2009 Calendar of Events
January 25 "How Music Heals the Brain" with Katherine Wright from GF Strong
February 8 Sasha Starcevich on teaching different styles (i.e.Baroque, Classical, Romantic...)
February 15-16 Nadia Lasserson workshop and masterclass
March 8 Murray Nichol on teaching ear-training and sight-reading
April 26 Ron Morgan on what an examiner is listening for
May 24 Recital for members and their students
June 7 Alice Enns on setting up a studio
September 21 Exploring Method Books/Choosing Editions with Christie Smith and Bob Kohl from Long and McQuade
October 18 Musical Career Paths - Beyond the Teaching Studio with guest panelists, Grant Rowledge (producer and recording engineer for CBC), David Duke (music critic, educator and composer) and Jeff Alexander (president and CEO of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra), co-sponsored with the Vancouver Branch
November 8 The Dalcroze Method - workshop on movement to explore music making with Dalcroze expert, Deborah Young co-sponsored with UBC and the Vancouver Branch
December 9 Working with musicians with physical disabilities - an introduction to the Adapted Music Society including a visit to the GF Strong recording studio presented by music therapist, Sheila Lee.
2008 Calendar of Events
January 27 Stephen Chatman presented a workshop on his piano music entitled “Approaches to Composition and Related Performance Practice”
February 17 The STA joined the parent branch at Marienne Uszler’s workshop.
March 30 Comprehensive tour of the Canadian Music Centre with Colin Miles and an informal recital of Canadian music played by members of the STA on Murray Adaskin’s piano. The STA made a donation to the CMC in for Colin Miles’ immense generosity of his time and expertise.
May 4 “Teaching Piano to Adults” presented by Dr. Carla Dodek
June 26 STA members met at the new Long and McQuade conference room to critique beginner method books. An informal dinner followed at a restaurant to discuss ideas further.
September 21 Our first meeting after the summer break when the year’s events were planned. We welcomed one new member.
October 19 Ailsa Zaenker presented a workshop on collaborative piano.
November 16 Anne-Elise Keefer presented a workshop on the Suzuki Method.
December 21 Sasha Starcevich was scheduled to speak on teaching different styles (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic). This meeting was cancelled due to snow and is rescheduled for February 8.
2007 Calendar of Events
January 25-27 STA to attend Cassard masterclasses and recital at UBC
February 25 Mary Tickner presented a workshop on teaching jazz
March 4 Wendy Guimont, BC representative for Music for Young Children, gave a presentation on MYC
March 25 Nancy Sicsic, registered Alexander Technique instructor, gave a workshop on the Alexander Technique and how it relates to piano playing
April 29 Paula Wise, violinist/registered therapist, spoke on performance anxiety
September 9 Members met after a summer break to plan upcoming events. There was a short discussion on different teaching styles including differences between teaching children and teaching adults. This topic will be elaborated on at a later date.
October 28 Recommended Readings and Reference Materials – each member brought a selection of pedagogical reference materials ( Uszler, Bastien, Lewis etc) and interesting readings about music (Oliver Sacks, Daniel Levitan) to share and critique
November 25 Paula Wise spoke on how we, as teachers, transfer our ideas and values to our students from a psychological perspective
December 9 Studio management workshop at the studio of John Dupuis
2006 Calendar of Events
January 29 A meeting was held at Daisy Chu’s house. Murray Nichol presented a talk and initiated discussion on “Preparing Students for RCM Examinations – What constitutes a performance graded as pass, honours, first class honours and first class honours with distinction?”
February 26 Tara Wohlberg spoke on Canadian Music
March 26 Mary Tickner spoke on Beginner Method Books
April 23 Masterclass given to STA members on advanced repertoire by Dr. Carla Dodek
May 28 Discussion of beginner and intermediate duet literature led by Dr. Carla Dodek including a “round robin” reading session
November 5 “Round robin” reading session of beginner and intermediate duet literature part 2, led by Dr. Carla Dodek
2005 Calendar of Events
March 27 AGM held at Christina Cheng’s house. A tentative schedule for the year’s events was put into place.
May 15 Performance class of repertoire performed by students of STA members led by Dr. Carla Dodek
May 29 Scholarship competition held at St. Faith’s Church. Barbara Siemens and Helen Hall were the adjudicators and a total of 31 students participated in the event. Contact with Tom Lee Music was initiated and gift certificates were donated for first prizes in each category.
October 16 Meeting at Christina Cheng’s house where confirmation of remaining events to take place were made. Dr. Carla Dodek presented the new RCM Piano Pedagogy Syllabus.