Ivanotes

Welcome back - 2010

2009-12-31T19:19:00.001-05:00

Regular lessons resume Jan. 4th! Happy New Year!

Important dates -updated 5/24/09

2009-05-08T21:10:00.006-05:00

May 23 (Sat) - May 25 (Mon) - ALL students

No lessons due to Memorial Day weekend

May 29 (Fri) - May 30 (Sat) - BYC students

No lessons due to BYC concerts

June 1 (Mon) - BYC students

No regular lessons
4 - 6pm rehearsal for voice students in June 4 recital

June 2 (Tues) - BYC students

3:30 - 4:30 run-through for all piano students

June 4 (Thurs) - BYC students

No regular lessons
4 - 6 pm rehearsal for voice students in June 5 recital
7:30 pm recital

June 4 (Thurs) - Private students

No regular lessons

June 5 (Fri) - BYC students

7 pm recital

June 6 (Sat) - BYC students

last Saturday lessons

June 7 (Sun.) - Private students

Recital, 6 pm

June 23 (Tues.) - All students

Last day of school year lessons (Mon. - Fri. regular times)

June 24 (Wed.) - July 6 (Mon.) - All Students

Summer break, no lessons, limited email and phone availability

July 7 - Sept. 4 - ALL Students

Summer lessons generally available Tuesday - Friday

Sept. 8 (Tues.) - Private students definitely, possibly BYC students

Fall schedule begins

If you can't find the schedule to send me

2008-08-17T18:12:00.000-05:00

Click here to download it

Fall lessons

2008-08-12T15:55:00.002-05:00

After August 15, I will begin to contact returning students to schedule lesson times. Once I have scheduled them as much as is possible, I will begin contacting new students about lesson times for the fall. Year-round adult students will retain their times.

Updates

2008-07-01T15:52:00.002-05:00

Apologies for the long silence, induced by computer difficulties over the last several months.

I have the following time slots remaining for lessons on July 18:

2:00
2:45
3:30

I will resume regular teaching July 29 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for those who would like summer lessons. I will consider Thursday lessons if that allows me to eliminate one of the other days.

I will be making updates to the rest of the web site throughout August. One major change is that I am no longer offering 30 minute lessons for new students, and I am encouraging all my current students to move to 45 minute lessons if they have not already done so. To make that transition easier I will be raising the rates on ONLY my 30 minute lessons. The rates for 45 minute and 1 hour lessons will remain the same as in 07-08. This change will be effective September 8, 2008.

Enjoy July and leave an email if you would like a lesson Friday, July 18.

Thanks,

Denise

Rhythm and tempo

2008-02-29T16:56:00.001-05:00

Rhythm does not equal speed. Speed is a set rate at which the beats go by, like going 60 mph on the freeway. You drive a certain speed, your car is going to get from here to there in a certain amount of time, no less, no more. Speed = tempo.

So you're going to go 60 miles in one hour. But how many exits will you pass in one hour? Well, that depends on how they are spaced on that road. Maybe on this road you have four exits one mile apart, then two exits two miles apart, and then an exit every half-mile for four more miles:

Start__x__x__x__x____x____x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x
Start 1 min.x 1 min.x1 min.x1 min.x2 min.x2 min.x.5 min.x.5 min...etc...

So you will pass 14 exits in 12 minutes. But what if you don't have 12 minutes to get there? let's suppose nobody else is on the road and you are a fabulous driver with a high performance car, and you decide to go 120 miles an hour.

You will still have the EXACT same spacing:

Four exits one mile apart, then two exits two miles apart, and then an exit every half-mile for four more miles:

Start__x__x__x__x____x____x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x
Start .5 min.x .5 min.x.5 min.x.5 min.x1 min.x1 min.x.25 min.x.25 min...etc...

But now you pass them in six minutes, not 12. But the exits (rhythm) did not change! You just went at a faster speed (tempo), and so you went through those exits in six minutes instead of 12. The relationship/spacing/rhythm was constant. The speed changed.

Available lesson times

2008-02-06T20:44:00.000-05:00

Mondays 10 until 4:15

Tuesdays 10 until 4pm

Wednesdays 10 until 4:15 pm

Wednesdays after 5:45 pm

Thursdays 3:45-4:30

Fridays 4:30 - 5

Fridays 6-6:30

Congratulations students!

2008-02-03T18:22:00.000-05:00

My students did extremely well in today's recital!!! Good job, and get ready to do it all again in another 3-4 months :)

Important date changes

2008-01-09T19:23:00.000-05:00

The recital will be Feb. 3 at 2 pm.

I will be away Jan. 19-22.

Winter vacation dates

2007-12-14T14:42:00.000-05:00

I am not teaching Saturday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Dec. 21 is my last day of teaching in 2007. I expect to resume all lessons on Wed., Jan. 2. If you will not be at a lesson in those first few days of January, please remember that you need to provide a full weeks' notice to skip the week and 24 hours' notice to reschedule.

I am also away January 19-21 for Martin Luther King Fr. weekend. I may additionally be out of town on January 18. I will let you know as soon as I do.

Open times as of today

2007-12-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

I currently have available time in my home studio on Thursdays until 4 pm. The 4:30 time is no longer available.

Beginning in February, I will be offering the following additional times:
Mondays until 4:15
Tuesdays until 4pm
Wednesdays until 4:30 pm
Wednesdays at 5:30 pm.

Next recital

2007-11-29T09:48:00.000-05:00

All students are invited to participate in my studio recital at 1pm, Sunday, February 10. I think I successfully avoid school vacations as well as Superbowl Sunday with that date. I can accommodate about 28 performers and guests. Once I reach that number, I will determine if a second performance at 2:30 or 3 is needed. If it is, the first to sign up for the 1pm recital will have the first opportunity to move to the later time if that is more convenient.

Thanks for a successful Halloween Recital!

2007-10-29T18:32:00.000-05:00

Everyone did a great job and played beautifully! I am so pleased at how everyone is progressing in their piano studies.

I will plan another small, informal recital in late January or early February for all who are able to participate, though it is quite a challenge trying to find a weekend that works! It will likely be another Sunday at 7.

My Letter to the Editor, Classical Singer magazine

2007-08-08T06:32:00.000-05:00

This (which I've copied and pasted below as well) is what I sent in to Classical Singer magazine in response to an article that suggested that a typical NYC audition experience might leave you with stories of "getting lost in the ghetto". If you have a subscription to Classical Singer, you can read the original article here (a new window will open so you won't lose this page).

Dear Editor:

I was pleased to read Joanie Brittingham's article, "Make Your Summer Sizzle." It's great to see articles by and for singers who are on the younger side of the spectrum. I wish I had spent my summers so wisely when I was in my twenties! But I have to admit that I was taken aback by the reference to getting "lost in the ghetto".

I can't think of anyplace in New York City where the housing near a possible audition location is even affordable to middle-class families, let alone being a "ghetto" area. The days of New York City being a relatively dangerous place are over. According to the F.B.I's "Crime in the United States 2005", the violent crime rate per 100,000 people was 673.1, in contrast to the 745.6 per 100,000 rate in Waco, TX, where Ms. Brittingham is pursuing a graduate degree. In fact, New York City was just named "The Safest Large City in America."

More importantly, using the term "ghetto" in such a casual way assumes that classical musicians are a certain type of people, with nothing in common with inhabitants of the "ghetto". Reri Grist grew up in the projects of Spanish Harlem, and both Denyce Graves and Leontyne Price came from segregated neighborhoods in South Philadelphia and Mississippi, respectively. As someone who now makes part of her living teaching the youth of Brooklyn (Beverly Sills' hometown), I can personally assure you that the gifts of musical talent and a drive to succeed don't discriminate on the basis of neighborhood, race, or how much money one's parents have. The fact is, someone from "the ghetto" probably wins a vocal competition much more frequently than a competitor gets lost in a "ghetto" on the way!

When I was in my early 20's getting my Masters' Degree at Baylor University, my life experiences left me with misconceptions similar to Ms. Brittingham's, so I can't entirely blame her. I am, however, disappointed that the editorial staff let this one go.

Sincerely,

Denise Ivanoff

Student success!

2007-08-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

I have a nine-year-old voice student who was just promoted from Preparatory to Junior division at the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy (BYCA). Congratulations Lilly!

Time to start thinking about lesson times!

2007-08-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder of how I prioritize lesson times:

First group -- Committing to a date/time prior to Labor Day and paying for September

First choice -- Students who took summer lessons, regardless of whether they are retaining the same time

Second choice -- Students who did not take summer lessons and wish to continue with their previous day and time (assuming that a student who took summer lessons did not take it).

Third choice -- Students who wish to continue with me, did not take summer lessons, but require a change of day and/or time.

Fourth choice -- Students who are referred from continuing students.

Second group: Students committing to a date and time, and paying ON OR AFTER Labor Day

Students will be accommodated based on remaining available lesson times at time of payment of one month of lessons.

No new students without a referral will be guaranteed an assigned slot before Labor Day unless and until all continuing and referred students have been successfully placed in a slot.

Now accepting credit cards

2007-06-12T19:16:00.000-05:00

I can now accept credit card payments via PayPal! Please let me know if you would like this option, and I will send you email invoices in the future.

Recital Details

2007-06-11T17:48:00.000-05:00

June 16, 2007, 7pm, my home (where you have your lessons). Please call or email for the address and apartment number if you don't have it.

It's a good idea to bring your music, but memorization is expected.

Please dress nicely -- dressy pants or skirts, collared shirts or otherwise dressy tops. If you would wear it to work out in, it's not appropriate for a recital. The same goes for footwear, no flip-flops or sneakers.

Don't worry if you're too rushed for a big dinner beforehand. There will be plenty of crudites, fruit, cheese, and crackers, as well as a variety of beverages afterwards. With only 8 performers, I expect it to end around 7:30 pm.

Lesson time update

2007-05-29T21:23:00.000-05:00

As soon as I post new lesson times, it seems they go out of date. Here's the latest

Mondays: 5:45

Tuesday: 4-4:30, also 5:00-?

Thursday: 3:15 or 3:30 - 4:00. The 5:30 slot was taken the day after I advertised it!

Current lesson times available

2007-05-03T19:59:00.000-05:00

I have had some schedule changes. Please note, students who begin lessons NOW need to plan on lessons for at least part of the summer in order to get some momentum and continuity going:

Possibilities for 30 min. lessons

Mondays, 5:45
Tuesdays, 4pm
Thursdays, 3:30pm, 5:30pm

Possibilities for 45 min. lessons

Mondays, 5:45
Thursdays, 3:15pm

Please note that I have a friendly fluffy cocker spaniel who goes to doggie daycare most Tuesdays and Thursdays, but enjoys greeting my Monday students. Students with Monday lessons will be happiest if they like dogs. Very small children or anyone who feels uncomfortable around dogs would be happiest with a Tuesday or Thursday lesson.

Spring Home Run Promotion 2007 -- Week 5 results

2007-05-03T18:43:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of updates while I have been redesigning my website.

At the end of week 5, the results are:
Toccatas - -69
Fugues -- 67

Individual scores so far:
Halle - 18
London - 14
Eva - 13
The rest of the scores range from 5-12, the lowest scores primarily being a result of missing 2 or more lessons.

One more week to go!

Spring Home Run Promotion 2007 -- Week 1 results

2007-04-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

Toccatas - 17
Fugues - 14

The Fugues have some work to do...but not so much that the Toccatas can relax!

Clearly, this student just needs to relax.

2007-03-14T21:16:00.000-05:00

And you thought I was tough on you!

Practice Contest coming soon!

2007-03-12T13:04:00.000-05:00

Spring Home Run Promotion 2007

The promotion runs from the week of April 2 through the week of May 7 (6 weeks). The teams are the Toccatas (Tuesday and Thursday students) vs. Fugues (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday students). Individual statistics will be published in the May studio letter and announced at the next recital. Team results (no individual names) will be updated weekly here. Points are earned in the following ways:

First Base: Bringing all of your materials to your lesson - 1 point.

Second Base: Keeping record of your daily practice on your weekly assignment sheet and playing on at least 5 days during the week – 1 point.

Third Base: Finished theory or sight-reading assignment (if given) – 1 point.

Home Run: Finished song (see below)

Finished song: All fingering is correct;

Dynamics are being used as marked;

Accurate rhythm throughout the song; no hesitations or fumbles.

All articulation markings (legato slurs, staccato, ties) are being observed;

Song is ready to be performed for an audience!

The song must be finished DURING the period of this promotion, not held over from old repertoire.

Strike-out: No points earned at lesson, or lesson canceled.

Note: The last week in March will substitute for the first week in April for students who have Spring Break travel plans. No other substitutions will be made!

What is the difference between playing and practicing?

2007-03-03T12:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I have students say that they practiced for their lesson, but I can clearly hear that no progress was made on their assignment. It isn't that they're lying, it's that they don't have a clear definition of the word "practice".

Playing through repertoire already memorized does have its uses, particularly if you are trying to secure memory for a performance, or working for a more refined interpretation. However, even those activities will require some focused spot-work in between run-throughs. It can also be useful, if you aren't sure what aspect of the piece needs most improvement, to play through it once to assess weaknesses. Likewise, playing through it once at the beginning of a practice session can tell you if the things you worked on in your last session "stuck" or if you need to go over them again before you move on to the next layer.

However, simply repeating something over and over from memory is not practice!!! Yes, you may do it for pleasure, but then it is recreation, not practice!!! Sorry about all the exclamation points, but I do feel very strongly about that, and it's not just me. ALL research related to music learning supports this, and all qualified piano teachers agree with me on this. Yes. ALL.

Also, repeating it over and over with the music doesn't do much. Sure, run-throughs have their place. You get a sense of where you are in terms of your progress with the piece, it gives you a sense of the piece as a whole, it can help inform your interpretation. But running through is USELESS if it is not followed by deliberate work to improve weaknesses, whether it's a lack of familiarity with the notes in some passage, a rhythmic or technical problem, or a need for musical thoughts and experimentation.

The real danger is that a student who mindlessly repeats can actually spend a lot of time thinking they are practicing the piano. They will develop a concept of themselves as someone who practices the piano a lot. But, their lessons will be fairly unsuccessful without a lot of positive feedback, and a very long time will be spent on music that is actually not all that challenging. That combination will cause a student to mistakenly believe that piano is particularly hard for them. They will think they work very hard for little gain, and are bad musicians. In all likelihood, nothing could be further from the truth. They simply have bad practice habits.

Music teachers can explain and demonstrate in lessons how to work on a piece of music. We can write notes in the music and in notebooks. But, we can't go home and do the practicing for you. Success at the piano requires a deliberate effort to process what was learned at the lesson and planning your own course of action at each practice session. You have to set short-term goals for each session and make a plan to achieve them. Sometimes you may fail, and then you need to think about whether the problem was your goal, or your plan. Some goals are unrealistic for one session, and some plans won't get a job done. These are skills that can't be taught, but you must master them not only for success in piano, but in any area of your life.