February 2027 Program
A lesser-known Bach: exploring the keyboard works of JohannChristophFriedrich Bach (1732-1795)
Topic Description
Of J. S. Bach's four children who had successful music careers, J. C. F. Bach is the least well-known, having worked his entire life, starting at the age of 17, as harpsichordist and court composer for the small court of Schaumburg-Lippe in Germany. Although not often performed,
his music contains a wit, charm and richness of thought, along with maturity and emotional depth. You are invited to Julia's home, where you will hear J. C. F. Bach's Sonatas and shorter works performed on a copy of an 1805 Walter Viennese fortepiano.
Speaker Biography
Projecting “a warmly musical personality”, Julia Brown’s many recordings establish her as an “unquestionably first-class artist and superb technician… exceptionally sensitive.” Her organ and harpsichord recordings of W. F. Bach, J. S. Bach, Buxtehude and Scheidemann have garnered critical acclaim. In demand as a historical keyboardist and collaborative artist, Brown has appeared in concert in North and South America and in Europe, performing at music festivals, conventions and on National Public Radio. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brown studied piano, harpsichord and organ in her native Brazil before receiving her master’s and doctorate degrees from Northwestern University as a student of Wolfgang Rübsam. Brown is Director of Music and Organist at Mayflower Congregational Church and accompanies the Calvin Alumni Choir and the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys. She is currently recording keyboard works of J. C. F. Bach for Brilliant Classics.
February Program
Sookkyung Cho: Preparing Generation Z and Alpha Students for College and Beyond
Topic Description
It is every piano teacher's hope that students will continue to play and enjoy the piano in some fashion for their whole lives, yet many students stop taking lessons in high school or stop playing after high school. What can we do to continue to sparkle their interest and encourage life-long love for piano during this highly formative period in their lives? How about those students who start to dream to have career in music? What can we do to help them better prepared for post-secondary music study?
Speaker Biography
Dr. Sookkyung Cho, Associate Professor of Piano at Grand Valley, is an active member at Piano Teachers Forum of Grand Rapids. Since she started her tenure at GVSU in Fall 2015, she has built a thriving studio with both college students at GV and high school students, and her students have won Grand Rapids Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, St. Cecilia Music Center's Concerto Competition, Honorable Mention at the state level of MMTA SAT as well as numerous local competitions and awards. Her students have also been accepted to prestigious music programs, such as Master of Music at University of Michigan as well as Orford Music Festival in Canada. Before coming to GV, she taught piano and chamber music at New England Conservatory Preparatory School as well as theory at Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. A seasoned adjudicator, she has judged Osaka International Music Competition China Regional Preliminary Round, University of Michigan Concerto Competition, Walnut Hill School for the Arts Honors Chamber Music auditions, MMTA Concerto Competition, MMTA SAT state final, and many others. Her love for reaching younger piano students has led her to hold GV Virtual Piano Camp in summer 2020 during the pandemic, start Chamber Music Coaching program at St. Cecilia, and teach at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and GVSU String Leadership Camp. She holds her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School as a full scholarship recipient, Master of Music from Peabody, and Bachelor of Music from Juilliard, where she was honored with the prestigious John Erskine Graduation Prize for "an exceptional level of scholastic and artistic achievement." As a performer, she has performed at such notable venues as Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center, Chicago Cultural Center, Sarasota Opera House, Baltimore Museum of the Arts, Xi'an Conservatory in China, Montreal Conservatory in Quebec, Canada, among others. A strong believer in the performer-teacher model, she continues to keep a vibrant performance schedule, which you can check out (along with her videos and other projects) at her website www.sookkyungcho.com
February Program
February 14, 2025 | Mary Siciliano: Masterclass
Masterclass
Speaker Biography:
Mary Siciliano (NCTM) has a multi-faceted career. She was on the piano faculty at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where she taught applied piano, piano ensemble, chamber music, and coordinated the piano pedagogy program. She also taught piano pedagogy at Madonna University, Schoolcraft College, and the University of Michigan. She currently has a very active
private studio, continues to give pedagogy workshops, and teaches at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. Her students have distinguished themselves in many local, state, and national competitions, among them the Music Teachers National Association National Finals, the Piano Arts International Competition, and the Michigan Music Teacher Association events. Siciliano and violinist Velda Kelly cofounded “Chamber Music with Piano”. This summer workshop at Madonna University explores chamber music with piano and has included students from age 12 through adults. Students experience intense coaching with various musicians from the Michigan Opera Orchestra. This culminates in a final recital that also includes verbal communication with the audience. Siciliano is very active in piano teacher organizations. She has served on the boards of the Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League, Michigan Music Teachers Association, the East Central Division of MTNA, and the Tuesday Musicale of Detroit. Mary Siciliano performs throughout the United States, Canada, and France, and has been broadcast on CBC, WRCJ, and several others. She has collaborated on several cd albums that include the first recordings of Richard Stöhr on Toccata Classics, as well as the chamber music of Jacques de la Presle, Pierre de Bréville, Ignatz Waghalter, Fernand de la Tombelle, and Nicolas Bacri on the Centaur label.
February Program
February 13, 2026 I Andrew Focks - The Human Brain and the Mastery of a Craft - What Does This Mean for Pianists?
Topic and Description:
In the fast paced modern world, efficiency in practicing is essential for the student and performing musician. Time seems to be the one thing often in shortest supply, so how do we maximize the effectiveness of practice to gain the greatest amount of progress in the shortest amount of time? Examine how the brain learns information and what this means for musicians. Dr. Andrew Focks, a concert pianist, flight instructor, and professional airline pilot, will examine the crossovers in training to master a craft and apply practical information for teachers and students on how to gain the greatest and most efficient results at the piano.