Is your piano teacher FAMOUS?

[frederic]

If so, do share.

[m1469]

To me, he is 

[sharon_f]

In teaching circles, she's pretty well known. (At least in this area.) But she's not well known to the general public.

[pianistimo]

i think he's going to be.  probably as a teacher as much as a performer (once he learns to cut the criticism down to a minimum as it's how he gets rid of old students and gets new ones).   but, one thing i've learned is you can't argue with genius.  the guy's a genius.  there's no way a regular human bean (pun intended) can think of so much stuff to practice on one piece and give it to you (one suggestion after the other) without being pretty sure of himself.  i think it's a sort of natural genius - and would relate to other subjects, too, if he studies them.  it's actually beautiful and scary to watch.  i think he's going to disintegrate into a ball of fire if he doesn't moderate into one or the other.  performing or teaching.

anyway, it's his destiny to be good at performing, no matter what.  and, his students aren't complaining.  well, maybe just that one little comment about the mozart having NO FEELING.  i am still hurting.  sometimes when driving, i wipe a tear away.  but, then i remember i am 44 and he's younger than me.  i will play mozart.  i will, i will.  and, you will be sorry.  just you wait, you miserable, good looking, mean, yet nice, piano teacher.  (i think he's caused my personality to split).


ps  the other day i called to let him know that despite pleas from my mother, i wasn't quitting.  then, the next day i get a strange call from a narcotics officer?  no, i'm not quitting PIANO.  OK PIANO. (i dont' do drugs - and that call really scared me.  i had to check the piano bench afterwards to see if something was in my house that i didn't know about).

[pianistimo]

well, the narcotics officer called again.  i was out when they first called my daughter.  anyway, now i see.  they want money.

can anyone explain this.  they confiscate drugs (and supposedly bundles of money), cars, stolen jewelry (which of these things do people take the time to go and claim?) and then they need money to support this? how many charities do you know that confiscate stuff, re-sell it or use it, and still need money.  i may be stupid but i'm not that dumb.  can someone explain a little bit more.  are they actually going to take my money and fly to columbia?  or, are they going to walk the streets of philadelphia and take on a gangsta?  i'm all for the drug programs in the school, but whoa!  look at the school taxes.  i mean, we should get those programs for free. 

what does a narcotics officer do with more money?  i suppose maybe they have confiscated lately more drugs than money.  do they burn the drugs?  what happens to the drugs.  i want to know.  i am a tax payer - and my piano lessons are expensive.  why isn't there a tax that pays for piano lessons?  ok.  that's my comeback.   i don't have any money, i spent it all on piano lessons.  how's that?

[thalbergmad]

My teacher gives about 140 concerts a year. He recently had a DVD released and previously several CD's.

So he is pretty well known in England.

[joachimf]

My teacher is fairly well-known. I'm sure he would have been more well-known if he hadn't stopped touring some years ago to make a family. He first released one album of Ravel's piano music, then made a comeback some years later with a Schumann album, and now he just recorded Grieg's A-minor concerto on a multi-record. All of which have received great reviews and I'm extremely proud to be his student. 

Here's a link to a review of the multi-album where he  played the Grieg concerto 
https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=9222

I really don't feel like I deserve to have him as my teacher, but I don't complain 

[lisztisforkids]

My teacher is qiet notorious for being considered a 'upstart' and not conforming to the standard system here in my town. But results show!! In the last city wide piano competition all his students took first place in every division! and in the advanced division  his students won first and second place. He is also a performing pianist with concerts lined up for the year, no other piano teacher in town is acually a performing pianist so of course
other people are going to be jealous of him. This is how he describes himself: Im the guy leaping from tree to tree dropping grenades down into Batista's tanks. More than a teacher to many of his students but also a good friend.

[frederic]

That's excellent folks, but any NAMES??!

[thalbergmad]

What an idiot, I forgot to mention his name.

Richard Meyrick

[Jacey1973]

.

[leahcim]

That'll explain why he's not known better

[leahcim]

What an idiot, I forgot to mention his name.

Richard Meyrick

Too late, if you'd said on the 29th he'd have been playing just down the road from me

[frederic]

What an idiot, I forgot to mention his name.

Richard Meyrick

yes, does ring a bell

[arensky]

That's excellent folks, but any NAMES??!

Okay, but now my anonymity factor is sharply reduced..oh well.

I've had about 8 classical piano teachers, from my first lesson to when I stopped regular classical lessons. This does not include summer study or masterclass teachers. I guess 4 of them are very well known, or famous. They are Boris Berman, Bela Bozormenyi-Nagy and his wife Linda, and Karen Shaw.

I studied jazz piano with Billy Taylor, he is my most famous teacher (non-classical).

Thomas Stumpf and King Bosworth are not really famous, but they teach as well and have as much to offer as Berman, the Nagys and Shaw. Has anybody heard of them?

[Jacey1973]

.

[thalbergmad]

Hmm i wouldn't say famous, but my teacher is well know. He has toured all over the world, has recorded CDs and regulary performs...but i don't want to identify him! 

Martin Jones??

[frederic]

What about Peter Nagy? Has any of you heard of him?

And masterclasses do count too. Had any masterclasses with famous pianists?

[arensky]

My teacher gives about 140 concerts a year. He recently had a DVD released and previously several CD's.

So he is pretty well known in England.

                 Malcom Binns? I consider him to be one of the greatest living pianists.

[Jacey1973]

.

[thalbergmad]

.

Thats why i mentioned him. I have a cd of him which includes the  Dohnanyi-Strauss Schatzwaltzer. Amazing Stuff.

You have a picture of Freddy Kempf in your profile??

[thalbergmad]

Too late, if you'd said on the 29th he'd have been playing just down the road from me

The man gets everywhere.

I know people tend to worship their teachers, but i went to see him at the Wigmore Hall last year and he played the Saint-Saens/Liszt/Horowitz Danse Macabre. There was a strange little silence when he had finished and then after about 10 seconds, the whole place erupted. It was the only time i have ever felt scared at a concert.

[stevie]

hahahaha sounds randomly insane

[frichmondj]

Yes he is, but only among air traffic controllers........................whoops! yes I teach myself and that is what I do for a living..............you didn't ask if they were famous for their piano teaching or playing skills.  O'Hare Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[frichmondj]

Of course having yourself for a teacher is kind of like representing yourself in court..............I must have a fool for a teacher........lol

[Jacey1973]

Thats why i mentioned him. I have a cd of him which includes the  Dohnanyi-Strauss Schatzwaltzer. Amazing Stuff.

You have a picture of Freddy Kempf in your profile??

Yes Freddy Kempf is one of my favourite pianists. I saw him do an amazing recital last year (Appassionata, Pics at an exhibition) and saw him play Tchaikovsky's 1st piano concerto and he did a chamber recital (Brahms's quintet in F minor) both last week- all really enjoyable, more so the chamber music recital though because it was more intimate and such a lovely piece, i must get a recording of that quintet. Anyone know it?

[thalbergmad]

I remember him winning "Young musician of the year" aged 14 and getting robbed at the European.

[Jacey1973]

I remember him winning "Young musician of the year" aged 14 and getting robbed at the European.

I read about the Tchaikovsky thing, but i didnt realise he won young musician i must have been too young then to remember!

[sonatainfsharp]

My teacher during my undergrad days was the original pianist for Chicago before they hit it big time.

He said once he couldn't go grocery shopping without being bothered, he decided it was time to quit and start his PhD.

He is a huge regional celebrity in his area now, but that is all I will say.

The teacher I am starting with soon for my Master's wouldn't be "famous" to most people, but he IS on the "Who's who in America" list.

[arensky]

The teacher I am starting with soon for my Master's wouldn't be "famous" to most people, but he IS on the "Who's who in America" list.

Hey, I'm in there too and I'm not famous....

[arensky]

Here are photos of some of the profs I mentioned...

Linda Jiorle-Nagy

Boris Berman

Thomas Stumpf

Billy Taylor

Sorry the picture of da Linda is so small, it's the only one I could find....

[luc]

She's quite famous in Japan, but elsewhere.. not really 

[ahmedito]

Yes. Galina Eguiazarova.

Most famous students? Arcadi Volodos and Radu Lupu.

[Kassaa]

Well, my teacher is very well known in Europe, she's one of the best teachers. There are people who have to travel with a plane to get to her, because they are so far away but still wanted lessons from her .

[lombardian]

Yah Marjes i know her  . My teacher i think is also somewhat well known (go to thse same conservatory as Kassaa). I think hes pretty damn awsome. He also teaches at the Menuhin School in ENgland...

[thalberg]

My teachers were not famous.  Looking back, they actually were pretty useless.  How I ever learned to play I'll never know.

[pianowelsh]

Jenni r where do you study?  I have had several 'distinguished' teachers but now im just taking consultations from a couple of pianists (who have recorded and produced competition winners). I have to say though most of my teachers were not what they are cracked up to be.  Its ture you are your own best teacher!

[nikanikitina]

I took a workshop with Roberto Poli. And a few months later when I realized who he was.. i sh*t my pants.  Is this normal?  lol

[sonatainfsharp]

I gave a ride to Anthony DeMare once. I had no idea who he was until I dropped him off and sure enough, on the radio 5 minutes later was a piece that he recorded.

I had to drag him through the freshman dorms on a Friday evening and gave him a ride in my 20 year old car that barely ran.

He didn't hide the fact that he wasn't too impressed. Ha!

[mike_lang]

.

[letters]

richard meyrick came to our school and did a masterclass i was sat for ages at the piano while he was talking for ages! he made me play my piece like twice as fast as i did at first he was a bit scary!

[eastcountypiano]

"can anyone explain this."

Hopefully, I can.

what does a narcotics officer do with more money? 

I would be suspicious that any Narc called you.  Local police will call asking you to donate money for their charity ball, but I have never heard of a a state agent calling and if it was federal, it would be illegal.

Anyway the drugs are burned, some is kept for "stings", but is strickly monitored.   Some agencies actually would burn it themselves until OSHA stopped them because of air pollution.  Now they are actually stored for many months and then put in to a unmarked "burn" truck and taken to a burn facility, where a guard stands over until all the drugs are burned.  All the drugs are accounted for and never come up missing or lost.  Drugs are never resold.  Guns are never resold either, they are either melted down to nothing or dumped into the ocean, although, I am not sure if they are still doing the ocean thing or not.

They do get money from selling confiscated cars, vehicles, etc., and goes into a asset forfeiture fund. 

[sharon_f]

HUH?

[zheer]

If so, do share.

 No, my first piano teacher told me on her last piano lesson she gave me before leaving the country, was that she didnt play the piano, but the trumpet or oboe(cant remember). I was with her for 4 years. My second piano teacher dummped me recently after a few months of teaching, in totall is had only a few years of piano lessons sad i know.
      My current teacher has only given me 1 hour of piano teaching, so i dont know yet.

[gruffalo]

my piano teacher studied with the last student of Ravel. he is also friends with Stephen Hough. does this count?

[pianistimo]

of course that counts!  dear eastcounty - thanks for answering my questions.  wondering if it was a prank call. 

my teacher is carl cranmer.  he looks like a gq model and is an excellent teacher and performer.  he really did challenge my brain (used to working on one or two things at the most at a time - now i've learned to at least process maybe three if i'm lucky - but he'll tell me 4-5- or 6) probably am one of those 'nerdy' students.  one thing at a time, barely does it for the next lesson.  but, i really try hard and i am very persistent.  i know i didn't deserve carl either.  poor carl.

every concert i've heard of his - the audience was extremely quiet and polite.  that's how you know if you're good.  someday - probably already - he'll get a rich benefactress and just live off of that and do concerts whenever he wants.  he has a talent not just for playing - but deduction.  ps all the pianists like him, too, so that means a lot.

take a look here:  www.dcsmusic.org/Performers.html  and order his 'soiree' cd to see how good he plays!

[sharon_f]

Pianistimo,

Your teacher looks a little like Sting. (At least in this picture.) How do you ever manage  concentrating on the piano?

Sharon

   

[pianistimo]

yes.  i see the resemblance now.  where did you get that other picture of carl?  i like it.  had sort of blind luck when i auditioned.  there were several GREAT teachers there at WCU - and it really wouldn't have mattered to me at first which one because they're all really good (and i didn't know one from the other)- but, anyway, i got carl - and wow!  the stuff he says during the lessons are really worth the money.  he's way up there - so i try to be serious and listen.

also had the privlege of getting dr. veleta for 'the piano concerto' class.  unfortunately (and i could have died the day i broke my leg) i couldn't finish the class.  it was so much fun.  he also knows a lot about piano - and would add little comments here and there about interpretation, various performers that played each concerto the best in his opinion, etc ., and we were analyzing them (in the score).  that was fun!  besides piano lessons that was my very favorite class of all time.

ps the dedication of teachers at some of the lesser known schools IS probably better (smaller class sizes as someone said) and you get more one on one time.  i would say that i would choose west chester again - but if i was younger - live off campus.  it's gross and disgusting how old the buildings/dorms are and the stuff in the air vents.  but, basically every instructor i've had there, i've been extremely pleased with.  they are all very interesting to talk to, but not all are as good looking as carl (dr. burton looks sort of like a gnome).  *sorry dr. burton.  but, he's very interesting to talk to.  guess it doesn't matter in the long run, unless you can't control yourself.  i just think *hum de dum - he could be anybody (yeah, right). 

[sharon_f]

The pic is from West Chester's website.

[zheer]

Pianistimo,

Your teacher looks a little like Sting. (At least in this picture.) How do you ever manage  concentrating on the piano?

Sharon

   

   OMFG, which one is carl and which is sting. You know i love stings music. If i were a women i would fall in love with sting