Peter Kristian Mose: Piano Lessons in Toronto

There were about 800 of us attending the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) held in suburban Chicago over the past several days. Lectures galore, teaching presentations, a trade show featuring music publishers, software designers, piano manufacturers, etc. An American buoyant can-do vibe prevailed,
in troubled times.

Never imagined it, but US President Trump and Vice President Vance have even disrupted my Toronto piano studio. I am supposed to be teaching a weekly lesson right now, but my adult student has cancelled since she is suddenly overwhelmed with media requests for three distinguished American scholars of fascism - Timothy Snyder, Marci Shore, and Jason Stanley - who have newly abandoned the US for the University of Toronto. The profs cite the current intellectual and academic climate of their nation as a reason for immigrating to Canada.

I just was looking forward to teaching “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” from 1938.

Recently I was invited to give a talk on classical music to the residents of Christie Gardens, one of Toronto’s premier seniors residences. I try to immerse people inside classical music, through recordings, guided listening activities, and personal musings.

https://www.facebook.com/ChristieGardens

Christie Gardens A community you can have faith in for 40 years. We do retirement living differently.

Paul Sheftel, an American independent piano teacher I have long held in highest regard, turns 90 today. Still teaching, still playing, and still brimming with love for both endeavors. Yesterday I was invited to his birthday recital at a NYC art gallery, via Zoom. Bach, Mozart, and Haydn joined us, their works introduced by Paul’s delightful comments from the keyboard.

He is a treasure, and this was obvious to me from the first day we met long ago in his Manhattan home, when I as a 25yo tenderfoot stranger was welcomed like a long-lost relative into the bosom of his family.

About Paul/Events Paul Sheftel Paul is a leader in keyboard studies and has performed, lectured, and conducted workshops in nearly every state. His published materials and software are widely used throughout the USA, as well as in Europe and Asia. A pioneer in the creation of instructional materials using MIDI technology, he has....

I recently finished this oral history of Prof James Lyke, one of the deans of American piano pedagogy (University of Illinois for 33 years), textbook author and composer/arranger. Jim was mentored by and assistant to distinguished Robert Pace at Teachers College, Columbia U long ago (before either Facebook or JFK).

James Lyke: A Life in Piano Pedagogy

Worthy autumnal interview with a Vietnam-era bard...

Don McLean on the tragedy behind American Pie: 'I cried for two years' The rollicking song about the souring of the 60s has now spawned a film, a musical and a children’s book. Its creator talks about its meaning – and reveals the family deaths underlying it

Toronto piano technician Verne Edquist passed away last week, at the age of 89. A fine man and fine piano man, who gained wider fame by being able put up with the odd and obsessive pianist Glenn Gould for many years.

This public interview of ours preceded an oral history we did on YouTube.

Interview with esteemed piano technician Verne Edquist for ORMTA - Brampton chapter. Verne worked closely with odd keyboard genius Glenn Gould for many years, and did Massey Hall and National Arts Centre concert tuning for many other distinguished pianists.
Photo taken in 19th C. Brampton farmhouse, studio and home of piano teacher Jen Smele.

A simple, contemplative song about art and artists, by a bard who will be missed.

Chicago Tonight | Folk Singer Michael Smith | Season 2009 Legendary folk performer Michael Smith performs live.

I never dreamed I would consider online piano teaching, but Mother Nature has urged me to give it a try during this odd and ominous virus shutdown. To my surprise, it can work. The teaching is more focussed, less informal, but I suppose some focus and formality never hurt anyone - reminds me of my own long-ago piano studies.