The Butte County Branch of MTAC was chartered in 1951. There are currently 29 members with Dustin Breshears as president. The Butte County Branch sponsors recitals and workshops, provides musical opportunities for individuals and groups, and offers scholarships to CSU, Chico piano majors.

The Music Teachers’ Association of California is a professional organization of music teachers, which includes teachers of keyboard instruments, winds, strings, and voice. It has 63 branches throughout the state with over 5,000 members, all certified as qualified music teachers. It has rigorous requirements for membership, a code of ethics, and also includes benefits for its members. Participation by members in conferences, workshops, and regular meetings inevitably enriches the quality of the teachers’ studios.

Why “professional” music teachers? Of over 400,000 music teachers in the United States, only 30,000 belong to a professional organization. Parents have few ways to evaluate teachers. Certification through an organization should be a primary consideration. All MTAC teachers have a music degree from an accredited college, university or conservatory, or the equivalent preparation through the organization’s program of home study. The requirements and standards set by the MTAC ensure that its teachers have the necessary qualifications and credentials to give private music lessons in a professional capacity.