It Has A Tail!
Yesterday I spent 20 minutes playing with a spunky 2.5 year old at the piano. This far her lessons have consisted of recognizing middle C, different landmark notes on the piano, playing twinkle twinkle...
View ArticleA lesson in longevity
I've found it turbulent to motivate my students on to harder material. They pick up quickly what "difficult music" looks like. When picking a song, they know how to visually avoid difficult rhythms and...
View ArticleNo wait, Come Back!
I need to stop looking at scheduling lessons as a battle, or that horribly fun-naseous game Jenga. There are definitely days that I have my studio open and days that it's closed, but beyond that I'm...
View ArticleHave a Nice Life!
That's what one of my students said to me today on his way out of the last piano lesson (most likely ever), "Have a nice life" .This student had some other, nicer things to say but it kind of drove...
View ArticleMe Time: A lesson in listening
I recently went on a retreat for contemplative prayer and I was greeted with anxiety, nervousness, awe and finally a window of what peace could really feel like. The challenge with contemplative prayer...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Anything but Katy Perry
When I ask my students to choose a song to sing, I preface it with "You can sing anything ... but Katy Perry " and here's why.... I'll be the first one to admit that I cannot resist a good and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Me Time: The Importance of Stretching
My yoga poses are never this elegant, but it's the thought that counts right? Not only did I go to yoga class today but I've reflected on ways in which I'm stretching myself and how that's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I Repeat "Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal"
I was listening to a podcast the other day about innovation. How originality is scarce, if even at all relative to invetion. The concept is both simple and complex, as many things are. The jist being...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review : B/J On The Run Tour
I left the concert early with sore feet and very mixed feelings. I've seen Beyonce before and let me just say that yes I too bow down to The Queen and I attest to the slogan Don't worry Be-Yoncé. But...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Me Time: Is Planning a Path Possible?
I was kind of thrown off when I heard someone talk about an experience that unveiled their path infront of them. It wasn't just a path, but their path. This spiked my curiosity, because I often...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Enneagram
I've heard a few people talk about The Enneagram, especially on the Relevant Magazine Podcast. I've always been very interested in qualified personality tests. I just think they are fascinating and can...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review : 12 Angry Men | 1 Amazed Olivia
Last night I went on a double date to see the play Tweleve Angry Men at the SoulPepper Theater in Toronto's Distillery District. Was I ever pleasently surprised!!! I'll admit that it's been a while...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Improvisation | The Rain Game
One of the games I love to play with my students a few months and sometimes weeks into their lesson is the 'The Rain Game', which I may have explained earlier . This uses the F# pentatonic scale (all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Teaching Time | From Fractions to Odd Meter Rhythms.
Yesterday's piano lesson was a lot of fun! I taught 7 year old S about fractions while we were playing music. I had noticed that this spunky little girl was really good at patterns. I was teaching her...
View ArticleStudio and Life Update | A Major Blog-post
A lot has happened since I last wrote and there has been some amazing highs and some scary low moments but I'm here, I'm home, I'm safe. I have a full belly and just laughed the night away with my best...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How I Got Here | Millie
I recieved an email from my first music teacher today and it brought tears to my eyes. There isn't really an occasion when her name in my inbox doesn't warm my heart and send me spiraling down the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Me Time | Surviving the Semester
I remember this time last year really well. At one point as I sat poised with my study notes, I also ate half a cup of chocolate covered espresso beans. I then spent the latter half of the night in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Me a Student | I am Here and I have Opinions!
This is the more daunting semester. Everyone is sick, it's dark out around 4:30 and I'm commuting with the fear of hit and miss storms. I'm constantly checking the weather, taking vitaC before bed and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review | Into The Woods
Rating : ✰ ✰ I was really excited to see this movie... it had a lot of things I'm generally interested it. Meryl Streep with blue hair, fairytales and it's a musical!!. I went in cold not knowing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Teaching Time | Music is a Gift
At the end of this teaching week I've never been greeted by something so firmly. Something that made me leave my studio lamenting. Wrapped in itself, what greeted me at the end of my teaching...
View Article