Piano Pedagogy Seminar

August 15-17, 2008

This 3-day workshop is for piano teachers (ages 18+) who would like to enhance their piano teaching skills by learning new techniques and approaches.   Lead by a distinguished piano pedagogue with long history of educating other teachers; the seminar will include lively lectures and discussions.

The instructor will bring a wealth of pedagogical knowledge and experience to the seminar.  Along with daily morning and afternoon sessions, there will be a variety of lectures and events in the evenings.

Rocky Ridge provides the ideal setting for studying music: natural beauty, a cool mountain climate, and the opportunity to escape the distractions of everyday living. You'll have a chance to walk in the woods, hike mountain trails, and spend focused time in secluded practice and study.

Faculty (2008)

Sergio Gallo joined Georgia State University in fall 2006, having
previously served as faculty at the University of North Dakota and
Millikin University. Dr. Gallo received his degrees from the Conservatoire Européen de Musique in Paris (Diplôme d'Excellence), the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest, Hungary, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Master of Music and Artist Diploma) and the University of California (DMA). He has performed with orchestras throughout the Americas and in Turkey, as well as for Radio France and Radio Cultura. Recently, Dr. Gallo performed and taught in several countries in Asia and Europe, as well as in major cities in the United States and in his home country, Brazil. In addition, he has served as
the adjudicator for the International Piano Performance Examinations in Taiwan.

Dr. Gallo is the winner of concerto competitions of the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra and the University of California Symphony. He has received a grant from the Henry Cowell Incentive Funds at the American Music Center in New York, NY, and has toured North Dakota with a Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grant award from the National Endowments for the Arts.

Sergio Gallo is a Bosendorfer artist and records for the Eroica label.  His recordings have been reviewed by Gramophone Magazine and American Record Guide.

SoYoung Lee, newly appointed Music Director at Rocky Ridge Music Center, received her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara.  SoYoung is involved with a number of innovative chamber music and dance projects including Bach2Brazil and In the Mist chamber ballets in collaboration with choreographer Viki Psihoyos, a newly commissioned of chamber opera by composer/librettist Daniel Felsenfeld titled The Bloody Chamber based on the fairytale of the Bluebeard's Castle, and a multi-disc recording project of Schumann's piano works with pianist Sergio Gallo.  She has held director positions at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory Adult Education/Preparatory Department, Millikin University Preparatory Division and the Boulder Arts Academy/Boulder Ballet.  SoYoung served on the music faculty at Millikin, State University of New York, Fredonia and most recently, served as visiting Piano Pedagogy faculty at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  She attended the University of Birmingham and the Birmingham School of Music in England, the University of Southern California and the University of California at Santa Barbara on a full music fellowship.  SoYoung is equally at home as a performing artist, teacher, producer, and arts administrator.

Seminar Schedule: (subject to change)

First Day (Friday)
Arrival & Registration between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Settle into cabins & meet other participants
Lunch (12:30 p.m.)
Presentation (2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Cocktail hour (5:30 p.m.)
Dinner (6:30 p.m.)
Presentation (8 – 9 p.m.)

Second Day (Saturday)
Breakfast (8:00 am)

Masterclass -- Seminar participants who are interested in performing for this masterclass, should contact the Rocky Ridge Office and submit an audition tape.
(9 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.)

Lunch (12:30 p.m)
Presentation (2:00 - 4:30 p.m.)
Cocktail Hour  (5:30 p.m.)
Dinner (6:30 p.m.)
Lecture Presentation (8 - 9 p.m.)

Final Day (Sunday)
Breakfast (8 a.m.)
Presentation (9 – 11 a.m.)
Brunch (11:30 a.m.)

Music in the Mountains Concert (3 p.m.)
Departure (5 p.m.)

Costs:

$375 for shared cabin, tuition, the MIM concert and meals.  An extra non-student may share the cabin for $125 (which also includes meals, lodging & MIM concert).

Commuters -- Want to take the seminar but not stay at Rocky Ridge? The fee is $250 which includes dinner on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday.