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Showing posts from March 24, 2011

Magical Moment 419, "Make Noise, Joyfully"

I spent the day practicing the Weeping Willow Rag by Scott Joplin. Ragtime music is great for ballet tondu exercises and I'm trying to expand my repertoire for rehearsals. I printed out the sheet music and began the daunting task of sight-reading a new song. One line at a time, I played the right hand, then the left hand. Over and over, drilling the new patterns into my head.  I opened the window to feel the breeze as I practiced, and suddenly became too distracted to continue. The most obnoxious crow was squawking! Over and over! It was harsh, and loud, and repetitive. He just would not stop. So I tried to block him out and play louder. When I did, it seemed like he only squawked louder! Eventually Eddie poked his head in the music room and asked, "Uh, what are you playing?"  "It's the Weeping Willow Rag! Can't you tell? It takes a while to learn it well enough to sound recognizable!" That's when I thought, hmmm. That poor crow was probably sitti

Magical Moment 418, "Five Senses"

Choosing one positive moment a day to share is very easy some times. When I've seen an amazing sunset, been around my nieces and nephews, or experienced the kindness of a stranger, I know immediately what to write about. Other times, it can be more difficult. The days when I spent hours doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and putting in piano practice hours, it can feel sort of hum drum. On those days, I have to become a little more resourceful, depend on my 5 senses to heighten, and find me that one magical moment among the day to day activities of an un-extraordinary day. Touch As I play the cool, smooth ivory keys of my beautiful piano, I suddenly feel Joy's wet nose nudge my knee. It startles me at first. I thought she was  asleep at my feet . But she's awake now. And she wants to be touched too.  Taste My  husband  brought home a treat for me. Easter's coming. That means the stores are filled with...chocolate bunnies! Yum. I like their peanut butter ears best.

Magical Moment 417, "Last Minute Decision"

When my friends or family come to me for advice, I have two "go-to" replies. I decided I should get the sayings needle-pointed on a pillow some day.  When a question begins with the words, "Should I..." I usually reply with, "Follow your heart." When a question begins with the words, "How do I..." I usually reply with, "Google it." I mean think about it. Should I take this new job? Should I switch my major? Should I spend the day cleaning the house or taking the kids to the park? Should I get a new dog? Should I break up with this guy? Follow your heart. Your heart, your conscience, your voice inside your head, your cartoon cricket named Jiminy. Whatever it is inside you that tells you right and wrong, follow that. You can't go wrong! How do I get to your house? How do I make tuna noodle casserole? How do I re-cover my furniture? How do I learn Spanish? How do I fix my sink? Google it. Thank God for the internet. I google everythi

Magical Moment 416, "Light"

When I play piano for a show , often the only way for me to see the music in front of my face is from a little, clip-on book light. But you'd be amazed just how brightly the light reflects off the white pages in a pitch dark theatre. It reminds me of the lighthouses on Long Island we visited recently. Although we went during the day, I imagined how a relatively small building could illuminate a dark ocean well enough to guide the great ships. I got to thinking; a small, battery operated light bulb can allow me to play music for a theatre full of people. And an enormous lighthouse lamp can prevent disasters. The sunshine of spring will certainly do wondrous things. I'm feeling warmer already. (that teeny silhouette sticking up in the center is a lighthouse) "Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space.  It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe.  It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished."  ~Michael Strassfel

Magical Moment 415, "Long Lost Twins"

I love visiting old, cluttered antique shops. I love rummaging through the mess and spotting something that sparks an old memory. I think,  Oh I remember seeing something like that in my grandma's basement . And then for a minute, I can reminisce over that thought. Sometimes the feeling is so overwhelming, I just  have  to buy whatever it is I see. When we lived in North Carolina, I found this doll and I couldn't believe it! It was just like one that my mother had as a little girl. I remember because I played with her too. Her name was Hilda. I bought the doll, took pictures, and e-mailed them to my mom. A short time later, she sent me her doll Hilda because she thought they should be together. I know nothing about the two dolls except they are identical down to the hand stitched lace on their bonnets, and their hair is a different color. They now sit together on my shelf, thankful to have found each other again after all these years. Left: Hilda, Right: Hilda's twin O

Magical Moment 414, "Blind By My Mind"

I'm playing for a new musical one-man show by Nathan Lucrezio called " Unheard ."  It's a funny, artful, entertaining, toe-tapping, and heartfelt play that I'm proud to be a part of. At the emotional height of the show, Lucrezio describes his battle with cancer in this moving, intimate number. His sister, Elizabeth Lucrezio dances as he plays piano. At the end of the dance, I come and take over piano for him and he sings the beautiful ballad, "Blind by my Mind." I read another blog post today by  Dawn at Puzzle Pieces  and it meant SO much to me. Musicians are often the background. It's easy to blend in. For me, it's safe and comfortable. It's easy to be overlooked by others and when that happens often enough, you start to overlook yourself. The post beautifully illustrates that the "backdrop" has a very important job - to make the "scene" stand out. So I do not take my job lightly. And I hope I never do. Enjoy the video

Magical Moment 413, "Opening Night"

For a performer, there is no greater feeling of anticipation and excitement than in those moments before "show time." I am fortunate to be part of the debut show by Nathan Lucrezio, "Unheard." A short 2 weeks ago, I received a phone call out of the blue from someone I worked with a year and a half ago on my very f irst New York City gig . They needed a last minute replacement pianist for a new musical and there was no written sheet music - and only 2 weeks until opening night.  I spent the next several days transcribing music and chords from recordings and watching the hands of the musical's composer, Lucrezio, play the songs for me. In typical show business fashion, everything came together at the last minute, with our first and only complete run through finishing 2 hours before curtain. Opening night was a success. The audience was pleased. Eddie my dedicated fan and honest critic, had nothing negative to say and found himself tapping his foot along with the