2009 Teachers of the Year

The recipients of the 2009 GMTA Teachers of the Year are William (Bill) and Mary Ann Knight from Rome. Raised in Louisiana and South Carolina, Bill studied with Jack Radunsky at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he received the Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance. Subsequently, Bill studied with Dr. Earl Stout at Louisiana State University where he received the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance. Bill taught at the Rathburn Conservatory of Music in New Jersey from 1957-1959. From 1959-1963, Bill was an independent music teacher in Atlanta. In 1963, Bill began teaching at Shorter College, where he served for over four decades. Bill retired from Shorter College in 2005 with the title Distinguished Professor of Piano.

A native of New Jersey, Mary Ann studied at the Juilliard School of Music with Cecily Lambert throughout high school. Mary Ann studied with Joseph Hungate at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where she received the Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance. Mary Ann received the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of West Georgia, where she studied with George Mann. Mary Ann taught at the Rathburn Conservatory of Music in New Jersey from 1957-1959. From 1960-1962, Mary Ann taught at South Cobb High School, where her duties included teaching private piano lessons, directing a choir, teaching theory classes, and directing musical theatre productions! In 1965, Mary Ann began teaching at Shorter College, where she has served for the past 44 years.

An active recitalist throughout his career, Bill has performed across the southern United States as well as in California, New Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica. In addition, Bill has performed in recital at Carnegie Hall.

Mary Ann has presented master classes and pedagogy workshops in California, New Mexico, and throughout the southeastern United States. Mary Ann has been a featured presenter at several GMTA conferences and for numerous local associations. Mary Ann is presently editing a book, MAK’S ALMANAK,” subtitled “Your Own Personal Pedagogy Course.”

Both Bill and Mary Ann have been very active adjudicators of piano competitions throughout the Southeast. To honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the Knights, Shorter College established the William and Mary Ann Knight Performance Competition in 2002. This endowed annual competition is a high profile event for the School of the Arts at Shorter College.

Bill’s and Mary Ann’s teaching excellence is borne out by the fact that they have collectively produced 194 student winners in GMTA/MTNA competitions. While the Knights have had so many successful students, their colleagues are quick to point out that Bill and Mary Ann have worked hard with all their students, not just the most gifted.

A teacher said of Bill and Mary Ann: “If I had to pick only one word to describe the Knights, I would choose the adjective generous. At Shorter College, the Knights consistently worked with their students far beyond regular lesson times. If their students had out of town performances or auditions, they frequently traveled to hear them. Quite often they invited students who were far away from home into their own home for holidays. Not surprisingly, practically all of their students think of the Knights as a second set of parents!”

Bill and Mary Ann Knight were nominated for the 2009 GMTA Teachers of the Year Award by George Mann, Rebekah Jones, and Emma Pettyjohn.

Congratulations, Bill and Mary Ann!

Click here to read Bill's and Mary Ann's teaching tips (PDF)