Jaeden Izik-Dzurko and the NAC Orchestra

 Jaeden Izik-Dzurko Plays Rachmainoff with the National Arts Center Orchestra

March break afforded me the chance to attend the NAC for a concert featuring 2024 Leeds International winning pianist Jaeden Izik- Dzurko, playing Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto with the NAC orchestra.

 Bonus, he heralds from British Columbia, Canada. His stunning performance captured Rachmaninoff's thunderous “elephants" with technical bravado, while the depth of passion and expression he embodied shot straight to the core. In other words, it was a wow kind of performance that brought the audience to its' feet immediately with shouts of gratitude for the emotional journey. This 27 year old Juilliard studied pianist is a pianist to watch out for. 

I was thrilled to enjoy the orchestra on a parallel with the pianist. I admit to not having heard the NAC orchestra for a while, and I had forgotten how polished they are. The talented female conductor, Jenna New, allowed Appalachian Springs ( Copland) to flow like silk under her baton, showcasing gorgeous sustained phrases. The performance was well described, evocative, colorful and sublime. The flute, oboe and clarinet were particularly outstanding in their solo roles, while all soloists are to be applauded. 

To continue the program in reverse order, an equally enjoyable selection and performance was that of Kelly Marie Murphy's " A Thousand Natural Shocks". A welcome preamble by the composer herself (who lives in Ottawa) introduced Murphy's innovative orchestral composition that utilized effective 20th techniques, a composition that was always energetic, engaging, and entertaining, Overall, I was fascinated with the percussionists. They were a perfection of volume, tone and precision, while the orchestra as a whole was impressive in particular during thin textures, and quiet moments.

Don't miss a performance at the NAC here in Ottawa!

Online Teaching; Guidelines and Tips for Parents rowsellpiano Kanata

I am so pleased to be able to continue piano lessons in a new and temporary online setting for everyone during this uncertain and changing time.

Music is a vital means of self expression, creativity, and communication, an outlet that positively effects the health and well being of everyone. Continuing a routine, setting up a practice schedule and defining goals will provide a sense of control, purpose, and accomplishment for your child.


I have explored several mediums for holding lessons, and have found Skype to be the best choice for sound quality in Google Chrome. Here is a link to download Skype: https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/

The download is quick and easy, I have Skype on both my iphone and laptop. Send me a connect request in advance of the lesson with the information provided in your email from me, then call me at the start time of your lesson.

A second medium I offer is FaceTime, available on apple products. This simply consists of calling me using my phone number on FaceTime, and we begin.   https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
As with Skype, call me at the start time of your lesson.

Here are some tips for successful online lessons:

1. your child needs to see me clearly in a large window
2. your child needs to hear me well so we can communicate
3. your child may need your initial help at the start of the lesson to be sure the camera is set up and functioning properly.
4. some young children, perhaps under the age of 10, will need a parent in the room to re- iterate what I say and focus your child on the task at hand.

                                                           How to set up:

Use your computer or ipad for the lesson. If you do not have this option, an iphone will do, but is not the best choice since the screen is too small for proper communication.

Position the camera at the right or high end of the piano with a view of the keyboard and the students' hands and body. Back your device up to take in this view. Be sure the volume is turned up, and unmute the sound. You may wish to test the sound and visual a few minutes before the lesson.

Place your device on a music stand, chair, or whatever is available to present the video roughly at the height of the keys or slightly higher.

Have all music books, a pencil and paper ready for the lesson. The student can take notes during the lesson, and record assignments. I may need to see the score at times; I will ask for a closer view when this is necessary.

Do your best to keep distractions away from the lesson.

If it's not perfect the first time, don't worry. It may take a few lessons to settle in.

If the connection is lost and irretrievable at your lesson time, we will try the second of the 2 choices above. If that does not work, have an alternate time for the same week in mind to hold your lesson.

      Some tips for continued practice:

Set aside a scheduled practice time that recurs every day. Post a schedule in the home, and record the days/minutes practiced on a chart. Here are some options for free practice charts:

https://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.php

https://www.google.com/search?q=piano+practice+chart+free+printable&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=C8WA_i602zB_vM%253A%252CWtjf8EUiq7tqsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSsLbq5Z9wtIbd3nT3mW-HaPxP3Ag&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV362g0a7oAhWPuZ4KHWVpASMQ9QEwAHoECAoQIA#imgrc=GpJQKkfqWqBW8M

Be positive, and provide reasons to practice for your child. I will be posting practice rewards on my blog for top practice minutes.

Send recorded/live performances to family and friends over FaceTime or other. Try setting up a group piano meeting among friends where everyone performs over Skype.

Finally, I am offering every student the opportunity during this online period to send me a video of a performance (from memory preferably) uploaded to youtube (for example), for my critique. Do this as a test performance, and I will send you back comments.

For anyone with impossible work conflicts during the normal lesson time, please notify me and we will work something out.



I look forward to the new experiences (and perhaps some Chopin) and to the learning curve that awaits us all online! See you soon!

March/April Studio Awards rowsellpiano Kanata

                                               
                                              March/April Studio Awards rowsellpiano


                                                           Most Improved Student(s)

                                                                       Allan Yi
                                                                 Joaquin Alarcon


                                                            Most Practice Minutes

                                                                        Kevin Alt


                                                             Up And Coming Student

                                                              Raina Taylor-Hernandez


                                     Congratulations to all students for their fine work!
                                                                   rowsellpiano.ca

January/February student awards rowsellpiano Kanata

                         rowsellpiano Kanata January/February 2018 Studio Results




                                    Most Improved Student     Anita Gaffury- Kasbiy



                                    Most Outstanding Student       Miya Suzuki



                                    Up and Coming  Student:        Mahi Neni



                         Congratulations to all students on a productive two months!

                              Rowsell Piano Studio News Student Awards


                               Studio Results for October-December 2017



                         Most Improved Student:                          Sophie Shen



                         Most Outstanding Student:                       Charlie Sun



                         Most Practice Minutes:                             Allan Yi



                            Congratulations to all students for a successful term!

PRACTICE CHART

http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.htm

Try this link for a fun practice chart:

http://makingmusicfun.net/pdf/practice-charts/piano-practice-chart.pdf

Or, you can print out your favorite:

http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.htm

to record your practice minutes!



there is a new comment system on my blog, which should make it easy for you to leave a comment. give it a try!

Piano Lessons, Kanata Ottawa rowsellpiano

             What Can I Do For Your Child's Piano Education?



"Rowsell Piano Studio is the single best place to receive a music education. Nowhere else will you find a teacher with such an incredible combination of experience, talent, qualification, and motivation towards the success of every single student she encounters. " Shruti Raheja

I will give your child a love for music. I teach piano, as I know the joy of expression through music making, the thrill of moving your fingers over the keys with that 'is this really me' sensation, and the unspoken language that only music can convey.

My studio is fun, positive, and encouraging. I foster confidence and creativity, and since every student is unique,my lessons suit your child's individual needs.

What are you waiting for? Come join the studio to create your own success story!



rowsellpiano.ca 
rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net
Ottawa, Kanata

HOW TO MEMORIZE

                                             This blog is for you, students.

As festival time approaches, you all work hard on many things in your music, to include memorization.

                                                  How do you memorize?

                           First, I am going to tell you how NOT to memorize:

Don't rely on your fingers to know the way. When you play your piece for a long time, your fingers automatically move to the right notes. Or, do they? If your brain is not engaged, then this is much like going boating without a life jacket. You may fall in, and not be able to save yourself! Just when you least expect it!

So, what do you do? You make sure your brain understands the music. Know what key you are in, know the key changes, know what chord you are playing, and know what the pattern of notes is.

Compare like phrases and sections, for any subtle changes.

Know the starting notes of each section. This will create landmarks in the music, safe harbors that you can immediately jump to if you do forget the music for a moment.

Have a friend or parent play scrabble with you. Here, number the sections/phrases you have decided to be your landmarks. When mom asks for number 4, you start at that point and play forward. You then stop at the next landmark. Mix up the numbers, to be sure you can quickly begin at any point.

ANALYZING phrases and sections allows you to know the structure of your piece. You will understand the music better this way.

You can do some of this work AWAY from the piano, with your brain and a pencil.

So, be sure your BRAIN knows what comes next all the time, and you should be okay.

Mine is a short version. For an extended in depth

http://collaborativepiano.blogspot.com/2007/07/memorization-tips-and-hacks.html

view on how to memorize, try the link above:

                                      
Happy memorizing,

rowsellpiano

Choosing the Right Piano Teacher

Your five year old daughter is begging for piano lessons! What a thrill that her interest to learn a musical instrument has been sparked at this young age! You envision future years of beautiful music filling your home as she practices.

How do you choose a teacher?

Well, how do you choose a hairdresser? Shop for the freshest ear of corn? Find the perfect New Year's party dress?

Finding a piano teacher, then, needs time and consideration.

Above all, know that you deserve the best teacher you can find for your beginning child, as what she learns in the beginning stages will shape future pianistic development. Even if your child does not mature to become a professional pianist; the finest instruction early on will provide years of enjoyment for your child.

Find a teacher with a degree in music and specifically a degree as a pianist, and one that is a member of the local teacher's organization. Find a teacher who spends time developing professionally.

 Your teacher should have a good success rate with other students, and may have some student accomplishments to show for this.

Find a beginning teacher who will make learning to play the piano fun and easy for your child, as this is the key to success.

Find a teacher who will instill solid beginning habits in your children through sequential learning steps, and one that is not in a hurry to advance your child prematurely. The young student should live in the beginning stages for a while to develop a thorough foundation in basic skills.

Find a teacher who is enthusiastic, patient, and runs a professional business, whether that be an in home studio or a commercial set up .

Be patient yourself, as it may take the first year for you to see the results and understand the methodology of a fine teacher.  A few lessons to try things won't show you the wealth of knowledge your child will acquire over time through regular lessons.

 Whatever you do, don't settle just for convenience or lower price.

Happy Teacher Hunting!
rowsellpiano.ca

rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net

Piano Lessons Kanata

                                               Listen To  Sample Music:


Listen to performances from myself and students of rowsellpiano by clicking the links below.


"Sally Rowsell has a way of unlocking talent and inspiring dedication: the two keys to creating a truly incredible pianist." Shruti Raheja


Feel like joining my studio? We strive for the best, in a friendly, no pressure manner. The love of music and the joy of accomplishment is motivation to succeed!

https://soundcloud.com/rowsellpiano-rowsell/mendelssohn-sally-1

https://soundcloud.com/rowsellpiano-rowsell/student-performance-s-

https://soundcloud.com/rowsellpiano-rowsell/liszt-student-1




Email today!
 rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net
rowsellpiano.ca

Practise Advice for Young Pianists

                                                   How to Practise



This year my studio has a record number of young people under the age of 11. This is my great luck, as this age is so fun to teach and develop.

The hardest part of being 11 (or 9, or 10) is knowing how to practise, and for how long.

Therefore, this blog post was born to help those who are 11 and under, and, to help their parents.

What I know based on my personal reading and research is that the bulk of what you learn happens up to the age of 11. This is frightening, when you think about it! This does not mean you cease to learn past this age, but the rate at which you absorb and assimilate information decreases.

So, the more material you cover before age 11, the better. Work sequentially, but start early and cover as much as you can at this time.

Practise should be a daily habit, just like brushing your teeth. It is often necessary that parents supervise and encourage practise by setting aside a times(s) student and parent agree on to practise every day.

Work on a good quality piano. This is important.

Best are several short practise segments interspersed throughout the day. If you can not do this, at least take short breaks during your work.

Warm up with something simple, like technical exercises or scales, and then practise the WORST thing first, be it the worst piece, the worst spot, a brand new piece, or the most difficult section.

Finish with the piece you know the best, or have the most work completed on.

Set practise goals per day and per week and strive to meet these goals. Even if you don't meet your expectations, you will come closer than if you did not set those goals.

Set goals per year to move you forward in your learning.

Play lots and lots and lots of different music of any genre to expose yourself to as many technical and musical ideas as you can, and, to expand your reading ability.

                               How long should you practise?


This is a tough question.

At this age, the answer is anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour a day, depending on your attention and exact age.

For most students, anything less than 20 minutes will not get you far.

Ideally, a minimum weekly average of 150 minutes a week is a good starting point. Remember to use this time  dailyt, don't just cram practise 1 or 2 days of  the week. You will accomplish less by practising in this latter  manner.

Increase your practise amount inch by inch, to reach your desired practise goal. For example, move from 10 minutes to 15 minutes, and later to 20 minutes.

Most important is the QUALITY of your practise. Remember, 20 minutes of concentrated work is better than 30 minutes of playing last years' favourites and music not assigned at the lesson. By all means do this, but AFTER you have covered everything assigned.

Keep track of your practice minutes every day/week, and enjoy a reward every week for your hard work! Parents and students may think of their own method of reward to keep things exciting!

Finally, don't wait for your teacher to dictate every little thing you do! Be independent and move on to the next piece on your own, memorize, or cover the scale on your list not yet assigned. Pick a new piece, start the next section, finish the last page.......... you get the idea.

Above all, have fun, be positive, enjoy the moment, and love the fact that you can move your fingers and create music!!


     Age                                                       Minimum  Recommended Time 
                                     
        5                                                                          15 minutes
        6                                                                          15 minutes
        7                                                                          20 minutes
        8                                                                          20 minutes
        9                                                                          30 minutes
       10                                                                         30 minutes
       11                                                                         40 minutes
       12                                                                         45-60 minutes-




rowsellpiano

Apps for note learning

                       Apps for Note Learning 

1. Note Rush $3.99.  Buy this app instead of a box of flash cards!

https://www.facebook.com/noterush/

http://www.noterushapp.com/


2. Music Flash Class $5.49.  Lots of options for note naming and for timing your response. Included is a group game mode.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/music-flash-class/id395725080?mt=8


3. Treble Cat and Bass Cat. $6.99.  Quickly identify treble and bass clef notes!

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/treble-cat-hd-learn-to-read/id513764898?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bass-cat-learn-to-read-music/id556522531?mt=8


4. Note Perfect   $ 1.39.  Test and improve your note reading against the clock!

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/note-perfect!/id400187011?mt=8


5. Flashnote Derby $ 6.99.  Choose the notes you need, answer in several forms.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/flashnote-derby-musical-note/id453126527?mt=8


6. Note Squish   $ .99.    I personally love this one! Squish the mole to name your note. I think it is still available, and I have found some sites offering free downloads.

        http://www.appster.org/app/note-squish-381536270

Watching the Signs Along the Way

With a new studio of beginning and transfer students, I find myself running contests, posting practice results, playing games, and sharpening theme inspired pencils.





I find myself filling in the blanks, while teaching and securing the basics.


In the course of doing the above, I marvel each time at the detail included in one tiny piece of music. If you look, the composer gives you everything you need to create a finely polished performance. You just need to take note of the road signs along the way.


On the journey through “The Flea”, Mel Bonis, for example, the road map includes rests which are for counting, staccato which should be played and played with a touch to imitate a flea, rolled chords, two note slurs, various dynamic requests to achieve color, description and variety, and several tempo fluctuations which announce in no uncertain terms that this flea is on the move.


I am continually perplexed as to why a staccato note is played legato, or rests are ignored. Why strings of two note slurs are played cohesively and legato, and why “piano” is played “forte”.


A note (or group of notes) cannot be observed as just a note to add the detail later; it is a living creation with a specific way to be executed, defined by touch, length, volume, and tone color.


The challenge then, is to include a staccato note as staccato, count the rests, and include the appropriate motion to realize a two note slur from the first moment.

To meet this challenge, it is necessary to understand, assimilate, and watch the road signs along the way. When driving to the ski slope, stop signs are imperative to avoid collision. Yield signs, light signals, speed limits, and special signs to alert you to the danger of deer or turtle crossing all combine to provide a safe travel to your destination.


Thus is my goal: to make it natural and automatic for my budding students to embrace all the elements surrounding that one note (or group of notes) in a blink.




Safe travels, then, through your complex and fascinating piece of music. Watch and obey all the signs along the way for a safe and accurate ride to the end.

Sally Rowsell
rowsellpiano.ca

"O CANADA" Challenge rowsellpiano Kanata

November's "O Canada" Challenge



Here are the successful "O Canada" challenge students:



Sophia Chen

Miya Suzuki

Lucille Yang


All three, ( incidentally all under the age of 10),  not only learned but memorized a challenging O Canada version in one month, while continuing with copious amounts of regular material!

Hats off to these budding pianists!

rowsellpiano
Kanata, Ontario

rowsellpiano student awards

                                                 First Term Student Awards



            Most Improved Student (tie)                                     Joaquin Alarcon
                                                                                          Simone Fisher

            Most Practice Minutes                                               Lucille Yang


            Most Outstanding Student (tie)                                  Lucille Yang

                                                                                          Sophia Chen


It is exciting to observe what happens when students practice!  Snoopy and Woodstock know!




Carry on, and keep practicing!

Sally Rowsell
rowsellpiano.ca

rowsellpiano congratulates........

Congratulations to my star 6 year old Lucille.......

for obtaining a mark of 93 on her first RCM piano exam!

Harp and Piano Studio Recital, Kanata

        Piano Studio Recital

    Students of Sally Rowsell

Guest Harpist, SARAH VEBER

Join us on Sunday June 5, 2016 for Harp selections from Debussy and Tailleferre, in addition to a variety of choices from talented young piano players.

Sarah Veber is a Loran Scholar at the University of Ottawa, currently studying harp with Michelle Gott. She is a multiple award winner in both piano and harp, from Newfoundland.

         Glen Cairn United Church, 140 Abbeyhill Dr, Kanata 

                                 6:30 p.m. Sunday June 5

                   Admission at the door      rowsellpiano.ca       

                                                                                                                              

Some of my Favorite Budapest Pictures

                                        A  few of my favorite Budapest photos:

Taken at dusk in the Castle District on the Buda ( older) side of Budapest

Matthias Church, Budapest, Castle District

A street at dark in the Castle District

A view of Budapest over the Danube,  taken from the Castle District

Parliament, on the Pest ( newer) side of Budapest

Parliament taken from the Buda side of the Danube

Parliament again, taken from a dinner cruise on the Danube

Inside Parliament; this was the most beautiful and ornate building I toured

Waiting area for journalists in Parliament

Bon voyage! The Tatras mountains of Poland are in the background

A Boston Grand for airport patrons to try in Warsaw airport. Gorgeous!

rowsellpiano Congratulates Piano Students in Ottawa......

                                                     CONGRATULATIONS TO:

                                           Ottawa Music Festival Participants 2016:


Sophia Qien Chen                     first place in 8 and under, Classical

Sophia Qien Chen                     first place in 8 and under, Romantic/Modern



Lucille Yang:                          first place in 6 and under, Canadian

Winston Yang:                        second place in 8 and under, Classical

Winston Yang:                        third place in 8 and under, Baroque


                        Well done, students, on our first Ottawa Music Festival experience!

                                                         rowsellpiano.ca

Dessert in Budapest

                 For the Chocaholics and Candy Aficionados:

This Buda side shop is filled entirely with chocolate, imported from countries around the world; we even found chocolate from Canada in there!

Next in line is a candy stall in a busy tourist market area on the Pest side of Budapest.

Now, how about some dessert?

          The best Apricot Cheesecake bar none, came from this amazing dessert shop!

                  Salad anyone? It is parsley piled high on top of this crispy duck salad.

The food was amazing everywhere in Budapest, there was no such thing as an inferior meal.

Wine, you ask? Hungary produces its' own Tokaji in various forms, my favorite being a sweet dessert wine. As well, Budapest offers fabulous Roses.