To defray the tuition expense of the First Year Suzuki Piano Pedagogy Teacher Training Seminar with Marina Obukovsky, School for Strings, Teacher Trainer, Instructor.

Max will be exploring Suzuki philosophy, psychology, and procedures in detail through reading and in class discussion. Following the pattern established in teaching “Twinkle”, he will receive detailed instruction in teaching the rest of Book 1, and all of Book 2 and Book 3 of the Suzuki piano method, including teaching points, purposes, preparations, and teaching procedures for each piece. He will be introduced to techniques for introducing scale study at the elementary level, and how the initial scale technique will lead to advanced scale and passage-work playing. Max believes he will be able to work with younger students with more efficiency and will gain increased knowledge of different methods of piano technique. Additionally, this course will provide him with additional tools for teaching students of all ages and flexibility for working with students of different learning styles.

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Attend the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) Suzuki Conference May 21-25, 2020

The SAA Suzuki Conference is a biennial event in which many of the top Suzuki teachers, students, and parents gather to share ideas with each other. The theme of the 2020 SAA Conference is Learning Suzuki Style, so many of the sessions will shine spotlights on best practices of teaching at all levels, with an emphasis on exploring ways to bring the Suzuki Philosophy into an ever-changing 21st century.  Especially exciting for this year's conference, Astrid Sheen, cellist in the Juilliard String Quartet and Professor at Juilliard, will be the Masterclass clinician and Rick Mooney, known by DQ cello students for his Position Piece and Ensemble books, will be leading the cello choir.

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To help launch Resident Aliens, a violin & percussion duo by creating appropriate promotional materials including professional recording, video, and website.

Resident Aliens was formed in summer 2018 by Sita Chay (violin) and Chihiro Shibayama (percussion) with a goal of bridging the world of sports and music. The project aims to tell stories of various sports through music and other interdisciplinary art forms.  Original music will be written by the members of the duo, involving improvisation which plays a crucial role in both sports and music. The performances will be held in venues such as indoor rock climbing, swimming pool, baseball field, etc. to push further imagination and connection between sports and music. We want to work on each theme uniquely collaborating with musicians, artists, athletes, and dancers to accentuate different disciplines and cultural backgrounds. 

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To help defray travel costs and to cover the visa application fee for teaching in the UK

Mark Wade was invited to teach a master class and perform a concert at the Benslow Music Academy in Hitchin, England in early February of 2020. The subject of the class will be understanding the music of Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter. Students will have the opportunity to undergo extensive training with Wade as they learn to perform and better understand this classic American music through ensemble workshops and listening sessions involving historical recordings. This will be Wade’s first international teaching engagement.

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Attend The International Conference of Dalcroze Studies 4: ICDS 4 in Katowice, Poland, at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music. The grant is for airfare.

The ICDS, to be held summer 2019, is particularly exciting because of the emphasis on research, which brings practitioners in the sciences, medicine, and philosophy, together with musicians, dancers, music educators, etc. Currently, there is much interest in the effects of music and movement on the brain and brain development. Research papers, workshops and performances are all learning experiences and tremendously enjoyable, when shared with such a diverse community. This year, the conference theme is “The Listening Body In Action” in music, dance, somatic practices, theatre and therapy, with a special focus on the relationships between listening, music/sound and movement. 

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Commission New Works for Classical Guitar by musically diverse composers of African descent. This grant supports the creation of one new work, which will be performed and recorded by Guitar Ensemble, Duo Noire.

Funding will provide initial support for a major new commissioning project to be undertaken by the classical guitar ensemble, Duo Noire. The overall project consists of plans to commission 4-6 new pieces by musically diverse composers of African descent. The Clifford-Levy Creativity Grant funding will support the creation of one new work.  Duo Noire hopes to bring disparate genres, continents, and styles together, while simultaneously pushing the possibilities of their instrument forward. Potential collaborators include members of major new music ensembles, MacArthur Genius grant winners, composition professors at major conservatories, and more. This will culminate in a full length commercially released album and marketing campaign mentioning Diller-Quaile wherever possible.

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Volunteer as a cello teacher for Musicians Without Borders, specifically for their partner program – Sounds of Palestine. The grant is for airfare to Tel Aviv and bus transportation to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. 

Musicians Without Borders welcomes musicians from around the world who want to promote social change using the power of music. Sounds of Palestine is an organization that teaches children through a program inspired by the concept of El Sistema in Venezuela. The program began in two schools and has now expanded to reach over 150 students. Kayla will be volunteering as a cello teacher in the after school program in March 2019, teaching group cello classes and assisting in larger ensembles.

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Use Diller-Quaile’s Performance Space to create a Professional Video recording of a Bach Transcription by S. Rachmaninoff: Partita in E Major – Prelude.

After completing his first studio recording, “Among Songs and Dances” in 2014, Juan Pablo has been searching for new ways that will allow him to grow musically, as well as update his knowledge in how to record a professional music video with the latest technology. Additionally, he thinks that a music teacher has to communicate not only knowledge, but experience. Every semester we inspire new students to learn and perform music. Juan Pablo believes that having his own professional experiences in both areas, helps him in improving the ways he guides students. Juan Pablo will be working with a knowledgeable technician/videographer.

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Defray tuition costs for individual lessons in improvisation in preparation for the Diplôme Supérieur examination at the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze, Geneva, Switzerland.

In September of 2018, Michael was admitted into the training program for the highest credential in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, the Diplôme Supérieur. Study for this degree is possible only in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was in residence between September and December 2018. To complete the program, candidates must undertake teaching practicums in movement, solfege and improvisation, pass examinations in improvisation, complete a dissertation, pass six juried teaching examinations and two choreographed dances ("plastique animée"). This fall in Geneva, in addition to attending courses in each area of study, Michael has been participating in individual lessons to prepare for the examination in improvisation.

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18th Biennial Suzuki Association Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Hubert attended the 18th Biennial Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference in Minneapolis entitled, "A Collaborating Community." Suzuki teachers, students and parents gathered to share ideas with a focus on ways to work together in support of each other. They had the opportunity to learn from one another; and share the experiences of students as they observed master teachers in their elements. The conference offered many diverse panels, discussions, and presentations.

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Dalcroze School of the Rockies, Professional Studies, Group Lessons, Denver, CO.

Diller-Quaile has been an important center for Dalcroze Education in the United States for many years. Master teachers such as Anne Farber and Ruth Alperson, holders of the Dalcroze Diplôme, have taught and trained countless students, including some serving on our faculty. But because of the particularly high level of skill required to earn the Diplôme Supérieur, and the necessity to live in Geneva for extended lengths of time, there have been few new recipients. Those entering the Diplôme Supérieur program in Geneva must pass a rigorous entrance exam in the three branches of Dalcroze study: eurhythmics, solfège and improvisation. Jeremy Dittus, a holder of the Diplôme based in Denver, Colorado, has carefully created a pathway which can lead students to mastery of the necessary skills, and offers instruction via Skype classes, which he teaches at the Dalcroze School of the Rockies. Michael applied himself to these studies via Skype instruction over the course of the year, to prepare for the Diplôme Supérieur in Geneva and to become a stronger musician and teacher, better able to serve the needs of the Dalcroze community at Diller-Quaile and beyond.

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Piano Study with Ethan Iverson, New York City.

Jamie Reynolds studied piano with Ethan Iverson in NYC. After moving to New York to study with Fred Hersch in 2005, Jamie felt ready to return to lessons, this time with a focus on piano technique. In particular, the lessons focused on the unique teaching methods of Iverson and Hersch’s teacher, the late Sophia Rosoff, which emphasize emotional engagement with the music and a holistic approach to the physicality of piano playing. Jamie feels that these thirteen lessons have brought about a fresh approach to his piano playing in general, and to his role as an accompanist at Diller-Quaile in particular. 

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Study of the Haydn Cello Concerti with Fred Zlotkin, New York City.

Ever since Tomas was a child, he has been enamored by the two Haydn cello concerti. Their elegance, virtuosity, ingenuity, and expressivity were instantly engaging. Tomas took five lessons with cellist Fred Zlotkin to study these concerti. Mr. Zlotkin winner of the International Music Competition at Geneva, has traveled the world as concerto soloist, chamber musician, and has been the principal cellist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra for over 25 years. Mr. Zlotkin has performed both works on many occasions and has an in-depth understanding of the cello and the classical style. He is also a master of creating his own cadenzas for the works that he performs. Creating cadenzas has always fascinated Tomas; he has been improvising for years and is now exploring this avenue within a classical context.

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Morganne and Artists By Any Other Name presented Debussy’s La boîte à joujoux (The Toybox) through music, dance, and narration in a concert for the Diller-Quaile community.

Artists By Any Other Name (cofounded by Morganne Aaberg and Harmonnia Junus in 2014) is a multidisciplinary collective that aims to create artistic experiences that drive the imagination forward while invigorating the spirit. ABAON performed Debussy’s La boîte à joujoux for the Diller-Quaile community and friends of the School. The production included piano quintet, dance, and narration. Morganne and Harmonnia inspired students by showing them first-hand how artists work with their friends, share art with their community, and follow their imaginations.

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Ian Bentley attended the Summer Vocology Institute at the University of Utah in Summer 2017

The Summer Vocology Institute (SVI) at the University of Utah is an intensive program led by world-renowned voice scientist Dr. Ingo Titze to learn “vocology” – the study and practice of voice health and habilitation. The program combined music, speech science, vocal pedagogy, health, and theater training and gave real world experience in applying these concepts to both performance and health settings. Having already completed the first block of the program, Principles of Voice Production, Ian then completed blocks 2 and 3 in 2017. In Block 2, Instrumentation for Voice Analysis and Voice Habilitation, he studied the scientific instrumentation used in voice clinics to assess vocal health. Block 3, Voice for Performers, focused on different kinesthetic techniques for the singing voice. After completing the program, Ian earned a “Certificate of Vocology” from the University of Utah.

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Miranda Sielaff studied with Manhattan School of Music Professor Karen Ritscher
Miranda took four individual viola lessons with Manhattan School of Music professor Karen Ritscher. As a former student of Ms. Ritscher during Miranda’s undergraduate years, Miranda felt poised to benefit from her unique teachings at this point in her career when she has 15 years of experience as a performer and teacher. Miranda wanted to continue to develop her own viola playing, and saw a great potential for the impact of these lessons on her own teaching. Ms. Ritscher is the kind of teacher Miranda aspires to be. She models the resilience needed to maintain a growth mindset throughout one’s career, and she supports each student’s individual path by encouraging, enlightening, and developing their awareness.

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Samantha Spiridellis attended the Kodaly Summer Institute 2017 – A Week in Hungary
During July 2017 in Kecskemét, Hungary, Samantha gathered with participants from around the world to celebrate, sing, and study global folk music at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. Through NYU, students joined the 30th International Kodály Seminar and Kodály Art Festival to study the method and philosophy of Zoltán Kodály in the homeland of its origin. Students participated in daily choir and solfège class, while selecting from various workshops to deepen the application of the Kodály method. Early childhood pedagogy, traditional music research, choral music, and conducting were a few of the electives offered.

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Eri Yamamoto studied West African Drumming at the Wula Drum Center in Brooklyn to bring fresh, new rhythmic ideas to her piano accompaniment of Diller-Quaile classes. Eri studied with Abdouleaye Toure, an expert in Guinean music, who taught her many traditional West African rhythms using various drums.

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Commissioned New Works for Classical Guitar by Women Composers, Performed and Recorded by Guitar Ensemble “Duo Noire”, New York, New York

The world of classical guitar is an overwhelmingly male enterprise. Flippin feels this omission of 51% of the population is unacceptable, and addressing underrepresentation in this field has become a raison d’être for his guitar ensemble, Duo Noire. The Clifford-Levy Creativity Grant partially funded the commissioning and promotion of two new works by extraordinarily talented North American women composers—resulting in concerts, promotional videos, and submissions to various guitar and New Music media outlets that recognize Diller-Quaile for its role in supporting the project and its ongoing commitment to commissioning new works.

The culminating work of this project, the critically-acclaimed album NIGHT TRIPTYCH, has received numerous reviews and mentions in the international press, including Stereophile Review, The Arts Fuse Review, Textura Review, I Care if You Listen Review, and All Music Review.

NIGHT TRIPTYCH is available on Amazon and available for download on iTunes. You can also learn more about the music of Duo Noire at www.duonoire.com.

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To Attend and Perform at the Contemporary Music Conference: “New Music Gathering”, Baltimore, MD

The New Music Gathering is an annual four-day conference dedicated to the performance, production, promotion, support, and creation of new concert music. Taking place at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the focus of this conference was on “Communities.” The conference featured concerts, lecture recitals, roundtable discussions, and talks. The Keynote address was given by Marin Alsop, Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony, whose outreach initiatives include ‘OrchKids’, a program providing music education, instruments, meals, and mentorship to Baltimore’s neediest young people. Isabelle believes it is important to keep the classical music tradition alive and relevant through the music of today’s living composers. The theme of this conference made it relevant to the community music setting of Diller-Quaile, as it involved building musical communities through teaching, faculty concerts, and outreach. At the conference, Isabelle identified possible new repertoire for students by today’s living composers, and shared these discoveries with piano faculty through a workshop or presentation.

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