South Carolina MTNA Foundation Fellows

The Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow program offers a meaningful method for honoring deserving individuals while supporting the efforts of the MTNA Foundation Fund through a donation to the Foundation Fund in an individual’s name. SCMTA began its participation in the Fellow Program in 2003 in a collaboration with West Virginia MTA to name Margaret Lorince as a Fellow. Margaret was a vital member of both associations and was instrumental in establishing the MTNA Foundation as well as MTNA Pedagogy Saturday.

MTNA Fellows Named by SCMTA

2020 – Kathleen Nungesser

Kathleen Nungesser has been an invaluable member of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association for the past 20 years. For much of that time she has served as South Carolina Music Teachers Association Treasurer. Kathy has also been very active in two local associations: Charleston Music Teachers Association and as original member and treasurer of Long Bay Music Teachers Association in Myrtle Beach, founded in 2007, where her organizational skills were unsurpassed. Known for innovative programming in her piano studio, Kathy currently teaches in Mount Pleasant, SC where she lives with her husband of 37 years, Mark Nungesser.

2019 – Janice Flinte

Janice Flinte is an invaluable member of South Carolina MTA and Greenville MTA. She studied at Bob Jones University, maintains a private piano studio, and resides in Greenville with her husband, Helmut. With her forward vision, she transitioned both organizations’ hardcopy NewsNotes to electronic communication and also pioneered their websites. Flinte has produced the SCMTA Conference booklet and promotional materials for nearly 10 years; she served as GMTA President from 1999–2003. For her hard work and dedication to music education, and the promotion of MTNA state and local organizations, we would like to honor her as an MTNA Foundation Fellow.

2019 – Linda McKenzie

The late Linda Munn McKenzie (1945–2016) was a dedicated piano teacher and member of South Carolina Music Teachers Association (SCMTA) for many years. She served SCMTA in a variety of ways, most notably as the State Auditions chair for more than a decade. She had a studio of fine pianists in Florence, SC, who often did very well in these auditions. She received music degrees from Coker College and the University of South Carolina. She also played the piano and organ for the College Park Baptist Church and Beth Israel congregation for many years. However, next to her family, she was most devoted to her students. As a current SCMTA member and former student said, “Linda used to teach late into the evening. Music was her life.”

2017 – Charles Fugo

Charles Fugo teaches applied piano and coaches chamber music at the University of South Carolina School of Music. He received degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory, and studied at the Akademie des Mozarteums in Salzburg and Indiana University. His principal teachers include Abbey Simon, Jorge Bolet and Joseph Schwartz, with chamber music coaching under Menahem Pressler. Fugo has played collaborative recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and has recorded for Centaur the complete works of Schumann for viola and piano, and sonatas by Franck and Schubert with double bass. As the Jesselson/Fugo Duo he has a CD available online.

2016 – John Kenneth Adams

John Kenneth Adams graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and Yale School of Music. After a Fulbright Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London, he studied in Milan and Paris. A Steinway Artist and an internationally recognized scholar in French piano repertoire, Adams has performed in 22 countries. He taught at the University of Texas at Austin before beginning a 40-year career at the University of South Carolina. His honors include the Award of Merit from Yale, an Award of Appreciation from the State of South Carolina and a Lifetime Achievement Award from SCMTA. John died April 29, 2018 at age 83.

2012 – Julia Helen Garris

The late Julia Garris, NCTM, taught piano and voice and maintained two studios in South Carolina for 52 years. In that time, she taught more than 2,000 students, with more than 20 percent of them pursuing music degrees or careers. Garris was a member of MTNA and the South Carolina MTA for 37 years. She served the Columbia MTA as recording secretary, ways and means chair, telephone committee member and parliamentarian for nine years. Garris was also a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Federation of Music Clubs and the South Carolina Piano Festival Association. Julia Helen died August 10, 2011 at age 74.

2011 – Robin Zemp

Robin Zemp is on the faculty of the College of Charleston, where he teaches piano and coaches voice students. He also maintains an independent studio. His students have won many state and regional competitions and awards. Having served in numerous capacities with the South Carolina Music Teachers Association, including president and vice president for conferences, he received the association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2006. A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Zemp made his New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1984. In constant demand as both soloist and ensemble player, he performs more than 30 different programs each season.

2009 – Scott Price

Scott Price is professor of piano and piano pedagogy, head of the piano area and coordinator of group piano at the University of South Carolina School of Music. He created and is editor-in-chief of the online piano pedagogy journal, Piano Pedagogy Forum, which was the recipient of the 2008 MTNA Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award. Price has recorded 31 CDs of educational music and has published educational compositions. He has presented sessions at the MTNA National Conference on his work with students who have autism spectrum disorder. This work has also been featured on NBC’s Dateline television show. Price has performed, presented master classes and lectured throughout the United States, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

2003 – Margaret Lorince

Retired professor emerita of West Virginia University (WVU), Margaret Lorince, NCTM, was an independent piano teacher on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. While at WVU, she taught piano performance, developed an undergraduate and graduate pedagogy emphasis program and directed the preparatory department. She served as assistant chair of music from 1963 to 1965 and assistant dean of the College of Creative Arts from 1985 to 1986. Lorince has held numerous MTNA state, division and national offices, serving as national president from 1991 to 1993. Past president of the MTNA Foundation, she served on the Board of Trustees and was most recently a member of the Planned Giving Committee. She held degrees from Oklahoma City University and the Eastman School of Music. Margaret died July 31, 2004 at age 78.