Pedagogy

Part 1 - Teaching Rubato: Bend it, but Don't Break It! - Mrs. Clarfield

We, as piano teachers, face many challenges, perhaps one of the greatest being the maintenance of a steady tempo in our students' playing with a strict inner pulse. But what happens when they reach all of that splendid repertoire that demands rhythmic freedom? This workshop will provide teachers with ideas on when and why we use rubato, as well as techniques for how to teach students to play with rhythmic freedom beginning at an early age. Professor Clarfield will perform and provide an extensive list of repertoire from early intermediate to advanced levels that are effective in teaching rubato.

Part 2 - The Adult Student: Dealing with Unrealistic Expectations - Ms. Livingston

The adult student has made an enormous impact on the teaching profession. There are more adults taking piano lessons than ever before. Unrealistic expectations are high with adults and they are anxious to achieve results in the shortest time. This seminar will provide teachers with proven techniques that will help students turn frustration into inspiration.

August 7 Session II 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Part 1 - “Assessment in Your Studio" - Training Your Students to Hear and See What You Do! - Mrs. Clarfield

As teachers, we spend a lot of time during lessons telling students what to correct. However, what happens when they go home? Some have parents who will continue telling them, but are they really listening to themselves? This session will guide teachers in developing critical listening skills and vocabulary for students from the beginning.

Part 2 - A Judge Speaks to Teachers: Don't You Really Want to Know What We Are Thinking? - Ms. Livingston

This seminar will discuss the entire audition and competition experience. Ms. Livingston, an active adjudicator, will present special tips that judges particularly look for in these events. Topics that judges often discuss among themselves will be shared. The lecture includes 10 pieces teachers should not use for competitions. Judges always are subjected to hearing the same mistakes in this repertoire.

August 8 Session III 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Part 1 - Keys to Artistic Performance - Mrs. Clarfield

Once students have learned all the correct notes, rhythm, and basic dynamics of their pieces, teachers are faced with the challenge of making their performances truly artistic. This workshop will provide teachers with useful information on how to develop greater artistry by guiding students in 5 “key” areas: Color, Choreography, Characterization, Pedaling and Rubato. Teachers and students can apply these principals to all their repertoire to achieve a higher level of artistic performance, to sound and look like a concert pianist. Repertoire will be performed and discussed from Professor Clarfield’s unique series with well known composer, Dennis Alexander, Keys to Artistic Performance Books 1-3 (Alfred Publishing Co.), as well as other music from upper elementary through advanced levels. Participants are invited to bring in additional repertoire for discussion.

Part 2 - Adults Need Stepping Stone Repertoire Too!! - Ms. Livingston

Through carefully selected repertoire, creative practise strategies and using the communication skills of a therapist, this seminar will demonstrate how adult piano students can reach their goals in spite of limited practise time. Repertoire will be performed and discussed, showing how specific early repertoire can prepare students for the more advanced repertoire they all aspire to play.

August 8 Session IV 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Part 1 - Master Class - Mrs. Clarfield and Ms. Livingston

Students of all ages and levels are invited to participate. Solo piano and duo/duet teams are welcome. Spots will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Interested performers, please E-mail to cassa1@telus.net, or call Linda at (403) 271-0418 or Janice at (403) 287-1856.

Part 2a - Motivating Students by Tailoring Teaching Strategies to Their Learning Style–Victoria Chow

Educators, from general academic schools to private music teachers, have now begun to use concepts derived from learning styles and modalities. This critical pedagogy is an innovative approach to music education. As piano teachers, we can teach more effectively and with more ease if we are aware of these different learning styles. This workshop will give participants an opportunity to assess and explore learning styles/modalities and how their use can play an integral part in our studios.

Part 2b - Repertoire to Expand a Student's Musical Palette of Emotional Expression—Rebecca Leshures

Every piano teacher can recall certain students who observe a piece of music and interpret it as being “notes on a page.” Whatever happened to the musical language that we strive to teach our students to be fluent in? Why is it that students are not connected emotionally to the music, and often are not able to interpret it expressively? This workshop will deal with these questions and will explore a wide range of repertoire that appeals to students of various ages and levels. The music presented in this session will engage students and inspire them to expand beyond the black-and-white markings on the page, opening up a new palette of musicality.

Conclusion: Question/Answer with all

Ingrid Jacobson Clarfield, nationally recognized teacher, clinician, pianist, and author is Professor of Piano and Coordinator of the Piano Department at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She also directs Westminster Choir College's Piano Week for High School Students and is a frequent guest clinician at Calgary Arts Summer School Piano Camp in Alberta, Canada. More…

Lillian Livingston is Adjunct Professor of Piano at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She received her training at Indiana University and Roosevelt University in Chicago. She teaches piano and piano pedagogy courses and directs the Professional Development Certificate program and, with Ingrid Clarfield, co-directs the Summer Piano Camp for Piano Teachers and a piano camp for middle school students. Ms. Livingston is also active as part of a duo-piano team with Ms. Clarfield. More…

Ms. Clarfield and Ms. Livingston are also clinicians at the Piano Camp. Click here for more information.

Rebecca Leshures is currently a BM student at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She grew up in Brooks, Alberta, and began piano lessons at age seven. At age fourteen, she began studying with Edwin Gnandt in Calgary. At the 2004 CASSA piano camp she had the opportunity of meeting Professor Ingrid Clarfield, with whom she is now studying. She has completed her second year of study towards her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance. Rebecca's teaching experience includes teaching piano for three years before college.

In 2005 Rebecca was a finalist in the Canadian National Piano Competition. She has won several awards at Westminster Choir College over the past two years, including the Undergraduate Piano competition and the Freshman Piano Competition. Last year she had the opportunity to attend the MTNA Conference held in Toronto, where she performed Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto during Mrs. Clarfield's and George Litterst’s Workshop. This past spring, Rebecca performed Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor with the Westminster Community Orchestra.

Victoria Chow began studying piano at the age of seven with Eileen Craig and met Ingrid Clarfield at the age of ten while attending Calgary Arts Summer School Piano Camp. Miss Chow has won First Prize every year at the Annual Westminster Choir College Piano Competition. She was selected by the Piano Department to give a solo recital as part of a concert series in Fort Myers, Florida and and a Recital at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania. Her outstanding academic standings have placed her on the Dean's List throughout her undergraduate career; she was also recognized as a Rider Scholar in both her freshman and sophomore year, an award that acknowledges students with the highest GPA). Miss Chow graduated in May 2008 with a Bachelor's of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance with Magna Cum Laude.

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May 27, 2008 6:43