THE WELL-BALANCED PIANIST
The Integrated Approach Dr. Teresa Dybvig, Director

Program
    Curriculum
    Sample schedules
    Qualities
    Uniqueness
Events and Retrospectives
Information
    Taubman approach
    Injuries
    Proper seating
    Learning styles
    Links & resources
Instructors
Forum
Contact
Home

 

REGISTER NOW!

Visit the 2008 programs online scrapbook!

 

 


Visit the 2007 programs online scrapbook!

 

 


See our scrapbook of the Colorado 2006 program.

 

 



The Music Center at the Colorado Christian University

 


Colorado Christian University campus

 


Colorado Christian University campus

 


Colorado Christian University campus

 

Plan to combine The Well-Balanced Pianist with a visit to Denver or a trip to experience the natural wonders of Colorado!

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.



Registration: As soon as you decide to attend, fill out the REGISTRATION FORM. You can register with PayPal (link on the registration form) or send a check for your deposit

Because everyone receives personal attention, the program is limited to 24 participants. If you want to be sure there are still openings before you send your deposit, please fill out the registration form , indicate in the message box that you are wondering about openings, and we will let you know if there is room for you in the program.

NEW THIS YEAR!: You can now register online with PayPal! You can also still send in your deposit by check to:
The Well-Balanced Pianist
P.O. Box 49
East Setauket, NY 11733.
  • 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.
Early-bird fee:
Deposit received or postmarked by Feb 16 $369
Balance by July 23 $450
Total fee $819

Regular fee:
Deposit $439
Balance by July 10 $450
Total fee $889

Special Events:

Saturday, July 25, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Class on improving your musical memory. Teresa Dybvig and Susan Nowicki will coach participants in using the tools from sources as varied as Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles Model and tips from memory virtuoso Dominic O'Brien!

Please indicate on your registration form if you are interested in playing in this class. We will be in touch with you about the most useful activity for you during this session.

Sunday, July 26, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Performance class. Judy Huston, Susan Nowicki, and Teresa Dybvig will coach perfomers during this session.

Please indicate on your registration form if you are interested in playing in this class. We will be in touch with you about the most useful activity for you this evening.

Students' experiences with The Well-Balanced Pianist instructors

"Susan Nowicki is a superb musician and teacher. I worked with her retraining at the piano for about two years and found that her knowledge of the principals of the Taubman technique is deep and her ability to translate these principals into practical, technical movements at the piano remarkable. She combines an organized, patient approach to learning these complex yet essential movements with a deep sense of the music being addressed and the practical experiences of a seasoned performing artist. Susan was the essential hand which brought me through new stages of control at the piano, when uncertainty, and fear threatened to stagnate my developing new skills. I recommend her as a teacher without reservation."
—Adrienne Sirken, Pianist and Educator

"Judy Huston understands my body more than anyone else I've encountered."
—Rebecca Olsson, Pianist and Vocalist

"Before studying with Teresa Dybvig, I had studied with several prominent teachers of the Taubman Technique for nine years. Although I made some progress, it was not until I started studying with Terry that my technique finally came together... Terry helped me regain my proper posture and hand shape... Terry not only was able to balance my body; her focus is always on musical expression. She has a unique gift of balancing the teaching of technical skills with the expression of music. I am finally beginning to be where I want to be in my piano playing. I am convinced that this is due to Terry's high quality teaching."
— Thomas B. Stuart
Accompanist and Collaborative Pianist

Also see quotes from anonymous evaluations of other The Well-Balanced Pianist programs.


Program Details:
        From:        July 23 (4:00 pm, check-in 1 to 4 pm)
        Through:    July 28 (9:00 pm)

This will be six days of supportive interaction among all of us. For more detailed information about The Well-Balanced Pianist programs, please visit www.WellBalancedPianist.com.

Each participant will experience:
  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.

Clinic 1 Demanding walk in the foothills Daily tasks. Sometimes our daily tasks affect us more than the piano! Teresa Dybvig will show participants how to use pencils, water glasses, forks, kitchen knives, and trowels. If you have questions about other items, just ask!
Clinic 2 Undemanding walk at the base of the foothills Teaching children: intermediate students. Susan Nowicki will share her priorities for giving children a well-rounded and healthy piano education.
Clinic 3 Feet and Seat. Judy Huston will draw from her experience in Aston Patterning and as a pianist to show the role of the feet and the seat in piano playing. In and Out Movements. Drawing from her experience with Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique, Susan Nowicki will coach participants how to move in and out of the black key area, and between shorter and longer fingers.
Clinic 4 Creating a variety of sounds. Teresa Dybvig will show how to use elements of Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique to create a variety of sounds and dynamics. Chords. Susan Nowicki will coach participants on tools for chord playing from Dorothy Taubman's approach to piano technique.

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:

9:00 - 10:30 am Clinic
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Eight 30-minute lessons, with concurrent showings of The Taubman Techniques videos, two quad sessions in Aston-Patterning, and practice time
12:30 - 2:00 pm Lunch, with discussion about practice mindset
2:00 - 4:00 pm Eight 30-minute lessons, with concurrent showings of The Taubman Techniques videos, two quad sessions in Aston-Patterning, and practice time
4:00 - 5:00 pm Walk outside
5:00 - 7:00 pm Eight 30-minute lessons, with concurrent showings of The Taubman Techniques videos, two quad sessions in Aston-Patterning, and practice time
7:00 - 8:30 pm Supper


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.


Golden, Colorado
Scene from our undemanding walk
to downtown Golden, CO!


Scene from our demanding walk in the
foothills. That's a person at the top!


Relaxing in the lounge


Aston-Patterning specialist Judy Huston
helping people with their torso at the piano


Students enjoying Susan Nowicki's shaping clinic




Copyright © 2008 Teresa Dybvig