PA Shorts: Do It Again…
The following funny struck a chord (voiced of course) with myself and many others when it went live last week. Most of us who are teachers have experienced both sides…
Vintage PA: Ogres Are Like Onions
In the middle of a lesson a few weeks ago, I found myself saying, “Musical works are like onions.” There was no laugh or questioning look. My student simply sat…
Lapbook Project For High Schoolers
Last semester I asked my high schoolers who study at the college to create a lapbook detailing one of their performance pieces. Some had no idea what a lapbook was.…
Welcome & A Tiny Rant
I think Anne Lamott is my soul sister. My sister of another mother. Of course, she doesn’t know this. Her writing is earthy, funny, and cuts right to the chase.…
Playing With Wolfgang: Wolf In The Dark
Today's Playing With Wolfgang was written by Ellen Shallcross. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving! I grew up in a musical household. My dad was always listening to classical recordings, my mom taught…
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…
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…
Vintage PA: Chestnuts II, A Rubato Geek Vindicated
I think piano students can learn more from Frank Sinatra about phrasing and rubato than from most classical instrumentalists. — Stephen Hough (@houghhough) December 12, 2013 I couldn't agree more.…