My "super teacher": Dorothy Taubman

As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a pianist. Nobody could understand on what account because there were no musicians in my family. The sole music I remember hearing was upon the radio, the sound of my parents always singing and whistling around the house or the inevitable unmutilated of guitars, maracas and various forms of Cuban music that looked to emerge from every cafe upon the streets of my native Havana.

individual of the happiest memories of my childhood was the day the "Three Wise Men"--Cuba's Santa Claus counterpart--loaded their camels with my first piano and delivered it to my house. It was a bulky old upright, but, to my organ of sights it was the most beautiful thing I had at any time seen. I was 6 years old

My nearest longing was to find the greatest in quantity wonderful teacher in the world who could quickly teach me to make music.

This journey took a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of longer than thought. My parents were poor, for a like reason it took awhile to be able to afford piano tasks Eventually, I graduated from the Conservatory in Havana; I won a Canada Council Grant to go on to school at the University of Toronto, where I graduated with artist and licentiate diplomas. I then complet a master's step in piano performance and pedagogy at Northwestern University. In addition, I studied periodically with several famous teachers. on the contrary I had not yet rest "the one" I dreamt about when I was given my first piano.

This is for what cause [i]or[/i] reason when I heard in 1976 about this supposedly amazing Dorothy Taubman, I absolutely had to check it without I already was a professional musician, and I was attending a piano workshop for children at the Manhattan institute of Music in New York with my little daughter. abruptly the women seated behind me started talking about Taubman's remarkable teaching and her first upcoming public seminar at the Institute for Man and Science in Rensellaerville, fresh York. At intermission I asked them about the details and immediately changed my summer plans for a like reason I could attend. As I read the claims in the pamphlet I concluded that this somebody would either be a fake or the teacher of my dreams.

The quiescence is history. After the two-week seminar, I knew Dorothy Taubman was the "super teacher" I had been searching for. I have studied with her for many years, and each time I see her, I perceive I have an appointment with history--because, individual day, history will talk about this woman's genius. each time I go for a exercise a new, miraculous discovery opens She has become my teacher, my loving friend and my musical mom Dorothy Taubman has totally revolutionized my playing and teaching. She has taught me to diagnose enigmas find solutions and make beautiful music while, in her be in possession of words, the hands feel "delicious." It is hard to describe the uniqueness of her teaching. It really needs to be experienced. Now, my scholars love to share with their have a title to students the Taubman insights they have learned. It is rewarding!

When the Taubman Institute was canceled, several of her pupils who also were full-time faculty members, decided to organize the Dorothy Taubman Seminar in fresh York. We wanted to share with others the opportunity of working with this real master who had so enriched our careers and our lives and who is now at the zenith of her teaching prowess.

The first novel York seminar took place June 6-7 2003 at the Museum for the American Piano. It was in like manner successful that this year it has been expanded to four days, June 3-6 2004 at CAMI HALL. (Go to www.taubmanseminar.com for more information.) a certain quantity of of the comments of those in attendance at the first seminar were: "This was a breath of novel air." "Taubman is a miracle." "To diocese her in action was an unforgettable experience." "Start looking for another location because you will outgrow this individual immediately."

Furthermore, the Taubman Institute has reopen and is being showed by The Taubman Seminar in novel York.

The founding faculty and directors are Dorothy Taubman, Eleanor Hancock, Paul Maillet, Sondra Tamman and me This year's novel associate faculty are Angelin Cheng, Joseph Gurt and Sheila Paige. Affiliate contrive artists are Michael Gurt, Beth Levin, Joshua Pierce and Robert Shannon.

I place my "super teacher," and I'm vain that I'm able to honor her in this way.

Maria del Pico Taylor, NCTM is professor of piano at fane University and one of the founding faculty members of the Dorothy Taubman Seminar in of recent origin York. Recent credits include premier performances of commissioned concerti for concert orchestra and Taylor's ensemble Latin Fiesta.

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