Asperger's Syndrome And The Piano: MTNA E-Journal Article

Asperger's Syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders are challenges that some music students face. Aspects of this condition can prove to be difficult for music teachers, and some characteristics can be potential strengths, based on the propensity for people with Asperger's Syndrome and autism spectrum disorders to exhibit a singular focus for an activity such as music study. Be employing particular tactics when working with students with Asperger's Syndrome, teachers can provide students with an important educational experience and find for themselves a new skill set for teaching students both on and off the autism spectrum.

Please see the November issue of the MTNA E-Journal where I share my experiences from a multi-year study with students with Asperger's Syndrome:

Full Version (requires membership in MTNA to view): http://mtnaejournal.org/publication/?i=52544&p=&pn=

PDF Only Version Without Videos (for non-members of MTNA): http://mtnaejournal.org/publication/repo7/7797/52544/52544.pdf

Report from the 2010 MSU/CAMTA Piano Teachers' Retreat

The 1st Annual Piano Teachers' Retreat was a major success for all involved! Thank you to the planning committee of Gail Lytle Lira (http://gaillytlelira.com/), Beverly Brouwer, and Elaine Yanz for their tireless hard work and planning.

30 teachers from around Michigan were in attendance over the two days of activities which included a presentation on technical fundamentals by Deborah Moriarty, chair of the piano department at MSU:

masterclasses:

private lessons, ample practice time, and a sold-out concert by Professor Moriarty and myself of works for piano duo and duet. Keep an eye on the Piano Pedagogy Blog for news about next summer's Piano Teachers' Retreat, and email me at polischu@msu.edu if you are interested in securing a spot for 2011.

Upcoming Performances and Presentations, 2010/2011

Hello from East Lansing! We've had a beautiful and warm summer here at Michigan State, and are gearing up for an exciting 2010/2011 academic year at the MSU College of Music.

I'll be making the following appearances during the fall, winter, and spring months. If you are near any of these areas, and are interested in attending, I would like to meet you. Please send me an email for further information.

-Recital with Melanie Helton, voice, September 13, 2010, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Chamber Music Recital, (program TBD), October 8, 2010, "Absolute Music" Chamber Music Series, Absolute Gallery, Lansing, Michigan

-"200 Years of Chopin," featuring George Vatchnadze, Panayis Lyras, Alan Nathan, Minsoo Sohn, Deborah Moriarty, and Derek Polischuk, "West Circle Series," October 28, 2010, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Recitals with Jeff McCray, Professor of Bassoon at the University of Nebraska, October 30 and 31, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, and Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids.

-Performing, judging and presenting in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Greenville Tennessee, November 4-7, 2010

-Recital with Justin O'Dell, clarinet, December 5, 2010, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Recital with Melanie Helton, voice, January 21, 2011, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-"Happy Birthday Mozart," "West Circle Series," January 27, 2011, featuring Richard Sherman, Dmitri Berlinsky, Yuri Gandelsman, Suren Bagratuni, Deborah Moriarty and Derek Polischuk, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Bartok Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion and Orchestra, February 5, 2011, with Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra, Wharton Center, East Lansing, Michigan

-Chamber Music Recital, (program TBD), February 11, 2011, "Absolute Music" Chamber Music Series, Absolute Gallery, Lansing, Michigan

-Presentation for the Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League, "Creative and Stimulating Lessons for the Adult Beginner," February 28, 2011, Evola Music, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

-Chamber Music Recital, (program TBD), March 18, 2011, "Absolute Music" Chamber Music Series, Absolute Gallery, Lansing, Michigan

-Solo Piano Recital, April 22, 2011, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

Auditions at MSU for the 2011/2012 academic year begin at the end of January. Please send me an email if you are considering becoming a part of our exciting musical community.

-Derek Polischuk

2010 MSU Piano Retreat: Detailed Schedule and Registration

The August 4th and 5th Piano Retreat for teachers is approaching quickly! Please see the current schedule of events for this exciting opportunity at the MSU College of Music:

August 4

9:30-10:00: Breakfast Reception

10-10:30: Introduction of Materials/Philosophies and History of teaching technique to

developing pianists; Derek Kealii Polischuk

10:45-11:45: Masterclass, 2 teacher/performers; Deborah Moriarty

11:45-1:00: Lunch/free time

1:30-2:30: Technique Development Workshop; Deborah Moriarty

2:45-6:00: 30 (or 60) minute lessons with Deborah Moriarty and/or Derek Kealii

Polischuk (lessons are open for observation)/practice time

6:00-7:00: Dinner/free time

7:30-9:00: Recital featuring Deborah Moriarty and Derek Kealii Polischuk

August 5

9:30-10:00: Breakfast Reception

10-11: Early Concerto Repertoire; Derek Kealii Polischuk

11-12: Masterclass, 2 teacher/performers; Derek Kealii Polischuk

12-1: Lunch/free time

1-6:30 (or 60) minute lessons with Deborah Moriarty and/or Derek Kealii Polischuk

(lessons are open for observation)/practice time

6-7: Dinner/free time

7:30-9:00: Gala recital featuring teachers

Spots are filling fast! Please see the following registration form to secure a spot at the retreat:

2010 MSU/CAMTA Piano Retreat Registration

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Home Address:

Lesson Repertoire:

Early registration rates are available with registration by July 7

Attending (circle one):

August 4 only-$50

August 5 only-$50

August 4 and 5-$70

Rates for registration after July 7 are $70 for 1 day and $90 for 2 days

Please make checks payable to “CAMTA” and mail to:

Beverly Brouwer

3969 Raven Circle

Okemos, MI 48864

If you are coming from out of town, rooms are available at a discounted conference rate of $84.95 per night at the University Quality Inn (http://www.universityqualityinn.com/) which is very close to campus. Rooms must be booked by July 3 to receive the special rate. Mention Capital Area Music Teachers' Association when booking.

I hope to see you in East Lansing in just a few short weeks!

Derek

Smart Choices in Early Piano Repertoire

Daniel Schmit, Master of Music student in Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music, demonstrates and discusses valuable repertoire for young students.

Piano Retreat at the Michigan State University College of Music

Join Derek Kealii Polischuk, assistant professor of piano and director of piano pedagogy at Michigan State University, and Deborah Moriarty, professor of piano and chair of the piano area at Michigan State University, for a Piano Retreat on August 4 and 5. Piano teachers are invited to come to the MSU College of Music for a two-day workshop where they will have the opportunity to hone their own craft in piano performance by taking lessons with Professors Polischuk and Moriarty, participating in master classes, and attending workshops on current topics in piano pedagogy and performance.

Registration for the Piano Retreat is only $70 for two days and $50 for one day (with registration by July 4, 2010). Contact Professor Polischuk at polischu@msu.edu, or Beverly Brouwer at beverlly@comcast.net for more information.

The Piano Retreat is jointly sponsored by the MSU College of Music and the Capital Area Music Teachers' Association.

Interview on The Avocado Jungle

Greetings from Tennessee! I'm wrapping up an exciting week-long residency at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a masterclass this morning at UTC for students of the brilliant Dr. Sin-Hsing Tsai and a recital this evening featuring works by Ewazen, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt. I was inspired by the musical excitement I experienced at UAH with students of Dr. Sarkis Baltaian during a masterclass, recital, and piano pedagogy lecture I delivered to his students and teachers from the Huntsville/Decatur area. I was excited to share my research about the relationship between rhythm skills and sight-reading in young pianists, and to engage in conversations with young and veteran teachers alike about effective ways to teach musicianship skills.

I recently had an interview with Jeremy Olsen, an extremely talented journalist with the Avocado Jungle about being a pianist and about two performances of mine they are hosting on their site. All portions of the interview can be found here: http://avocadojungle.com/author/jjbullfrog

I hope you enjoy!

Upcoming Events

The crocuses are blooming in East Lansing, and it was over 70 degrees today for the first time in quite a while! Happy Spring!

Please see the following upcoming events I'll be participating in across North America that may be of interest to you. If you're able to attend, please send me an email, I'd love to meet you in person!:

-April 14th at 10:30am, Masterclass at the University of Alabama Huntsville (http://www.when.com/huntsville-al/events/show/88753815-piano-master-class-with-dr-derek-polischuk-michigan-state-university)

-April 14th at 7:00pm, Recital at the University of Alabama Huntsville. Works by Ewazen, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt (http://www.when.com/huntsville-al/events/show/88753811-guest-faculty-piano-recital-dr-derek-polischuk-michigan-state-university)

-April 15th at 2:30pm, Piano Pedagogy demonstration at the University of Alabama Huntsville

-April 16th at 11:00am, Masterclass at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

-April 16th at 7:30pm, Recital at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Works by Ewazen, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt (http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_172301.asp)

-May 27th, paper presentation at the Multidisciplinary Research in Music Pedagogy International Conference at the University of Ottawa (http://www.musicpedagogyconference.uottawa.ca/)

-August 4th and 5th, retreat for piano teachers at the Michigan State University College of Music

-August 6th and 7th, paper presentation at the 2010 National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum at the University of Texas in Austin (http://www.mtna.org/Programs/NationalGroupPianoandPianoPedagogyGP3/tabid/453/Default.aspx)

Cornerstone Schools on CNN

The Cornerstone Schools are being profiled today on CNN. Current Cornerstone keyboard teacher Marina Ionescu, graduate of the Michigan State University College of Music, where she completed graduate work in piano pedagogy, is seen toward the end of the story working with students in her group keyboard lab. Enjoy, and be inspired!