I'm primarily known as a classical pianist and composer: teaching 35-40 students each week at my studio, serving as Vice President of Classicopia and Executive Director of the Intermuse Festival, having served as New Hampshire Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer, and performing frequently as soloist or with other musicians.
However, next Friday, November 8, I'm doing something different.
When I reached out to the director of The Anonymous Coffeehouse to ask if he might consider me as a solo pianist for the series, his initial response was something along the lines of, "You're a wonderful musician and please don't take this the wrong way... but we don't really do classical music here." My response was, "But I'm not asking to play classical music...!"
My experiences over the past 9 years living in the Upper Valley have really encouraged me to explore playing and writing various styles and bridge the gap between genres (and their audiences).
Among my goals for any student I take on are to support them in music and life, help them be the best pianist they can be (and develop the skills to become independent of having a teacher), and inspire them to understand and appreciate music in a variety of styles. Another personal goal is inspired by how many times over the years audience members have said something like, "I used to take piano but I quit as a teen and always regretted it" - I hope to help students stay on with piano through the end of high school. I'm sure that has been a lofty goal for at any given point in history, but these days (and in my area, with students saddled with a ton of academic work and involved in a variety of extracurricular activities) it almost seems impossible. That said, this past spring three of my students graduated from high school -- two of them had been in my studio since I moved here in 2015. Amongst my current students are several that I started working with when they were in pre-K through 2nd grade and are now in grades 7-12. I hope to see through their high school graduation.
My students inspire me, challenge me, and keep my views relevant: I've gotten to see how they see the world, and of course, they introduce me to their favorite music. We primarily study classical music (the program is customized to each student!) but as I explain to them, it's a deep dive into melody, harmony, and rhythm that will allow them to take on any challenge in music and beyond. And I've worked hard to keep their interest despite piano being a complex and complicated musical machine but having zero digital interface.
I grew up in a musical family and living an unsual childhood: tight-knit musical family, homeschooled, performed at Carnegie Hall at age 17, and had toured 25 countries by the time I was 18, Many of the tours were under the motto "music the best bridge among people" - an expression my Dad (a sociologist and political scientist whose work focused on the youth movements of the 60s) came up with. In retrospect, I see it as his optimistic hope (and desire to create a self-fulfilling prophecy) that we really can/could make a difference through music.
Teaching and performing have taught me that music isn't a cure-all but it does have some actual, true, and amazing powers, and ironically, perhaps more recently (when challenged with digital and information overstimulation and scary news from so many directions) than even 15 or 20 years ago. Audiences have shared the effects a recital has had on them, and students and parents have shared their reflections on weekly lessons not only contributing to personal/musical growth but also a nearly-indescribable emotional outlet.
In terms of the music I write, I wish I could cure all the world's maladies through beautiful melodies and harmonies, but if I can just distract you from them a little and maybe open up your heart...
I attended a violin/piano recital at Norwich Congregational just last night and afterwards, while I was in line to congratulatie the performers, a woman came up to me and said, "You are my hero." I was convinced she had me confused for someone else (certainly not the performers because I was in casual clothes and looked nothing like them). But she started telling me that she recognized me as the composer of the pieces her daughter has been playing (my friend and colleague in Hanover has assigned some of my music to her students) and wanted to thank me - "Your music has gotten my daughter, and my family, through some really difficult times."
Especially post-election... I know we WILL need music, even if just to calm nerves after the last few weeks (months? years?) of turmoil. There's a lot going on in this crazy world - wars, natural disasters, and tons of personal struggles. I believe that music played with the intention of healing can truly do just that. That's my intention. And if folks just get to relax and enjoy a night out within a community of music lovers, that's still a win.
The selections that I'll be sharing at The Anonymous Coffeehouse are pieces that were all written in Lebanon over these past few years, and were all composed for my piano students. For several years I wrote a piece for each student's birthday, and customized the music according to styles I know they like. These now are known as 100 Solos for Piano Prodigies (yes, there are 100+ pieces!).
Although these works are solo piano pieces without lyrics, I hope that their melodies and harmonies will resonate with the audience and create an enchanting musical experience.
Join me: Friday, November 8 at 7:30 at The Anonymous Coffeehouse in Lebanon, NH.
