Viterbo University

Viterbo University

Viterbo University

A Summer Piano Program Hosted by
Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI:

The Balanced Pianist Wisconsin 2008

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: Friday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 30, 2008. There are also special events open to the public the evenings of July 27 and 28.
Where: Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
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 Diane Foust, specialist in Alexander Technique.

Are you wondering if The 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 6-day program
• On-Site Registration for Special Events Only
• Full Program details
• Schedule
• Travel and accommodation

• If you would like to register as an Early Bird, your deposit check must be postmarked by February 15, 2008.
• Limit: 24, accepted in the order of registrations received, pending receipt of postmarked deposits. Priority will be given to registrants who can attend the full 6 days.
• The fee includes lunches and most dinners, but does not include breakfasts or accommodation.
• Your deposit is fully refundable until April 20. After April 20, 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 hours of 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 2-hour clinic on July 26, Introduction to Basic Movements or Shaping.
3. The option to choose four other clinics to be selected at registration. Clinics are based on the tenets of the Taubman Approach to Piano Technique, Alexander Technique, and Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles. We will introduce these concepts and work with each participant in skill-based clinics, showing partners how to coach one another.
4. Two small classess on Alexander Technique led by Diane Foust.
5. We encourage you to take advantage of separate private sessions in Alexander Technique (25 minutes for $20 or 50 minutes for $40), taught by Diane Foust. You can arrange your private session in advance when you register. Payment for private sessions in Alexander Technique is due at check-in on July 25.
6. Opening program on making changes, led by Teresa Dybvig and Susan Nowicki.
7. One workshop, Integrating Our Senses, led by Gulchin Tarabus. Gulchin will draw from her experience with Orff-Schulwerk and Dalcroze to explore rhythm games and movement activities that enhance our understanding of music.
8. One performance class, led by Teresa Dybvig and Susan Nowicki. In this class we will use the tools of Don Greene's Performance Success, Please let us know at registration if you would like to play for this class.
9. Daily viewings of The Taubman Techniques lecture videos.
10. Mealtime discussions about mental attitude in practice and performance, using Performance Success, by Don Greene, and Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, by Susan Jeffers.
11. One Works-in-Progress recital.
12. Practice time will be available to everyone.
13. The option of participating in a SPECIAL OUTING, a two-hour riverboat cruise! On Tuesday, July 29, we will take the night off. We hope you will join us for an evening cruise down the Mississippi. The cruise, complete with a nice spread of filling hors d'oeuvres, is $26.50 per person. Water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks will be available on the boat at a cost from about $2.00 to $7.

Clinic choices for Saturday, July 26: (Select one at registration.)

Basic movements. For those of you who are new to us, or would like some review. Teresa Dybvig will coach participants in the basic movements for playing the piano based on Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique.

Shaping. Susan Nowicki will coach participants in this fundamental element of Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique.

Travel: If you travel by air, the closest airport is the La Crosse Municipal Airport (LSE), which is served by American Airlines and Northwest Airlines. A taxi ride from the airport to the Viterbo Fine Arts Center will probably be less than $20, including tip. You can also fly into the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (MSP) and rent a car to drive the remaining 2.5 - 3 hours to LaCrosse. You can see a list of airlines that fly into MSP on the website.

Accommodation: If you need accommodation, please let us know when you register.

Two different types of university accommodations are available, apartments and dormitory rooms. Prices include linens and tax, and cover housing for the entire Balanced Pianist Wisconsin 2008 program. When you register, we will ask you to specify whether you would like to stay in apartments or dormitories.

Air-conditioned and non-smoking 2-bedroom university apartments are available for $395 for one person and $197 apiece for two people. A small discount is available for people who share a room in a fully occupied apartment ($155 each). Apartments have kitchen facilities (though no pots, pans, or utensils).

Non-smoking dormitory rooms that have two beds are available for $170 for one person, or $85 apiece if two people share the room. Dormitory rooms are not air-conditioned. They have communal showers and kitchen facilities (though no pots, pans, or utensils) down the hall. This looks like a fantastic deal, but before you choose this accommodation, please take into account that some July's, temperatures in Wisconsin hover around 100F. La Crosse lies at the confluence of three rivers, so heat like this comes with plenty of humidity. If you choose this option, be sure that you can still function well even if you sleep in tropical conditions.

If you would like to stay in either of these Viterbo University housing options, we'll be happy to try to match you with appropriate roommates or apartment-mates. Though unfortunately we cannot promise you a roommate, this usually seems to work out.

Hotel: If you would like to stay in a hotel instead, we suggest you try the Guesthouse Motel at 800-274-6873, or 608-784-8480. Plan to pay at least $550 for the duration of your stay. La Crosse is a popular summer destination,and there are many other hotels, but not only do they fill up quickly, their prices also reflect the popularity of the area.

Meals: Lunches and most dinners will be provided by Viterbo University food services, and are included in your registration fee. You can either make your own breakfasts, or stop by a coffee shop that is close to the university housing.