Dates: June 27-28, 2022
Registration: To register
Early Bird (register by June 1):
In-Person/Virtual: $95
Virtual Only: $85
After June 1:
In-Person/Virtual: $115
Virtual Only: $105
Student: $15
Lunch: $15
Deadline for registration: June 20
Call for Masterclass Participants
Ages 5-18, all levels and repertoire accepted
Form due: June 1, 2022
To Register for Masterclass
Participants will be chosen by Dennis Alexander based on
a variety of repertoire, ages/levels
Monday:
1:00—2:30 p.m.: “Why Didn’t I Think of That”?
Over the years, Dennis Alexander has received hundreds of questions from piano teachers at workshops, conventions, and through correspondence. This session will highlight numerous questions that deal with technique, motivation, repertoire, sight reading, rhythm, artistry, memorization, teaching adults, stage fright, and other issues that every teacher must deal with, regardless of the level of the student. Mr. Alexander will share numerous "solutions" to these questions through an interactive power-point presentation that will include input from members of the audience.
2:30—2:50 p.m.: BREAK
2:50 – 4:30 p.m.: “Pedagogical Tips for Teaching “24 Character Preludes” by Dennis Alexander
Numerous states now include this collection on their syllabi, and this session explores many aspects of technique and interpretation while using the music from these colorful preludes that are written for the late intermediate to early advanced level student. The preludes are purposely short, and written in romantic, impressionistic, and contemporary styles. This unique presentation gives teachers and students a unique insight into teaching and performing these preludes in all major and minor keys. (A power-point presentation.)
4:30---5:00 p.m.: “Question and Answer Session”
Tuesday:
9:00—10:45 a.m.: “Developing Artistry through Color, Choreography, and Characterization” (this is about an entire morning’s session, so we’ll take a break, & then continue)._
This stimulating presentation will cover techniques to help beginning through late-intermediate level students play more artistically and stylistically. Artistic concepts, many music examples, and use of body gestures will be incorporated to give teachers concrete ideas to share with their students. (A power-point presentation)
10:45—11:10 p.m.: BREAK
11:10—12:00 p.m.: Continuation of same lecture
12:00—1:00 p.m.: Lunch Break
1:00—2:00 p.m.: “Practical, Purposeful, and Plentiful” – the music of Dennis Alexander
Dennis Alexander has written music for every level, and in this entertaining session, Mr. Alexander will share some of his favorite teaching pieces at each level. Teachers will discover repertoire for festivals, competitions, motivation, "plays easy, sounds hard" -----there's something for everybody in this session!
2:00---3:15 p.m.: “Breaking Barriers with Teenagers”—Alternative Teaching Strategies to Help Motivate and Inspire!”
This session will focus on ways to motivate, inspire, and keep those intermediate students practicing instead of becoming another sad statistic in the ever growing pool of “I wish I hadn’t quit taking piano lessons!” (A power-point presentation)
3:15—3:30 p.m.: BREAK
3:30—4:45 p.m.: Masterclass with various levels of students
4:45 – 5:00 p.m.: “Question and Answer Session”
2022: Dennis Alexander
2021: Marvin Blickenstaff
2019: Ingrid Clarfield
2018: Julie Knerr
2017: Jeanine Jacobson
2016: Forrest Kinney
2015: Wendy Stevens
2013: Scott McBride Smith
Dr. Jacob Ertl at jertl2@naz.edu