Terminal One, JFK, Day One
The journey begins media res. My flight is slightly delayed, by a good 90 minutes, so I am trying to unwind after an intense week. The week has been a bit of a cliff hanger in my normal week, interrupted by what promises to be a fantastic journey.
To catch YOU up, the week that I am wrapping up here in New York City has been a fantastic one. I gave a small run through performance on Tuesday Night, which I billed "All By Myself," at the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College. The attendance was small, but the room contained a smattering of people who I admire greatly. This included a few colleagues, students, my parents, and some dear friends. I will admit, there were moments where I was nervous. Some notes didn't speak the way I wanted them too, a few string crossings didn't as well as I would have liked, and a couple of chords were, well... funky fresh to say the least. It was not a perfect performance, but there were moments that were expressive, and I felt relieved to get through the entire program. I am even more relieved that Sunday's performance will be better prepared.
I also realize that the time I have spent teaching over the last few years, speaking freely in front of rooms filled with students, has made me a better, and calmer public speaker. I stayed more on message- my pacing was more fluid, and my knees did not wobble while talking! This is huge progress, because they tend to shake when I am more panicked.
The rest of the week has been tying up loose ends with students, trying to get a few more lessons in with some of my students, the last few rehearsals with my High School and Elementary kids, and a piano and Dictation class with my students at Queens. I tried to get most of my grading done, and was at least able to get the Quizzes taken care of. I sense a few people were frustrated with the fact that I didn't get through all of the Homework, but that will happen when the time is right. (After the trip...)
I have arrived, ready to begin an incredible week and a half.
The journey begins media res. My flight is slightly delayed, by a good 90 minutes, so I am trying to unwind after an intense week. The week has been a bit of a cliff hanger in my normal week, interrupted by what promises to be a fantastic journey.
To catch YOU up, the week that I am wrapping up here in New York City has been a fantastic one. I gave a small run through performance on Tuesday Night, which I billed "All By Myself," at the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College. The attendance was small, but the room contained a smattering of people who I admire greatly. This included a few colleagues, students, my parents, and some dear friends. I will admit, there were moments where I was nervous. Some notes didn't speak the way I wanted them too, a few string crossings didn't as well as I would have liked, and a couple of chords were, well... funky fresh to say the least. It was not a perfect performance, but there were moments that were expressive, and I felt relieved to get through the entire program. I am even more relieved that Sunday's performance will be better prepared.
I also realize that the time I have spent teaching over the last few years, speaking freely in front of rooms filled with students, has made me a better, and calmer public speaker. I stayed more on message- my pacing was more fluid, and my knees did not wobble while talking! This is huge progress, because they tend to shake when I am more panicked.
The rest of the week has been tying up loose ends with students, trying to get a few more lessons in with some of my students, the last few rehearsals with my High School and Elementary kids, and a piano and Dictation class with my students at Queens. I tried to get most of my grading done, and was at least able to get the Quizzes taken care of. I sense a few people were frustrated with the fact that I didn't get through all of the Homework, but that will happen when the time is right. (After the trip...)
I have arrived, ready to begin an incredible week and a half.
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