General Information

The Arizona Study Program (ASP) was started in 1958 to provide a consecutive and comprehensive plan of music study for piano designed to motivate and encourage the student to strive for growth and excellence.

The Arizona Study Program is a 12-year graded course of study developed by ASMTA to provide for the development of musical Performance, Theory and Technique.

It is organized in terms of the twelve years of public school, with one level for each of the years a student would be enrolled in school. It requires continual work throughout the year and is evaluated each spring by a master adjudicator and a written theory test.  

ASP Committee 2023-2024

Chair Dr. Barbara Russell, NCTM barbaraspoelman@msn.com
Immediate Past Chair Barbara Stoutenburgh, NCTM  
Secretary Albana Kapidani akapidani4@gmail.com
Treasurer Francisco Naranjo, Jr. francisconaranjojr@gmail.com
Advisor TBD  
Technology Coordinator Susan Traylor suszy2@aol.com
Administrative Materials TBD  
Ribbons & Plaques Johnny Rice johnny@the-rice-brothers.com
Certificates Fran Kaspar, NCTM Kaspar48@gmail.com

ASP Local Chairs

Cochise Karen Miller kg-miller@hotmail.com
East Valley Lara Heeder Holt evmtaasp@gmail.com
  Debbie Saifi, NCTM evmtaasp@gmail.com
  Dr Barbara Russell, NCTM evmtaasp@gmail.com
Eastern Arizona Janice Holladay, NCTM holladay.janice@gmail.com
Northern Arizona Rita Borden, NCTM rita.borden@nau.edu
Phoenix Tatyana Eldridge tanyaeldridge15@gmail.com
  Dr. Christina Eide leoumabear@gmail.com
Tucson Victoria MacDonald tucsonasp@gmail.com

Evaluation Dates

Local Association Date Location
CMTA May 3, 2024 Cochise College
EAMTA April 27, 2024 Eastern Arizona College
EVMTA May 10-11, 2024 Arizona State University
NAMTA May 17, 2024 Northern Arizona University, Kit School of Music
PMTA May 17-18, 2024 Glendale Community College
TMTA May 11, 2024   University of Arizona

Overview of Process for Participation in ASP

If you are a teacher interested in participating in the Arizona Study Program, detailed instructions and eventual evaluation results are given by way of three (3) packets: 

Packet 1:

Found here and in your local MTA yearbook, Packet 1 contains the Parent Letter, General Information, Teacher Instructions for Online Enrollment, ASP Indemnity Agreement (PMTA), Student Program Form and Materials Order Form and Highlights. 

Note:  Effective July 1, 2023!  There has been an increase of all ASP materials by $5 per item, except previous tests and answers which will increase $1.00.

Please select your local association to download your Packet 1 (in PDF format) —

CMTA Packet 1 

EAMTA Packet 1 

EVMTA Packet 1

NAMTA Packet 1

PMTA Packet 1

TMTA Packet 1

Unaffiliated and Student Members: To access enrollment information, please select the local association above where your students will be evaluated

Fillable Forms from Packet 1:  The fillable PDF forms are being provided here for your convenience.  For instructions regarding these forms, see Packet 1 which is posted on this web page in September or October.  

Packet 2:

Distributed in late-March or early April by each local association, Packet 2 contains:  further teacher instructions and scheduling; instructions for parents; Confidential Report Form; Student Evaluation Form; Release Form & Reminder Notice; Senior Level 12 Letter.

Fillable Form from Packet 2:   The fillable PDF forms are being provided here for your convenience.  For instructions regarding these forms, see Packet 2 which will be emailed to teachers in late March or early April. 

Packet 3:

Distributed in May, Packet 3 contains evaluation results and awards.

Enrollment Information

  • Each student must purchase a theory workbook.
  • Prior to enrolling, all newly participating EVMTA, PMTA or TMTA teachers need to contact your local chairperson to obtain your ASP Teacher ID number. 
  • PMTA Teachers must obtain a fully signed MCCCD Assumption of Risk & Release of Liability form representing each of their participating students (one form per family).  Teachers must acknowledge receipt of these signed forms when enrolling online. 
  • Online Enrollment only (no paper enrollments accepted):
    • Early Enrollment $35 is November 1 to December 1.  
    • Late Enrollment $50 is December 2 to February 15.   
    • With Online Enrollment you have the option to pay by PayPal (PayPal account, credit card or debit card) or by check.   If paying by check, send one check (payable to ASP) for your class (teacher’s check only). NO REFUNDS OR SUBSTITUTIONS.

    • To Enroll, select only your Local Association:

      CMTA, EAMTA, EVMTA, NAMTA, PMTA, TMTA. 

    • If the “Tickets” section does not open for you, and you are being asked to “sign-in” again, please “refresh” your browser and/or contact Suszy Traylor, suszy2@aol.com .  You must enroll only under the MTA(a) under which you are participating in ASP.  We are working to resolve this issue.

  • For questions regarding enrolling online, contact Suszy Traylor, ASP Technology Coordinator suszy2@aol.com .  For questions regarding enrollment in general, contact your local association chairperson(s) (as listed above on this page).
  • Also, see Packet 1 (above) for more detailed information. 
  • A student may be enrolled in different levels for theory and performance/technique.  (As of 2023-2024 ASP Evaluation year, performance and technique must be the same level.)
  • Indicate the different levels on the name tag and all forms, including the Student Evaluation Form which is presented to the adjudicator.. 
  • Records will show completion of the lower of the two levels.
  • The performance level will determine the time allotment for evaluation.
  • Students may be evaluated in only one level per school year.
  • Levels may be repeated and/or skipped at the teacher’s discretion.
  • Indicate previous teacher(s) of all transfer students if students were previously in ASP.
  • Level 4, 8 and 12 awards are given only for completing Category A. Theory, technique, and repertoire must all be at the same level in the same year.
  • A Level 12 senior student may take the Early theory test after January 1.  If necessary, the Level 12 test can be retaken at the scheduled Evaluation date.  Contact chairman for dates.
  • Notify local chairman in writing of any students dropped or changes in program, level or category.  (Check with your local association ASP chair for possible deadlines for submitting changes.)
  • If a student cannot be evaluated on the above dates, see your local association Packet 1 for procedure. There will be an additional fee for the adjudicator.  

ASP Help Videos: 

  • Levels 1-12 Technique videos.  Login to your ASMTA Member Dashboard, scroll down the page, and click on the link to view the videos.
  • NEW!  How to Prepare for the Arizona Study Program Evaluations:  IMTF Panel Discussion.

Grants

Janice McCurnin Teacher Enrichment Grant

Janice McCurnin Certification Grant Program

Teacher Enrichment Grant Recipients

2013     Karen Stahl 
2021     Kassandra Weleck, NCTM

Please support our sponsors!