WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

On January 21 MEA member Julia Lam presented an inspiring lecture about her way of educating young students through a very structured system of piano teaching that will lead to success as adults. She fosters love and appreciation of music from the beginning and every stage of development.

Dr. Lam stressed the importance of immediately dropping arms and shaping the hand position. She shared with us her favorite method books on all levels.

For technical development, Dr. Lam uses the Dozen A Day series, Technic is Fun, Czerny-Germer and Op. 299 of Czerny. Major scales and arpeggios are started in two octaves from every white key, then black. After all the minor scales are learned, students proceed to four octaves – in 3rds, 10ths, 6ths and contrary motion. After this rigorous training, they are able to play the scale cycle, i.e., all major and relative minor scales non-stop, using short turn-like connections from key to key (C, a, F, d. Bb, g).

These progressive stages were demonstrated by her four lovely students who played absolutely flawlessly, with confidence and grace. No wonder her students are such accomplished pianists!

Ruth Kotik, Hostess