Tag Archives: MTNA

Reflections on MTNA Music Conference 2017 Baltimore

by Julie Lovison

An action packed three day conference included two special concerts.

Igudesman and Joo are two young musical friends who have chosen to make a career out of poking fun at classical music while delivering thoughtful, real musical performances interspersed with the humor. Here is an example of their mashing up classical music with a “Russian accented version of I Will Survive”

Master Class and Concert by Leon Fleischer

Leon Fleischer is 88 years old and going strong as performer, conductor, master class teacher, and collaborator. In 1964, Leon developed focal dystonia, a curling in of fingers, which put an end to his concert piano career. Instead of giving up music, he transitioned into conducting, and returned to performing left handed literature only. After 40 years, through physical therapy and the use of Botox on his arm, he was able to regain much, but not all, of his right hand use.

His exquisite concert included the beautiful solos performances of Sleep May Safely Graze, Claire de Lune, Chopin Mazurka and Nocturne in D Flat, and duets with his wife, Katherine Jacobson-Fleischer. Leon also takes time to perform collaboratively with his son, a jazz singer in New York.

These two examples show that there are many avenues to making music beyond the traditional concept of solo artist, indeed a creative and musically open mind can experience many new and fulfilling areas of music making.

Here you can see how Mr. Fleischer despite the handicap of curled fifth finger, creates the sublime and intimate rendition of Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze.

As usual Reno and I were on hand in the exhibit hall to represent Lee Roberts Music Publications and speak about the Robert Pace Approach.

Lang Lang at MTNA Conference Las Vegas 2015 | Julie Lovison The Lake Shore Music Studio

One musician who participated at the 2015 MTNA Conference in Las Vegas who has been doing a lot to introduce young people to the piano and hold their interest is Lang Lang. His boyish charm and somewhat flamboyant style makes him appear more accessible to a younger audience. Maybe in your day it was Liberace, or Van Cliburn but charisma has always played a part in musical performance though of course it must always begin with real skill or that elusive something described as “talent” to become a superstar.

In fact, speaking of superstars, a number of MTNA attendees took the opportunity to see Elton John, another consummate piano performer of the popular genre, who was appearing at Caesar’s which was the next venue over from The Rio where the conference was being held.

Though Lang Lang did not give a piano performance he did conduct a master class and a showcase session (both of which I attended) introducing his new piano teaching materials distributed by Alfred Publishing. I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of each of the Level 1-5 books and get a couple of them autographed.

Julie Lovison gets Lang Lang autograph at MTNA Conference in Las Vegas 2015

Lang Lang Autographed music book.

Visit with Sir James Galway at MTNA Las Vegas 2015

One of the fun aspects of attending a national conference is the opportunity to spend a few minutes with the musical celebrities who are participating. We enjoyed a wonderful concert by renowned flutist Sir James Galway who incidentally was exhibiting his new “First Flute” instruction video series in the booth next to Lee Roberts Music Publications where I was assisting teachers to better understand the benefits of the Robert Pace Piano Approach.

Sir James Galway with Julie Lovison, Director of The Lake Shore Music Studio.

It seemed appropriate to have Sir James autograph a copy of “Shepherd’s Flute” composed for piano by Earl Ricker from the Robert Pace Piano Recital Series. Since it is written in a minor key popular in Jewish tunes he quipped, “This is a Jewish Shepherd” and went on to share the fact that “Jewish shepherds lead their flock” while shepherds from other cultures drive their flock from behind.

At his master class Sir James made a point of stressing the importance of practicing his scales which he still does devotedly every day. I guess that proves no matter how accomplished you are you need to pay attention to the fundamentals.

We observed how personable he was with each visitor taking time time to have a short chat while simultaneously playing chess via his cell phone with a friend online between visitors.

Sir James was also kind enough to autograph a page from the “Two On Tour” duet book volume 2 which was the promotional handout in the Lee Roberts’ booth. The piece is called “Parade for the Irish”.

Video

Julie Lovison, Director of The Lake Shore Music Studio in Chicago speaks with piano teachers about the Robert Pace Approach to Piano Instruction at the Music Teachers National Conference MTNA 2015 conference held at The Rio in Las Vegas.

MTNA Milwaukee 2011

S. Marian Verhaalen, Sue Rusch, Julie Lovison

Julie Lovison attended the 2011 Music Teachers National Association Conference in Milwaukee where she was on hand to assist teachers visiting the Lee Roberts Music Publications booth. On behalf of the publisher, Julie presented a segment of the Robert Pace Piano Method showcase along with Cynthia Pace and S. Marian Verhaalen.

Sister Marian was one of Julie’s mentors in the Robert Pace Approach. The two met while they were both teaching piano at Alverno College on Milwaukee’s south side. Sister Marian is an expert in Brazilian music (she has also published music under the name Mary Verne) and has written many repertoire pieces for the Pace series including a collection of Brazilian Duets, the popular Level One suite City Set as well as Solo Adventures Sets one, two, and three and four. Sets three and four were just released in Spring 2011. S. Marian Verhaalen is the author of the book Camargo Guarnieri, Brazilian Composer: A Study of His Creative Life and Works published by Indiana University Press. She is a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis and is currently editing a history of the order and teaching at Cardinal Stritch College.

Sue Rusch and Julie Lovison

The MTNA conference also gave Julie the opportunity to spend some time with good friend and former Alverno Moppets colleague Sue Rusch. Sue is the Co-Director of Partners in Music in Hales Corners, just outside Milwaukee.

Because of the proximity to Chicago the MTNA conference was well attended by a number of piano teachers from the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association of which Julie is a former President.