay from the MFMC IVF Melody Makers Club and former SLAMTA member recalls, “She [Oksana] had a great smile and laugh and I always described her as a firecracker. She had energy and a spark to her that was endearing. She was an accomplished pianist and a hard worker. Her YouTube channel will live on...she recorded many of the federation pieces to help other teachers and students. I know she was proud of her efforts in doing so I will always think of her fondly and wish that I had had one more visit with her. May her soul rest in peace.”

Oksana has a beautiful obituary and a guest book that you may sign here: https://www.osfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/oksana-shpringman. Many thanks to fellow member Daniela Koyen for sharing the link to Oksana’s obituary.

Please share any of your cherished memories of her with any pictures below. Our deepest condolences go to Oksana’s family and students.

Happy Father’s Day! We are deeply grateful to all the dads out there who inspire a lifelong passion for music in their c...
06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day! We are deeply grateful to all the dads out there who inspire a lifelong passion for music in their children!

Congratulations to Bethany Nikstad for going above and beyond in her service as SLAMTA Treasurer these past nine years! ...
06/21/2026

Congratulations to Bethany Nikstad for going above and beyond in her service as SLAMTA Treasurer these past nine years! We enjoyed celebrating with her at John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden this evening.

06/15/2026
05/30/2026

Summer is a great time to practice and make meaningful progress! Here's Why Encouraging Practice Pays Off:

Many parents want their child to learn an instrument, but feel hesitant about pushing them to practice. It’s common for music teachers to hear, “I don’t want to force my child to do something they don’t want to do.” But here’s the truth: nearly all kids resist practicing at first, just like they resist doing math homework, brushing their teeth, or eating vegetables. And just like those habits, practicing an instrument is a discipline that pays off over time.

Parenting thoughtful, confident, and well-adjusted kids takes a tremendous amount of daily effort. We know how full your schedule already is, especially in the summer when routines are more relaxed and the days fill up fast. But summer is actually one of the best times to start or continue music lessons. Without the added pressure of school, many students make their biggest leaps forward during this season.

As your child continues their musical journey, something amazing happens: they start to take ownership. Practice becomes less of a chore and more of a personal goal. With your encouragement early on, they’ll develop self-motivation, grit, and the kind of discipline that will benefit them for life.

So this summer, give your child a gift that goes far beyond the season. Encourage consistent practice, and you’ll be investing in their confidence, creativity, and character.

Address

2841 N Ballas Rd
St. Louis, MO
63131

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