Monday, June 15, 2009

Two questions that emerge from my life as a teacher who is fascinated by the disadvantaged:

Why was I so fiercely determined to play the piano even though it was obvious to people who know the technical aspects of playing that it was never easy for me to do so?

Because I was fascinated by the sound of the instrument: I had always loved it.

Why was I drawn, already at an early age, to music by Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Debussy?

Because in their music I recognized the sound that I loved so much.

These things are the basis of all my teaching: love of the sound and finding in music--any music--connections to that love.