September 15
Business meeting Zoom platform
Meet & Greet: 9:30-10:00 Meeting: 10:00-11:00
October 13
A Conceptual Framework for Developing Practice Techniques
By Jay DeWire
What are we really doing when we practice? What is occurring in the mind of a student when they struggle at the piano? In this presentation I hope to provide a framework that helps us come to grips with these questions, as well as pointing us in the direction of efficient solutions to our students’ problems.
Meet & Greet: 9:30-10:00 Class: 10:00-11:30 Zoom platform
November 10
Yoga for Musicians
By Miyako Zeng
Meet & Greet 9:30-10:00 Class: 10:00-11:30 Venue: TBA
November 15
MSMTA Conference
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM ONLINE and FREE
December 8
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Holiday Get-Together Venue: TBA
January 12
Business Meeting Venue: TBA
Meet & Greet: 9:30-10:00 Meeting: 10:00-11:00
February 9
Improvisation – How Every Student Can Benefit from Training in Improvisation
By Michael Galdo
The skill of improvisation is like all other musical skills, some are naturally gifted at it while others struggle to learn how to do it, but everyone benefits from practicing it. Many classical piano students go through elementary training carefully learning the notes on the page without ever enjoying the benefits of improvisation. Learning how to improvise takes practice and opportunity. It aids in memory, creativity, harmony, audiation, poise in performance, and ultimately leads to a more complete musician. Michael will share some personal experiences with improvisation, share some insights on how improvisation improves musicianship on all levels, and some concrete ways to teach improvisation. Michael Galdo holds a BA from the University of Virginia and MM from Catholic University.
Meet & Greet 9:30-10:00 Class: 10:00-11:30 Venue: TBA
March 9
Teaching Piano by Ear
By Laurel Carroll
Meet & Greet 9:30-10:00 Class: 10:00-11:30 Venue: TBA
April 13
Teaching Piano to the Very Young
By Jennifer Lipetsky
A collection of simple songs and games to learn and sing with students who do not read. Using these songs we will teach rhythm concepts, learn where “d” is on the keyboard, understand the concepts of skips and steps and develop an aural connection between the songs and notes on the piano.
Note! If you are planning on participating, Jennifer asks that you send her your street address well in advance. She will then mail you a materials kit so you can participate. Doing is better than just watching! Click here to send an email to Jennifer.
Meet & Greet 9:30-10:00 Class: 10:00-11:30 Venue: TBA
May 11
Real Kids: Real Solutions
By Diane Hidy
Practical ways to deal with the normal difficulties that students present in lessons.
- How to break things into smaller pieces
- Ways to use props to get and keep a student’s interest,
- How to spot and accommodate common challenges like ADD and dyslexia
- Exploring the kinds of music that work best for different students
Meet & Greet 10:15-10:45 Class: 11:00-12:30. Connect via Zoom by 10:45.
June 9
Business Meeting and end-of-year Potluck Party. Venue: TBA