337 piano teachers won "2009 PTNA Teachers' Award" announced last week. Three of them received 30 times so far (Mitsuyo Esaki, Katsuko Kaneko, Toyoko Matsugi) and 42 are the recipients for the first time. The awarding ceremony will be held on August 24th.

This prize is to make public recognition of the piano teachers who have important achievements either in their teaching activities (results in PTNA Piano Competition) and self-education. The regulation has been discussed and altered every year at the Administrative Steering Committee held in June. This year, one should fulfill either of the following requirements.

Achievements in 33rd PTNA Piano Competition

* More than 8 students proceeded to the 2nd round
* More than 2 students proceeded to the final round (except special grade) and the semi-final round of special grade
* More than 6 students proceeded to the 2nd round, as well as one student or more proceeded to the final round

Achievements in self-education (150 teachers' points)

*1 point for 1 stage performance (either students or teachers themselves)
* 3 points for submission of research thesis
* 20 points for submission and adoption of research thesis
* 3 points for submission of study report
* 20 points for submission and adoption of study report
* 1 point for subimission of a report on PTNA teaching seminars (par 1 lecture)
* 1 point for submission of a report on local seminars (par 1 seminar)