Donita Fatland - Piano Instructor

Weekday slots still available for Spring 2020 piano lessons! Give yourself or your student the gift of music this new year. All ages, abilities and interests are welcome. Lessons at my piano studio south of Bozeman, or in the comfort of your own home, on your own piano. Start your journey in music and contact me today for scheduling!

For those that haven't yet heard, my alma mater McNally Smith College of Music is closing it's doors in 3 days.

In a devastating email received Thursday evening, students and faculty were informed that the college would be closing at the end of the semester- the 20th of December. Additionally, the college did not have means enough to make payroll on Friday- leaving our beloved professors, staff, and students workers with no paycheck nearly one week before Christmas.
Yet students, faculty, teachers all rallied together and agreed to work the next week- unpaid- to help the students finish their finals, juries, recitals. Yesterday the last class of McNally Smith graduates walked across the stage.

Two years ago, I was lucky to be able to walk across that very stage and receive my degree in Piano Performance. Since then, I have used the skills I learned to record solo work, accompany youth orchestras, play for weddings and funerals, and most importantly- I now teach piano lessons full-time in Bozeman, Montana. None of these opportunities would have been possible without the dedication, patience, and LOVE from the faculty at McNally Smith.

It breaks my heart to see so many of my peers, loved ones and friends who dedicated years of their lives to their dream- whether that be performing, recording, managing, writing- to a college that will not welcome them back for the spring term. Friends of mine are stuck with 3.5 years of a college education, within 15 credits of graduation and will not be able to finish.
Friends of mine are international students, forced to leave the country in 60 days if they cannot find another institution to accept them.
Friends of mine are student workers, relying on the paycheck they did not receive to pay rent.
Friends of mine are living in the dorms at McNally, where the cafe shut down without warning- leaving them without meals.
Friends of mine are in the middle of juries, recitals, senior projects, and have worked their fingers to the bone practicing and preparing- and will now never have the opportunity to walk across the stage.
Professors who dedicated the last 32 years to McNally are left with no job right before the holidays.
Faculty who saved the students from various crisis- financial, registration, studying abroad, are left to clean up the mess.

The anger I have towards those who caused this tragedy to happen would never be able to be put into words.

Now, all we can do is love each other. Support one another and raise each other up from this devastation. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams." Forget the injustices we have experienced as students, faculty, professors of McNally and channel it into our art- music. Create, write, sing, play, and do it all with hope in your heart. There is more for you in this world than a useless piece of paper to hang on your wall. You are destined to do great things- far better than wasting another day on a college education from an institution that would disrespect you as such.

To my loved ones at McNally, I am so, so sorry. Without each and every one of you, I would not be where I am today. Being surrounded by your talents and dreams inspired me to be the person I am today. Thank you.

Go forth and do great things, and know that McNally is and will FOREVER be a family of artists- a kind of people that stick together through all of life's challenges. We are all here for you.

With all my love,
Donita

And, for everyone else- find a link to a GoFundMe page in the comments to support those left unemployed in the wake of this tragedy. Help us rise above this.

I have been absent for a while, my friends, but I have exciting news to share with all of you! After a few months of a "sabbatical" of sorts, I have had more time than ever to work on my solo work.
Stay tuned...

Thrilled to announce I passed my final test at McNally, my jury. I will be walking across the stage in a few days to receive my degree in Piano Performance!

http://mcnallysmiththeater.com/

I have been so lucky to be involved in this incredible musical during my last semester here at McNally Smith. Come out and watch Green Day's American Idiot REGIONAL PREMIERE this weekend.
See you tonight, my friends!

Hey, Billie Joe Armstrong! McNally Smith invites you to its 'American Idiot' Students from St. Paul's McNally Smith College of Music will mount a production of Green Day's musical "American Idiot" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at St. Paul's History Theatre.

Hello friends, I am going to begin offering piano lessons to all ages and would love your help to find some more clients. If you or anyone you know is on the search for a lesson instructor, send them my way!
Thank you all!

Got into the studio last week to record Adi Yeshaya's arrangement of Maike Gönni 's beautiful original "Made of Steel". Excited to share the finished work!

Studio session, classical gig, studio session, studio session...things just aren't slowing down!

Things are getting busy! Booked my next gig today- accompanying a youth honors orchestra in 2 weeks. Couldn't be more excited!

First solo gig of the year this Wednesday! Ready to jam on my Nord for the people of Saint Paul! :)

Been hard at work the last 2 months up here in Saint Paul. Endless opportunities have arisen and I cannot wait to take advantage of them!