Wednesday, May 29, 2009

Hello

I just interviewed an extraordinary man for the next issue of eNotes. I am still transcribing the interview but I wanted to give you a little background on him first.

His name is Jerry Bilik and he is a composer, conducter, arranger and pianist. He has worked with Harry Connick, Jr., Barbara Streisand, Johny Carson and many others.

He has arranged most of the music for the Disney on Ice shows and currently serves as Creative Director for the Disney on Ice shows. Here is a link to read more about him. You'll love the interview. He has terrific stories to tell!

bio of Jerry Bilik

Incredible Book - New York Times Bestseller

I've just started reading the book This Is Your Brain on Music. I highly recommend it. It is by Daniel J. Levitin who is a rocker-turned-neuroscientist. He explores the connection between music - its performances, composition, how we listen to it, why we enjoy it - and the human brain. It's dense reading but a fascinating topic. Mr. Levitin is so unique in that he is both an accomplished musician and recording engineer as well as a Ph.D. scientist.

Upcoming Classes

I am teaching just two more classes coming up, then nothing more until August. If you haven't taken the Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People class with The Piano Express text, now is your time to take advantage of the last two classes before August. Here they are...

Pop/Jazz Piano for the Busy Professional, Monday, June 1 6:30PM
Minuteman Regional School
Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People, Saturday, June 6, 9AM, 3 more openings. Every student plays on their own keyboard.
Brookline Center for Adult Education
Well, that's all for today..... oh, except for this joke.

Man walks into a bar.(uh oh) There is no one there except him and the bartender. Out of nowhere he hears "nice tie". He looks around but still sees nobody except the bartender. Sips his drink. Again, he hears "Nice shoes". Looks all around. Finally he says to the bartender "I keep hearing voices in here. What's going on?" The bartender says "Oh, that's the peanuts. Their complimentary".
Just can't get enough of that joke. Call me crazy. Heard it at a live radio broadcast from Symphony Hall on New Year's Eve 3 years ago.

take care and play that piano. It's just sitting there waiting for your kind attention to make it feel and sound beautiful.

Debbie
www.EasyPianoStyles.com