As the clock advances forward, and the days grow longer, to the piano teacher, these natural events may serve as a reminder that the active time of our musical year approaches.  Perhaps you are entering students in evaluations, competitions, or preparing for studio recitals? NEPTA continues to offer a respite from our professional activities, rejuvenating creativity or intellectual approaches to daily pedagogical challenges.   Our next scheduled meeting featuring Ellen Winner, certainly has all of these elements as she will speak about The Effects of Instrumental Music Training on Children's Brain and Cognitive Development Monday, March 28, 2011, 9:30am at the Wellesley Free Library.  Parking at the library is very convenient providing easy access even on a rainy day, and I hope that many of you will join me that morning.

Warm Regards,

Lydia Reed-Guertin

President

Dr. Jean Barr with Guest Chamber Music Trio from the Rivers School  

On February 28, Dr. Jean Barr enlightened us with her engaging and energetic coaching of a guest Rivers chamber music trio including violinist John Egan, cellist Macayah Goodell, and pianist Matthew Bowler.  She easily connected with all of them on several levels, and the performers responded with ease to her suggestions on ensemble communication and expression.  It was also inspirational to see so many dedicated long time NEPTA members in the audience, including Maria Pia Antonelli and Irene Golan, making the trek to Watertown as we experienced another variation on a theme by winter on an abysmal rainy/icy morning.   Many thanks go to the group's chamber music coach, Kristin Peltz, and to Shann Wood for facilitating the inclusion of the trio in Jean's presentation.  For more detailed notes, please refer to Jean Alderman's program notes by  clicking here. 

Well, it seems that the town of Watertown
has restricted parking on the side streets immediately surrounding the First Parish Church, and thus eliminating our "free parking" status. The good news is that the metered spots in the parking lot adjacent to the church can accept coins up to a maximum of 8 hours (blue meters only), thereby eliminating the need to go feed the meter during our meeting breaks,  

and instead offering an opportunity to socialize with NEPTA friends and colleagues.

                             Senior Recital Student Performers

Since the last published NEPTA newsletter, we have heard excellent repertoire and performances in the Intermediate II, Senior, 20th/21^st Century, and Composition and Jazz Recitals.  These yearly successful events form the core of our mission in offering select students a venue to showcase their talent, dedication and hard work, and all students and teachers should be congratulated on these efforts!  All of these recitals could not have occurred without the guidance and organization provided by the following recital chairs and their committees:

Intermediate II: Lyubov Shlain, Ludmila Bekker, Selma Ramic  Senior:  Niva Fried, Janet Ainsworth, Eleanor McLaughlin  20^th/21^st Century: Miriam Gargarian, Alex Foaksman and Composition and Jazz: Ruth Shyu.   Bravo and congratulations!

Our remaining recitals will take place on Sunday, March 27 at M. Steinert and Sons, Natick, MA featuring Ensemble and Adults performances.  We look forward to a beautiful evening of music making!

I'm very excited to announce that this year's luncheon has been changed from "Porcini's" to "The Talk" restaurant (http://www.thetalkrestaurant.com) located just a few blocks away and within easy walking distance of the First Parish.  Being a new restaurant in the area, Nina Grimaldi and Janice Zaganjori Paratore investigated the location, menu and price and came up with outstanding menu selections, and lowering the cost by $1.00.  Over the February break and without telling the staff of my secret NEPTA mission, I had dinner with my husband and 2 friends at The Talk, and I was very impressed with the ambiance and food.  I hope you will all join me on May 23, as I celebrate the end of my term as President and pass the torch onto Colleen Campbell.  Please note the deadline to send in the form to Nina Grimaldi is: May 6, 2011.
 Link to the Application Luncheon Form 

NEPTA Member Cheryl Laughlin is looking for a Master Teacher  who would be interested in traveling to  Concord New Hampshire ( 1hr drive from the Tobin Bridge ) to be an adjudicator for this year's Student Evaluation Program on Saturday, May 21, 2011. 

Each student's performance is private, non-competitive and not graded.   The adjudicator's job is to constructively reinforce each performance by accentuating the positive and pointing out areas that need attention.  Students are judged on their own merit at their own level.   Each student will receive a participation certificate, a musical gift and the adjudicator's comment sheet.   

Compensation for the adjudicator is $200 for the day the entire day, beginning at 9:00 AM and ending approximately at 5:00 PM with two 15 min breaks and one hour lunch (Snacks and lunch will be provided for the adjudicator).     

For more information please contact Cheryl Laughlin at 603-226-0690.

Donna Gross Javel has been a member of NEPTA since she first moved to Boston in 1982.  

As a teenager Donna was selected by the Leschetisky Association to perform at Carnegie Recital Hall under its auspices.  Subsequent performances of solo and chamber music have occurred in such diverse venues as the Esterhazy Palace in Austria, the Frank Lloyd Wright Zimmerman House in New Hampshire and Ventfort Hall in Lenox, MA.

A few years ago, while awaiting results from a retinal tear, Donna realized that if she were to lose her vision, one of the things she would miss would be performing. Although she had always loved practicing, her feelings towards  solo performing had always been much more complicated. The idea that she actually liked performing  enough to miss it was a revelation to her!  Now, not only is her vision fine but she has the additional clarity of sight to see that performing as a collaborative pianist enables her to fully enjoy the  wonderful process  of music from practicing to performing. 

Donna Gross Javel is the founder of the Living Composers: AnythingPiano Project (LCAPP).  One of LCAPP's missions is to increase audience enthusiasm and appreciation for new music through creative and varied programming.  Donna has performed with friend and colleague, Bonnie Anderson (The Four-Hand Piano Duo), throughout the New England area. Their programs have often included LCAPP selections.      

Donna Gross Javel has a B.M. in piano performance from West Chester University and a M.M in piano performance from Indiana University, Bloomington. She has studied piano with Gabriel Chodos, Boris Berman and Shirley Pethes Aliferis and has played in many masterclasses including those of György Sebök, John Perry, Menahem Pressler, Jörg Demus and Martin Katz.  

Donna has always been passionate about teaching. She has served on the faculty of the Dana Hall Music School and the Brookline Music School where she was awarded the special status of "gifted teacher". The school additionally supported her efforts by awarding her two faculty enrichment grants, one of which enabled her to study at the Moscow Conservatory Summer Piano Institute. Other achievements in the area of music education include co-founding and directing the Summer Chamber Music Program in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which evolved into the Community Music Program, a cooperative effort between West Chester University and the community.  In 1982 she served as Assistant to the Director of the Young Artists Piano Program at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.  Donna Gross Javel serves as an adjudicator for local piano competitions and festivals and maintains a private piano studio in Waltham where she enjoys teaching students of all levels and ages. 

A few years ago, after venturing into the world of Dalcroze and Eurhythmics, Donna began to write piano music.  Since that time,  Donna's compositions for beginning and intermediate pianists have received favorable reviews in music journals and are available at select music stores in Massachusetts.  The Fire Dance Duo has received many performances by talented students as well as professional piano duos and has been coached by some wonderful teachers such as  Deborah Yardley Beers, Tatyana Dudochkin, A. Ramon Rivera and Mana Tokuno.  More information can be found on her website: www.AnythingPiano.com.