The Music Department at Grand Valley State University is hosting a two-day conference for piano teachers and students featuring experts in piano instruction, interaction with acclaimed clinicians, and a variety of workshops.
The Summer 2000 Piano Pedagogy Conference takes place June 23-24 in the Performing Arts Center on the Allendale Campus. The conference runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Helen Marlais, coordinator of piano pedagogy at GVSU and national consulting clinician for Frederick Harris Music Publishers, has drawn together an impressive group of instructors for the two-day conference, including Elvina Truman Pearce, the first American invited to present an educational workshop for piano teachers in the Republic of China; Phyllis Alpert Lehrer, a professor of piano at Westminster Choir College of Rider University; Thomas Lymenstull, teacher at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan; Barbara Wilkens, a specialist in balance from Palo Alto, California; and Kurt Ellenberger, director of jazz studies at GVSU.
In addition to recitals and master classes for junior and senior high school pianists, the conference will include a variety of workshops for piano teachers and students. Workshop topics include From Presentation to Performance, Fearless Improvisation for Classical Pianists, The Art and Science of Sitting at the Piano, The Inner Game of Music: Strategies for Learning, Teaching, and Performing, and The 21st Century Pianist? How 'bout the 20th?
Conference participants will also have the opportunity to preview and purchase new teaching materials, provided by Stannard's Music.
The fee for the two-day conference is $25 for teachers and $5 per day for students. Campus housing is available. Those interested may call Helen Marlais at 616-895-3390 for more information.
