MM Northwestern University
BM St. Olaf College
I edited Ron Surace's recent piano publications with Opus Music and I made several demo recordings for the web site, "Ron Surace, His Music."
Every person contains a "divine spark" of music. It may be as tiny as a firefly, or in rare instances, a bright star, or even a dazzling sun. It is my challenge as teacher to discover that spark and encourage it to glow. I agree with Hans von Bulow who stated that the first thing to aim at is to play correctly; the next, beautifully; and then, interestingly. Our ultimate goal is to experience the joy of music through performance and lifelong appreciation.
Illinois State Music Teachers Association (Performed Duo Piano with Ron Surace and sang his music at the ISMTA State Conference in Chicago.)
North Shore Music Teachers Association (Appeared several times as pianist, singer, and lecturer)
Pianists With Purpose: Frequent solo and duo piano performances.
My Favorite Things in no particular order:
Chocolate, Books (Twain, Dickens, Solzhenitsyn) Jazz, Bach; Teaching (it's true!); Calvin & Hobbs.
Most memorable moment:
Hearing Artur Rubinstein at age 83 give the best piano concert of my lifetime.
Why study music:
1) To become civilized
2) To give your soul a means of expression
3) To have fun!
4) To become rich and famous (just kidding!)
My teenage student, Ella, exclaimed, "You know SO many ways to practice...you should write a book!"
I decided to take her advice, and I have just completed the "book": "Successful Practice for Pianists at All Levels." It is great! Now I am looking for a publisher. I will present it for the NSMTA when the Covid quarantine finally ends.