I just finished watching your video. You had so much musical training and opportunities, that's so exciting!
I had a few questions, and I'm looking forward to reading your responses.
1. Do you think your life would be different if you hadn't had all your musical opportunities so readily available? 2. You mentioned that you played other instruments besides piano. If you hadn't pursued piano so vigorously, which other instrument would you have considered going into? 3. Furthering on that question, why did you choose piano over another instrument?
Excited to hear back!
- Carole
Rachel: Hi Carole, Thank you for your questions!
I think my life would definitely be different if I hadn’t had all of my musical opportunities so readily available.I was able to make progress as a musician because I had so many different experiences.I had a grand piano at home, on which I could practise whenever I wanted.I also had private instruction, and my teacher definitely gave me tools to help me become a better pianist such as ideas about phrasing and the emotional aspects of the pieces.My ensemble practice helped me build interpersonal skills, and also opened my eyes to new instruments and the tricks that come with them like playing a ‘glissando’ on the trombone.I don’t think I would be as far along in my music-making if I hadn’t had these opportunities, and I’m very grateful for them! If I hadn’t pursued piano so vigorously, I think I would have considered going into trombone.I enjoyed playing trombone in high school because I liked playing ‘glissandos’, blowing into a mouthpiece, being a foundation for the band, and having the challenge of placing the pitch using my slide or using the speed of my air.However, if I hadn’t kept up as a pianist, I would have probably done a math degree at university because I thoroughly enjoyed those classes in high school! I chose piano because I have done it all my life, and it feels like it is a part of my identity.I don’t think of practising piano as a chore, but rather as a daily necessity like eating lunch or taking a shower.I also really enjoy accompanying other people whether they be singers or instrumentalists, and piano is the main instrument for accompanying.Lastly, I am only at about a RCM ‘level four’ in trombone, and so it would be frustrating to work at a level that is considerably lower than the level of my piano proficiency. I enjoyed reading your responses and learning more about how your past has shaped you into the musician you are today! -Rachel
Me: Thanks for getting back to me!
It sounds like altogether you've had such a wonderful musical life! It's been really interesting getting to know about you and your musical journey! Thanks for shedding some light on your awesome experiences!
- Carole
Rachel's Conversation with Me
Rachel: Hi Carole,
I throughly enjoyed watching your 'Who am I' video. I have a few follow-up questions to ask, and I am very curious about your responses!
1. What is your family background in music? Did your parents grow up in a musical environment as well? 2.Do you think your piano background prepared you well for university? If you could go back in time, would you take piano again? 3. What do you plan on doing with your music education degree? Do you want to teach privately, in a primary school, in a high school, in a university, or in some other occupation? 4. What is your favourite memory from high school?
I look forward to hearing your responses, Rachel
Me: Thanks for your questions!
My family background in music is pretty small. Both of my parents grew up in the Philippines, where I don't believe they ever had mandatory music classes to take. My mom is a nurse, and my dad drives a bus, so neither of them are involved in music based careers. My dad was in church choir as a young adult, though he never really told me much about that time in his life.
My younger sister on the other hand is super musical! She self taught herself how to play guitar, ukulele, and piano. She's got her own Youtube channel full of covers and original songs.
I do think that my background in piano has helped me in university. I was only working on my level 5 when I quit, so I don't have too much advanced piano skills, but it definitely helped with keyharm, since I'm familiar with how your fingers should be organized on the keys. If I could go back in time, I never would have quit my piano lessons. That's one of the things I regret doing.
I've wanted to be a teacher forever, and I plan on using it to teach hopefully high school students! It was my high school teacher who really inspired me and made me love music again, so I really want to do the same for students when I'm older. I do think it would be fun to teach students privately on the side as well!
My favourite memory from high school... That would probably be our music program trip to Chicago! I got to spend a lot of time with my friends, performing and having a great time. It was one of the best experiences of my entire life!
I hope that I answered your questions thoroughly enough!
I'll be emailing you some questions about your video soon, - Carole
Conversation with Aiden
Me: Hey Aiden!
You had such an interesting about me video, it was super interesting getting to know your thoughts on music and education. I just had a few questions to ask!
1. You spoke of double majoring in music and biology, and your interest in neuroscience. Is there anything specific you are interested in doing using both your music and biology majors? 2. You had some incredible insights on music education, how do you plan on developing that friendly musical environment where children feel safe to experiment with their creativity and satiate their curiosity? 3. What were your experiences in festivals and competitions like? 4. What would you say are the most rewarding, or most memorable performances you've done with the Amabile choir?
I'm looking forward to your responses!
- Carole
Aiden: My answers to you:
1. Honestly my interests in biology are in neuroscience (specifying in migraine research) and genetics, and there isn't really a clear connection between music and either area to music.
2. I feel as though all classrooms should be a no-judge zone from other individuals, and that marking is based on growth. I plan on creating the safe environment using ideals very similar to how Jen Moir runs her Vocal Methods course. Her teaching style is very similar to my aspirational style.
3. I've never had a bad experience in festivals and competitions, simply because I never entered them with the hopes of winning, but rather the hope of learning new techniques to improve my instrument. I think this mind set created a friendlier feeling while competing because I didn't care about where I placed, but more so about the feed back. It made them more of a learning experience, rather than a flight or fight moment.
4. A few of the most rewarding performances in my opinion were the World's Figure Skating Competition where we sang the national anthems for the gold metal winners, A Stephen Schwartz concert in Roy Thompson Hall with the TSO, and John Barron's (one of the co-founders) Memorial, because it was the last time I saw Ken Fleet conduct and the music was absolutely stunning.
Thank you for your questions, they made me push my thought boundaries, which ultimately grows us as individuals.
Aiden
Aiden's Conversation with Me
Aiden: Hello Carole!
Your About Me video was incredibly inspirational as a fellow musician and student. I have some questions for you and I have the answers to your questions below!
1. I've noticed you mentioned that you started your musical journey on the piano, what about singing made you want to switch your main instrument? 2. In what ways do you plan on brining individuals joy through performing? 3. What made you realize that music was what you wanted to do with your life? 4. How do you intend on inspiring your future students? Are there any specific traditions you may set to stir up interest?
Me: It's great to hear back from you Aiden! Thanks for the questions. There was so much I wanted to include in the video I just didn't have time for.
1. I started playing piano when I was about 4 years old, I think mostly because my older cousin was playing piano and I was following what she was doing. Singing was something I had always decided to do for myself. I was the youngest in my church choir because I really wanted to be part of it. I think as I got older, I just found I didn't really care for piano as much. I felt like I was compared to a lot of other piano players, and I didn't really like the stress of having to keep up with other people. Singing is such a unique instrument in that everyone's voice sounds different, which made it easier not to compare myself to other people.
2. Singing has been one of the only ways I feel I've really been able to communicate with people. I'm not very good at talking to people and saying what I feel, but I think that if I can express my joy and my emotions to other people, hopefully that will bring them joy too. Perhaps this idea is somewhat naive? But that's what I really hope I can do for other people.
3. This is quite a lacklustre story. I've always wanted to be a teacher since I was really young, but I never knew what I wanted to teach. I did "well" in a lot of things, but nothing ever really stood out to me as something I wanted to teach to other people. Growing up, I was involved in leading singing for my church's Sunday services. One Saturday, I was practising for Sunday's service with the other people on the worship team, and I was singing to the empty sanctuary and I was so full of happiness and joy that this thought just popped into my head, "I want to do this for the rest of my life." And that's how I started my journey towards where I am now.
4. I hope I can inspire students through what inspired me! When I was in high school, my teacher ran a lot of extracurriculars that really propelled my love for music like choir and music council. My teacher also was a genuinely amazing person, and she was just a great role model that she inspired me to be the same way.
It's been really interesting getting to know you better, thank you for asking me some really awesome questions. It was really interesting trying to figure out myself by talking through some of my aspirations.