Teaching To The Test: A Rant
One of my adult students, whose grandchildren are taking piano lessons, came to me with concerns that the children were not doing anything in their lessons that wasn’t a part…
Telling The Truth
Who knew a take on death metal would get me thinking deeply about truth? Those who know me are already shaking their heads sadly. Clearly I've cracked. Well, please hear…
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.…
Artist Portrait: Ariel Lanyi
Pianist Ariel Lanyi may be young but he is already making his mark on the world through his concerts and recordings. He also studies and grows constantly through lessons and…
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…
Playing With Wolfgang: Syncing Schubert
As an undergraduate, I spent a semester discovering Schubert’s Impromptu’s. I was drawn particularly to the one in Ab. I loved the cascading figures and the drama of the central…
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…