A Columbus Day Weekend Piano Program in Wyndmoor, PA:

The Well-Balanced Pianist Pennsylvania 2008

Teaching -- Ourselves and Others

An intensive program to improve practice, performance, and teaching skills, through integrated focus on piano technique, musicianship, bodywork/movement, positive mindset, and learning styles, in a supportive, interactive environment.

When: Saturday, October 11 through Monday, October 13, 2008.
Where: The home of Susan Nowicki, in Wyndmoor, PA (just outside Philadelphia).
Who: Open to all pianists, high school age and above, amateur and professional.
Instructors: Dr. Teresa Dybvig, pianist, faculty of the Taubman and Golandsky Institutes from 1995 - 2004; Susan Nowicki, pianist, faculty member of the Curtis Institute of Music, and faculty of the Taubman and Golandsky Institutes from 1997 - 2005; and Ariel Weiss Holyst, specialist in Alexander Technique.

We are grateful to Cunningham Piano Company & Factory for donating practice pianos to The Well-Balanced Pianist Pennsylvania 2008.

Are you wondering if The Well-Balanced Pianist is for you? See what past participants have to say.

Note: No previous experience in the Taubman approach or Alexander Technique is necessary for participation in this program.

• Registration for the 3-day program
• Full Program details
• Schedule
• Travel and accommodation

• If you would like to register as an Early Bird, your deposit check must be postmarked by August 20, 2008. For regular registration, you can register at any time, but be aware that places in the program are limited.
• Limit: 16, accepted in the order of registrations received, pending receipt of postmarked deposits. Priority will be given to registrants who can attend the full 2.5 days.
• The fee includes lunches, but does not include breakfasts or accommodation.
• Your deposit is fully refundable until September 8. After September 8, your deposit will be refunded only if there is someone on the waiting list to replace you.
• Please make checks out to The Balanced Pianist.

• Full Program details
• The schedule
• Travel and accommodation

1. Two half hour lessons with Teresa Dybvig or Susan Nowicki
   • You will be partnered with 2 or 3 other students, who will attend your lessons, and, if you choose, your practice.
   • You choose what to work on during your lesson.
   • You are invited (urged, even) to attend as many lessons as your concentratation allows, unless the student specifies otherwise.
   • You will have all your lessons with one teacher.
2. One 1 1/2 hour clinic on October 11, Technique Basics or Teaching Favorites.
3. One 1 1/2 hour clinic on October 12, In and Out, based on the tenets of the Taubman Approach to Piano Technique. We will introduce these concepts and work with each participant in this skill-based clinic, showing partners how to coach one another.
4. One 1 1/2 hour session on Alexander Technique and its relevance for pianists Alexander Technique led by Ariel Weiss Holyst.
5. We encourage you to take advantage of separate private sessions in Alexander Technique (30 minute session for $45), taught by Ariel Weiss Holyst. You can arrange your private session in advance when you register. Payment for private sessions in Alexander Technique is due at check-in on October 11. There is time for only eight of these special sessions on Sunday. If you would like a private Alexander session, we suggest you register early.
6. Opening remarks; Teresa Dybvig and Susan Nowicki share their thoughts on teaching.
7. Observation of lessons with children.
8. One performance preparation class, led by Teresa Dybvig and Susan Nowicki.
9. Mealtime discussions about mental attitude in practice and performance, using Performance Success, by Don Greene.
10. One Works-in-Progress recital.
11. Practice time will be available to everyone.
12. The option of participating in a SPECIAL OUTING, dinner at Bocelli's Italian Restaurant. If you select this at registration, we will add your name to our reservation. It is reputed to be one of the most special places to eat in the area, and you can see from the menu that their food is reasonably priced, too!

Clinic choices for Saturday, October 11: (Select one at registration.)

Technique Basics. For those of you who are new to us, or would like some review. Teresa Dybvig will will give an overview of the fundamental elements of piano technique, and coach participants in experiencing them. This clinic will be based on Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique.

Teaching Favorites. Susan Nowicki will examine selected popular intermediate level pieces and explore appropriate teaching strategies for them.

Travel: If you travel by air, the closest airport is the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). A rental car is recommended; public transportation is available, but arduous. For information on shuttle service from the airport into Center City Philadelphia, and regional rail service beyond the city to the Wyndmoor area, visit the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. For local cab service in Wyndmoor/Chestnut Hill area, call Montgomery Taxi Cab at 215-572-6100.

Accommodation: Recommended hotels: Courtyard by Marriott, Plymouth Meeting – a car pool would be available from this hotel. Closer but with no pool is the Best Western Fort Washington. You can also check more hotels from these links near Fort Washington and Plymouth Meeting.

Meals: We will have coffee and an assortment of breakfast breads for you in the mornings. There are also coffee shops (yes, we have Starbucks!) and breakfast places in Chestnut Hill (one mile away). Lunch will be ordered and brought in, and is included in your fee. You will be able to choose from several items from a nearby tasty eatery. You are on your own for dinner Saturday. On Sunday evening we hope you will join us at Bocelli's Italian Restaurant, for some good food and enjoyable conversation.