Frequently Asked Questions

  • NFMC — National Federation of Music Clubs

    The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) is a nonprofit philanthropic and educational organization dedicated to promoting American music and musicians. With over 90,000 members nationwide, NFMC includes teachers, students, professionals, and music enthusiasts. It provides festivals, adjudications, competitions, scholarships, and educational programs across the United States.

    AKFMC — Alaska Federation of Music Clubs

    The Alaska Federation of Music Clubs (AKFMC) is Alaska’s official state affiliate of NFMC. State federations operate under the national umbrella and help advance NFMC’s mission at the state level by supporting music education, performance opportunities, and student achievement.

    Forty-five states currently have active NFMC state federations.

    KCPMT — Kenai Central Peninsula Music Teachers

    Kenai Central Peninsula Music Teachers (KCPMT) is Alaska’s first — and currently only — local NFMC-affiliated club. Despite our name, we have expanded outside of the Central Kenai Peninsula.

    Local clubs are the grassroots foundation of NFMC. They unite teachers and students within a community to provide festivals, adjudications, and educational opportunities.

    Non-Affiliated (But Often Overlapping)

    Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

    A national nonprofit serving over 17,000 music teachers with professional development, networking, and resources.

    Alaska Music Teachers Association (AMTA)

    Alaska’s state affiliate of MTNA, offering local competitions and professional opportunities.

    NCTM — Nationally Certified Teacher of Music

    A professional certification offered through MTNA that reflects a commitment to high teaching standards and continued growth. Contact Alaska state certification chairperson Lynda Lybeck-Robinson for further information.

  • Connection in Isolation
    Alaska is a unique place to teach music. We are separated by mountains, tundra, long distances, and sea, and many teachers work in communities where there may be few—or even no—other private music teachers nearby. Membership in AKFMC helps bridge that distance by creating a statewide professional network. It gives teachers a place to exchange ideas, ask questions, share experiences, celebrate successes, and encourage one another. Whether you are teaching in Anchorage, Soldotna, Seward, Unalaska, or a small community off the road system, you are part of something larger than your individual studio.

    Access to National Programs
    Through our affiliation with the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) and connections to the broader music-teaching community, AKFMC members can participate in nationally established programs, festivals, awards, and opportunities while teaching right here in Alaska. These programs give teachers access to structured opportunities they may otherwise have difficulty finding locally, while giving students meaningful goals to work toward. Membership allows Alaska teachers to bring national-level opportunities into their own studios and communities without requiring families to travel Outside.

    Annual Adjudication
    Our Gold Cup Festival provides students with an opportunity to have their playing evaluated by a qualified adjudicator and receive meaningful feedback on their performance. This gives students something to work toward beyond simply learning the next piece in their lesson book. Students can set goals, prepare repertoire, receive professional comments, and work toward Gold Cups, scholarships, and other NFMC recognition. With both in-person and virtual opportunities, we can make adjudication accessible to students across Alaska—even when geography makes traditional participation difficult.

    Professional Growth
    Teaching piano can sometimes feel like a very individual profession. AKFMC gives teachers opportunities to continue learning alongside other music educators. Through workshops, presentations, discussions, and teacher-training opportunities, members can learn new approaches to teaching, repertoire, performance preparation, and studio management. Just as importantly, members have opportunities to share their own knowledge and experiences. Alaska teachers face challenges that may not be addressed by resources designed primarily for large metropolitan areas, so creating professional development that reflects the realities of teaching in Alaska can be especially valuable.

    Shared Resources
    One of the advantages of being part of a professional organization is that you do not have to reinvent everything yourself. Members can share repertoire ideas, teaching strategies, festival information, digital resources, and other materials that have worked in their own studios. This can be particularly helpful for teachers in rural and remote communities, where access to music stores, specialized workshops, other teachers, and in-person professional resources may be limited. What one teacher discovers can become a resource for teachers throughout the state.

    Inspiration & Belonging
    Perhaps one of the simplest benefits of membership is knowing that you are not teaching alone. Private teaching can be wonderfully rewarding, but it can also be isolating. AKFMC brings together teachers who understand the work that goes into building a studio, preparing students for performances, finding the right repertoire, encouraging struggling students, and celebrating those moments when everything finally clicks. Membership creates a sense of professional belonging and gives us the opportunity to celebrate the creativity and accomplishments of music teachers and students across Alaska.

    Advertising & Exposure
    Membership can also help potential students discover you. Your teacher profile, including your photograph and biography, can be featured on the AKFMC website, giving prospective families another way to learn about the teachers available in their area. Your profile can help communicate your teaching philosophy, experience, specialties, and the type of musical education you provide. For families looking for the right teacher, having that information in one place can make it easier to find someone whose approach and goals are a good fit for their student.

    Most importantly, membership helps us build music education in Alaska together. AKFMC is not simply about participating in festivals or checking a box on a membership form. It is about creating opportunities for students, supporting teachers, sharing knowledge, and building a stronger musical community across a very large and geographically challenging state. The more teachers who participate, the more opportunities we can create for everyone.

  • If you are an Alaska resident, you are welcome to join AKFMC if you are an active, retired, or aspiring instrumental or voice teacher. No degree is required. Beyond your teaching status, we simply ask that you bring a willingness to learn, grow, and collaborate with other music teachers across Alaska. Our organization is built around supporting one another, sharing ideas and resources, and creating meaningful opportunities for both teachers and students throughout the state.

  • Access to Nationally Recognized Festivals
    Through AKFMC’s affiliation with the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC), students have opportunities to participate in established festivals and programs that go beyond their regular weekly lessons. The Gold Cup Festival gives students something specific to work toward: preparing their music, performing for an adjudicator, receiving feedback, and earning points toward awards and Gold Cups.

    Goal Setting Through the Gold Cup Program
    One of the things I really like about the Gold Cup program is that it gives students a reason to think beyond just the next piece they are learning. Students can work toward their Gold Cup over several years, earning points along the way as they participate and progress. This gives them a long-term goal that they can actually see themselves working toward. It also gives students the chance to look back and see how much they have accomplished over time. For many students, having that bigger goal can be a great source of motivation.

    Feedback from an Adjudicator
    It can be very helpful for a student to have another experienced musician listen to them play. Adjudicators provide comments and suggestions about the student's performance, giving them another perspective in addition to what they receive from their regular teacher. This can help students recognize what they are doing well and give them specific things to work on as they continue learning.

    More Opportunities to Perform
    Students need opportunities to perform if we want them to become comfortable performing. Festivals give students another chance to get in front of an audience and share something they have worked hard on. These experiences can help build confidence and make performing feel less intimidating over time. With AKFMC offering both in-person and virtual opportunities, students can participate even when traveling to an event isn't practical.

    Being Part of a Larger Musical Community
    Most piano students spend the majority of their time practicing by themselves and having lessons with their teacher. AKFMC gives them a chance to see that they are part of something bigger. They are one of many students across Alaska who are learning music, preparing for performances, and working toward their own goals. That can be especially meaningful for students who live in smaller or more remote communities.

    Motivation and Recognition
    Learning an instrument takes time, and there will inevitably be periods when a student feels less motivated. Having a festival or Gold Cup goal on the calendar can give them something concrete to work toward. Earning certificates, points, awards, and eventually a Gold Cup gives students a way to see that their work is adding up. The awards aren't the most important part, but they can be a nice way to recognize the time and effort a student has put into their musical education.

    Your Teacher Keeps Growing Too
    When teachers have opportunities to attend workshops, learn from other teachers, and continue developing professionally, their students benefit from that as well. Teachers bring new ideas, repertoire, and teaching strategies back to their studios. Being part of AKFMC helps create a community where teachers can keep learning from one another, which ultimately gives students a better learning experience.

    Overall, AKFMC gives students more opportunities to learn, perform, set goals, and see their progress. The Gold Cup program in particular gives students something they can work toward over several years, while festivals and adjudications give them smaller goals along the way. These opportunities are meant to complement what happens in their regular lessons and give students another reason to stay engaged with their musical education.

  • Membership fees are based on the size of your studio and include two required parts:

    1. Senior Club Membership – $15
    Covers the teacher’s membership in AKFMC.

    2. Junior Club Dues – $25
    Covers up to 16 students and allows them to participate in AKFMC events such as festivals and the composition contest.

    Minimum total: $40 (for studios with 16 students or fewer)

    If you have more than 16 students, add $1.50 for each additional student.

    Payments may be made by check or online through our website. Because dues vary depending on the number of students registered, the online option is the easiest way to calculate your total.

    If paying by check, please make checks payable to KCPMT and mail to:

    50401 Byrd Ave
    Kenai, AK 99611

  • If you are a Senior member you are welcome to attend all our meetings, workshops and presentations. In addition, your photo, bio and contact information, should you wish, will be featured on our Meet the Team page. If you later decide you want to involve your students, you have the option to add the Junior Club Membership.

  • If you’re certain you’d like to become a member and register students for AKFMC events, follow these steps:

    1. Fill out the membership form by clicking Join Us.

    2. Pay your membership dues (Senior and Junior Club Dues) by paying online on the home page or mailing a check to:

      KCPMT
      50401 Byrd Ave
      Kenai, AK 99611

    3. Buy a Federated Bulletin to know the repertoire and rules.

    4. That’s it! Once you’re a member, you’ll be expected to attend our hybrid meetings to help plan upcoming events.

    If you have any questions, feel free to reach out through our contact form. We’re happy to help!

  • If your area doesn’t currently offer a festival through the Alaska Federation of Music Clubs, you can request to add one! Just fill out our contact form to receive detailed instructions.

    To get started, you’ll need:

    1. An active AKFMC membership

    2. At least ONE participating teachers in your area, though 2 is recommended

    We’re excited to help you bring more musical opportunities to your community!