Fulbright Scholar Delivers the Joy of Music

HOUSTON, TX | Just before her dress rehearsal of "Memories of Spain" at the Hobby Center's Zilkha Hall in Houston, we sat down for a brief conversation with PrivateLessons.com member, Dr. Isabelle Ganz.

Shuttling between New York City, where she is the founder and director of Sephardic music ensemble, ALHAMBRA, and Houston, Dr. Ganz is a successful voice teacher and performer who traveled the world. During our conversation in front of Zilkha Hall, Dr. Ganz was cheerfully greeted by her ensemble cast and even two of her Lamar University students who happened to be passing by. It is clear, she is well liked.






Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Life Between Mouse Clicks

HOUSTON, TX | Recently, I was invited to speak to a group of music teachers and administrators at an Early Childhood Music Education Conference in Houston. Fun, fun. Life Between Mouse Clicks is my presentation on meaningful online interactions. Here are a few stills from 75-minute presentation video.


Introducing a mouse click :)


Look, a movie screen.


Conducting?


No, no. Not conducting.


Keeping it light.


It’s about 325°F baking temperature.


We are all friends now.



Wrap-up. Conversation continues.



Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

... from music capital of Wyncote, PA

Ian shares this message:

Your site rocks!

-- Ian McGuire

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Letting the Song Be the Star

HOUSTON | We sat down for a short interview with PrivateLessons.com member Deborah Boily. Having lived and performed in Paris, London and major centers around United States, Deborah is also a dedicated voice teacher with an established studio in Houston. In this interview, it is immediately apparent that Deborah is passionate about her art, telling the story of the song, being an honest messenger, and letting the song be the star.






Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Houston Street Scenes

I was recently invited to speak at a conference in Houston. Nice city. Hot. By the end of the trip I discovered a much cooler underground city. Sadly, too late. I was already baked.



















Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

... from music capital of Winter Springs FL

Shirley shares this message:

I signed up for membership on May 19th, 2009, and today is June 15, 2009. So far, I have signed up 6 new students through your website and adding! Being part of your website gives me the credibility and the foot traffic I deserve. Thank you for making this service available!

-- Shirley Wang

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Graduation of the Stars 2009

PHILADELPHIA | This year Academy of Vocal Arts graduated 8 artists, a huge class by our standards. That’s about 1/3 of our roster of 28 artists.

I enjoyed working with each of them. I also enjoyed attending their last free concert. As I mentioned to Angela Meade, to hear her next season at the Met I will probably have to pay $500 a ticket (close enough) in the nosebleed section. It will be worth it.

Their professional accomplishments, while still students at AVA, are remarkable. To eliminate redundancy, please click on artist’s bio link.

Congratulations to all!

Pictured far left AVA Executive Director, K. James McDowell; far right President, B.A. (Mackie) MacLean, Jr. Also, 3rd from right is tenor Cody Austin (individual photo missing).

Angela Meade (See Bio)

Michael Fabiano (See Bio)

Jessica Julin (See Bio)

Nina Yoshida Nelsen (See Bio)

Ben Wager (See Bio)

Zulimar López-Hernández (See Bio)

Jeremy Paul Milner (See Bio)

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

... from music capital of Edmonton AB - Canada

Billy shares this message:

I have been a member for over two years and most of my referrals come from your website. I don't advertise in the local papers anymore. Thank you for helping me build my business.

Thank you! -- Billy Boissonneault

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Music Should Be Personal

BOSTON | PrivateLessons.com member Tammy Scheffer is a senior at the New England Conservatory of Music. College students have to do all kinds of jobs to support themselves, and it is nice to see a college student dedicated to private teaching and working in her field. Tammy is a jazz singer. She fuses middle eastern melodies with jazz to achieve a signature sound. She writes her own songs and performs in jazz clubs with her sextet. On a recent trip to Boston, we had a brief conversation with Tammy, discussing teaching and music making.





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

To Graduate or Not to Graduate?

BOSTON | If you are booked for several years in advance, the answer is simple. In the case of Bryan Hymel, he is slated to graduate Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts in May 2009, however, for the last year or so he has been living out of a suitcase. I am hoping he shows up at least for the graduation recital.

I saw Bryan last summer when he came to me to coach Rimsky-Korsakoff’s “The Snow Maiden” for performances in Wexford Festival in Ireland. As I travel around the country, it gives me great pleasure to attend performances by recent AVA students. Last Friday night, Bryan made a stellar debut with the Boston Lyric Opera in Dvorak’s “Rusalka”






Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

300 Songs and Counting for Singer-Songwriter Karen DeBiasse

BOSTON | On my trip to Boston, I visited with PrivateLessons.com long-time member, Karen DeBiasse. Originally from West Chester PA, near Philadelphia, Karen graduated with honors from the Berklee College of Music. A busy voice teacher, she teaches a vocal method that seems to work magic with her students. Rock is hard singing, and the technique certainly works well for her own singing, leaving her voice fresh after each show. Karen’s rock band “Girl on Top” performs her original songs and is found regularly in the East Coast venues.





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

How do you tell your kid is a drummer?

BOSTON | Fear not if your kid, to the annoyance of school teachers, is in constant motion, tapping out rhythms with feet, hands and pencils. This is not a behavioral issue. It’s a matter of expression. Your kid just happens to be a drummer.

On my visit to Boston, I sat down for a conversation with PrivateLessons.com Member, Dave Rodenhiser. Dave attended the Berklee College of Music but it became apparent that with a full performing and private teaching schedule he needed to focus on the work at hand. Dave shares a charming story of how he built his first drum set, paying for it by doing variety of chores and odd jobs.





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Boston Street Scenes

On my recent trip to Boston, the official first day of spring was beautiful yet chilly.


























Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

So you want to audition for the Berklee College of Music?

BOSTON | This weekend we sat down for a short conversation with PrivateLessons.com Member, Gil Graham. Gil is a private drum teacher in Arlington, MA area. Previously, Gil spent 14 years on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music. Competition for top tear music schools is serious business. Berklee places an important role on private instructors to offer proper audition guidance and preparation. Here is an insider’s take.





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

... from music capital of Atlanta

Rebecca shares this message:

You all rock!! PrivateLessons.com - Best referral service on the internet in my profession, and you can quote me on that. -- Rebecca Windham

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Teaching Students to Become Music Lovers

NEW YORK CITY | Italian-born pianist and conductor Giacomo Franci has an enthusiastic approach to teaching music. He wants everyone to enjoy music making and become concert goers. In addition to teaching in his New York City private studio, Giacomo is an active concert pianist and is the principal conductor New York Chamber Players orchestra. As of this interview Giacomo is embarking on a concert tour to Beijing, both as conductor and soloist.





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

New York Jazz Vocalist Dori Levine on Scat Singing

NEW YORK CITY | In her Tribeca music studio, we caught up with New York jazz singer Dori Levine. Dori is a performer and recording artists who works extensively with another PrivateLessons.com member, jazz guitarist Ed Littman. The two create musical magic. One of Dori's favorite subjects is vocal improvisation and scat singing. How does one even approach scatting? Good news, it can be learned!





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

New York City’s Lincoln Center Maze

I came to New York yesterday, went to Lincoln Center and discovered a maze of construction aimed at modernizing this remarkable cultural center. When done, it will surely look great. Alice Tully hall and The Juilliard School have a facelift and look spectacular.















Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Sights & Sounds of San Antonio

Every city has its unique beat. San Antonio is delightful, serving up lots of contrast, active nightlife and music everywhere.




Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

San Antonio Street Scenes

On my recent trip to San Antonio, I discovered a lovely city. The snapshots below are of a local music instruments merchant demonstrating the guitarrón, street scenes, the Alamo, and the breathtaking river walk.























Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Jane Jenkins on Speech Level Singing (SLS)

SAN ANTONIO, TX | On a beautiful Valentines Day, we sat down for a short interview with Jane Jenkins, a PrivateLessons.com Member in San Antonio. Growing up in an air force family, Jane calls San Antonio her home. She recently relocated back after a long residence in the Denver area. Jane is a certified Speech Level Singing (SLS) instructor and in this conversation she briefly outlines the method, which helps many renowned and aspiring singers.





Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Comcast HQ Ice Castle – Attempt at Winter Storm

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Happy Holidays!

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Paperless Pianist Hugh Sung on Digital Music Direction

PHILADELPHIA, PA | Music and technology have been married for a long time. Yet, much of the classical world is still playing catch-up in adopting certain tools that seem like an obvious thing to do. I spoke with my colleague Hugh Sung in his studio at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. For the last six years, Hugh has been using a tablet PC in performances which holds a library of over 6,000 works in digital format. His latest development is a wireless page turning device called AirTurn. This is an insightful look into the future of teaching and performing technology tools.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Stars at the Florida Grand Opera

While in Miami, by day I was interviewing PrivateLessons.com Members and exploring the city. By night I was enjoying the performances of four (4) of the Academy of Vocal Arts’ graduates in La traviata at the Florida Grand Opera. Only a few years out of school and their careers are soaring high. That was a treat that kept me smiling the entire trip.

Eglise Gutiérrez, Soprano (See Bio)

Ailyn Pérez, Soprano (See Bio)

Stephen Costello, Tenor (See Bio)

Luis Ledesma, Baritone (See Bio)

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Kids and Jazz

MIAMI, FL | How does a music teacher approach teaching kids Jazz? Miami-based PrivateLessons.com Member Allen Paul talks about Jazz as being the art of conversation, exploration and taking chances. All these concepts are innate to kids and that’s where the fun begins.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Sights & Sounds of Miami South Beach

On a warm November day, Miami South Beach is a symphony of sounds -- from tropical breezes rushing through the camera microphone to bustling life on Ocean Drive.






Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Kids and Playing Music Together

MIAMI, FL | Practicing piano can be a lonely job. In our interview, PrivateLessons.com Member Melissa Maccarelli Slawsky talks about collaborative music making approach with young students. An accomplished pianist and violinist, Melissa recently moved from Tampa to Miami to pursue two doctorate degrees. In three short months she already rebuilt a thriving new private studio.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Miami Street Scenes

I love Miami. There, I said it. I visited the beautiful and warm Miami shooting video interviews with PrivateLessons.com Members. In Philadelphia it was 24°F and snowing when I was strolling down Miami’s South Beach and enjoying my espresso at a sidewalk café on Ocean Drive. Back home, many were jealous and vowed not to speak with me again. But, this is my job folks. It must be done.

























Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Music to Philadelphia Phillies Fans

PHILADELPHIA, PA | Fans poured into the streets for a well deserved parade in honor of their Philadelphia Phillies World Series Champions 2008. City transportation system couldn’t handle so much human traffic. Many revelers got stuck in Center City for the entire day extending their festivities into the late Halloween night.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

... from music capital of Pasadena, CA

Tony Emanuele shares this message:

Your site is great. I love it.

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Maia Amberstone on Multi-Sensory Piano Teaching Approach

SAN DIEGO, CA| We met Maia Amberstone four years ago at a conference in Vas Vegas. At the time she was demonstrating some remarkable video examples of her piano teaching approach. In our video interview, Maia gives us a glimpse into her continued work in learning methodologies.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Investing in Learning

SAN DIEGO, CA| Learning process is full of mysteries. In our video interview, Macello Amuchastegui, a San Diego based businessman and a psychologist with a masters degree, speaks of his involvement in exploring music learning methodologies.








Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Dallas Sights & Sounds

DALLAS, TX | Just having a little fun! Nice people, nice city.






Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

The Joy of Lifelong Learning

PLANO, TX | Margaret Brothers is a huge fan of PrivateLessons.com and is a longtime member in Plano, Texas. One of the greatest musical inspirations in her life was her private teacher, a famed pianist Sascha Gorodnitzki, then a Juilliard faculty. In this interview Margaret shares her cherished memories of lessons learned, a tradition she hands down to her own students.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

From Houston to Fort Worth, a Success Story

FORT WORT, TX | Laurie Lee Cosby is a longtime PrivateLessons.com Member. Three years ago Laurie moved from Houston to Fort Worth, Texas and quickly established a thriving private voice studio. An accomplished performer Laurie moves with ease between classical and commercial genres. In this interview we also touch on the subject of working with teenage students.







Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Dallas Street Scenes

Dallas is perfectly beautiful on a warm fall day. While shooting video interviews with Dallas/Fort Worth area PrivateLessons.com Members, I took a little break in downtown Dallas. Here are some photos from Historical and Arts Districts.

Lunch time. When in Texas ...

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

... from music capital of Los Angeles

Oksana Kolesnikova shares this message:

Thank you for creating such a wonderful website that - for a change - delivers what it promises and doesn`t leave you empty-handed. - Oksana Kolesnikova

Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada

Peter Hilliard on Writing Musical Theatre

A longtime PrivateLessons.com Member Peter Hilliard is a prolific musician who is a singer, pianist, conductor, arranger, composer and a dedicated teacher. As a composer he is equally at home in songwriting, opera and musical theatre writing. Some of Peter’s works for stage include Going Down Swingin’, Don Imbroglio - An Opera You Can't Refuse, The Brazilian, The Filthy Habit, and works in progress A Schooling in Love and Empty Plate In the Café du Grand Boeuf.


You have a longtime working partnership with a librettist. How do you decide on a subject of a particular musical theatre work?

Matt Boresi and I believe in having source material for all our work; nothing we do is ever completely ‘original’. Usually we base our shows on existing plays, operas, or historical events. Sometimes we start with a genre idea, and then flesh it out, for example, The Brazilian began when we wanted to write an Offenbach-style opera comique. Then we spent some time looking for a short French farce to adapt, and we found the perfect one. Our current musical is an adaptation of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, and it’s our third Mozart-DaPonte homage. The story is updated to a high school, and it’s a screwball comedy. Basing our work on existing material gives us a framework to go from, and an idea of where to begin.

Many composers have performers in mind as they craft roles. Do you write for specific people or specific types of voices/actors?

I suppose some people don’t write to a specific voice, but I think that’s a mistake. If you don’t write to a specific instrument, you’ll wind up writing all the songs for your own voice, which is pretty tiresome to listen to. We’re actually very specific about this. Matt and I go through the parts and dream-cast them. If it’s an opera, I say to myself, “this part is going to be Bryn Terfel, this is going to be Natalie Dessay,” and so forth. Then we listen and re-familiarize ourselves with the core repertoire of those performers and find out as best we can what those voices do well. And then we write. With a musical it’s the same, only we pick musical theatre actors or popular singers. The current show has roles for Melissa Etheridge and Laura Bell Bundy in it. They’ll never play those parts, of course, but the material is suited to their type. Musical theatre has types just as clearly as Opera has its fach categorization, there’s just not a common nomenclature. Incidentally, I’m pretty sure this was Mozart’s way of doing things too. He would write the arias at the end, after he’d met the singers, and I believe he compared it to fitting a suit to a buyer.

Compare the approach to writing a musical theatre work and an opera.

They are equally rigorous, but somewhat different in approach. An opera normally allows you far better singers, and the training an opera singer gets allows you to write very difficult music and have it come off well. In musical theatre, I’m sad to say, you are less likely to find the technical command of the instrument or the musical knowledge to work out difficult rhythms and harmonies. On the plus side, though, you are likely to find better actors. In both cases, one has to decide on a sound-world for the piece, but in musical theatre, that world is more likely to be a world of popular music. Going Down Swingin’ was a piece set in 1956, so that score was supposed to sound like the Great American Songbook, with a little rock in there. Our new musical has more rock and pop in the mix. So I spend a lot of time listening to music in the style of the piece I’m writing. When I write opera, I actually have far more freedom to mix genre and come up with my own hybrids. For me, opera exists in a place that is less culturally referential. It can really be all about what this character needs to sing at this moment. A musical is to some extent about style in addition to everything else.

If you come up with a great tune while walking in the park, what is the first thing you do?

Sing it to myself. I sing it over and over, and improvise on it, then I forget it. Brahms said something to the effect that if he had a tune that occurred to him and he had no time to write it down, he would deliberately force it out of his mind. He believed that it would come back if it was worth anything, and that it might come back better. That’s generally how I feel about it too.

Generally, do you compose at a desk, at the piano, or using a computer?

I rarely compose at a desk. I need the piano to work out the sorts of harmonies I prefer. If that was good enough for Stravinsky, it’s good enough for me. I usually run a circuit between the piano and the computer, playing and then notating. When I’m really strapped for time, it’s just the computer and me, but I find when I actually play it on an acoustic instrument, the ideas are better formed. The computer suggests things to you that don’t sound as good when you actually do them. I use Finale 2008. I’ve known it for years, and it’s like an old friend that drives me nuts occasionally.

What are some of your upcoming projects?

Well, I’m hard at work right now finishing our newest show, which is currently called ‘A Schooling in Love’ for Abington Junior High School, which will be premiered in the Spring. I’m also writing a lot of choral music; I’m trying to simplify my choral writing, and it’s taking some time. I have a short film score I’m trying to finish that is currently on the back burner. We’re also plugging away at An Empty Plate in the Café Du Grande Boeuf, but it’s a big piece, and is taking a lot of time. When I ever get some unscheduled compositional time I hope to write a song cycle for the tenor Vale Rideout, with whom Matt and I have a long working relationship and a flute sonata for my wife. But we’ll see!



Ghena

Join PrivateLessons.com | Since 1996 | USA/Canada