Meet Toni Salmons, NCTM

Toni began taking piano lessons at the age of 13 years old. She had just moved to El Paso, Tx from the Bay Area of California, where she was an avid swimmer. Upon moving to Texas, the desire to play the piano grew very strong and she begged her parents for lessons. Playing the piano instantly felt like a calling and she knew that this was going to be something that would be a part of her life, for the rest of her life. What she didn't know at the time was how the love of music would not only remain in her life, it would be something that she passed on to others through teaching. 

As a student, Toni participated in many El Paso Music Teachers Association events including the Baroque Competition, Sonata/Sonatina Festival, Romantic Festival, the Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) theory test, and studio recitals. The EPMTA is very active and provides many opportunities for their students. It was through these experiences that Toni knew she wanted her students to have a similar experience. 

Toni began her college studies at El Paso Community College. She transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (2005) and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (2011). During her Masters degree, Toni maintained a full studio and taught Class Piano to music majors. She also taught private lessons to non-piano music majors. 

Her teaching career began in 2005, where she taught at the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio, Inc. until her departure in 2023. Being in an environment where she was able to learn from so many incredible teachers gave her the tools and confidence to start her own studio. It was this camaraderie that encouraged her to become a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). She was presented with the certification at the TMTA Convention in June 2009.

In addition to teaching, Toni has served on the board of the San Antonio Music Teachers Association (SAMTA) for nearly 20 years. Positions included President, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Chair, and Achievement Auditions Chair. Being an active teacher is incredibly important to Toni. It is because of these associations that students have opportunities to learn and grow. 

About the Studio

Students of Salmons Piano Studio have experienced many performance opportunities throughout the city. Performance venues include the Carlos Alvarez Theater at the Tobin Center, Leeper Auditorium at the McNay Art Museum, and the University of Texas at San Antonio Recital Hall. 

During the holiday season, students perform at nursing homes throughout the city. This is a tradition that began when Toni was in high school choir. She saw the joy the music brought the residents and wanted her own students to see that same joy. 

Many students of Salmons Piano Studio have earned high honors in various events throughout the year. She has had several students place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Janice K. Hodges Contemporary Piano Competition. Every year, students participate in the SAMTA Achievement Auditions and many are chosen by their judge to perform in the Judges' Choice Recital the following weekend. This year, 13 students out of the 23 who participated from the studio were selected to perform! This is a very big accomplishment for each student as there were over 250 students from San Antonio participated in the event. 

Salmons Piano Studio accepts students ages 5 and up. All students are required to participate in all studio recitals and perform in at least one festival or competition per school year. Students who are at the appropriate grade level may also be asked to take the TMTA theory test. These requirements are set in place to track the progress of each student, similar to required sports practice in order to improve performance in games. Music is a language that requires consistent practice and goals to become proficient. 

Piano lessons provide so much more than learning an instrument. Students will learn discipline, perseverance, work ethic, the good feelings that come with hard work, and even how to handle failure. It is my hope that all students feel safe to learn and make mistakes along the way. This helps solidify the strong foundation needed to play for a lifetime, which is my ultimate goal for all of my students.