STUDIO SESSIONS
LEARNING POWER: DEVELOPING INTENTIONAL MUSIC HABITS IN THE DIGITAL AGE | Gloria Chu
Developing intentional music habits is a key element to embracing the change in the digital age. Students crave a continual sense of progress and achievement in the world of video games. Our approach to nurturing music habits must adapt to these characteristics. This session will discuss the 5 steps to take action to establish intentional music habits in the digital age. Discover how to empower social media to discover intrinsic motivation and understand the formula to seek clarity in developing intentional habits. Observe the cues to customize music habits in a competitive virtual world. Learn how to start the students’ habit of listening to their current repertoire instead of viewing the latest TikTok at every opportunity. Appreciate how video gamers crave advancement of levels as a positive learning tool to establish an attractive music habit. Take action with the 5 steps to transform practicing into an intentional habit, developing lifelong independent musicians in the digital age.
Developing intentional music habits is a key element to embracing the change in the digital age. Students crave a continual sense of progress and achievement in the world of video games. Our approach to nurturing music habits must adapt to these characteristics. This session will discuss the 5 steps to take action to establish intentional music habits in the digital age. Discover how to empower social media to discover intrinsic motivation and understand the formula to seek clarity in developing intentional habits. Observe the cues to customize music habits in a competitive virtual world. Learn how to start the students’ habit of listening to their current repertoire instead of viewing the latest TikTok at every opportunity. Appreciate how video gamers crave advancement of levels as a positive learning tool to establish an attractive music habit. Take action with the 5 steps to transform practicing into an intentional habit, developing lifelong independent musicians in the digital age.
MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION FOR MUSICIANS: MAY I BE AT EASE | Carmen Letourneau
Abstract: Contrary to the glamourous stereotype of a creative performer’s life, many musicians endure emotional and physical health challenges. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is a powerful, science-based approach to suffering that has great potential to improve musicians' health and wellness. Positive benefits of MSC training in non-musician populations include greater feelings of well-being, more resilience to stress, and motivation for health-promoting behaviours. MSC training has been shown to reduce chronic pain, anxiety and depression, perfectionism, and fear of failure. In this presentation, we will learn about apply and apply the three principles of Mindful Self-Compassion to musicians. These include Self-Kindness--being warm and nurturing with oneself like we would to a loved one; Common Humanity--seeing our experience as part of the human condition; and Mindfulness--non-judgmental attention and awareness on present experience. In addition to debunking some of the myths about being kind to ourselves, this workshop will bring helpful insights for teachers, performers, and students.
Abstract: Contrary to the glamourous stereotype of a creative performer’s life, many musicians endure emotional and physical health challenges. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is a powerful, science-based approach to suffering that has great potential to improve musicians' health and wellness. Positive benefits of MSC training in non-musician populations include greater feelings of well-being, more resilience to stress, and motivation for health-promoting behaviours. MSC training has been shown to reduce chronic pain, anxiety and depression, perfectionism, and fear of failure. In this presentation, we will learn about apply and apply the three principles of Mindful Self-Compassion to musicians. These include Self-Kindness--being warm and nurturing with oneself like we would to a loved one; Common Humanity--seeing our experience as part of the human condition; and Mindfulness--non-judgmental attention and awareness on present experience. In addition to debunking some of the myths about being kind to ourselves, this workshop will bring helpful insights for teachers, performers, and students.
MOVEMENT STRATEGIES FOR MUSICIANS | Carmen Letourneau
While playing-related injury among musicians has received increasing academic attention in recent decades, there continues to be a serious disconnect between research and practice. Teachers play an important role in setting students up with healthy habits and attitudes in their formative years. In this informative session, we will dive into some of the current research about playing-related injury prevention. I will discuss healthy practicing strategies and demonstrate warm-ups and specific exercises that I use in my studio lessons and personal practice, along with the rationale behind them. In addition to my own teaching and performing experience, I draw on academic research and my background as a yoga teacher and movement coach. This practical presentation will be of interest to studio and classroom teachers and performers. Although my instrument is piano, the strategies and principles will be helpful for other instrumentalists.
While playing-related injury among musicians has received increasing academic attention in recent decades, there continues to be a serious disconnect between research and practice. Teachers play an important role in setting students up with healthy habits and attitudes in their formative years. In this informative session, we will dive into some of the current research about playing-related injury prevention. I will discuss healthy practicing strategies and demonstrate warm-ups and specific exercises that I use in my studio lessons and personal practice, along with the rationale behind them. In addition to my own teaching and performing experience, I draw on academic research and my background as a yoga teacher and movement coach. This practical presentation will be of interest to studio and classroom teachers and performers. Although my instrument is piano, the strategies and principles will be helpful for other instrumentalists.
THE TWELVE CHINESE ZODIAC ANIMALS: CHARACTERS IN SOUND | Dr. Jani Parsons and Derek Chiu
This workshop explores the intermediate-advanced piano music of acclaimed Canadian composer Vincent Ho. Come explore these dynamic pedagogical works that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of China through a modern lens.
This workshop explores the intermediate-advanced piano music of acclaimed Canadian composer Vincent Ho. Come explore these dynamic pedagogical works that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of China through a modern lens.
THE PIANO MUSIC OF DAVID L. McINTYRE | David L. McIntyre
For over five decades David L. McIntyre has been contributing to the Canadian piano repertoire. Playful and witty, passionate and tuneful, rhythmic, tender and moving - all describe the music of this Edmonton-born composer. In this session the composer will perform his own piano pieces from the earliest to the most recent. He will speak anecdotally about the motivation, the inspiration, the accessibility and performance and the commissioners of these works, happily answering questions from pianists and teachers. Complete piano scores will be available for purchase. Excerpts of the published works are available on his website (davidlmcintyre.com/roystreetmusic/piano)
For over five decades David L. McIntyre has been contributing to the Canadian piano repertoire. Playful and witty, passionate and tuneful, rhythmic, tender and moving - all describe the music of this Edmonton-born composer. In this session the composer will perform his own piano pieces from the earliest to the most recent. He will speak anecdotally about the motivation, the inspiration, the accessibility and performance and the commissioners of these works, happily answering questions from pianists and teachers. Complete piano scores will be available for purchase. Excerpts of the published works are available on his website (davidlmcintyre.com/roystreetmusic/piano)
TOOLS FOR DEALING WITH PERFORMANCE ANXIETY | Dr. Terry Clark
This workshop will begin by exploring the evolutionary basis of performance anxiety as well as different types and manifestations of performance anxiety. We will then discuss variables that can trigger it in us now. Group activities will help us consider some of the root causes of performance anxiety among students and identify strategies that we can use to help support students to better prevent and/or manage performance debilitating anxiety symptoms.
This workshop will also explore the role of resilience in helping students manage and cope with the various demands and stressors inherent within musical training and performance. We will discuss some of the ways that teachers can influence students’ resilience and ultimately help them develop protective factors and a proactive mindset to adequately meet some of the challenges inherent within the profession.
This workshop will begin by exploring the evolutionary basis of performance anxiety as well as different types and manifestations of performance anxiety. We will then discuss variables that can trigger it in us now. Group activities will help us consider some of the root causes of performance anxiety among students and identify strategies that we can use to help support students to better prevent and/or manage performance debilitating anxiety symptoms.
This workshop will also explore the role of resilience in helping students manage and cope with the various demands and stressors inherent within musical training and performance. We will discuss some of the ways that teachers can influence students’ resilience and ultimately help them develop protective factors and a proactive mindset to adequately meet some of the challenges inherent within the profession.
CANADIAN REPERTOIRE FOR INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PIANISTS | David McIntyre, Derek Chiu, Dr. Jani Parsons, Sylvia Shadick-Taylor
Join composer David McIntyre, the RCM’s Derek Chiu, the University of Calgary’s Dr. Jani Parsons, and Edmonton pianist, Sylvia Shadick-Taylor for this panel discussion about Canadian repertoire for intermediate to advanced pianists. The Mount Royal University Conservatory’s Rolf Bertsch will be moderator.
Join composer David McIntyre, the RCM’s Derek Chiu, the University of Calgary’s Dr. Jani Parsons, and Edmonton pianist, Sylvia Shadick-Taylor for this panel discussion about Canadian repertoire for intermediate to advanced pianists. The Mount Royal University Conservatory’s Rolf Bertsch will be moderator.
