I was out running this morning and I crossed the street to avoid a perfectly nice lady walking her perfectly nice dog. We smiled and waved at each other –Continue readingKeeping My AIR to Myself
Top Six Reasons I Love Teaching Online Lessons
I’ve been seeing so many complaints among my friends and colleagues about the quality of their Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom lessons. I have to say that while I acknowledge theContinue readingTop Six Reasons I Love Teaching Online Lessons
Reed Mindset
In our dress rehearsal Saturday morning I became aware of just how GREAT my reed was. It felt so EASY to play the oboe. I could come in perfectly softly,Continue readingReed Mindset
Open Arms
Photo by Steve Halama on Unsplash In rehearsal last night, the concertmaster suggested to the strings that they play with a more open bow arm. I don’t know precisely whatContinue readingOpen Arms
Shaq and the Oboe
Here’s my FAVORITE thing about that Shaquille O’Neal video everyone’s sharing this week – it’s how HAPPY he is playing this silly game and how little he CARES what theContinue readingShaq and the Oboe
Discouraging Words
I can remember at least two old cranky violinists coming to talk to young me about NOT going into music. There was a session, for example, during a Rochester PhilharmonicContinue readingDiscouraging Words
I Love Auditions
I love auditions. No, I do, really. First of all, I like the game of it. Fifty people come to the hall, one leaves victorious. The drama is deeply fun. Continue readingI Love Auditions
The Magic of Words
After my concerto performance last June, I was chatting with a lovely woman from the audience. “It’s not like you’re blowing through the oboe,” she said. People are always interestedContinue readingThe Magic of Words
Psychology of the Oboist
Here’s a thing that happens ALL THE TIME. A student misses something – a low attack, a slur, a high D. People miss things, no problem. But then they missContinue readingPsychology of the Oboist
Transitions
Last night as my student performed a terrific degree recital, she gave a speech in which she thanked her friends, her parents, her teachers, her mentors. It was beautiful. SheContinue readingTransitions