Projecting Ease

"There’s no better way for us musicians to make our audiences receptive than to project ease and enjoyment from the stage.

What’s more, by embodying ease, we help dispel any nerves.

Lighten your touch

Technical freedom comes from allowing rather than forcing. When you’re on stage, trust in your preparation. As you get louder, for example, get looser. Foster a sense of lightness in everything you do."

To read the rest of this fine article, click below:

http://musiciansway.com/blog/2010/07/projecting-ease/

November is...Practice Month! Piano Lessons Ottawa Kanata

                                                    ANNOUNCING......

         Practice Month!



November is Practice Month at rowsellpiano!




Here's what you do:




1. Make a weekly chart,

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


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

                       or make your own,

2. Time yourself every day when you practice,  Write it down on your chart.

                                 
3. Add up each day's practice for a weekly total.


Bring your Weekly Practice Total to your lesson, and we will display it on my blog.


At month's end, we will add up your monthly total, and the top three Practice Minutes' holders will be honored with a prize!



                                                      Happy Practice!

 

Piano Instruction for Home Schoolers Kanata

                        The Benefits of Piano Instruction for Home Schoolers


"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 


In Ottawa, a large population of keen parents choose to Home School their children. As each child is unique, some parents wish to choose an educational method that co- aligns with their beliefs and the learning style of their child.

A link to the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents follows for those who want more information.

http://ontariohomeschool.org/

With the study of music, and private piano study in particular, comes a nurturing of the creative and expressive side of the child, a spark of one's imaginative thinking, and a means of communicating through music and its' universal language.

Study from a young age has been documented to increase brain size by developing areas of the brain not usually tapped by non- musicians, to raise one's IQ score, and to promote the ability to problem solve at high levels. Piano study fosters creative thinking, the ability of looking outside the box for answers,  and generally results in a sharp mind well into old age.

Music study fosters discipline, cooperation, hours of enjoyment playing one's instrument,  and an eye (and ear) for detail and precision.

It challenges the gifted child who finds everything else easy, it enhances reading ability, and  it enhances mathematical skills.

The thrill of success in music and  the excitement of moving one's fingers magically over the keys to create beauty is non-paralleled.

For a well rounded education, the benefit of private music study cannot be ignored. Parents are wise to avail of private teaching in their area to enhance their child's development.

Don't delay! Sign up for piano lessons today to reap the rewards of a life in music!

http://rowsellstudio.blogspot.ca/p/piano-studio-page.html


Sally Rowsell M. Mus, is a pianist and teacher in Kanata

rowsellpiano Congratulates Ottawa Exam Participants!

                     rowsellpiano congratulates:

 9 year old Clarice Kwan of Ottawa who received a mark of 93 on her grade 4 Piano Exam!


All students for a successful year of learning, especially the outstanding and talented 4 and 5 year olds who have made remarkable progress in a short time!

"Accidental Etudes" Milana Zilnik

                          " Accidental Etudes" ,  Milana Zilnik, composer, pianist

May 23, 2014 marks the release of the sixth cd " Accidental Etudes" written and
performed by Ukranian born Ottawa artist/ pianist /composer Milana Zilnik, and produced
by husband Artyom Tchebotaryov.

In an attempt to categorize the style of Milana who states her influence ranges
from Bach to Keith Jarrett, listeners are treated to a distinctive combination
of jazz and new age ( correctly self -identified as additionally blended with
rock and classical), presented in a modest swirl of rhythmic and melodic
intent. One of these two former elements is predominant in selections, with a
minimalistic approach to showcasing melodic or rhythmic germs throughout.

Clean lines, innocence, integrity and naturalness grace the cd as a whole.

Most obvious always is the rhythmic lead with intentional off - beat accents,
uneven beat combinations (3+3+2 is a favorite), and a strong improvisatory flair,
which suggests jazz. In fact, the albums' soundtracks happened as spontaneous
" one-take, no preparation recordings".

The fleeting images described in each vignette provide a snapshot of color,
provoke a mood, stir an emotion, or bestow a thought, which causes me to attach
the tail new age to these abstract listening gems.

New Age Music is defined as achieving " a contemplative state", and " music
intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism". Milana's
newest compilation strikes me as spiritual, heartfelt, relaxing, artistic,
decidedly inspiring.

It is interesting to note that each selection promotes only one mood and color
to the end, which is a tip of the hat to Bach and the Baroque.

Listeners will enjoy 18 tracks in a variety of simple keys. Thus said, tonal
ambiguity sometimes resounds as the third is often missing as in track 18,
"Out of the Dark".

The parallel motion of  the encouraging and sanguine "Out of the Dark" and the
open 4th's and 5th's of this choice is a signature of minor keys on the cd, a
supportive nod to the Impressionists.  Listen also for this in track 3 " Winds
and Tides", track 8 " Heart of Stone", track 11 " Rushing for the Fortune", and
track 14 " Rocking the Waterfall", for example.

The dark, serious, and somber " Winds and Tides" is highly rhythmic with the
3+3+2 coupling encased in a narrow intervallic range, while the atmospheric "
Heart of Stone" also of the same rhythmic plan, opens as a soliloquy in a more
melodic fashion, interspersed with harmonic color.

" Rushing for the Fortune" tends toward optimism and brightness, with
affectionate rhythmic motives permeating the parallel fourths/ fifths. The busy,
moving, and repetitive " Rocking the Waterfall" again with  a narrow melodic
range,  places a descending waterfall motive in the spotlight, heralds the bass,
and highlights a falling minor second followed by a fourth, another choice of
Milana, disintegrating to quiet approaching the end.


Personal favorites include the carefree, cool and breezy " Dare to be Me" (track 4), in a consistent motion of triplets and syncopated styling,

                              https://milana.bandcamp.com/track/dare-to-be-me


and the appropriately titled "When I am in Love" (track 12), bathed in a melting emotional melody and lilting rhythm.

                              https://milana.bandcamp.com/track/when-i-am-in-love


Other tracks include the pleading, determined and earnest"  I Won't Give up" ( track 6), and the dramatic, mysterious, dark and aggressive " The Madness Within" (track 7).

   " Dancing With Hades" ( track 13), washes over one calmly with nostalgia and beauty,

                              https://milana.bandcamp.com/track/dancing-with-hades

 while the touching " Waltz of a Dying Candle" (track 17) spills warmth, wanting, and purity.

Overall, this appealing cd showcases fine ideas ripe for growth, and is likeable in its' simplicity; of common keys, technical demands, melodic range, and common rhythmic and harmonic inclusions, as well as in its' repetitive and motivic stance. Charm exists in modesty and purity.

 Feel the sincerity within Milana's creations and experience her journey by listening, for this music owns substance and depth stemming from the personal stamp of emotion given each selection.

 I invite you to join the 35,000 faithful online followers, as the cd that becomes more engaging with successive hearing is well worth the purchase!



Sally Rowsell, M. Mus, pianist and teacher, Ottawa Ontario

2014 , May. all rights reserved. no part may be reproduced or changed without
permission of the author.

The Sound of Music Ottawa

The Hills were magically alive with The Sound of Music on Saturday December 14, 2013 at The National Arts Center in downtown Ottawa.

I was thankfully led to the show following a coffee with my long graduated piano student now professional actor/musician Sarah Gibbons, expertly cast as Louisa in her NAC debut. (Sarah also doubles as a nun). It was a treat to witness her talent and potential, which is enormous.

I was thrilled to note the Newfoundlanders involved in this show to include Sarah Gibbons and Petrina Bromley in the cast, and Jillian Keiley, Artistic Director of the NAC.

Artistic Director Jillian Keiley's vision " inspired by you and for you, Ottawa," was to " program the Sound of Music as a little love letter to the city" that is "full of the music and joy".

I am not able to single out any one performer to effect a hierarchy of talent, but instead will state that each and every performer rose in excellence to reveal individuality in interpretation and skill. As several doubled as nuns and housekeeping staff, the versatility of the performers was clear and appreciated.

Thus said, I am compelled to mention Eliza- Jane Scott as Maria, whose constant effervescent energy allowed her to sustain the role with reliable and compelling vocal ability, adapting beautifully from selection to selection. As the show progressed we warmed to her person and followed her every move and nuance, drawn to her expressive portrayal of Maria.

Dmitry Chepovetsky as Captain von Trapp was the perfect monarch, strong, confident, elegant and dapper, captivating in his role and singing.

Petrina Bromley as Elsa, the millionaire girlfriend of von Trapp, realized her role with poise, humor and true elitism. She left no detail unturned in her production, to include her common stance with one heel tilted while standing, which effectively let us know her place in the world of the rich and privileged. I would be amiss to not mention Petrina's talented singing, to compliment her acting of the same.

The children were each unique and colorful, showcasing consistent superior acting, singing, and dancing.

Several tender moments caused moist eyes in the audience, to include the dance of Maria and von Trapp at the party when they both realize they are falling in love, and the favorite "Climb Every Mountain" in reprise at the close.

Outstanding were the orchestra who consisted of a mere three musicians; Allen Cole, piano, percussion, xylophone, Sarah Ross, violin, mandolin, and Beth Sturdevant, cello. These skillful musicians provided the perfect backdrop and support, never too thin, never too thick, never too much, never too little. Bravo!

Choreography was excellent, in its' creation and execution. Scene changes were handled efficiently and invisibly with the movement of actors into the audience to distract from the barely there changes on stage.

It was a production of simplicity, with simple costumes, simple scenery, simple accompaniment, which promoted an ease of execution. A keener awareness of the music and the story line was possible by eliminating fuss and distractions, and the result was greatness.

The show opened with a humorous invitation to the audience to sing along (thanks to Petrina Bromley), which we did at many points throughout to include "Do-Re-Mi", "Climb Every Mountain", and others. Audience participation peaked near the end during the talent competition for which the von Trapp family performed. While the waiting Nazi's sat in the audience near front row and the MC addressed us as the audience of  that time, the audience metamorphosed into cast extras at the show.

With a modern twist on a familiar classic, this friendly and superbly coordinated/ executed production of The Sound of Music has wow factor. Don't miss it!


Sally Rowsell is a pianist and teacher from Newfoundland living in Ottawa.

Ottawa Piano Teacher, RCM Gold Medal Winner

Congratulations to my former Newfoundland student, Joshua Veber, recipient of the 2013 Gold Medal for Grade 7 Piano in Atlantic Canada for 2013!

Joshua has won numerous medals over the years from the RCM for top marks in his exam, and has been a featured performer at the Awards Ceremony for Atlantic Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2012.

Joshua's hard work, enthusiasm for playing the piano, and dedication to practice has handsomely paid off. Way to go Joshua!

While I sadly have had to leave this and many other fine Newfoundland students behind, I look forward to similar student successes in Ottawa!

Gold Medals are awarded by the Royal Conservatory each academic year, September 1 to August 31, by province or region, to candidates who have obtained the highest mark for practical examinations in each discipline, from the Preparatory Level through to the ARCT Level.

The Atlantic Canada Awards Ceremony takes place in Atlantic Canada this November.

rowsellpiano

 

Piano Lessons Ottawa

                                      Kanata Piano Lessons:


This September, enroll your child in piano lessons, for a gift that will last forever!

 Nurture his creativity, stimulate his mind, and enhance his IQ.


Give him a means of self expression, and a gift that will last forever!


rowsellpiano.ca, study with the best.


Register now, I look forward to hearing from you.

rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net

Piano lessons Ottawa

                                                rowsellpiano            

                   

this fall,

 

 give your child the gift that will last 

          ................a lifetime         

SIGN UP now to unwrap your child's potential.

email: rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net

visit: rowsellpiano.ca

   

Sally Rowsell, M. Mus, B. Mus, B. Mus Ed, RMT, senior RCM examiner

Let's get started!