Once upon a winter afternoon in the icy cold of the Adirondack Mountain Lakes, a boy fell in love with a girl. The boy lived on one side of the lake and the girl lived directly across on the other. … Continue reading Play Me a Song, Piano Man
The great teacher Shinichi Suzuki once said– You don’t have to practice on the days you don’t eat. A bit extreme perhaps, but for the dedicated musician, it’s a truth. A well formed music-maker engages music everyday. Here’s the kicker– … Continue reading Music Practice 101
Every musician has encountered it. That moment when they’re out roaming in the world and stumble across their instrument. Randomly. Just sitting there waiting for music to be drawn out. In a pub. At a church. An interactive museum. A … Continue reading I’ve Been Taking Lessons for Years– And Can’t Play A Thing!
Monday Morning Confession. In a blogging past-life, I had a tendency to share all the deepest, darkest of my secrets. There were plenty of follows and comments and eventually this weird feeling that I was being watched. I had a … Continue reading Boats, Pianos and Busted-Up Bones
You scroll by it in your newsfeed all the time– kids who take music lessons are more likely to succeed in STEM subjects, have higher test scores, are more universally accepted into their undergraduate school of choice— the list goes … Continue reading 8 Reasons Why Music Lessons Matter
When I was a kid and I wanted to tell somebody something special, I’d write them a song. Lyrics. Piano Music. Usually a three chord progression of my feelings. I wrote countless songs– many of them recorded on reel to … Continue reading Growing the Music Maker
There’s a time to be actively learning and a time to rest within your existing knowledge. Continue reading Take A Breather
I’ve been doing this living thing for 42 years (that is if you believe this is my first time living). Parenting… 15 years. So on neither subject am I an expert. On both subjects I have failed greatly. As a … Continue reading Bomb Threats
I recently held my first mandatory parent orientation. September isn’t the most ideal time to ask parents for yet another hour of their time but I felt it was important (even for the long-timers) to be reminded of their role … Continue reading Even if You’re Tone Deaf
I sat this morning in my herb garden, weeding those damnable onion weeds away from the rosemary, lavender… thyme. Thin, playful green strings waving about all over the place– babies of my garlic chive plant. You see, every late summer, … Continue reading Onion Flowers and Saxophones
Parents ask me, “How do I get them to practice?” or they inform me, “My kid didn’t practice and I didn’t make them.” Or they accuse me, “We fought all week over the music you assigned.” It’s funny to me … Continue reading Music Teachers Wear EarPlugs Too.
My music studio grows quiet for the hot summer months. My students are off playing in fountains or at summer camp or visiting grandparents. They have a plan. We went over it at their last lesson and if they are … Continue reading Independent Summer Study
A Music Room 