2023 Member of the Year: Janelle Bonson 
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​Janelle is an engaged, active and reliable member of FVMTA, quietly supporting the organization for decades with her volunteer time and talent, her presence, sage advice, timely questions, and good ideas. 

A native of Newton, WI, Janelle received an Associate’s degree from Concordia College in Milwaukee, and a Bachelor's degree from Doctor Martin Luther college in New Ulm, Minnesota, majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in Music. Janelle has always pushed herself to learn new styles—- From Bach to Count Basie, this musician plays it all. Working as a church organist since 1975, she is at home in sacred spaces, but equally comfortable playing with a rhythm section in area big bands! She studied jazz piano with Matt Turner at Lawrence University, and performs regularly with the Fox Cities Swing Band

2022 Member of the Year: Stacey Kraus, NCTM
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FVMTA chose Stacey Kraus as our 2022 member of the year. She led us through covid-era meetings with grace and consistency, making sure that we stayed connected as a local association. She brings energy and creativity to everything she does in FVMTA and beyond. Stacey has been teaching and accompanying for more than 20 years. While in college, she received a scholarship to join WMTA. Previously, she served as the president of the Fox Valley Music Teachers Association, in addition to serving on the state board as Collaborative Performance Forum chair. Stacey became nationally certified in 2022. She teaches privately at St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School and Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton. She is an active accompanist and church musician and loves collaborating with her daughters who play violin and cello.

Member of the Year
Each year, FVMTA votes on a Member of the Year.  Congratulations to these outstanding teachers! 

2024 - Margaret Burton
​2023 - Janelle Bonson
​2022 - Stacey Kraus
2021 - Barbara Erickson
2020 - Justin Krueger
2019 - Lisa Lawrence
​2018 - Sabrina Fabian
2017 - Marilyn Freeman
2016 - Kathryn Isbill
2015 - Eileen Herrling
2014 - Maggie Hendrick
2013 - Muriel Merbach
2012 - Rose Welhouse
2011 - Joslyn Vandermause
2010 - Diane Wilson 
2009 - Sue Wurzer 
2008 - Lisa King Gehrke 
2007 - Arlyss Troge 
2006 - Naomi Jacobsen 
2005 - Catherine Walby 
2004 - Nancy Lephart 
2003 - Carmine Robinson 
2002 - Barbara Froelich
2001 - Sally Orm
2000 - Terry Weber
1999 - Jan Kaminski
1998 - Muriel Merbach 
1997 - Linda Medsker 
1996 - Betty Hollinger