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The Music Center at the Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University campus

Colorado Christian University campus

Colorado Christian University campus

A Summer Piano Program in Cooperation with Colorado Christian University:

The Well-Balanced Pianist Colorado 2009

Welcome to the Internet home of The Well-Balanced Pianist Colorado 2009!

This is an intensive program to improve practice, performance, and teaching skills, through integrated focus on piano technique, musicianship, bodywork/movement, positive mindset, and learning styles, in a supportive, interactive environment.

This year we have new clinics to choose from, a fantastic new bodywork practitioner (but don't worry, you will still be able to work with Judy!), and you will probably be happy to hear you can now choose between paying by check and paying through PayPal.

This summer's program is now filled. However, people's lives change, so cancellations do occur. If you would like us to put you on the waiting list, please complete the registration form. If a spot opens up for you, we will let you know. You can decide at that time if you want to attend.

If you want, you can skip the details and GO DIRECTLY TO REGISTRATION!

When: Thursday, July 23 through Tuesday, July 28, 2009.
Where: Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado (Lakewood is a suburb of Denver).
Who: Open to all pianists, high school age and above, amateur and professional.
Instructors: Dr. Teresa Dybvig, pianist, faculty of the Taubman and Golandsky Institutes from 1995 - 2004; Susan Nowicki, pianist, faculty member of the Curtis Institute of Music, and faculty of the Taubman and Golandsky Institutes from 1997 - 2005; Judy Huston, specialist in Aston Patterning, and NEW THIS YEAR!: Gil Kelly will offer private sessions in The Feldenkrais Method®.

Would you like to read some great reasons to attend The Well-Balanced Pianist? See what past participants have to say.

Note: No previous experience in the Taubman approach, the Feldenkrais Method, or Aston-Patterning is necessary for participation in this program.

• Go directly to registration!
• Registration for the 6-day program
• Program details
• Schedule
• Travel and accommodation

• If you would like to register as an Early Bird, your PayPal payment must be received, or your deposit check must be postmarked, by February 16, 2009. For regular registration, you can register at any time, but housing options may be limited as the start date approaches.
• Limit: 24, accepted in the order of registrations received, pending receipt of deposits. Priority will be given to registrants who can attend the full 6 days.
• The fee includes dinner but does not include breakfasts, lunches, or accommodation.
• Your deposit is fully refundable until May 1. After May 1, your deposit will be refunded only if there is someone on the waiting list to replace you.
• Please make checks out to The Well-Balanced Pianist.

• Full Program details
• The schedule
• Travel and accommodation

1. Two hours of lessons with Teresa Dybvig or Susan Nowicki
   • You will be partnered with 2 or 3 other students, who will attend your lessons, and, if you choose, your practice.
   • You choose what to work on during your lesson.
   • You are invited (urged even) to attend as many lessons as your concentratation allows, unless the student specifies otherwise.
   • You will have all your lessons with one teacher. We will make every attempt to assign you to the teacher you prefer, but as you can imagine, we cannot guarantee. Don't worry! You will have a good teacher either way!
2. One 1.5-hour clinic on July 24. You can choose between Introduction to Basic Movements and Essential elements of playing the piano.
3. The option to choose four other clinics to be selected at registration. Clinics are based on the tenets of the Taubman Approach to Piano Technique and Aston Patterning. We will introduce these concepts and work with each participant in skill-based clinics, showing partners how to coach one another.
4. Two four-person (quad) sessions in Aston Patterning by Judy Huston.
5. We encourage you to take advantage of separate private sessions in Aston Patterning, also available from Judy Huston. These sessions would either be movement lessons or massage, and are available at an additional fee of $65 for a one-hour session, payable at check-in. You can arrange this time in advance when you register, or during the week. Space is limited for these sessions.
6. NEW THIS YEAR!! We invite you to take advantage of separate private sessions in the The Feldenkrais Method, available from Gil Kelly. These sessions would either be movement lessons or massage, and are available at an additional fee of $65 for a one-hour session, payable at check-in. It's best to arrange this time in advance when you register, although it's possible you may be able to arrange it during the week. Space is limited for these sessions.
7. Opening program on perseverance, including introductory talk by Teresa Dybvig and fun activities TBA, followed by reception!
8. One class on musical memory, led by Teresa Dybvig and Susan Nowicki. Please let us know if you would like to play for this class at registration.
9. One performance class with coaching from Judy Huston, Susan Nowicki, and Teresa Dybvig. Please let us know if you would like to play for this class at registration.
10. Daily viewings of The Taubman Techniques lecture videos.
11. Mealtime discussions about mental attitude in practice and performance, using Performance Success, by Don Greene, and other texts.
12. One Works-in-Progress recital.
13. Practice time will be available to everyone.

Clinic choices for Friday, July 24: (Select one at registration.)

Basic movements. For those of you who are new to us, or would like some review. Susan Nowicki will coach participants in the basic movements for playing the piano based on Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique.

The essential elements of playing the piano. This clinic is for people who have attended The Well-Balanced Pianist before, or studied with The Well-Balanced Pianist faculty for at least one year. Teresa Dybvig will give participants this overview.

If you are unsure about which is the best July 24 clinic for you, don't worry. Just ask when you register!

Sunday Clinics
We will spend Sunday morning in the foothills of Golden, Colorado, where participants will have the choice of participating in two clinics or enjoying the outdoors. In the afternoon we will return to CCU, where participants will have a choice of two more clinics before our evening program. You will be asked at registration to choose the clinics you would like to participate in. Rides to the area will be available for those without cars.

The Schedule
The program will open on Thursday, July 23, at 4:00 pm with an orientation meeting. From 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm there will be an opening address, Perseverance, by Teresa Dybvig followed by a reception of light dinner with some 4-hand entertainment provided by Ms. Nowicki and Ms. Dybvig and any others who would like to join in! The following days will begin at 9 am and end at 9 pm.

A Sample Day's Schedule:

Travel: If you travel by air, you will be most comfortable if you plan to arrive at the Denver airport by 12:30 or 1 pm. The closest airport is the Denver International airport (DEN). Many major and smaller budget airlines fly into Denver. When you are looking for flights, check the Midwest Airlines, Jet Blue Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines websites as well as your favorite air travel websites, which don't always show budget airline options. From the airport, you can take a 45-minute ride on Super Shuttle to the college (if you check the shuttle website, key in 80226 as your destination zip code). The cost as of this writing is $33, excluding tip. We will try to help you coordinate return shuttle transportation.

Accommodation: If you need accommodation, please let us know when you register. We will ask you to let us know if you would like to stay in CCU housing.

CCU housing: Some 3-bedroom student apartments have been set aside for us at Colorado Christian University. The housing reservation covers the entire program, from check-in on July 23 through the morning of July 29. For student housing, these apartments are comfortable; they are air-conditioned, non-smoking, and walking distance from the school. Each room has two twin beds. The cost will be somewhere between $82.50/night (total $495) for one person in an apartment and $15/night if you share a room in a full apartment. If you would like to stay in a Colorado Christian University apartment, we'll be happy to try to set you up with as many apartment-mates and roommates as you would like. Though unfortunately we cannot promise you a roommate, this usually seems to work out.

Hotel: If you wish to stay at a hotel with a swimming pool, we can recommend the Extended Stay America Denver - Lakewood West near the college, although there are other area hotels to choose from. People who stay at the Extended Stay America will need their own transportation.

Meals: You are on your own for breakfast. The CCU apartments have refrigerator, microwave, and stove (though no pots, pans, or utensils), and the hotel has refrigerator, stove, microwave, and some dishes. There is also a nearby coffee shop. For those who cannot bring their own lunch, it will be delivered. You will make your choice and pay for your lunches when you check in. Please plan to bring $9 cash per lunch. Dinner will be tasty takeout, and is included in your registration fee.