Why Hello Again (…or maybe it’s cosmic)
Do you have a piece that has crossed your path repeatedly over the years? I'm thinking of a piece that you unexpectedly wind up playing multiple times rather than one…
Playing With Wolfgang: Gershwin, Lecuona, & Messiaen Meet Artistic Process
"I don’t see why you chose that artwork," she said. "There is plenty of 20th Century art that would match these pieces and the time they were written much better."…
Finding Inspiration: Redux
It is human nature to have a gut belief that everyone finds musical inspiration just as you do. The way we operate is just so intrinsic to who we are…
Memory: Brain vs. Body
I'd like to weigh in on this memory thing. I've read some pretty caustic posts over the years, mostly bemoaning the loss of discipline in piano study as evidenced by…
Memory Fail: Expert Level
@playinglesshurt 7/13/16 When I was in college and ready to give my first recital, I found myself anxious about several passages. My teacher, Pat, helped me through them, but, of…
Vintage PA: It Sounded Better At Home
"The really exciting part," said Eeyore in his most melancholy voice, "is that when I left it this morning it was there, and when I came back it wasn't.” We…
Vintage PA: How Charlie Brown Helped My Career
When I was in middle school I was asked to play a solo in the winter program. It was a big honor. My teacher and I worked hard on my…
Vintage PA: A Personal Lesson in Promise
The following is a portion of a speech I gave several years ago at the local kick off for the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition. I was asked to speak, to those…