Art – Page 3

It’s Mary’s first formal ballet class. I had to learn to get a yard of hair into a solid bun. I hope she loves it. The dancing not the hair. I’m pointing my toes vicariously through her. I accompanied ballet classes in college and even traded out some piano playing for a few lessons. It didn’t really work–I needed Suzuki Ballet.
Collaborative Thoughts
I have had three weeks off–planning next year and puttering in the garden. Next week the real deal starts. The routine. Calvin got his lower braces on last night and his eyes dilated at the eye exam afterwards–I might have overdone the whole efficient Mama thing but the offices are on the same side of town. . .

Here is some cool stuff–I’m all about collaboration right now. Our Suzuki Piano Teachers’ Guild has at least three awesome clinicians coming to work with us and our kids–Irina Elkina, Paul Wirth and Kathryn Ananda-Owens. Thanks Suzanne for linking us with these inspirational pianists! It’s going to be a great year.

The next thing–I am starting a blind four year old this Fall and I am super excited–as I am for all the adorable little ones. But, I do want help. I had a lovely phone conference with Debra Hernstrom from Iowa City at the Pruecil School. She is an expert in Braille music and resources. Thanks also J.B. for your insight earlier this summer! The child is planning to go to Deerwood Elementary–so that is another cool possible collaboration–as I’m in love with Mrs. Schoen and all the music and teachers there. Admittedly biased toward the wonderful Deerwood Elementary.

Another new student–equally as adorable at three–has string player parents. Suzuki strings. We are all excited about studio collaborations and chamber music. Our next concerto/chamber music event is May 30, 2015 at Easter Church. Admittedly biased toward Easter Church. And three year olds.

Finally–I had a great text chat today with my friend Chris Liccardo from New York. He’s a sought after Suzuki clinician and both his children have taken the musical road. His son is a concert pianist and his daughter a concert violinist. Surprise, surprise, they love chamber music and have done some workshops. As president elect of the Suzuki Association of Minnesota, I would love to plan a chamber music focussed tenure–I really hope the group will be open to bringing in some folks like this and bringing the pianists and strings and guitars, harps and recorders for that matter–together. Piano is a lonely business.

We have a great Suzuki community. Everyone we meet has something to share. Having never picked up a violin, I’m super unqualified to take the helm of the S.A.M. come Fall 2015. But–I know a lot of people and I’m getting to know more S.A.M. members everyday. My goal is simply to be a conduit between these teachers and students and the folks here in the Twin Cities as well as from around the country, who have already achieved inspirational excellence.

So–if you have ideas about chamber music and collaboration, please let me know. My friend Vickie has a high end chamber music series in little Blanco, TX–there are so many good ideas out there. We will start planning now for the next two years.

Mary’s taking dance with two of her best friends–she will be in good company. Everything, including playing music, is more fun with friends. Here’s to the upcoming collaborations.

The Last Hurrah

We had four parties at our house in the last two weeks and it rained for every single one. But it didn’t matter. We still had a fine time. Last night, Sami’s senior recital, was no exception. It was a full house bring up every chair simulcast into the living room affair.

Sami played Liszt, Chopin, Debussy, Grieg and Beethoven. A wonderful program! She got her picture on the book seven wall of fame. She earned every note.

All the Group C alumni came. Can you believe that? And some older alumni as well. After the party Scott played his Fantasy Impromptu for me–these kids don’t stop playing the piano when they get jobs and move into the real world. That is what it is all about.

From the pictures, you may wonder if being a really good looking kid is a prerequisite to being in the studio. Remember, we don’t screen kids, we only screen parents. . . so there must be some really good looking parents out there. . .

Where does all this beauty come from? It’s not skin deep. It’s real. It comes from within. In Sami’s case, it comes from playing piano for your Grandpa in the memory care nursing home. It comes from being a piano mentor to little Isabella for the summer. It comes from telling each piano honors recital participant something specific that was lovely about his or her performance. It comes from caring about other people more than yourself.

Sami is off to the University of Minnesota to study business. I have no doubt that she will be a fine one, whatever she does. I suggested that she take a piano lesson there and she came back next week and said she signed up.

Like me, Sami has had a few moments of stage fright. Those moments when your brain has left the building and your poor fingers are all alone up on stage. Last night she played to her extended family, her school friends, her boyfriend, the piano kids, studio parents and me. She nailed it and she was there. She stuck it. A great way to end a great thirteen years. That takes a lot of courage and a lot of poise.

Sami’s dad, Michael, was the practicing parent. There he was with all the piano moms at all the dessert parties, putting his two cents in. Because he loves music and he wanted that for his daughter. Sami didn’t always love the music–I was told last night that after book two she wanted to quit. But there was that one song, what was it–I’ll teach it to everyone–that drew her back. And her father’s love. Of music and her. You see–love is contagious. Every time he recommended a youtube video of some pop/folk/classical artist she rolled her eyes. . . but then. . . eventually the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Love is contagious. When she got to play Jim Croce’s “Photographs and Memories” on the big piano with the spotlight on her beautiful face at Eagan High’s stage show with the chamber choir–Michael played all the Jim Croce videos for her.

Sami’s mother? Always there behind the scenes making chex mix and wiping her teary eyes! Incredulous that she could have raised two wonderful children and now they are flying away. I think I shall have some little packs of tissues printed up with the Kotrba Piano Studio logo to place on all the chairs of these darn recitals.

Tears of joy. But tender because we love our kids and we will miss them when they fly away.

I know you have already heard it. . . but I’m gonna miss that girl. Rock steady she was–sports, music, academics–family. A beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. I love you Sami.

Susan and Michael–be proud–enjoy the party tonight. Cry all you want. You did good. I’m so glad I was there for the journey.