I had to share this precious photo sent to me by a “music mom”. I am sure this little student was overcome with exhaustion after a particularly productive practice session. I wonder if she was dreaming of playing at Carnegie Hall?
This month I had a Canadian composer visit my students and the students of a colleague. Tyler Seidenberg was born in Oakville and while in highschool began a compositional journey that culminated in a series of solos/duets for piano. His work is both interesting and challenging for the growing musician. I often hear “sweet” from students during an intro to…
Today was day 3 of classes at the new studio location. (17 Goshen St.) What a wonderful place to welcome students and parents, and what a wonderful place to work! I am thrilled to be teaching in such a spacious, professional, yet “homey” environment. The biggest pay off for the last 3 weeks of exhausting…
How do you know when you are an exceptional student? When your teacher is always asking you for something new! You work hard at the shaping of a phrase so now your teacher requests that you add more rubato. You finally reach the metronome speed in your lesson book and your teacher comes up with…
This past week was Composition Camp 2010. This is the second year I have held such a camp. I love to compose and I love to teach composition but regular lesson time is jam packed with so much that there isn’t a great deal of time to focus on creating. The four day summer day…
Away in a Manger, Jingle Bells, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. When I reflect on Christmases past, some of my fondest memories are anchored by those well loved Christmas carols. Not just hearing them, but sharing them. As a very young…
A sweet young man entered a music studio one day. He was so excited to start learning with his new teacher. He was a young teen and had an air of business about him as he and the teacher discussed scheduling and past musical experience. “I’m in a band you see and need some help with learning some of…
