PREPARING STUDENTS FOR AUDITIONS AND COMPETITIONS: TURNING FEAR INTO FUN!!!!

This seminar helps teachers develop motivational strategies for dealing with students of all ages and levels. Ms. Clarfield shares her philosophical and pedagogical approaches to successful practice that will be effective as well as fun and inspiring. Factors and challenges that effect productive and enjoyable practice such as student learning styles, parental involvement, as well as variety in practice strategies will be discussed. This seminar will focus on how to introduce repertoire effectively as well as how to help your students make up goal oriented practice assignments. Innovative technical drills and useful memory aids will also be covered.

Teaching Rubato: Bend It, But Don't Break It!

We, as piano teachers face many challenges, perhaps one of the greatest being the maintenance of a steady tempo in our students’ playing with a strict inner pulse. But what happens when they reach all of that splendid repertoire that demands rhythmic freedom? This workshop will provide teachers with ideas on when and why we use rubato, as well as techniques for how to teach students to play with rhythmic freedom beginning at an early age. Professor Clarfield will perform and provide an extensive list of repertoire form early intermediate to advanced levels that are effective in teaching rubato.

Master Class