LMTA One-Day Virtual Conference
Saturday, 25 September 2021
Register Now for Early Bird Special
Conference Clinicians
Session Title – “Junior Virtuosi” – 2 Parts
Conference Clinician: Benjamin Steinhardt
“Junior Virtuosi” addresses common questions about laying the foundations for healthy technical development in beginners. The presentation draws on a variety of approaches including Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Iyengar Yoga, Taubman Approach, and Dalcroze. Through the use imagery, movement, and creativity complex technical concepts are presented in a way children can understand them.
JUNIOR VIRTUOSOI: BASIC PRINCIPLES, POSTURE AND ALIGNMENT I
Exploring dynamic posture, tension vs. relaxation, hand shape, and the development of body awareness and fine motor skills in children.
JUNIOR VIRTUOSOI: FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENTS AND PATTERNS II
Dedicated to the sequencing of fundamental movements such as rotation and elliptical shapes and their application to elementary repertoire.
Biography:
Pianist Benjamin Steinhardt enjoys an international reputation for his innovative teaching and regularly performs in the New York metro area. Placing an emphasis on creativity and exploration his teaching incorporates concepts from the Taubman Approach, Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, Dalcroze, and somatic education to give students the tools to reach their highest potential.
His writings and webinars have been featured on the MTNA, American Music Teacher, Clavier Companion, TheCuriousPianoTeachers.org, and iPianoTeacher.com.
An artist of great versatility, Steinhardt is equally at home as pianist in the concert hall, and as conductor in the orchestra pit. Recital and chamber performances as a pianist include Zankel and Weill Recital Halls at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Greenwich Music House. Work as a musical director includes Queens Theater in the Park, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the New York Musical Theater Festival, Bravo television and cabaret spaces throughout NYC including The Metropolitan Room, Studio 54, and Birdland. Mr. Steinhardt served as musical director for the Emmy award winning, “News in Revue.”
Session Title – Anxious Teachers and Anxious Students: Navigating Stress in the Studio
Conference Clinician: Christina Whitlock
Anxiety manifests itself in the independent studio in numerous, complex ways. This session will explore triggers, symptoms, and coping strategies for making the most of lessons with anxious students (as well as our anxious selves).
Session Title –The Varsity Musician’s Playbook: Commitment-Building Strategies from Team Sports to the Studio
Conference Clinician: Christina Whitlock
Why DOES Sally care more about soccer than her piano lessons? This high-energy, interactive session explores tried-and-true principles of sports psychology, helping studio teachers build enthusiastic teams of their own!
Biography:
Christina Whitlock, M.M., N.C.T.M., operates a lively independent studio in Muncie, Indiana. She also oversees the piano pedagogy program at Taylor University, maintains an active freelance career, and hosts a weekly podcast titled, “Beyond Measure with Christina Whitlock”. A past president of the Indiana MTA, she currently chairs the Independent Music Teachers Forum. After getting a bit of a haphazard start to the profession at age 14, Christina is proud to be celebrating her 26th year of piano teaching this fall. She is grateful to her husband and two young daughters for their support in this ambitious life.