PA Shorts: Chord Functions & Floor Plans
While happily catching up on podcasts during my commute, something literally gave me goose bumps. I couldn’t wait to get back to my computer and share. So, here goes. That something happened during…
PA Shorts: Lightbulb time!
What is going on?- I asked myself as 2 sisters had train wrecks in their pieces for the 4th week in a row. These are wonderful, musical, reliable students who…
PA Shorts: Playing by Heart vs. Memory
I found this in my inbox last Saturday and it really did my heart good. You were right, memorization CAN happen in fifteen minutes. I am so excited about being…
Tangled Fingers
After the first couple of weeks of lessons, the theme of our semester is clearly fingering. I went to dig out my handy-dandy handout from 2005 and decided to share…
PA Shorts: Making An Egg
Many master chefs consider that the ability to cook an egg beautifully is the true test of a cook's skill. Being one with the humble egg tells more about a…
PA Shorts: Onwards & Upwards
Recently, while in the preparation phase of a presentation, I asked what some of our college students wished they had known before coming to study at a more advanced level. Some of…
Artist Portrait: Nathan Williamson
Nathan Williamson is a pianist, composer and conductor with ties to both the UK and the US. We chatted via email about his musical growing up, his musical mentors, balancing…
Remix: Earthquakes, Bright and Shiny Objects, One Speed Ponies, & Time Travel
Pieces have been chosen. Dates have been set. Arrangements have been made. Yep, we are working toward spring masterclasses, recitals, and end of the year piano exams all right. In…