Dear Friends,
In case you noticed that last week's newsletter never came (and, let's face it, I'm sure most of you probably didn't 😂), I skipped writing the newsletter in order to prepare for Piano Camp, which took place this past week on the campus of Butler University.
One of the flashbulb memories that has stayed with me from the week was seeing all of the students crowded around the harpsichord on the stage of the recital hall, while Matt, our piano technician, showed them in great detail how all of the parts of the harpsichord mechanism work.
It was a packed week! Every day, the students had practice time and lessons on their solo pieces, which they performed in the final recital. They also learned duets with a partner for an informal mini-performance during camp. This year's featured composer was Franz Liszt, so the campers learned about his life and music in a series of seminars, and we had a session about Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel as well.
The students heard a professional-level recital of solo and piano four-hands music (Rachmaninoff, Schubert, Brahms, Taneyev, and Bach) performed by Ivan Yumagulov and Yang Xu. They also had a deep-dive practice workshop on how to make better use of their time at the instrument, two masterclasses, that harpsichord workshop I mentioned earlier, and an Alexander Technique workshop.
We made sure to balance all of that with time away from the piano, too, including plenty of Uno games, facilitator-led games at the Health and Recreation Complex and a hike along the wooded canal that flows through campus.
My faculty colleagues, Dr. Kent Cook and Dr. Minju Choi Witte, were amazing to work with. Butler alum Caleb Crawford jumped in at the last minute to do some teaching, and Mary, one of my current Butler students, assisted us throughout the week.
During the hectic goodbyes at the end of the final recital on Friday, a parent pressed an envelope into my hand. About an hour later, after I had locked up the rooms and put everything away, I found the envelope in my pocket and tore it open as I leaned against a wall in the quiet, empty classroom.
As I read, I had to wipe away my tears.
The parent shared with me that her daughter had been going through a difficult time in school, and described in detail how the week at camp had restored her confidence and sense of ease.
"The last few days, she has shined so brightly and felt so much like herself again. What a testimony to the healing power of music and the transformative magic of creating such a powerful community of young people in a single week."
Two days later, I’m still thinking about that note. To be honest, when you’re running a program like this, it’s easy to get absorbed in the logistics, the schedule and the dozens of little things that need to happen every day. A note like that brings you back to what the experience can actually mean for a young musician.
Next year's camp will be June 14-18, 2027, and we will open the registration portal at the end of November. There’s also a dorm option for students to stay on campus. If you know a young pianist who might enjoy a camp like this, I hope you’ll share the information. We would love to welcome this year's campers back and see some new faces!
True confession: I did not get much of my own practicing in this week, because I was running camp the entire time. But it was so worth it!
And anyway, after I send this note off to you, I’ll be heading to a friend's house to read some chamber music, which will feel like a wonderful treat after such a busy week.
I wish you a happy, enjoyable week at the piano!
👋 Happy practicing,
Kate