I saw a post by a friend of mine tonight on social media. She is a writer and had a book signing event/Q&A scheduled at a local library. Apparently no one showed up. So she went home after 20 minutes of waiting. This led to a whole series of questions in her mind I am sure--about her talents, her worthiness, her success. I posted my own words of encouragement [...]
I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to return to the beautiful Mohonk Mountain House (pictured here) to perform a concert. Located upstate New York, this beautiful inn is surrounded by acres and acres of preservation land. There are gorgeous gardens to walk through, a maze to get lost in (or find yourself in), hikes to take, boats to row, rocks to climb, bike paths to ride on, [...]
On Friday, my 18th recording quietly launched into the world. And that was kind of perfect, because the recording itself is quiet, subtle, and filled with nuance. A few months ago, I dared to allow the recording engineer to hit the record button while I dreamed up piano improvisations with the intention of quieting my own worries, and those of anyone else who might later listen to my musings. [...]
I remember first grade more vividly than other school years. Where Kindergarten was full of play, first grade was serious business...or at least it seemed that way to me. I missed my mother. Some days I cried. Embarrassment over being weepy made me cry even more. I was an anxious first grader. But I cheered up at music time. We'd gather around the piano in Mrs. Schwartz's classroom and sing our [...]
I am writing you from my host's home in Salt Lake City Utah. Last night the lovely pianist Michele McLaughlin hosted a house concert in her beautiful home and a few dozen people came out to hear us play. We told stories and played her gorgeous Fazioli piano which overlooks the valley. It was the perfect "piano parlour soiree" and the appropriate setting for me to premiere work from my [...]
I have a folder for just about everything. Since musician life can feel chaotic, I suppose having a folder for everything just makes me feel better, more organized. I label my folders using a label-maker. Makes me feel like a pro. My files are color-coded. Here I am holding a yellow one which means I am holding a tour file from 2013 (the 2013 concert info were put into yellow [...]
