2021 was an interesting, but good, year!! With most of our chapter meetings held online via zoom we had more teachers in attendance, but we missed our personal contact. Our May Closing Social was so much enjoyed, meeting together at Vernon Worthen Park. Who knew it would be our LAST chapter meeting with Dr. Dean present. His death impacted our chapter and community deeply. He is missed in so many ways!!
Our December chapter meeting was a gift of time to each of us. No meeting was held.
And now we have ushered in 2022!! Our first meeting was held on January 11th with Christopher Oill presenting on Interpretation. He used Mary Had A Little Lamb as a very easy foundation piece to work with. It was funny to think/hear how this well-known melody could change very quickly depending on the "performers" perspective.
Many of his recommendations made me think of different students and their varying attitudes depending on what is going on in their lives. I can hardly wait to have a cranky student play their scales as a MONSTER...and then to play them as a PRINCESS. Hopefully, they will start to recognize the difference in their playing depending on what they are feeling inside.
It was a great presentation, and Christopher always has some "take-aways" that improve our teaching.
FEBRUARY's CHAPTER MEETING: Due to the change in the Southern Utah Piano Pedagogy Conference date (moved from February, now is on April 9th) we WILL have a chapter meeting!!
Dr. Christie Sowby will present on "Stunning Studio Spaces" (a presentation she has given several times, including at MTNA Conference!) February 15, 2022 - Noon via zoom!!
