Workshop Presenters
Christy Apodaca, ATC, ACSM-EP - "Morning Moves" (Fri. & Sat. 7:30 am)
Morning Moves will give conference attendees a chance to wake up your bodies and ready your brains for a day of learning. Breathing exercises, gentle stretches and easy movements that can be done standing up or sitting in a chair...no workout clothes required. As an added bonus, all of these exercises can be done throughout the day to keep you energized during the conference!
Christy Apodaca hails from Colorado and holds degrees in Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology. She spent ten years as an Exercise Physiologist for the Air Force overseeing the health and wellness programs at various military installations. Christy has also worked as an Athletic Trainer in the world of Sports Medicine in collegiate, high school, and other settings. Her love of music started at an early age with piano and saxophone lessons and has continued to be part of her life through participation in various volunteer and professional musical groups. Christy moved to Florida in 2014 with her husband Robert, where she resumed the musical side of her career as a piano teacher at JN Studios in East Orlando.
Morning Moves will give conference attendees a chance to wake up your bodies and ready your brains for a day of learning. Breathing exercises, gentle stretches and easy movements that can be done standing up or sitting in a chair...no workout clothes required. As an added bonus, all of these exercises can be done throughout the day to keep you energized during the conference!
Christy Apodaca hails from Colorado and holds degrees in Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology. She spent ten years as an Exercise Physiologist for the Air Force overseeing the health and wellness programs at various military installations. Christy has also worked as an Athletic Trainer in the world of Sports Medicine in collegiate, high school, and other settings. Her love of music started at an early age with piano and saxophone lessons and has continued to be part of her life through participation in various volunteer and professional musical groups. Christy moved to Florida in 2014 with her husband Robert, where she resumed the musical side of her career as a piano teacher at JN Studios in East Orlando.
Stephanie Archer – "Injury Prevention: Strategies for Every Stage of Piano Study" (Saturday, 2 pm)
Physical barriers are a common occurrence among pianists of all ages and levels. With the increasing knowledge and experiences of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, it is of the utmost importance for pedagogues to develop strategies for dealing with such issues. In this presentation, proactive strategies will be discussed for teachers to use in preventing physical issues in students. The importance of teaching arm weight and proper hand positions will be examined as well as fun ways to incorporate these into beginning lessons. In addition to proactive strategies, reactive strategies will be discussed as well. Recommendations for helping students who have suffered from injuries will be addressed in order to aid them in recovery. Attendees will learn about warm-up, practicing, performing, and cool-down strategies that they can use with their own students. At the conclusion of this presentation, pianists will be equipped with tools to prevent and overcome playing-related injuries.
Stephanie Archer is currently a student at Florida State University where she is pursuing a PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in piano pedagogy. She previously attended the University of Mobile for her undergraduate degree and Louisiana State University where she earned a Master of Music in piano pedagogy. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Stephanie has served in many leadership roles for local and state chapters of Music Teachers National Association. Her major professors are Diana Dumlavwalla and Heidi Louise Williams.
Stephanie has maintained a large studio of pre-college and adult students for many years. She has also taught undergraduate class piano at Louisiana State University and Miles College where she chaired the class piano program and currently teaches these courses at Florida State University. A frequent adjudicator, collaborator, and clinician, she enjoys sharing new ideas and teaching strategies in pedagogy. Her research interests include injury prevention, musician wellness, and developmentally-appropriate educational practices for the elementary level student.
Physical barriers are a common occurrence among pianists of all ages and levels. With the increasing knowledge and experiences of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, it is of the utmost importance for pedagogues to develop strategies for dealing with such issues. In this presentation, proactive strategies will be discussed for teachers to use in preventing physical issues in students. The importance of teaching arm weight and proper hand positions will be examined as well as fun ways to incorporate these into beginning lessons. In addition to proactive strategies, reactive strategies will be discussed as well. Recommendations for helping students who have suffered from injuries will be addressed in order to aid them in recovery. Attendees will learn about warm-up, practicing, performing, and cool-down strategies that they can use with their own students. At the conclusion of this presentation, pianists will be equipped with tools to prevent and overcome playing-related injuries.
Stephanie Archer is currently a student at Florida State University where she is pursuing a PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in piano pedagogy. She previously attended the University of Mobile for her undergraduate degree and Louisiana State University where she earned a Master of Music in piano pedagogy. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Stephanie has served in many leadership roles for local and state chapters of Music Teachers National Association. Her major professors are Diana Dumlavwalla and Heidi Louise Williams.
Stephanie has maintained a large studio of pre-college and adult students for many years. She has also taught undergraduate class piano at Louisiana State University and Miles College where she chaired the class piano program and currently teaches these courses at Florida State University. A frequent adjudicator, collaborator, and clinician, she enjoys sharing new ideas and teaching strategies in pedagogy. Her research interests include injury prevention, musician wellness, and developmentally-appropriate educational practices for the elementary level student.
Kevin Chance – "Shattering the Studio Ceiling: Teaching Gems by Under-Represented Composers" (Saturday 2 pm)
We have a wealth of wonderful repertoire to teach, but we often overlook or are not aware of repertoire by composers who are not white, dead men. There is much pedagogically valuable material by women composers and composers of color, which opens the door to more culturally relevant and diverse teaching to represent our diverse communities. This presentation exhibits works from the early elementary to the early advanced levels that represents the diversity we strive to see in our studios. During the lecture, each work will be discussed and performed, and excerpts of the scores will be projected to allow teachers to see the material as well. The handout includes detailed publisher information in an effort to make the works as easy as possible to source.
Kevin Chance serves as Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Alabama where he chairs the Gloria Narramore Moody Piano Area. Dr. Chance has performed as soloist and collaborator throughout the world, and for over twenty years, he has been a member of the Semplice Duo with flutist Cristina Ballatori. He maintains a prizewinning studio of pre-college and college students, and he was named Teacher of the Year by the Alabama Music Teachers Association and the Druid City Arts Council. He was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Steinway & Sons Music Teachers Hall of Fame in New York City. The UA College of Arts Sciences recently appointed Dr. Chance as a Leadership Board Faculty Fellow, and he holds degrees from Birmingham-Southern College, Louisiana State University, and the Eastman School of Music. His primary teachers include William DeVan, Betty Sue Shepherd, Constance Knox Carroll, and Barry Snyder.
We have a wealth of wonderful repertoire to teach, but we often overlook or are not aware of repertoire by composers who are not white, dead men. There is much pedagogically valuable material by women composers and composers of color, which opens the door to more culturally relevant and diverse teaching to represent our diverse communities. This presentation exhibits works from the early elementary to the early advanced levels that represents the diversity we strive to see in our studios. During the lecture, each work will be discussed and performed, and excerpts of the scores will be projected to allow teachers to see the material as well. The handout includes detailed publisher information in an effort to make the works as easy as possible to source.
Kevin Chance serves as Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Alabama where he chairs the Gloria Narramore Moody Piano Area. Dr. Chance has performed as soloist and collaborator throughout the world, and for over twenty years, he has been a member of the Semplice Duo with flutist Cristina Ballatori. He maintains a prizewinning studio of pre-college and college students, and he was named Teacher of the Year by the Alabama Music Teachers Association and the Druid City Arts Council. He was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Steinway & Sons Music Teachers Hall of Fame in New York City. The UA College of Arts Sciences recently appointed Dr. Chance as a Leadership Board Faculty Fellow, and he holds degrees from Birmingham-Southern College, Louisiana State University, and the Eastman School of Music. His primary teachers include William DeVan, Betty Sue Shepherd, Constance Knox Carroll, and Barry Snyder.
Diana Dumlavwalla – "A Kaleidoscope of Colours: The Globalization of Canadian Music as Led by Female Composers" (Saturday 8:30 am)
As the fourth largest city in North America and the most populated metropolis in Canada, Toronto has garnered a reputation for being one of the most culturally diverse centres in the world. Thousands of people from across the globe immigrate to Canada every year and decide to make Toronto their home. This results in a social tapestry that weaves a multitude of languages, customs and beliefs creating a heritage that is distinctly Canadian. The traditions of each person’s ethnicity inevitably influence their work and daily life in their new country. This lecture recital will focus on the solo piano works of Alice Ho, Kotoka Suzuki and Afarin Mansouri. These individuals are Toronto-based composers who have made their own mark on the Western art music scene. The presentation will highlight how these composers fuse musical inspiration from their cultural backgrounds with the compositional techniques and instruments of Western society.
Canadian pianist, Diana Dumlavwalla is Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Florida State University. Previously, Diana taught at Western University where she developed the faculty’s inaugural doctoral piano pedagogy course. She also serves as a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners and adjudicates at local, regional and state/provincial competitions.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Diana has performed in North America, Europe and Australia. She has presented lecture recitals and papers at numerous conferences and her research has been featured in journals such as American Music Teacher and the International Journal of Music Education. Diana was awarded the 2018 and 2021 MTNA E-Journal Article of the Year. She currently serves as President for the Florida State Music Teachers Association
Dr. Dumlavwalla holds a D.M.A. degree from the University of Toronto, M.Mus. from the Royal College of Music in London and B.Mus. from Wilfrid Laurier University.
As the fourth largest city in North America and the most populated metropolis in Canada, Toronto has garnered a reputation for being one of the most culturally diverse centres in the world. Thousands of people from across the globe immigrate to Canada every year and decide to make Toronto their home. This results in a social tapestry that weaves a multitude of languages, customs and beliefs creating a heritage that is distinctly Canadian. The traditions of each person’s ethnicity inevitably influence their work and daily life in their new country. This lecture recital will focus on the solo piano works of Alice Ho, Kotoka Suzuki and Afarin Mansouri. These individuals are Toronto-based composers who have made their own mark on the Western art music scene. The presentation will highlight how these composers fuse musical inspiration from their cultural backgrounds with the compositional techniques and instruments of Western society.
Canadian pianist, Diana Dumlavwalla is Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Florida State University. Previously, Diana taught at Western University where she developed the faculty’s inaugural doctoral piano pedagogy course. She also serves as a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners and adjudicates at local, regional and state/provincial competitions.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Diana has performed in North America, Europe and Australia. She has presented lecture recitals and papers at numerous conferences and her research has been featured in journals such as American Music Teacher and the International Journal of Music Education. Diana was awarded the 2018 and 2021 MTNA E-Journal Article of the Year. She currently serves as President for the Florida State Music Teachers Association
Dr. Dumlavwalla holds a D.M.A. degree from the University of Toronto, M.Mus. from the Royal College of Music in London and B.Mus. from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Noel Engebretson – "Pedaling: Taking it to the Next Level, Even Beyond the Score"(Friday 4:10 pm)
The pedal has been called the soul of the piano, but it is often misunderstood, and its potential is rarely unlocked by all but concert artists. I will present new strategies and offer unique insight into this remarkable tool which is capable of communicating a richness of sound that is all too often lacking in student performances, and I will offer solutions for frequent situations that arise in teaching studios.
Noel Engebretson is an active concert pianist, a Steinway Artist, and Professor Emeritus at The University of Alabama. He has appeared throughout the world as a prize-winning soloist, chamber musician, and master teacher. Performances include appearances with the Minnesota Orchestra, Lawton Philharmonic, Glendale Pops, Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Broadcast Symphony, Wuhan Symphony, Shenzhen Symphony, La Forza Chamber Orchestra, Tuscaloosa Symphony, and the Austin Symphony among many others. He is in demand as a performer and masterclass teacher, as well as a lecturer on advanced playing techniques. With COVID, most of the activities have been sidelined, but he will be lecturing and performing for the Florida Music Teachers annual convention the next time it can be held. He has been invited to perform in multiple cities in Germany as soon as conditions allow. He is also the father of Heather Engebretson, a renowned Opera singer in Europe. He will be appearing in concert in Frankfurt, Germany in May 2022.
The pedal has been called the soul of the piano, but it is often misunderstood, and its potential is rarely unlocked by all but concert artists. I will present new strategies and offer unique insight into this remarkable tool which is capable of communicating a richness of sound that is all too often lacking in student performances, and I will offer solutions for frequent situations that arise in teaching studios.
Noel Engebretson is an active concert pianist, a Steinway Artist, and Professor Emeritus at The University of Alabama. He has appeared throughout the world as a prize-winning soloist, chamber musician, and master teacher. Performances include appearances with the Minnesota Orchestra, Lawton Philharmonic, Glendale Pops, Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Broadcast Symphony, Wuhan Symphony, Shenzhen Symphony, La Forza Chamber Orchestra, Tuscaloosa Symphony, and the Austin Symphony among many others. He is in demand as a performer and masterclass teacher, as well as a lecturer on advanced playing techniques. With COVID, most of the activities have been sidelined, but he will be lecturing and performing for the Florida Music Teachers annual convention the next time it can be held. He has been invited to perform in multiple cities in Germany as soon as conditions allow. He is also the father of Heather Engebretson, a renowned Opera singer in Europe. He will be appearing in concert in Frankfurt, Germany in May 2022.
Yangmingting Fang - "Engaging Students with Autism in Music Lessons"
(Friday 4:10 pm)
This presentation serves as a guide for inexperienced music teachers who desire to elevate the quality of life for students with autism. It synthesizes information from neurologist and biologist to bring an increased awareness to the cause of the disorder, as well as psychologists’ recommendations for communication strategies and physical activity. This research also discusses practical instructions from experienced music teachers who have established reputations in this field. Suggestions from theses teachers include strategies for lesson planning, classroom setup, and recommended music activities for students with special needs. In addition to providing the strategies from specialists and music teachers, this presentation also emphasizes the importance of parental involvement, offering advice for what parents can do to make the learning process more successful. By exploring the recommendations of specialists and master teachers, this presentation will equip teachers to successfully engage students with autism.
Yangmingting Fang recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance with a secondary concentration in Piano Pedagogy at The University of Alabama. She enjoys being a performer, a teacher, as well as a collaborative pianist. During her time at UA, Fang studied under Dr. Kevin Chance and served as a collaborative pianist and assistant music director with the UA Opera Theatre. In 2019, she received the Clara Wells Fellowship from American Matthay Association. She was also named winner for the 2022 Alabama MTA Piano Auditions. As Fang developed her interest in piano pedagogy, she began to share her research interest in national and regional conferences, including the MTNA National Conference, the MTNA Collegiate Symposium, the CMS Southern Conference, the Alabama MTNA Conference, the Texas MTA Convention and the MTNA Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum. Fang is currently a Piano Instructor and Collaborative Artist in Residence at Orpheus Academy of Music in Austin, TX.
(Friday 4:10 pm)
This presentation serves as a guide for inexperienced music teachers who desire to elevate the quality of life for students with autism. It synthesizes information from neurologist and biologist to bring an increased awareness to the cause of the disorder, as well as psychologists’ recommendations for communication strategies and physical activity. This research also discusses practical instructions from experienced music teachers who have established reputations in this field. Suggestions from theses teachers include strategies for lesson planning, classroom setup, and recommended music activities for students with special needs. In addition to providing the strategies from specialists and music teachers, this presentation also emphasizes the importance of parental involvement, offering advice for what parents can do to make the learning process more successful. By exploring the recommendations of specialists and master teachers, this presentation will equip teachers to successfully engage students with autism.
Yangmingting Fang recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance with a secondary concentration in Piano Pedagogy at The University of Alabama. She enjoys being a performer, a teacher, as well as a collaborative pianist. During her time at UA, Fang studied under Dr. Kevin Chance and served as a collaborative pianist and assistant music director with the UA Opera Theatre. In 2019, she received the Clara Wells Fellowship from American Matthay Association. She was also named winner for the 2022 Alabama MTA Piano Auditions. As Fang developed her interest in piano pedagogy, she began to share her research interest in national and regional conferences, including the MTNA National Conference, the MTNA Collegiate Symposium, the CMS Southern Conference, the Alabama MTNA Conference, the Texas MTA Convention and the MTNA Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum. Fang is currently a Piano Instructor and Collaborative Artist in Residence at Orpheus Academy of Music in Austin, TX.
Rose Grace and Terrance Lane - "Centuries of Voices Denied: Classical Music as a Forum for Social Justice"(Friday 8:30 am)
The core issues in the fight for social justice addressing religion, gender, ethnicity, race, and political regimes are as old as mankind. Exploring the experiences of marginalized composers throughout the ages offers a way to contextualize social injustices still plaguing today’s modern societies. From its inception, music, as a multidisciplinary field, has served as a form of expression and communication, preserving a cultural record keeping of societal structure and function. The presentation addresses social activism by exploring important, published literary and musical works through textual and compositional analysis. The presentation demonstrates how societies viewed these marginalized individuals, and in turn, how the composers responded through their musical voice. The social injustices experienced in societies, past and present, represented through musical arts, may elicit social conscience among the modern world to build more inclusive and equitable societies.
Dr. Terrance Lane has been the Choral Director of the Bethune-Cookman University's Concert Chorale since 2017. Under his direction, the Concert Chorale has performed numerous times at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida, has been featured with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, ongoing collaborations with the Bach Festival Orchestra in Winter Park, Florida, and in 2018 were featured as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" in a series of concerts across Israel. During the COVID19 pandemic, Dr. Lane and Dr. Grace formed a collaboration to present a series of workshops examining five core issues in the fight for social justice through the lives and works of marginalized, classical composers throughout centuries entitled, "Centuries of Voices Denied: Classical Music as a Forum For Social Justice." This collaboration resulted in invitations to present this topic in the summer of 2021 at two International Conferences: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in Oxford, UK, and New Directions in the Humanities in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Terrance Lane holds the following degrees: Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from University of Phoenix, and MBA in Management & Operations from University of Phoenix, and a BS in Music Education from Florida A&M University.
The core issues in the fight for social justice addressing religion, gender, ethnicity, race, and political regimes are as old as mankind. Exploring the experiences of marginalized composers throughout the ages offers a way to contextualize social injustices still plaguing today’s modern societies. From its inception, music, as a multidisciplinary field, has served as a form of expression and communication, preserving a cultural record keeping of societal structure and function. The presentation addresses social activism by exploring important, published literary and musical works through textual and compositional analysis. The presentation demonstrates how societies viewed these marginalized individuals, and in turn, how the composers responded through their musical voice. The social injustices experienced in societies, past and present, represented through musical arts, may elicit social conscience among the modern world to build more inclusive and equitable societies.
Dr. Terrance Lane has been the Choral Director of the Bethune-Cookman University's Concert Chorale since 2017. Under his direction, the Concert Chorale has performed numerous times at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida, has been featured with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, ongoing collaborations with the Bach Festival Orchestra in Winter Park, Florida, and in 2018 were featured as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" in a series of concerts across Israel. During the COVID19 pandemic, Dr. Lane and Dr. Grace formed a collaboration to present a series of workshops examining five core issues in the fight for social justice through the lives and works of marginalized, classical composers throughout centuries entitled, "Centuries of Voices Denied: Classical Music as a Forum For Social Justice." This collaboration resulted in invitations to present this topic in the summer of 2021 at two International Conferences: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in Oxford, UK, and New Directions in the Humanities in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Terrance Lane holds the following degrees: Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from University of Phoenix, and MBA in Management & Operations from University of Phoenix, and a BS in Music Education from Florida A&M University.
Dr. Rose Shlyam Grace, a Russian-born pianist, has concertized throughout the United States as a soloist and chamber music recitalist. In recent years, Dr. Grace has been a featured artist and guest presenter at several major conferences, including the National APHA Conference, International PAMA Symposiums, the National MTNA Conferences and the Florida Flute Association Conventions. In summer 2021, Rose Grace and Terrance Lane were featured as conference presenters at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in Oxford, UK, and International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Grace serves as an Associate Professor of Piano at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is the founder of the B-CU Music Outreach Program. Dr. Grace and the B-CU Music Department were awarded a generous grant from the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation to launch a new holistic arts, health, and wellness training program in Central Florida. Rose Grace can be heard on several recording labels, including an Albany Records CD entitled, Vibrations of Hope: Music of the New Millennium. She holds a DMA from the Eastman School of Music, an M.A. in Musicology from the University of Chicago, and a B.M from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Judith Jain - "Teaching the Inattentive Child" (Friday 9:30 am)
We all have ‘inattentive students.’ We have seen that they don’t seem to focus, retain information, and consistently underperform what we are convinced we taught them well. This subject grabbed my full attention as my own daughter was labeled ‘uninterested in learning’ by her first-grade teacher. Then, the Coronavirus home-bound experience happened’ and I became her second-grade teacher at home. Her evolution has taken her to finish second grade in the ‘Principal’s Honor Roll’ at her Virtual School. But more importantly, we learned and developed love for learning, accountability and responsibility while fostering our relationship and retaining joy.
What if the piano instructor is the one who breaks the 'inattentive' barrier for the ADD and ADHD labeled students? The following presentation is based on my research of the psychological and neurological information available on the subject of inattentiveness, often times labeled as ADD or ADHD, with examples on how to apply it in the piano lesson.
Founder and Executive Director of New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy, hailing as possibly the largest precollege piano academy in the US, Dr. Judith Jain balances a career as performer and pedagogue. Dr. Jain’s performances, lectures and master classes have been featured in the US and abroad. Her Carnegie Hall debut took place in October of 2010.
Her teaching career has been associated with the New School for Music Study, University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, and Indiana University in Bloomington.
Her articles have been featured in Clavier Companion and American Music Teacher magazines.
Dr. Jain holds a Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance from Indiana University, a Masters Degree in Piano Performance from UC-CCM, and a Doctorate Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from UC-CCM. Dr. Jain completed a post-graduate Fellowship at the New School for Music Study, specializing in the teaching philosophy of Frances Clark.
We all have ‘inattentive students.’ We have seen that they don’t seem to focus, retain information, and consistently underperform what we are convinced we taught them well. This subject grabbed my full attention as my own daughter was labeled ‘uninterested in learning’ by her first-grade teacher. Then, the Coronavirus home-bound experience happened’ and I became her second-grade teacher at home. Her evolution has taken her to finish second grade in the ‘Principal’s Honor Roll’ at her Virtual School. But more importantly, we learned and developed love for learning, accountability and responsibility while fostering our relationship and retaining joy.
What if the piano instructor is the one who breaks the 'inattentive' barrier for the ADD and ADHD labeled students? The following presentation is based on my research of the psychological and neurological information available on the subject of inattentiveness, often times labeled as ADD or ADHD, with examples on how to apply it in the piano lesson.
Founder and Executive Director of New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy, hailing as possibly the largest precollege piano academy in the US, Dr. Judith Jain balances a career as performer and pedagogue. Dr. Jain’s performances, lectures and master classes have been featured in the US and abroad. Her Carnegie Hall debut took place in October of 2010.
Her teaching career has been associated with the New School for Music Study, University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, and Indiana University in Bloomington.
Her articles have been featured in Clavier Companion and American Music Teacher magazines.
Dr. Jain holds a Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance from Indiana University, a Masters Degree in Piano Performance from UC-CCM, and a Doctorate Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from UC-CCM. Dr. Jain completed a post-graduate Fellowship at the New School for Music Study, specializing in the teaching philosophy of Frances Clark.
Bridget O’Leary and Nicolas Lira, DMA - "Bringing the Pop to Popular Music" (Friday 8:30 am)
For many students, popular music may be the most important style they learn in piano lessons -- the one that they return to again and again later in life. As educators and performers, we seek to teach and perform pop, rock, R&B, and electronic music with the same authentic performance practice as repertoire from previous eras. But how do we convey a pop musician’s style and communicate this to our students, as we do with the classical piano repertoire? Similar to classical composers, many popular musicians have distinguishing stylistic elements and musical idioms. Using live performance and analysis from songs by Alicia Keys, Sara Bareilles, Elton John, and Adele, Bridget O'Leary and Nicolas Lira will demonstrate appropriate stylistic playing and detail suitable performance practices within these popular genres.
Bridget O’Leary is active as a solo pianist, collaborator and educator. Recent performance highlights include a solo recital at Kansas City’s Charlotte House Series, duo recitals with cellist Kirsten Jermé, recitals with her clarinet, violin, and piano ensemble Xiphias Trio (including featured performance at the American Single Reed Summit), and festival shows with her crossover quartet Fourscore. Her outreach work extends to projects like Classical Revolution KC which brings music to unconventional audiences, and KC Young Musicians Roundtable, an organization that helps musicians develop their professional careers. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Bridget maintains a full private home studio and enjoys working with motivated learners of all ages. She especially loves teaching adults returning to the instrument, competitive high schoolers, and has been actively teaching virtual lessons since 2017. To learn more about Bridget you can visit her website at www.pianoleary.com
For many students, popular music may be the most important style they learn in piano lessons -- the one that they return to again and again later in life. As educators and performers, we seek to teach and perform pop, rock, R&B, and electronic music with the same authentic performance practice as repertoire from previous eras. But how do we convey a pop musician’s style and communicate this to our students, as we do with the classical piano repertoire? Similar to classical composers, many popular musicians have distinguishing stylistic elements and musical idioms. Using live performance and analysis from songs by Alicia Keys, Sara Bareilles, Elton John, and Adele, Bridget O'Leary and Nicolas Lira will demonstrate appropriate stylistic playing and detail suitable performance practices within these popular genres.
Bridget O’Leary is active as a solo pianist, collaborator and educator. Recent performance highlights include a solo recital at Kansas City’s Charlotte House Series, duo recitals with cellist Kirsten Jermé, recitals with her clarinet, violin, and piano ensemble Xiphias Trio (including featured performance at the American Single Reed Summit), and festival shows with her crossover quartet Fourscore. Her outreach work extends to projects like Classical Revolution KC which brings music to unconventional audiences, and KC Young Musicians Roundtable, an organization that helps musicians develop their professional careers. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Bridget maintains a full private home studio and enjoys working with motivated learners of all ages. She especially loves teaching adults returning to the instrument, competitive high schoolers, and has been actively teaching virtual lessons since 2017. To learn more about Bridget you can visit her website at www.pianoleary.com
Active as a performer, teacher, and scholar, Nicolas Lira explores a wide range of musical genres, stretching from classical music, to jazz, pop, and punk. He pursues growth at the intersection of his experiences as a saxophonist, pianist, and theorist. In central North Carolina, he can be heard with the jazz quartet New Morning, the singer/songwriter Gabe Dunston, and the new music and improvisation collective COLAPSS. Nicolas’ past teachers include Joe Lulloff, Taimur Sullivan, Zach Shemon and Derek Polischuk. He holds his DMA degree in saxophone performance and MM degree in music theory from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at University of Missouri-Kansas City. When he's not making music, Nicolas can be found riding or wrenching on his bicycles.
Ricardo Pozenatto - “'Copy Me!': Developing Reading, Artistry, and Technique through Meaningful Rote Teaching (Friday 8:30 am)
Rote teaching is a highly motivating but often overlooked pedagogical tool. When rote teaching occurs side by side with a strong reading program, beginner students are engaged in meaningful musical experiences. Since beginner students can play music more challenging than they can read, artistry and technique can be the focus elements during the playing. Rote teaching enables elementary students to explore diverse piano sounds from the very first lessons, and the freedom provided by this teaching approach sparks students’ imagination, favoring the communication of meaningful ideas. This session will discuss the importance of rote teaching in the development of reading, artistry, and technique during the early stages of piano studies. Teaching ideas, materials, and resources will be shared, hoping to “break the barriers” of rote teaching in your piano studio!
Dr. Ricardo Pozenatto, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, recently graduated from Florida State University with a Ph.D. in Music Education - Piano Pedagogy. A passionate teacher, he is currently on faculty at the New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy, in Florida. Dr. Pozenatto serves as the chairperson for the FSMTA Annual Teacher’s Awards and as the Coordinator of International Engagement for the Frances Clark Center.
Rote teaching is a highly motivating but often overlooked pedagogical tool. When rote teaching occurs side by side with a strong reading program, beginner students are engaged in meaningful musical experiences. Since beginner students can play music more challenging than they can read, artistry and technique can be the focus elements during the playing. Rote teaching enables elementary students to explore diverse piano sounds from the very first lessons, and the freedom provided by this teaching approach sparks students’ imagination, favoring the communication of meaningful ideas. This session will discuss the importance of rote teaching in the development of reading, artistry, and technique during the early stages of piano studies. Teaching ideas, materials, and resources will be shared, hoping to “break the barriers” of rote teaching in your piano studio!
Dr. Ricardo Pozenatto, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, recently graduated from Florida State University with a Ph.D. in Music Education - Piano Pedagogy. A passionate teacher, he is currently on faculty at the New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy, in Florida. Dr. Pozenatto serves as the chairperson for the FSMTA Annual Teacher’s Awards and as the Coordinator of International Engagement for the Frances Clark Center.
Sheila Vail - "The Heat of a Spotlight can Melt Barriers!" (Saturday 8:30 am)
The focus of a spotlight provides the opportunity for more complete understanding and appreciation of any activity. Celebrating accomplishments in music study and performance with public recognition can increase a student's self-esteem and personal confidence and help them develop their own unique identity as a musician.
Creating a formal music achievement celebration that mirrors similar conventional award events brings music study more into the mainstream, provides greater understanding of music study, and reflects the work done by professional teachers. An opportunity to highlight the many benefits gained through learning to play an instrument illustrates the value of music study and helps break down the perceived barrier that music is just a hobby.
Included will be footage from Sheila Vail’s Spring GALA and Awards Ceremony held earlier this year. She will review the event, the unique content, and some inspiring results. She will also present potential plans, formats, and different ways to honor student success in your studio or music school this year.
A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music Sheila Vail earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees working with Lillian Freundlich and Leon Fleisher. Former faculty member at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department she is the founding director of the Indian Springs Academy of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nationally published, her articles have appeared in the American Music Teacher magazine, Clavier Companion and other periodicals.
Sheila is a U.S. Representative and clinician for the RCM Certificate Program and speaks nationwide on the many benefits of the program for students, teachers, music studios and schools, and the music teaching profession at large. As a member of the College of Examiners she adjudicates Certificate Program students at all levels throughout North America.
Active in the Ohio Music Teachers Association, Sheila currently serves on the OMTA Executive Board as the State Student Certificate Program Chair. Sheila continues to teach and manage her Cincinnati based Academy.
The focus of a spotlight provides the opportunity for more complete understanding and appreciation of any activity. Celebrating accomplishments in music study and performance with public recognition can increase a student's self-esteem and personal confidence and help them develop their own unique identity as a musician.
Creating a formal music achievement celebration that mirrors similar conventional award events brings music study more into the mainstream, provides greater understanding of music study, and reflects the work done by professional teachers. An opportunity to highlight the many benefits gained through learning to play an instrument illustrates the value of music study and helps break down the perceived barrier that music is just a hobby.
Included will be footage from Sheila Vail’s Spring GALA and Awards Ceremony held earlier this year. She will review the event, the unique content, and some inspiring results. She will also present potential plans, formats, and different ways to honor student success in your studio or music school this year.
A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music Sheila Vail earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees working with Lillian Freundlich and Leon Fleisher. Former faculty member at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department she is the founding director of the Indian Springs Academy of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nationally published, her articles have appeared in the American Music Teacher magazine, Clavier Companion and other periodicals.
Sheila is a U.S. Representative and clinician for the RCM Certificate Program and speaks nationwide on the many benefits of the program for students, teachers, music studios and schools, and the music teaching profession at large. As a member of the College of Examiners she adjudicates Certificate Program students at all levels throughout North America.
Active in the Ohio Music Teachers Association, Sheila currently serves on the OMTA Executive Board as the State Student Certificate Program Chair. Sheila continues to teach and manage her Cincinnati based Academy.