Here are some things I’ve been saying to my students as I work with them on their duets for the upcoming recital: It doesn’t matter whether you play your piece perfect unless you play together […]
Category: Blog
“Your Aging Brain Will Be in Better Shape If You’ve Taken Music Lessons”
This is an article that was sent to me by a parent of a student featured on the National Geographic. Couple of excerpts from the article are here: A growing number of studies show that […]
DUETS, DUETS, DUETS!
I spent the last couple of weeks selecting pieces for the upcoming duet recital for the studio. I first went through about 20 duet books and selected potential pieces for my students. Then I went […]
Learn Something New
Every year, I sign up to learn something new. This year, it’s been CrossFit training so far. Last year was rowing and stand-up paddle boarding, the year before was archery and salsa dancing. The last […]

Ode to the Piano!
As a solo instrument, the modern piano is second to none. Even if its expressive qualities don’t match those of some of the string instruments or of the human voice, its range of pitch, dynamics, […]

Lucky Night for Keith Jarrett Fans
A standing ovation by an enthusiastic crowd at a sold out concert even before the first piece has to feel good. It doesn’t just say that you’ve made it—it says that you are a legend […]
“We save lives, too.”
Yesterday, our Eastside chapter of MTNA (Music Teacher’s National Association) had a privilege of hearing from the nationally well-known flute teacher and author, Bonnie Blanchard. Her topic was about how to run the business of […]
On Rhythm
Nothing puts me in a worse mood than the student who does not play in rhythm, because rhythm is spirit in music, the most human thing in music… It is very hard to teach rhythm. […]
After the Recital
Last Sunday was my studio’s summer recital. Ten students played and I was really proud of every single one of them especially considering that half of them are first year piano students. Rather than talking […]
Composing Tricks Workshop
Christopher Norton Piano Camp at Oliveland Studio