Friday, July 29, 2011

Piano Teachers



The last stop on our recent three-week trip through the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland was Rock Hill, SC where I lived from 3rd grade until 11th grade. We had the privilege of being hosted by my high school chorus director, Marianne Helton, and we also had a delightful dinner catching up with Dr. Judith Barban who was the first piano teacher I studied with after my mother.

Each time I think of these three great ladies, I am reminded of the many layers of musicality they instilled in me. For the last few days, I have continued to meditate on the conversation I had with Dr. Barban during that meal. The more I reflect, the more I realize how much of my musicality, my understanding of myself as a person who feels in an artistic fashion, my understanding of my calling, and my spirituality come from the hours I spent with her as a child.

Certainly we can benefit from masterful teachers at every stage of our learning, and each of these teachers needs to address a wide range of issues including musicality, technique, how to structure our work, and how to view ourselves. With that said, it seems that my student career involved the following sorts of layers:

In the musical womb - learning the basics of playing and reading, and having joy in sharing music

Musical mid-wifery or toddlerhood - learning to see oneself as an artist who relates personally to pieces of music

Days of discipline, adolescence? - learning to practice and have some poise and self-control

Preparation - getting ready for undergrad auditions

Professionalism - learning technique and musicianship as an adult who wants to take a place with professionals

The final challenge - working with a master who pushes you to strive for the excellence of the great artists