Please join us for an extraordinary week of sessions by nationally-renowned presenters. This annual event features intensive workshops in piano pedagogy, literature, and performance by nationally and internationally renowned piano teachers and performers. Past presenters have included Seymour Bernstein, Marvin Blickenstaff, Ingrid Clarfield, Randall Faber, Maurice Hinson, Barbara Lister-Sink, Jane Magrath, Scott McBride Smith, Peter Takacs, Weekley and Arganbright, William Westney, and many others. Enrollment is open to the general public; graduate-level credit is optional.General Information

Workshops will be held in Brady Educational Center, room 111 (note location change)
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Registration Form - Summer Workshops in Piano Pedagogy
Summer Program Information

2013 Workshop Schedule

Aug. 7   Catherine Rollin
Aug. 8   Marvin Blickenstaff
Aug. 9   Marvin Blickenstaff

Wednesday, August 7

Catherine Rollin

MUSW 501-51: Technique and Artistry I and II
9:15-11:45 a.m.

You Can't Have One Without the Other
In this session, Catherine will give clear and detailed demonstrations of technical skills that will help our students to play with greater ease, fluency, arm weight and relaxation - all leading to greater artistic possibilities. 

Tackling the Warhorses with New Insights!
Applying specific skills discussed in the first session to very popular masterworks by Clementi, Debussy, Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart.

MUSW 501-52
1:15-3:45 p.m.

Make Mine Chopin! Preparing for and Playing the Works of Chopin
In this session Catherine will discuss the elements that are "key" in playing Chopin well and how we can prepare our students for his masterworks. She will demonstrate from teaching pieces as well as many Chopin works including nocturnes, etudes, waltzes and Ballades.

Marvin Blickenstaff 

MUSW 501-53
9:15-11:45 a.m.

Beauty and the Beast in the Piano Studio
When we accept a student into our studios, the curriculum spreads far and wide in front of us: reading, technique, repertoire, theory, etc. Our greatest legacy to the student, however, is that we give them the gift of beautiful music.

Pedagogy #101: A Review of the Basics
It is helpful to take a step back from our usual focus on intermediate and advanced students, and review some basic thoughts on ways to begin the training of reading, technique, rhythmic response, and interpretation... from the very first lesson. 

MUSW 501-55
9:15-11:45 a.m.

Performance Practice Made Easy: Rules of Thumb for the Piano StudentIt is a big job to bring our students to an accurate performance of notes and rhythms. Yet composers indicate details of sound through slurs and phrase markings, and a wide variety of articulations. This workshop attempts to provide students with Rules of Thumb that govern the interpretation of the sound.

Warm-Ups? Who, Me?! Technical Routines for all Ages
Physiologists would take exception to what many of our students consider their warm-up (one fast scale and we're ready to go!) Athletes, dancers, and orchestral musicians have extensive warm-up routines. Piano students can learn much from these professionals about the concept of warming up, and apply those concepts to their own practice, regardless of level of development.

The Case of the Potential Piano Drop-Out: What Do You Do When the Magic Stops?
There are numerous reasons why great numbers of students stop their lessons in the early years of instruction. We cannot change many of the familial and societal situations behind those decision, but we can rethink ways in which our instruction captivates the student to such a degree that they will wish to continue this ecxciting discovery of making music at the piano.

Student Masterclass
An interactive teaching demonstration with local students.