Billie Jean for Piano Duo

This is one of the reasons I love the piano.  As a pianist, one has such a great expanse of sounds truly at the fingertips.

Today I really enjoyed hearing a version of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean done by the Anderson and Roe piano duo.  Below is a link to a duo concert they did.  Billie Jean comes in at about minute 41.  Check it out!!!

Billie Jean done by the Anderson and Roe piano duo.

Awesome, right?  Yeah!  Go practice!  :)

Recital - November 2011

Well done!  Here's the proof!

To view the performances of Natalie, Katie, Maeve, Declan F., Pauline and Erica:

To view the performances of Whitney, August, Ioannis, Anne Marie, Cole, Diego and Adrian:

To view the performances of Amber, Fiona, Evan, Kabir, Jimena, Eddie and Declan H:

To view the performances of Mary, Chloe, Jerecho, Graham and Criss:

To view Ms. Aubrey's performance:

Thank you so much everyone - this was a lot of fun!!  Let's meet back here in the spring so we can show off all the hard work we do this winter!

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Beethoven's Sixth Symphony; Last Movement

I'm glad everyone enjoyed listening to the Third Symphony a couple of weeks ago.   Here is the last movement of the 6th symphony, one of my favorites.

Some of you are working on beautiful melodies and recognizing instrumentation, some are working on creating a picture or a feeling with the music your play at the piano, and some are working on the intricacies of how a composer treats a melody (variations, etc).  Please listen to this recording with these things in mind and come prepared to discuss it in your next lesson!  And enjoy!

Evan - took a lesson like a Suzuki Book 2 kid today!

Wow - what a week for congratulations!  Evan also graduated from Suzuki Book 1, playing with impressive sensitivity and spirit for his age.  Make sure to congratulate him when you see him at the November recital!

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Declan - Done with Folk, and on to Baroque!

Congratulations go out this evening to Declan, who gave a clean, confident, and musical performance of Suzuki Book 1 at Sherwood Community Music School.  I'm proud of all the work you've put into becoming an accomplished pianist for your age!

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As if playing the piano weren't challenging enough.....

In case any of you out there are feeling especially brilliant this week, Pauline and I propose a challenge.  Can any of you play like this??



Try it, practice it, and let me know!!

Ohhhh..... IT'S ON!  October 20th, a student responded to Pauline's challenge:




Maeve says, "Oh yeah?  Watch THIS!"
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Studio Star Scholarship Results!

The Studio Stars of the 2011-2012 school year have been decided and I'm happy to announce that the winners are Natalie Rehkemper and Katie Schneider!

Natalie has proven to be a committed piano student by making strides in developing the ability to practice in a goal-oriented manner and solve problems at the piano on her own.  She took that focus and motivation and worked very hard over the summer break.  To recognize this achievement, Natalie is being awarded one free piano lesson in which she can choose anything she wants to learn at the piano and her choice for where she plays in the order of this year's studio recitals.  Congratulations Natalie!

Katie, this year's second place winner, has continually proven herself to be a committed student with a passion for music.  She has been working on musicality, stage presence, and calmly facing passage-work without too much frustration.  I have seen her make great improvements in these areas and I love listening to her play.  Katie is also being awarded one free piano lesson in which she can choose anything she wants to work on at the piano.  Congratulations Katie!

All of my students are eligible for these awards, which are given yearly.  Both Natalie and Katie take lessons at Sherwood and if you see either of them in the studio or the hall, please congratulate them on the hard work they've put in this year!