I gave an exciting week of intense classes, all harp-related, to two American students and one French student. I Zoomed in from Colorado to a festival happening in Cap Ferret, France. I gave 12 lessons, 3 masterclasses, 5 seminars, and 2 physical training sessions over the course of 5 days. We completed an intensive week of learning, questioning, experimenting, and music-making.
On Monday, Liza Jensen, expert harp technician, taught us string changing, and various knots that will help in reducing buzzes on the harp. She joined us from her studio in Brooklyn, NY.
Caroline Batt joined us Tuesday morning to give her approach on how to articulate sound and sit and breathe between phrases at the piano. We learned how to approach the harp in a different way and expanded our knowledge of articulation.
Wednesday, we had Marybeth Woods, an extraordinary Physical Therapist, who taught us how to sit at the harp, and ways to reduce injury. She showed us stretches and strengthening options, all to help us achieve stronger muscles needed for the harp.
Thursday, we welcomed Adrienne Reedy, who discussed how our instrument could be instrumental in helping the world in social change. We had a discussion on racism and our platform as artists to be able to unite and help the world towards equality and peace. This was a poignant discussion where everyone participated, and we left the seminar feeling empowered and grateful that we are artists with a cause.
Andrew Seligson joined us Friday to discuss ways in which we can better help composers write for the harp and how we can be more professional with our actions in a musical setting. He had an interesting story on some pieces he wrote for the harp and gave us an intimate look inside what it feels like to be a composer in the modern age.
In addition to these seminars, we had physical trainer, William Myers, give two 30 minute classes, training and stretching our upper and lower muscles needed to endure the physical demands of the harp.
We had three masterclasses that were very different than the usual. Because of Zoom, I had subjects for each masterclass and we took examples from students music so everybody played in every class and we had a very direct reason for playing the passages. We covered three topics; phrasing, technique, and ways to learn music faster and better.
Not only did I teach, I also learned a lot about myself as a teacher. I enjoyed learning each of the problems presented to me and teaching how to solve each one.
Teaching on Zoom provided a different angle on how to connect with each student. I look forward to my continued work with my students and the Cap Ferret Music Festival both virtually and in person for years to come.
Musically yours,
Lisa Tannebaum