Please note that the April General Meeting will be at the Rolling Meadows Library. The newsletter sent earlier today had the wrong location. | | |
APRIL PROGRAM - DR. KOEUN GRACE LEE
NAVIGATING HYPERMOBILITY: ASSISTING YOUNG PIANISTS WITH DOUBLE-JOINTED FINGERS
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Presentation Description
Identifying and monitoring hypermobility (also known as double-jointedness) early on is crucial for effectively addressing its implications in piano practice and performance. For example, maintaining a rounded hand shape and curved fingers can be challenging, or even impossible, for students with hypermobility. This presentation explores the intricacies of being 'double-jointed' and offers practice tips through selected exercises and repertoire.
Presenter Biography
South Korean native Koeun Grace Lee is an accomplished performer, educator, and conference lecturer. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Music in Piano and Piano Pedagogy, as well as an Artist Diploma from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Dr. Lee has performed at numerous venues, including the New Music Chicago Presents Series, Roosevelt University, and the College Music Society national conferences, among many others throughout her career. Her performance of Korean composer Jean Ahn’s Folksong Revisited was aired on WFMT’s Music in Chicago in 2021 and 2023. Her debut album, Variations on a Theme by Stefan Wolpe and Other Selected Piano Works, released in 2023, has been featured on classical music radio and webcasts such as WWFM, WMBR, and WFMT, to name a few. Most recently, she presented at the 2024 ISMTA conference, 2025 MTNA national conference, and will present at 2025 NCKP: The Piano Conference.
Dr. Lee is a piano instructor at the Harper College Community Music and Arts Center and serves as the pianist at Community Church of Barrington and in the Chicago area. She is an active member of the College Music Society, Music Teachers National Association, New Music Chicago, Suzuki Association of the Americas, and American Musicological Society.
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Hello NWSMTA members!
Thank you to those who spent time with me brainstorming on how to make our Teachers Musicale a more accessible event for teachers to participate. After several attempts, I was not able to make arrangements for it to be held on a weekend date. The Teacher's Musicale will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, 10:00am at St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Barrington. Register via email to SuZane Ray at suzaneray@suraymusic.com. Registration deadline is Monday, April 21, 2025. Come share your joy of music with fellow musicians. Even if you are not able to perform, come join the fun and meet other teachers!
Looking forward,
SuZane Ray
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Celebrating a very active and successful year among NWSMTA friends and colleagues awaits us as we meet on Monday, May 12th for our annual May Luncheon. The business meeting begins first at 10:45.
The selected venue is “Cafe Fourteen”, 300 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. It is located directly across from Wendy’s, on the West side of Northwest Highway.
You will have an option of choosing a breakfast or lunch menu item. The generous portions are delicious with attractive presentation and attentive service …… all at a reasonable price! Mark your calendar now and plan to come and join the celebration.
Contact Marcia Rudin (847-502-6197) for more information or if you have a question.
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Dear NWSMTA members,
I was searching for some information on the web, when the words, “Interactive Metronome” came up. I usually ignore the prompts that seem to be listening to my private conversations. How do they know you are looking for a new watch, refrigerator, etc.? But this time I thought of the students that hate working with a metronome. Perhaps “interactive” meant the metronome would be the next breakthrough in a way to encourage students to practice with the metronome. I held my breath as I waited two seconds for the internet to lead me to a dream come true.
Then I was puzzled. It took me to a list of Dr. Robert Melillo’s podcasts. I have watched many of his podcasts and believe he has been able to comprehend what many parents, and even specialists in the field of brain development are missing. Dr. Melillo has written several books and has multiple degrees dealing with brain research. He differs from others who have written on the topic, because his question is always, “But why does the brain do that?” It is always fascinating. But WHY did the subject of a metronome pull up his name?
It seems he believes “timing” is one of the things people must develop to get brains to function well on both left and right hemispheres together. Now I was hooked… I will include Dr. Robert Melillo’s information at the end of the article. Please check him out for new insight into brain development, as well as Dyslexia, autism, ADHD, OCD, etc. I know that many of us have students who deal with these challenges. You may wish to pass the information on to someone.
I started my search with Matt Wukasch who was the engineer of the Interactive Metronome. The story of how it came to be is touching. Here is the link to it. https://youtu.be/Tz5Y6n3V34I
The “Interactive Metronome” exercises involve using a computer-generated beat to synchronize hand, foot, and head movements, aiming to improve attention, coordination, and timing. This is used in therapy to address conditions like ADHD, autism, and other neurological disorders. Sensors are used to track movements and provides visual and auditory feedback to help participants stay on the beat. The participants are instructed to move their hands, feet, or head in time with the beat. The exercises are typically repetitive, with the tempo and difficulty level gradually increasing over time.
Exercises used are …
- Clapping with the beat, either with both hands or alternating hands.
- Moving hands in circular motions, synchronizing the movements with the beat.
- Tapping feet in time with the beat, either with both feet or alternating feet.
- Combining hand and foot movements, or incorporating head movements with the beat.
The benefits are …
- To help participants focus their attention and resist distractions.
- Improved motor coordination and motor planning.
- Improved sense of timing and rhythm.
- It may also improve cognitive skills such as speed and memory.
This can help individuals with ADHD, by improving attention, focus, and impulse control.
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by enhancing social skills, communication, and sensory processing.
Individuals with Speech and Language Disorders, by assisting in improving speech rhythm, fluency, and auditory processing.
Individuals with Brain Injuries or Neurological Disorders, by aiding in recovery by enhancing motor and cognitive function.
Some of the exercises used are Both Hands.
For videos of "Interactive Metronome" in practice, check out https://youtu.be/5MebDQAhkP4
For videos of Dr. Robert Melillo and information on “why” the problem exists and how it can be helped, check out
https://youtu.be/x14DPCiZ_Oc
Deborah Lynch
Newsletter Editor
| | Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association | https://www.nwsmta.org | | | | |
