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After spending some time last night with Shelagh McKibbon and Glory St. Germain, of Ultimate Music Theory, I thought it would be fun to attend their showcase this morning! Glory gave a helpful overview of their series, including four Ultimate Music Theory Learning Principles: 1. Simplify 2. Memory Joggers 3. Tie it All Together 4. […]

It was another early morning with an 8:00 showcase. Nothing like lively music to wake up and start the day, though! I started off by attending a Willis Showcase presented by Carolyn Miller and Glenda Austin. The Dozen a Day songbooks were the first ones that the ladies played through. The arrangements of familiar tunes, […]

Tonight was the much-anticipated gathering of virtual friends! About a dozen of us who knew of or about each other through blogging and/or on-line forums got together for a real life meeting. We enjoyed a fabulous meal together and stayed way too late getting to know each other, talking shop, and just enjoying the camaraderie. […]

One of the most exciting aspects of coming to the conference is meeting new people, especially those I’ve previously connected with on-line. One of those people this year is Becky Baker. I was thrilled to meet her and then learn that she was going to be on a panel for one of the sessions this […]

This afternoon’s showcase that looked the most interesting to me was one by Yamaha Corporation of America titled, “Teaching Special Students In Special Circumstances.” Kristin Shoemaker was the first to present. She shared information about the long-distance teaching she does with a family in Zambia. (View her presentation from last year’s conference here.) She said […]

After a visit to the Exhibit Hall, it was time for another session! Next up was an intermediate teaching demonstration by Scott McBride Smith. The first pianist was Marc Padilla, student of Larisa Topolkaraeva, playing Chopin’s Walt in B Minor, Op. 69, No. 2. After a lovely performance, Scott began by complimenting Marc on his […]