music.

As most of you may know, music is my biggest passion. It's incredible how it can touch people's lives and that it can bring about such a wonderful feeling. Music has been known to calm me down after a long stressful day and it helps me cool off some steam. No matter what, I always come away from the piano feeling extremely happy. Without music, I don't know where I'd be. What friends I would have. If I would have ever met my best friend. I would have never had opportunities to play in such venues as the Provo and Salt Lake Tabernacle as well as in Abravanel Hall under prestigious conductors and with such talented musicians. Music has blessed my life so much and in ways I cannot express. It will always be a huge part of my life. No matter what.

Recently I've become rather obsessed with The Piano Guys. And any solo work by Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson. Their music is just so happy and uplifting. And also so fun to play! Here's a couple (okay, a lot) of videos that I like of the two of them. It's incredible what they've done!

My child will learn to play the piano like this. No questions asked. :)

And Star Wars, of course.

This one was filmed by an orchestra that is local to me. They're incredible! And I even know a few people in it.

Oh and there's so many more. Go to their youtube page "The Piano Guys" and watch to your heart's content. Really. They are absolutely incredible.

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. - Billy Joel

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo

a poem

Music, when soft voices die,

Vibrates in the memory

Odors, when sweet violets sicken,

Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,

Are heaped for the beloved's bed;And so thy thoughts, wen thou art gone,

Love itself shall slumber on.

To my musical friends as well as the ones who love love. This is for you.

i'm a teacher.

I know, I know. Most of you are thinking "Yes, we know this already. What are you going to say about it?" Well, just so you know, the fact that I'm a teacher became official the other day... Friday I think? Who knows. Anyways.

Trying to put a recital together is kind of tough. This year, with some inspiration, I decided to pick my students' songs for them and get them out early. I decided to do a "pops" concert complete with songs from the most famous composers (i.e. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, etc.) as well as pieces from our time (i.e. movie themes or hit songs). I'm really excited about it.
After finding each student a 'classical' piece, I began to freak out about what they could possibly play that was popular. I mean, I had plenty of books, but most of my students are level 2 and under with a few (like 3 or 4) exceptions. Also, they've been BEGGING me for specific songs from movies and such. I had no clue where to find them online (which is impossible...). With this dilemma facing me, I decided to venture off into the land of music.

aka Best in Music.

After finding what I wanted, I came up to the register. The lady said "Are you a teacher?" I proudly and happily said "Yes, I am!" She then proceeded to ask for my phone number. I gave it to her and she looked puzzled and said "Maybe we have you under a different number..." I thought for a second and said "I've never given you guys my number, so I'm not in there." She happily exclaimed "Oh, that's wonderful! Let's get you in the system so you can get discounts when you buy music for your students."
Say what?

Yes, you heard right. And I know that this may not be a big deal to pretty much all of you, but to me it is. I'm in a "teacher database" if you will and I get discounts! Wahoo!

Oh and a side note... I have a violin student who has been playing since last summer and she auditioned and made it into the advanced (highest) orchestra at her junior high school! Way to go Camille!!


Teaching pays off :)

Here's my loot! Complete with songs from Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Scooby Doo, Superman, and hit songs such from JBiebs, Michael Buble, Colbie Callait, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, and various others. I'm quite excited and I know my students will be too!

Photo credit.

I'd like to thank Cam for this picture. She really is a fantastic photographer and every time I look at this picture I can't help but grin. She captured my love for music so beautifully.

Orchestra was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I sure miss it!