Julianza, Inkling

"It is my privilege to have performed some of Julie's vocal works. 

The strong emotional, passionate and lyrical qualities in her 

compositions are a singer's dream. Great thoughtfulness of text-music

connection create a colorful and dynamic writing style that begs to be

sung in an introspective and expressive manner.  I look forward to many

more collaborations with Julie."

  -- Cindy Saunders, Soprano, Vocal Music Director, The Da Vinci Academy

Here are links to the original compositions from the first salon program listed below links (look right below the asterisks).  Please go to the Music Audio/Video page; there the pieces will magically appear!  It is very difficult to write music to free verse poetry. Still to be posted: compositions based on poetry by Lois Hayna, along with other compositions, and a CD of genres I play for various venues, so I can become gainfully employed again. PS: Silly, --  but not only does video add weight, I see, but I am now 20 pounds lighter. Information you REALLY need! Bear with the solo: it is cacaphanous at first, but does eventually settle into melody.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3obVhQbqhQ
  
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhAXt0JjeSQ
• http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=W4FM7G6dPAk
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fnwp3eA8E
  
• 
  

FULL CONCERT RESUME (to come)

Program from recent concert, edited for pertinent content, which is in bold.

Classically Alive presents

Gustav, Sylvia, Julianza y Alberto

Saturday, 6:30 PM November 15, 2008

The Minzer Residence, Colorado Springs, CO

PROGRAM

Trio in Eb major for Clarinet, Horn and Piano Gustav Jenner (1865 – 1920)

Circles    Sylvia Hazlerig

Crestone-Baca Tango   Sylva Hazlerig

Abe Minzer, piano

                                              ***                                       

Yousuf Zaigham Songs (World Premiere) Julianza Shavin

Time & Us Cindy Saunders, soprano, Julianza Shavin, piano

Burial Instructions Yousuf Zaigham, poet/narrator, Julianza Shavin, piano

Exuberante Julianza Shavin, piano

Lord Remember Me Cindy Saunders, soprano, Julianza Shavin, piano

Danzas Argentinas Alberto Ginastera (1916 – 1983)

Danza del viejo boyero (“Dance of the Old Herdsman”)

Danza de la moza donosa (“Dance of the Beautiful Maiden”)

Danza del gaucho matrero (“Dance of the Arrogant Cowboy”)

Abe Minzer, piano

About 2 months ago, Julianza Shavin, Cindy Saunders and Yousuf Zaigham were challenged to collaborate on songs based on Zaigham's poetry.  Ms. Shavin holds degrees in Philosophy and English, is a journalist and licensed proofreader, and current co-vice-president of Poetry West. Shavin found some poems could not be contained within the constraints of song, and thus wrote the piano solo, Exuberante, engaging body language, incorporating themes such as angst, faith, beauty, longing, etc.  At first, three poems were to be sung, but it was decided that Zaigham would recite one instead per his mellifluous intonations.  Zaigham grew up in India and Pakistan where his poetry and fiction appeared in prestigious literary journals. Escaping religious persecution, he migrated to the US. His first book Like a Vermeer and Other Poems appeared in 2006 and was warmly received by the poetic establishment and The Gazette. The Juilliard trained, Ms. Saunders says singing in English is very difficult to begin with, and that due to the Zaigham's descriptive, evocative words, each of which should be showcased, there is little “down time” for the singer. In the course of rehearsing, Saunders was invaluable in suggesting changes to better highlight her voice style.   Shavin states that setting blank verse to song, without changing time every measure, and keeping key words on accented beats, was an exciting, if maddening challenge.  Her best ideas arise in the bathtub or while falling asleep, mutually exclusive circumstances, fortunately.

                                                * * *

Abram Minzer is creator/director of “Classically Alive”, an ensemble of 20 musicians, featuring diverse at-home music/arts salons.  Highlights of the 2008 season included collaborations with American Cancer Society, and the Dos Americas guitar duo; 2006 & 2007 salons featured the complete Schubert song cycles, Mostly Mozart, and 7 programs on Brahms and Schumann.  Beyond the great food and camaraderie, the salons host many styles of music, including contemporary, as well as provide a venue for painters and poets. Minzer earned a doctorate in music at W. Va. University, and taught piano and chamber music at Goucher College in Baltimore.  He plays concerts throughout Colorado and the US, and has soloed with the Pittsburgh Symphony. He and his wife, Dr. Carol Schreuder, enjoy travel.

PIANO LESSONS

Welcome! Having recently relocated, to Colorado Springs, I am pleased to offer piano lessons in my home.

A little background: I began music lessons at age 6, when it was determined I had perfect pitch. I was classically-(and very rigorously) trained primarily by Elizabeth Young), and have been playing for 5 decades. My primary interest is classical music, though for employment at (widely) varied venues I also play jazz, blues, big-band, ragtime, etc. I play regular keyboard (piano), as well as electronic, and also a smattering of other instruments as well, cello and alto recorder among them.

My educational background includes a heavy emphasis on music (I began as a music composition major, and am still performing these compositions in public). I can teach beginner to advanced, from ages 3 (depending on attention span) to senior-plus. My approach is a bit “old-school.” This means that I believe strongly in technique (hand-position, posture, foot-position, finger-rounding, even attention to nail-length), separating the hands (not from the arms -- from each other while practicing) until each part is perfect, and, possibly most importantly, counting aloud.

Essential to learning piano is an instrument on which to practice. An upright piano is preferable to an electronic keyboard, unless the player will always play upon an electronic instrument. There are some electronic keyboards with a setting for the “action” (how hard you must strike the key) to feel similar to a piano. Electronic keyboards may have only a few octaves, or they may have all. If you wish to have a piano and do not have one, I may be able to help you find an affordable one. I also know a wonderful tuning technician. If you can only afford an electronic piano, that will work for now. (Craigslist often has upright pianos for FREE).

For very small children, a 30-minute lesson, is recommended. For children 7 or older, and for adults, lessons work best within an hour framework. I try to be expedient and do mostly teaching, and little writing, but it will be essential to come equipped with a notebook so that I can make notes, and assign practice. (Practice is important!). With young children (10 and under), please read my notes with the child before each practice session. Left on their own, kids do not tend to read the notebook. Ideally, for children up to age 10, 30 minutes of practice/day is recommended; but even 20 minutes is good. For all others, at least 45 minutes and preferably one hour (to include theory homework). We can discuss ways for practice to be a time of enjoyment, rather than a chore.

Learning an instrument is a commitment. It may seem as though things are going slowly – and then all of a sudden, voila! Music! Music is not just about the notes, but also about theory and technique, so patience is required). Please feel free to talk to me about any issues /concerns relating to the lessons. I would give the lessons a few months, at least, which lets you find out if you, or the child studying, enjoys learning piano.

PS: As a working and performing composer, I also teach composition, should your child be interested. This is a wonderful, creative activity, and students seem very excited to pour out their own creations. This part of the lesson can be as limited or expansive as you wish. It can be just 10 minutes of total, for instance. Students will need staved paper.

Financial information:

As an artist, I like art to be affordable to the general public. I mourn that many have no access to music or similar lessons due to financial constraints. Therefore, I charge less than the going rate. I want any child or adult who really wants to learn music to be able to. And I like to keep communication flowing; if you encounter hardship we'll see what we can work out. The fee schedule is below. As a point of comparison, I was taking voice lessons recently; they were $40/hr., and have jumped to $50. (I took two lessons and stopped). One lesson in composition with our local instructor at CC is $60. Piano/string/woodwind lessons are averaging $35-$40/hr currently, per my research into the local musician associations/teachers.

30 minutes: $12.50 (for the very young, ages 3-5)

Hourly: $25.00

If you enroll more than one family member, there is a discount; if you refer a student to me, there is also a reward! If you pay at the beginning of each month, (I hate dealing with money, so I prefer this), there is a 10% discount. If the month has 5 weeks of, say, your lesson day, that is to your advantage.

Make-up lessons:

Life happens - illness, unavoidable scheduling conflicts, etc. Though I do not refund for missed lessons, I will work with you however it is best, to make up a lesson. I will be as flexible as possible. Please contact me as to when a makeup lesson will work for you. I do not know your schedule. Also, if I have to cancel for any reason, I will contact you. Thanks.

Please call me any time, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I look forward to working with you and/or your child!

About the Recordings (to come)

More Information (to come)

I welcome your questions and queries. Please see the Contact Me page for complete contact information.