1. Name of the teacher and your age when you began working with this teacher.
I began working with Jean Broadfoot in Winnipeg when I was 5 years old and studied with her until I was 22.
2. Subject(s) taught:
Jean was my piano teacher.
3. What were the one or two major qualities that inspired you most as a young person?
Jean was extremely disciplined and logical in her approach and she encouraged me to perform frequently. She never talked down to me and always treated me with respect.
4. Can you briefly describe their teaching method? For example, how did they introduce a subject, plan their lessons, and follow-up?
I began lessons 55 years ago, so teaching was different then. Jean taught me every major and minor scale by showing me how each was related to the other and by having me listen and figure out how to find them myself. She had a series of technique books that I used for many years which introduced wrist rotation, phrasing, pedalling etc. so that these ideas were easy to assimilate into the repertoire. I never worked on a piece for very long unless it was for a special competition. She would drop and bring back out pieces after a few months to polish and rework. This approach always gave me perspective and fresh ideas.
5. How did they respond to special requests?
If I was asked to perform somewhere, she would give advice as to what to play and she would help me with it.
6. Where they a permissive teacher or more focused?
Jean was a focussed teacher without being rigid. I knew a lot was expected of me and I behaved accordingly.
7. How has they’re example continued to inspire you in adulthood?
Jean taught me to have high standards of performance, to feel every phrase, to love the intricate nuances of good piano playing and helped me with repertoire selection for my students. She treated each student individually and talked to us all differently depending on our interests. I try to do the same with my students.
Andrea Battista, ORMTA Piano and Violin Teacher
Artistic Director Rotary Burlington Music Festival
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The most important teacher: Our First
This begins a series of blogs on our early teachers who inspired us. It is my hope this will encourage our prospective students and parents to choose carefully, looking carefully at the professional and personal qualities of ORMTA teachers.
From: Jacqueline J.Huffman-Krisza ARCT, B. Mus., M. Ed., RMT
1. Name of the teacher and your age when you began working with this teacher.
Name: Mrs. Myers at age 5. She died suddenly during the first year I was with her. I still treasure a couple of pictures I received from her estate.
Name: Louis Murch at age 10. My sister was allowed to start lessons with him, courtesy of Reginald Godden so I was very honoured to take lessons with him. My Mother always made going for our lessons a special event at the old Conservatory in Hamilton.
2. Subject(s) taught:
Piano ... Mr. Murch tried to teach me theory but that was a horror story…the poor gentleman endured those lessons!
3. What were the one or two major qualities that inspired you most as a young person?
Mrs. Myers - her kindness and genuine caring quality
Mr. Murch - Wow! To me he was a magical musician. He was an amazing concert pianist.
4. Can you briefly describe their teaching method? For example, how did they introduce a subject, plan their lessons, and follow-up?
Introduction - he played the piece flawlessly; in fact, when we started a new grade he would play several of the pieces and encourage me to choose pieces. He always had the final choice. He gave me an interesting historical fact/hook about each piece, and challenged me to present a designated section from memory the following week. There really was not a "plan" that I remember except, minimal directions in my dictation book. Hanon was a must! Czerny sight reading books were encouraged.
5. How did they respond to special requests?
I can't remember ever making requests as I was so busy trying to keep up with assignments plus always trying to avoid scales.
7. Where they a permissive teacher or more focused?
Mr. Murch was focused, a gentleman who I respected, yet a friend who I shall always admire.
8. How has they’re example continued to inspire you in adulthood?
He has encouraged me to take the time to listen to my students, encourage them and focus on them as the most important person in the world.
Postscript: I encourage other teachers to send in their memories, based on the eight questions.
Cheers,
David
From: Jacqueline J.Huffman-Krisza ARCT, B. Mus., M. Ed., RMT
1. Name of the teacher and your age when you began working with this teacher.
Name: Mrs. Myers at age 5. She died suddenly during the first year I was with her. I still treasure a couple of pictures I received from her estate.
Name: Louis Murch at age 10. My sister was allowed to start lessons with him, courtesy of Reginald Godden so I was very honoured to take lessons with him. My Mother always made going for our lessons a special event at the old Conservatory in Hamilton.
2. Subject(s) taught:
Piano ... Mr. Murch tried to teach me theory but that was a horror story…the poor gentleman endured those lessons!
3. What were the one or two major qualities that inspired you most as a young person?
Mrs. Myers - her kindness and genuine caring quality
Mr. Murch - Wow! To me he was a magical musician. He was an amazing concert pianist.
4. Can you briefly describe their teaching method? For example, how did they introduce a subject, plan their lessons, and follow-up?
Introduction - he played the piece flawlessly; in fact, when we started a new grade he would play several of the pieces and encourage me to choose pieces. He always had the final choice. He gave me an interesting historical fact/hook about each piece, and challenged me to present a designated section from memory the following week. There really was not a "plan" that I remember except, minimal directions in my dictation book. Hanon was a must! Czerny sight reading books were encouraged.
5. How did they respond to special requests?
I can't remember ever making requests as I was so busy trying to keep up with assignments plus always trying to avoid scales.
7. Where they a permissive teacher or more focused?
Mr. Murch was focused, a gentleman who I respected, yet a friend who I shall always admire.
8. How has they’re example continued to inspire you in adulthood?
He has encouraged me to take the time to listen to my students, encourage them and focus on them as the most important person in the world.
------------------------------------------------
Postscript: I encourage other teachers to send in their memories, based on the eight questions.
Cheers,
David
Thursday, October 1, 2009
sharing ideas with each other
Dear Hamilton- Halton ORMTA members, Our ORMTA Fundraising
Committee is embarking on a new venture, and we are asking for your help. We feel that all of our members have teaching ideas that every member can benefit from knowing, and we ask you to request at your first branch meeting that everyone in your group sit down and record all the teaching tips they use in their studios to help their students progress in their musical studies.
We have the following categories in mind, and are also open to all other suggestions for topics: Rudiments, Theory, Technique, Practice Tips, Musical Games, Vocal, Piano, Other Instruments, Time Management, Visual Aids, Motivational Tools, Memorization, Exam, Festival and Recital Preparation, Composing Ideas
One of the MANY reasons that ORMTA membership is so important to all of us is sharing ideas with each other, and supporting each other, so we will all be better teachers. Each of us has many gifts to share, and to that end, we ask you to share your ideas with all of us, so we can help our students to reach their goals.
The completed "OPUS" will be for sale at the Convention in London next July, and we will be taking orders as soon as the book is completed. Please watch for more information about this fundraising project in the next issue of NOTES. We thank you very much for your support. Lorrie Tennant and Charline Farrell ORMTA Fundraising Committee send your tips to lorrietennant@sympatico.ca
my response
Here are five tips I've given to students:
1. Listen to the music, professionally and competently played, with the score in hand. Concentrate listening to one element at a time: Dynamics, phrasing, articulations, etc. Mark up your score with what you hear. Try it out. Keep what you like.
2. Go to concerts letting your teacher know what you like. Too many students like one type of music and dutifully and reluctantly study another type.
3. Exercise before practicing. The release of endorphins will help you focus and inspire you. For kids I've recommended running around for 10 minutes, or playing street hockey, throw some hoops etc. For adults practice try practicing after returning from the gym.
4. Learning to play well is very difficult, which is why it is so satisfying. :-)
5. Try to breathe slowly while practicing, it will help the body relax, the keep the mind focused.
Cheers, David
Committee is embarking on a new venture, and we are asking for your help. We feel that all of our members have teaching ideas that every member can benefit from knowing, and we ask you to request at your first branch meeting that everyone in your group sit down and record all the teaching tips they use in their studios to help their students progress in their musical studies.
We have the following categories in mind, and are also open to all other suggestions for topics: Rudiments, Theory, Technique, Practice Tips, Musical Games, Vocal, Piano, Other Instruments, Time Management, Visual Aids, Motivational Tools, Memorization, Exam, Festival and Recital Preparation, Composing Ideas
One of the MANY reasons that ORMTA membership is so important to all of us is sharing ideas with each other, and supporting each other, so we will all be better teachers. Each of us has many gifts to share, and to that end, we ask you to share your ideas with all of us, so we can help our students to reach their goals.
The completed "OPUS" will be for sale at the Convention in London next July, and we will be taking orders as soon as the book is completed. Please watch for more information about this fundraising project in the next issue of NOTES. We thank you very much for your support. Lorrie Tennant and Charline Farrell ORMTA Fundraising Committee send your tips to lorrietennant@sympatico.ca
my response
Here are five tips I've given to students:
1. Listen to the music, professionally and competently played, with the score in hand. Concentrate listening to one element at a time: Dynamics, phrasing, articulations, etc. Mark up your score with what you hear. Try it out. Keep what you like.
2. Go to concerts letting your teacher know what you like. Too many students like one type of music and dutifully and reluctantly study another type.
3. Exercise before practicing. The release of endorphins will help you focus and inspire you. For kids I've recommended running around for 10 minutes, or playing street hockey, throw some hoops etc. For adults practice try practicing after returning from the gym.
4. Learning to play well is very difficult, which is why it is so satisfying. :-)
5. Try to breathe slowly while practicing, it will help the body relax, the keep the mind focused.
Cheers, David
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