About the Teacher:
Mrs. Van Cleave has 27 years of experience teaching piano and theory. She attended Abilene Christian University. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, in Piano, through Music Teachers National Association and also a Certified Teacher of Music through American College of Musicians, National Guild of Piano Teachers and is on the National Guild of Piano Teachers National Honor Roll.
Sharla Van Cleave was awarded 2007 Abilene Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year, and previously received the 1999 AMTA Teacher of the Year Award.
Mrs. Van Cleave has served Texas Music Teachers Association as a theory test grader for 16 years. She currently serves on the TMTA Theory Review Committee and TMTA Theory Syllabus Committee. She is chair of the TMTA June Leondar Chamber Music/Ensemble Contest.
Mrs. Van Cleave is Immediate Past President of Abilene Music Teachers Association, and has held most of the offices in the association, Student Affiliate Coordinator and serving two terms as President. She has been Springer-Manly Music Festival Chairman, Ensemble Festival Chairman and Public relations Coordinator. She has been a piano team director representing AMTA with piano teams at the TMTA State convention and directed a piano team from Abilene MTA at the MTNA National convention in Austin in 2006.
Mrs. Van Cleave accompanies for Abilene Independent School District and is an accompanist for The Celebration Singers.
Her solo performances include Artwalk, Founders Day, Abilene Philharmonic Home Tour, and the Abilene Woman's Club. She performs annually with the AMTA teacher team at the AMTA Showcase Concert. Mrs. Van Cleave maintains continuing education through workshops, seminars, classes and performing in adjudicated events. She currently studies with Shirley J. Anderson, NCTM.
Abilene MTA was the 2002 MTNA Local Association of the Year, under the leadership of Shirley J. Anderson, NCTM and was recently awarded TMTA 2009 Best of State under the leadership of Sharla Van Cleave, NCTM.