Hello, everyone! Every time there’s a break in the rain, I see little hints of spring: daffodils emerging, chickadees nesting, syllabus approaching! Yes! Syllabus students need to be practicing consistently in order to have their…
Welcome to piano 2019! We’re off to a great start and I’m excited about all the new pieces we’ve started. Be sure to schedule a regular time for daily piano practice, 5 days a week…
When you have a moment, gather around together and watch these two enjoyable videos. They are performances by pianist, Andre Watts, who began taking piano lessons with his mother and made his debut with the…
Margaux, age 14, and her friend Jasmine performed the Egyptian Ballet Dance by Camille Saint-Säens at the Eugene District Ensemble Festival. Margaux has been a winner of the Eugene District Baroque Festival and was selected…
To start the new year we will listen to a concerto, a piece of music written to feature a solo instrument (piano, violin, guitar, etc.) and accompanied by an orchestra. Typically concertos are in three…
Greetings and Happy New Year! I hope you have had a wonderful and relaxing winter break. I’m excited to resume lessons this week and to see you all. OMTA Festivals: Saturday, February 9, Baroque Festival…
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel included the old English ballad, Scarborough Fair, on their immensely popular 1965 album, Simon & Garfunkel. I have always loved this melody set in Dorian mode and over the years…
Everyone knows that playing duets with a friend or family member is a lot of fun. It was a principal source of entertainment in the 19th century and continues to be so today. We can look forward…
Can you guess what song beginning piano students across the nation choose as their favorite, and play over and over again, much to their parent’s and piano teacher’s dismay, er…I mean delight? You’ll know this…
Playing duets with a friend is a fun rewarding experience for any musician! Last fall, Margaux Parsons and Jasmine Darmadi enjoyed preparing the Egyptian Ballet Dance by Camille Saint-Saens for the OMTA Ensemble Festival. After…