In the waning days of Women's History Month, Madam Ruth Slenczynska is a worthy topic. If you don't know her, please take a moment to...

I dare you to watch this video "La Maestra" all the way through, and not smile. You have a special treat in store! You will likely...

In case you, like me, want relief from weeping in despair about the non-status of musical women in 2024, check out this beyond-hilarious...

British pianist, composer, and piano teacher Simeon Walker seems to have his head screwed on right. He says that: "... box-ification of...

My high school piano, a Baldwin Acrosonic, and the "going steady ring I gave her. One person responding to John Holt (American author...

Amit Peled ,* cellist pictured on Sunday just past performed "Koi Nedrei Op. 47"  (aka "All Vows") by German composer Max Bruch. The...

"Everyone has a belief system ("B.S."); the trick is to learn not to take anyone's B.S. too seriously, especially your own." - Robert...

In this second week of the New Year, yet another message from the universe has come to my attention: a call to contemplate "loneliness."...

My November music-themed birthday party table decorations; photo courtesy of guest Grace Hueunemann. Thelonius Monk always said that the...

Matisse painting. Lessons sometimes come in waves; one serendipity leads to another and we no longer can avoid recognizing what is right...

New Year's Resolutions represent the ultimate folly as far as human beings and my personal experience go. I've learned not to bother;...

" ...it is no easy task to match up the right child with the right teacher, even with the best of intention. " So says piano teacher...

Somehow this picture reminds me of "essential truths." My very first class and first day of law school in 1970, was contracts. Women then...

What could be better than music -- and a magician -- and a belly dancer -- to celebrate my Armistice's Day 80tieth birthday party --...

Intended or unintended periods of major change that are inevitable throughout our very-human lives can result in beneficial -- or...

The Unclear Future? (See fall 2024 see my subsequent blog on the invasion of AI into the creative process, like it or not! Artists –...

DAVID GEORGE HASKELL has written a lovely book about music -- or better said, about the aspect of music that involves the ears, the...

When I'm playing my favored new style of pieces these days, i.e., simple , lyrical, and slow, I sometimes just stop dead upon hearing a...

If famed cellist Pablo Casals could do it – so can I! While Vivian Mackie was studying cello with Pablo Casals in Spain in the early...

As promised in the earlier blog post a few days ago, The Duchess has a new "sound outfit!" Bay Area piano tech David Amendola was kind...