A Summer of Music, Learning and Fellowship

​

In the summer of 2014, I attended the Mid-Summer Piano Retreat in Williamstown, Massachusetts at Williams College.  This was an unforgettable week spent with 24 fellow musicians, as instructors Debie Adams, Alison Barr and Peter Mose taught, encouraged, nurtured and inspired everything piano ~ including a concert at Tanglewood featuring the outstanding Spokane born baritone, Tomas Hampson. 

 

The highlight of the 2014 retreat was the 

presence of the guest artist, Lincoln Myorga,

the American pianist, arranger, conductor, and composer as guest instructor and soloist. 

Not only did we enjoy his magnificently varied

concert ~ from classical to jazz to on-the-spot improvisation ~ but also his Master Class instruction and insights, as well as his easy conversation with students about his experience and career.  We even

had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday that

week with a catered dinner and party.  

​

While definitely a difficult act to follow, subsequent to the 2014 retreat, I have attended four additional retreats ~ a return to Massachusetts in 2018, and two adult piano retreats at the Icicle Creek Center for the arts at the base of the Cascades near Leavenworth, WA, in 2014 and 2018.  Lisa Berguman, Gayle Holeton and guest artist, Chelsea Bloomberg offered private lessons, private practice, Master Classes, individualized movement assessment and an instructor concert amid the beautiful natural setting that is Leavenworth in the fall!   

 

In the fall of 2014, I also attended an Alexander Technique weekend workshop at Holy Names Academy in Spokane where classes were offered to improve negative postural habits that impede performance ~ a fascinating exploration of the relationship between posture and self-expression.

​

​