Introduction to the Concept of Emotional Rhythm
Basic emotional rhythm has been described by writers, runners, dances, vocalists and musicians. This session will introduce the work of Abby Whiteside and Sophia Rosoff. Their work enhanced many pianists’ ability to play with freedom and maximum expression.
Outlining: A Crucial Practice Technique
Basic emotional rhythm has been described by writers, runners, dances, vocalists and musicians. This session will introduce the work of Abby Whiteside and Sophia Rosoff. Their work enhanced many pianists’ ability to play with freedom and maximum expression.
Special Edition Fourth Friday Concert featuring The North Carolina Chamber Music Institute
Now celebrating its 6th year, NCCMI has been recently awarded its first government grants from the City of Raleigh and the United Arts Council of Wake County. The September concert will include many favorite works from the classical repertoire performed by NCCMI’s leading String Quartets and Piano/String mixed ensembles. Students will introduce their music and share their learning experiences with NCCMI in an enjoyable and entertaining program.
The North Carolina Chamber Music Institute-NCCMI was founded by NC Symphony musicians Elizabeth Beilman and Jimmy Gilmore with the mission of inspiring young artists of the future through the medium of great chamber music. Chamber Music as an art form for small ensembles like string quartets and piano trios that teaches musical and technical skills as well as leadership and confidence in a unique way. Based in Raleigh with events spread throughout the Triangle area, this comprehensive program operates during the academic year. In partnership with Chamber Music Raleigh and the North Carolina Symphony, NCCMI offers students (primarily aged 7-19) the benefits of weekly sessions, master classes, workshops and programming with world-class musician/ teachers including members of the NC Symphony and visiting artists. Financial aid is available to those in need.
Welcome students of Polina Rathbone!
Rhythmic Freedom and Performance from the First Lessons
Approaches discussed will be applied to materials from Alfred, Faber, Marlais and others. Devices like Splashing, singing, and the use of auditory approaches blended with these methods can enhance the confidence and musicality of younger students.
Making Sense of Technique: Integrating musicality
Whiteside was against unmusical playing of scales and technical routines. This last session explores ways to bridge the gap between technique and performance.
Program coming soon!
Program coming soon!
Program coming soon!
Fall Course Live Stream – Wellness for Piano Teachers & Musicians – How to Naturally Stay Healthy in the Neck, Shoulders and Spine for Piano Teachers featuring Chip Moseley, MPT, OCS, CSCS, Clinician
Teachers and musicians of all disciplines are often challenged by chronic tension in the neck, shoulders and back. Learn how to prevent pain and teach and perform more healthfully with these approaches, stretches and exercises. In the comfort of your home or studio, try out these exercises!
Chip Moseley earned his Masters in Physical Therapy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chip is one of a few Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists in Physical Therapy in North Carolina. In addition, he has a specialty in strength and conditioning. Chip has earned hundreds of hours of continuing education in Biomechanics of movement and manual therapy. Chip has been with Total Motion PT in Durham for almost two decades. He has been a physical therapist since 1988.
These workshops are complimentary – simply click here and enjoy!
Dr. Carol Ann Larry , Workshop Coordinator
Fall Course Live Stream – Wellness for Piano Teachers & Musicians – Defining and Teaching Well-Coordinated, Injury-Preventive Piano Technique featuring Barbara Lister-Sink, Ed.D.
Pianists of all ages and levels are often frustrated and even tragically hindered by discomfort, pain, and injury related playing. Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink, author of the MTNA-award-winning DVD IFreeing the Caged Bird–Developing Well-Coordinated, Injury-Preventive Piano Technique, will offer an accessible but scientifically informed look into the heart of injury-preventive piano technique. She will demonstrate basic biomechanical principles that can constitute a “basic form” for pianists of any age or level; define how the body is designed to work best with the instrument; and discuss risk factors for injury. Finally, she will offer practical tools for teaching the sensations of good coordination and freedom.
Internationally acclaimed pianist and acknowledged global leader in injury-preventive keyboard technique, is a graduate of Smith College, the Utrecht Conservatory and holds an Ed.D. from Columbia University. A Steinway ARtist since 1977, Lister-Sink has performed and given workshops throughout North America, Europe and Australia. As the current Artistic Director of the Salem College School of Music and Director of the Graduate Music Program, she has also taught on the Eastman School of Music Artist Faculty and was keyboardist for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. A previewer for Oxford University Press, Lister-Sink was chosen by Musical America Global as one of America’s “30 Top Professionals of 2018” as an innovator, independent thinker, and visionary leader.
These workshops are complimentary – simply click here and enjoy!
Dr. Carol Ann Larry , Workshop Coordinator
Fall Course Live Stream – Wellness for Piano Teachers & Musicians – The Alexander Technique for Pianists – In Introduction featuring Suzanne Faulkner
The Alexander Technique (AT) is the investigation of how intention and habit affect physical coordination and learning capacity. AT has a long history of helping instrumentalists perform with less stress and likelihood of injury. With a mixture of lecture and experiential learning, this workshop will introduce you to the tools and foundations of AT. These tools can be applied to your particular issues regarding injury recovery and prevention, or as a way to deepen your relationship to your instrument and enable a bit more freedom in all that you do.
Over the years Suzanne Faulkner has worked with a wide variety of instrumentalists both amateur and professional. Some sought her AT teaching to get relief from injuries or to improve sound performance issues, others have come out of sheer curiosity. Suzanne has been studying AT since 1987 and for 25 years has been an active member and recognized teacher of The American Society of TEachers of the AT. She continues her studies and development of this technique with Ruth Kilroy and the dynamic AT community in the Boston area.
These workshops are complimentary – simply click on the link and enjoy!
Dr. Carol Ann Larry , Workshop Coordinator
We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series. Masks are optional and seating is limited to the first 100 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. This concert series will be available to attend via live stream on our YouTube channel and a link to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!
We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series. Masks are optional and seating is limited to the first 100 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. This concert series will be available to attend via live stream on our YouTube channel and a link to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!
Presto was founded in 2007 in San Diego. The club was started to offer amateur pianists an outlet for performance. The club meets once a month at members’ homes. When one of the founders moved to Carrboro in 2011, a second section was created for the Chapel Hill/Durham area and then expanded to a third section for the Raleigh/Cary area in 2015. Presto’s mission is to bring serious pianists together to share classical piano music through performance and to inspire growth and instill confidence in all participants. Presto also organizes and develops musical opportunities for the group such as piano master classes, social gatherings, recitals, and workshops. The group offers a nurturing environment to its members, honoring each at their particular performance level. Presto promotes a lifelong study and enjoyment of piano performance. New members join by referral. Please contact any of the performers at the concert if you’d like to join or learn more about Presto. http://www.prestopiano.org/index.htm
We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series! This series will be available to attend in person or via live stream on our YouTube channel – a ink to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!
This Special Edition Fourth Friday Concert will feature UNC Chapel Hill Music Department Pianists & Meredith College Faculty!
We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series! This series will be available to attend in person or via live stream on our YouTube channel – a ink to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!
This Special Edition Fourth Friday Concert will feature Meredith College Department of Music Faculty & Staff!
As we celebrate two decades of Fourth Friday Concerts, we are excited to announce the return of our original emcee, Eric Hale, and accompanist, Sue Timmons, for this extraordinary evening. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the performers and devoted audiences who have supported Fourth Friday Concerts over the last 20 years. We hope you will be able to join us!
Founded in June, 2003, the Fourth Friday Concert series, formerly know as the 4th Friday Mix, stands as one of our area’s longest-running concert series. We remain committed to providing free and inclusive concerts that welcome musicians with a passion for sharing their talents. All attendees, including children capable of listening attentively, are warmly welcomed. Fourth Friday Concerts typically feature 2-4 performers or performance groups, although special occasions may showcase a single performer or group for the entire concert. Contact Richard Ruggero at richardcruggero@gmail.com if you or your group are interested in performing!
Click here for Livestream link!
Performer Bios
15-year-ol
d Olivia Li from Cary, NC studies the piano with Florence Ko and has over the years garnered myriad awards and scholarships. She placed first in various competitions including the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs (NCFMC) Young Artist Auditions, 6 years consecutively from divisions Senior I until Concerto IV, as well as the Princess category of the NCFMC Royalty Competition, the SYMF Southwestern Youth Music Festival Competition, the USA IMAE Music & Art Exchange International Piano Competition where she had a masterclass with the renowned Gary Graffman, RTPA Scholarship Competition, CAPTA Bullard Competition, and 2nd prize of the prestigious NC symphony concerto competition and 3rd Annual Hayes School of Music Piano Competition. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys sharing her music with others and frequently hosts performances at local retirement centers, and hospitals. She has also been invited to perform at various events, such as 5 consecutive meetings for the 2023 Cary Environmental Symposium at the Cary Arts Center, where many esteemed speakers and mayor are invited as well.
Chris (Yuanduo) Li, who is 17 years old and currently in the 11th grade, attends Green Level High School in Apex, North Carolina. He was born in China in 2006 and began his musical journey when he was just six years old. He started taking piano lessons in June 2021 after moving to the United States, and he’s been guided by Florence Ko. Since then, Chris has achieved some impressive accomplishments: he came in second place in the 2022 Young Artist Auditions (YAA) competition at the Prince level. He also got first place in the Senior level of the 2022 Raleigh Piano Teacher Association (RPTA) scholarship competition, the Bullard piano competition (High School level), and the Raleigh Music Club Scholarship Auditions. It’s worth noting that he got second position in the Senior division of the 2022 Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) competition, and he won in the Senior division of the International American Protege competition. Additionally, he had the chance to be part of the East Carolina University piano festival and their master classes. In 2023, he achieved second place in the North Carolina Royalty Competition at the King level. He also won the National Federation of Music Clubs competition at the King level and the Hinda Honigman piano scholarship in Statesville, NC, performed in Environmental Symposium at Cary Arts Center. Apart from his dedication to playing the piano, Chris enjoys taking part in basketball and tennis, which brings him joy.
Jared Alan 
Yoakem is a pianist from Grand Rapids, MI. As a recitalist, he has performed at the Brendle Recital Hall, Wake Forest University, NC; Covington Arts Center, Radford University, VA; Katzen Arts Center, American University, DC; and Porter Arts Center, Brevard College, NC. As a collaborative artist, he has performed with ACDA, NATS, the National Orpheus Competition, and a variety of choral projects including two national PBS broadcasts at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He has been awarded with the Dean’s Advisory Council Award for outstanding achievement in music from Belmont University in 2019. Yoakem has participated in the Collaborative Piano Institute at Louisiana State University, the Leon Fleisher Academy of Washington D.C., and the Vivace Music Foundation of Wilmington, NC. He has participated in masterclasses by Stanislav Ioudenitch, Marina Lomazov, Julian Martin, Anne-Marie McDermott and Robert McDonald. Yoakem holds degrees from Belmont University & East Carolina University, under the instruction of Elena Bennett and Kwan Yi. He currently serves as a piano faculty member at the Cary School of Music and as a teaching assistant to Kwan Yi.
Click here for Livestream link!
Performer Bios
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Grace Ueng[/caption]
Grace began studying piano last year to honor the memory of her mother, her first teacher. With an older sister who consistently placed first in their state and would go on to compete nationally and internationally, Grace quit after only a few years of lessons. She went on to study at MIT and Harvard Business School, pursuing interests outside music. Her sister, Vivian Fang, went on to earn two degrees from Juilliard and her doctorate from Peabody Conservatory. Vivian teaches in her private studio, serves on faculty at The Fay School outside Boston, and is President of New England Piano Teachers’ Association. After purchasing her Steinway from Ruggero, Grace started studying with Teddy Robie. Additionally, Vivian provides sisterly coaching. Grace also enjoys being a part of the Presto piano performance group. Grace is an ardent lifelong student of positive psychology studying under Tal Ben Shahar, the creator of Harvard’s most popular course ever on happiness, Arthur Brooks of Harvard Business School and Noa Kageyama, Juilliard’s performance psychologist. Grace is the founder of Savvy Growth, a leadership coaching and strategy consulting firm, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Prior to that, she served on the leadership teams of five technology companies. She writes a weekly column on Happiness & Leadership and has been covered in Inc. Magazine, The Daily Beast and The Wall Street Journal.
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Triocha[/caption]
This trio features Erin Munnelly, flute, Sanford Enslen, cello, and Stephanie Schmidt, piano.
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Newnew Hong[/caption]
Kangqi Hong, also known as “Newnew,” is a 14-year-old student born in Zhuhai, China, and currently resides with her aunt and uncle, Hong Schulte and Stuart Schulte, in Moore County, North Carolina. She attended Episcopal Day School from 3rd to 5th grade and is now a 9th grader at the O’Neal School. Newnew started learning to play the piano at the age of 6 in China, taught initially by her mother. She studies under Dr. Kristina Henckel and practices daily on a 1931 Baldwin grand piano. In February 2023, Newnew had her first public performance at a sold-out concert sponsored by the Arts Council of Moore County. She performed pieces by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Beethoven, and Saint-Saëns, impressing the audience with her skills. Newnew has taken part in numerous music competitions, winning first place in the solo piano category at Carmel Klavier 2022, Carmel IN, Fayetteville Piano Teacher’s Association competition in 2022, Fayetteville, NC, and Weymouth Young Musician’s Festival in 2020, Southern Pines, NC. Furthermore, she was a finalist in the 2023 North Carolina Symphony Concerto Competition. Newnew is also a laureate of the Piano League competition, participated in the MTNA competition, and received the Grand Prize in the Rising Talents Festival 2021, allowing her to perform at Carnegie Hall. Apart from concerts and competitions, Newnew has performed for local nursing homes, art shows, fundraisers, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition to her love for music, she is also interested in art, history, and science-fiction.
