When I first started podcasting in 2016 I was nervous to ask my own piano teacher friends to come on the show. I’m not sure if I was embarrassed or intimidated. Actually, I didn’t want to impose on our friendship to ask them for such a favor.
Now that I have a few episodes under my belt and feel more confident, I want to share with all of you the wonderful teachers from my own community who have been such encouragement to me personally and professionally.
It is my joy to introduce to you my good friend and piano teacher colleague, Judy Wilkins, NCTM.
Listen to the full episode here
Tell us your piano story.
Judy’s older sister was an inspiration to her as a child. She learned to play piano, which motivated Judy to learn too.
Once she married and set out to build her own family, nursing was her career of choice, though the pull of music was always very strong.
As time passed and Judy continued to play piano, friends approached her about teaching their children. Word of mouth spread to the point that Judy was able to stop her nursing career and begin teaching piano full time. She even went back to school to learn to become a better teacher for her students.
What is one thing you often say to your piano students?
“That’s good, let’s put a stamp on it!!”
Kids need praise but it needs to be honest praise and should be given when a task is accomplished well. If I don’t say that for a while we need to get busy, both the student and myself!
Tell us about the parents in your studio who are really helpful to their children.
As a Suzuki trained teacher, Judy depends on a great deal of parental involvement in her studio. Parents attend lessons with their small children and facilitate practice in the home daily.
A common Suzuki motto is, “Practice only on the days you eat.”
The parents who commit to that are so admirable. Their children may not practice every single day but they make sure there is enough home practice to complete the task. Parents are as responsible as the child for home practice. Parents are as essential to the child’s success as the teacher is.
What keeps you motivated as a teacher?
Judy stays motivated in her teaching by the students themselves; their personalities, their quirks, their humor, their talent, their parents. Being connected with other teachers and colleagues provides a great deal of motivation and inspiration as well. Another source of motivation comes from the diversity of music itself.
Tell us about one of your favorite pieces to play when you were a student.
Among many of Judy’s favorite pieces to play as a student is Chopin’s Prelude in E minor, Opus 28, No. 4. She heard her sister play this piece beautifully, which motivated her to learn it as well. She loves playing it because of the deep emotion attached to it; she loves teaching it for the same reason.
Vladimir Horowitz said this prelude was the most profound piece Chopin ever wrote. Chopin requested that it be played at his funeral, and it was.
I have referenced the following video in past episodes and I always love the excuse to watch it again. In this lovely lecture and performance of Chopin’s Prelude in E minor, Benjamin Zander opens the door of possibility for anyone who thinks they can’t appreciate classical music.
Tell us about an app or technology you use in your studio
While Judy utilizes technology in various forms in her studio, she has a differing view of its use than many parents and teachers. She references the American Academy of Pediatrics‘ recommendation that children aged 2-5 years be limited to one hour of screen time daily. An article in Psychology Today emphasizes the damage too much screen time could be causing young children.
Judy says that all the motor skills necessary for playing the piano contribute to brain development. “Why should I spend a 40-minute lesson with kids on screen time when they could be motor development that grows their brain rather than has the potential to damage it?”
Music, listening to music, and especially playing music really grows the brain and the neural connections in the brain.
If you could visit with a composer who would you choose and why?
How can you limit it to only one?!
“Mozart. He was a master in all genres of music. He never ran out of ideas. He had a very quirky personality and I would like to meet somebody like that. I might not like him but I would love to meet him. His music is heavenly.”
Judy recommends Mozart’s Requiem, Piano Concerto No. 20, and Piano Concerto No. 21 for further listening.
Judy’s second choice is George Gershwin, who introduced her to classical music other than keyboard music she was learning in her lessons. She received a record of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue through a record club to which she belonged.
When Gershwin wrote Rhapsody in Blue, he really didn’t know much about writing orchestral music, he stitched lots of musical ideas together. Musicologists might determine that the Rhapsody is a mess but audiences love listening to it. His genius was the jazzy, energetic life he infused into his music. He was kind of a kid of the streets and picked up jazz by hearing it.
Parents and their piano kids might be interested in reading the backstory of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in Anna Harwell Celenza’s beautifully illustrated book.
Enjoy this video of the amazing Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic while performing the piano in Rhapsody in Blue.
What parting words of encouragement would you offer parents of new piano students?
To offer encouragement to parents, Judy quotes Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, “Children learn to smile from their parents.” and “Creating desire in your child’s heart is a parent’s duty.”
That is what parents are about.
What is the best way for potential students to get in touch with you?
True to her generous character, Judy recommends the following music association for parents searching for piano teachers:
Music Teachers National Association
Thanks for listening!
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