Sing like no one is listeningDance like no one is watchingLive like life is heaven on earth This famous quote describes in a few words what many feel after singing and dancing. In addition to providing connection and community, singing and dancing can increase musicality and technical excellence in our students. Studies show that “dance…
An uncertain pathway ahead. Photo by Jonathan Toner “Consider this spring,” said Catherine Kettrick, my Alexander Technique teacher. She handed me a small metal coil. “What happens when you push on it?” I pushed on the spring and released it, watching it tighten and then return to its natural length. She continued: “The spring is…
Rejuvenation is the perfect theme for summer. We’ve survived the school year and orchestra season and have made it to the land of longer days, more sunshine, music festivals, and, hopefully, a little time to breathe and reflect. As teachers, it can be challenging to squeeze in additional training and skill-building during the school year,…
Fall down seven times, stand up eight.– Japanese Proverb “Why is studying the cello something your family feels is important for your child?” “What are you hoping your child takes away from their musical education?” These are questions pulled directly from the survey I give to all adult caregivers in my private studio community at…
By Dr. Sarah Herbert Building a strong foundation of fundamentals is a philosophy valued by Suzuki teaching and brass educators worldwide. While the first lessons for beginning brass students typically focus on the essentials of breathing and moving air, learning correct formation of the embouchure is among the first necessary techniques presented to a beginning…
By Joseph Kaminsky My wife and I love our home in the Midwest. Our backyard overlooks a small pond with a beautiful cypress tree towering over it. I face the window when I teach sporadic Zoom lessons, looking out at the turtle doves, cardinals, squirrels, and even deer that come to drink in our pond….
With time-consuming demands and frequent evaluations, many student musicians experience debilitating music performance anxiety, hypercritical thoughts, and avoidance of performance situations (Fehm and Schmidt 2004, 98-109). Music teachers can help students cope with these experiences through mindfulness training. Mindfulness is achieved through purposefully and non-judgmentally paying attention to the present moment and developing awareness of…
Leonard Cohen, my favorite prophet, wrote many songs with deep and thoughtful lyrics—poems, really, set to music. And, in spite of his gravelly singing voice, described by one critic as sounding “like the bottom of an ashtray,” the songs are beautiful works of musical art as well as profound statements about the condition of being…
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