Happy Thanksgiving and Piano News!

Dear Piano Students:

As I ponder what I am thankful for this year, the first thing I think of is my family. Next is you all!  I love teaching piano and I love you all like you are my family!

I am up late the night before Thanksgiving actually practicing.Yes, teachers practice too!

I am playing the piano for a homeless Thanksgiving lunch tomorrow before I get together with my family.

I am going to begin the program with "Imagine" by John Lennon. One of my favorite pieces. And very appropriate for our world today, I might add!

Here is a rough little youtube video of me practicing Imagine on my dinky little keyboard at home:

Also, the end of fall term is upon us!  My last day teaching will be Tuesday, December 13th.

End of term recital is Sunday, December 11th at 5:30. Please come about 20 minutes early. Bring your music, your family and treats to share!

Please let me know if you plan on playing. I love recitals!

Winter term will start up January 2nd.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Peace,

Teacher Zita

Summertime!

Hello Piano People!

I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day! I am very grateful to all who have served and are serving our country.

It is going to be a hot one today.  I heard 90 degrees, and it is only the last day of May! I guess summer really is just around the corner.

I am finalizing my summer piano lesson schedule. I can still make room for a few more students, so talk to me if you would like a spot! :)

I will be giving an end of summer student piano recital on Sunday, August 28th at 5:30 at the Community Music Center.

This recital will be smaller than usual. I am working on memorization in my own practice. If time permits, I will play a piece that I have been working on - by memory!  This has been a weak point in my musicality.

I am a teacher, but always a student!

I am looking forward to a music filled summer.

Talk to you soon!

Peace,

Teacher Zita

Blues Piano Summer Camp!

 

 I am thrilled to say that I am able to offer a piano blues camp this summer at the Community Music Center!  It will be at the end of summer rather than beginning because of scheduling conflicts. But we are in!

This is one of my favorite classes to teach. No music reading. We learn the blues scale and chords. We listen, create and jam!  Most of all we have fun!  Here is the blurb that will appear in the CMC catalog:


 
"Piano Blues    Jefferson         M-F     12:00 PM-2:00 PM   4          8/22-8/25 age 9-13        Playing the 12-Bar Blues makes you happy! Use simple chords & scales to create original compositions at the keyboard. Listen, improvise, jam with others, & solo in this uniquely American style. Pick up basic music theory & history along the way while gaining confidence in practice & performance. Prerequisite - one year of group lessons or the equivalent. This class uses digital pianos that simulate acoustic grands. Students bring a nutritious, peanut free snack each day."  

 If you are interested, call 503.823.3177. 

Teacher Zita

End of Year Recital - Early this Year!

I have an early date set for the end of year recital. It will be April 24, 2016.
There will be one recital at 5:30 for my younger and more beginning students.
Another recital at 7:00 for my older and more advanced students.

I had a June date scheduled, but discovered that Portland Public Schools releases for
summer a week before, so I didn't want to miss any students due to vacation!

Usually during Winter Term, I focus on theory, notereading and basic skills. Which
we are doing.  But since the recital is earlier this year, we will be picking recital pieces
in the next few weeks.

Also, I wanted to let you know that my chamber music group, Portland Chamber Music
has some exciting concerts coming up. Would love to see you there!

Click the link below, to view our upcoming events.
http://www.pdxchambermusic.org/upcoming/

Happy Practicing!

Teacher Zita :)