Newsletter
APRIL 2016
In This Issue
Greetings
Next Meeting
Masterclass Repertoire
Sue Demb Enrichment Awards
Annual Luncheon
Renew Your Dues
Competition Winners
NEPTA Resources
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
* * * 

Monday, April 25
9:30AM

Max Levinson

Student Master Class 
(no music sale)

* * *

Monday, May 23
9:30AM

Awards Meeting and Luncheon

Deadline to Register for the Luncheon is May 2
 


MEMBER NEWS
 
* * *  
 
CONCERT 
10-year Anniversary
Piano Duet Concert

Sunday, April 24
4PM
 
Tatyana Shrago
& Shizue Sano

Cambridge Music Consortium 
315 Broadway, Cambridge, MA

For more information: 978-771-1677 
Works by Mozart, Respighi, Dvorak, and Glenn Miller

$25 donation suggested

* * *    

BENEFIT CONCERT

for the  
Arts Endowment of the International School of Boston
 
Saturday, May 7,
8PM 
 
Paul-André Bempéchat  
 
Media Center, International School of Boston
   
 
45 Matignon Road,
Cambridge, MA
(near the Arlington line).

Chopin, Chopin and More Chopin!

 
* * *  
 
YOGA SESSIONS

Four Free Classes
Small Groups

   (3 -4 people)   
 
There is still one space available for the
4-week session that begins Wednesday May 4th
11:15AM-12:15PM  
   
For more information about other sessions contact
 Donna Gross Javel 
  [email protected]  
781-354-0170    

* * *    

WORKSHOP 

"How To Teach Improvisation to Piano Students"

Dates: In June  
(TBA based upon interest) 
Location: Nina's studio (Belmont) 
 
For more information: 
Nina Grimaldi
  857-753-8994  

* * *  

CONCERT

Solo piano recital
Wanda Paik

Friday, May 27
2:30PM
Bemis Hall
15 Bedford Road
Lincoln MA

781-259-8811
Free admission
Refreshments served

* * *   

PIANO FOR SALE  
Yamaha C7 Grand Piano 
$15,000 
To connect with owner,
contact NEPTA member
Carol Chaffee  
  [email protected] 

* * * 

PIANO FOR SALE

Yamaha Grand Piano
Model C3
Excellent Condition  Purchased in 1988 
$12,000 (price negotiable)  Contact Jan Spillane 339-298-1471

* * *  

PIANO FOR SALE


Henry Miller Grand Piano
Length: 6 foot, 10 inches
Purchased: circa 1973; rebuilt prior to this
Asking Price: $1,750
To connect with owner, contact NEPTA member
[email protected]

* * *

RECITAL SPACE AVAILABLE  
Steinway Grand Piano
Seating for 100
Lexington
Contact Inga Magid:
[email protected]


* * *

SUBMITTING MEMBER NEWS
Member News should be submitted to Donna Gross Javel by the first of each month to be included in that month's newsletter. Please see the website for further information about
APRIL GREETINGS

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Spring is finally here! That also means that some deadlines are fast approaching:
  • May 2nd is the deadline for registering for the annual luncheon which will take place right after the Awards Meeting in May. 
  • May 2nd is also the deadline for applying for one of the Sue B. Demb Enrichment Grants. 
  • May 31st is the deadline for renewing your dues.  There is a $20 late fee so please renew now.  There will be no extensions.  
The Teacher Exchange meeting this month went well:
Paul-André Bempéchat gave a wonderful presentation on Robert Schumann, his Op. 17 Fantasy and its two endings.  Information about his upcoming recital can be found in the Member News section of this newsletter.

I presented on Iyengar Yoga and its benefits for pianists.  If you would like to experience the method of Iyengar yoga first hand, please contact me.  More information can be found in the Member News section of this newsletter.   

My apologies to  Tatyana Shrago and Shizue Sano for not having sent this newsletter out before their recital date.  
   
I look forward to seeing many of you at the meeting this Monday
(April  25th) that Janet Ainsworth has organized. The repertoire that will be performed is listed in this newsletter right after Max Levinson's biographical information. 

I especially look forward to spending some time with you at the luncheon so if you haven't already registered, please do so.  It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with your colleagues and friends. Connecting with all of you is my favorite part of being NEPTA President so humor me and join us!!!
 
Warmly,
Donna Gross Javel
NEPTA President
APRIL 25 MASTER CLASS: MAX LEVINSON

Join us on Monday morning at The First Parish in Watertown for a master class with pianist Max Levinson,  Chair of the Piano Department at Boston Conservatory, and also on the faculty at New England Conservatory.
Mr. Levinson is known as an intelligent and sensitive artist with a fearless technique. Mr. Levinson's international career was launched when he won First Prize at the 1997 Dublin International Piano Competition, the first American to achieve this distinction. He is also recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Andrew Wolf Award.

He has performed as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, Detroit Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Colorado Symphony, New World Symphony, Utah Symphony, Boston Pops, San Antonio Symphony, Louisville Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, and in recital at New York's Alice Tully Hall, Washington DC's Kennedy Center, London's Wigmore Hall, Zürich's Tonhalle, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, Jordan Hall in Boston, and throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

Mr. Levinson is a graduate of Harvard University and the New England Conservatory.
REPERTOIRE FOR MASTERCLASS
Many thanks to Janet Ainsworth for organizing this meeting. The repertoire and performers are not listed in the order of performance.  Janet will provide that information at the meeting. 
 
Selected Repertoire and Students' Names
Frédéric Chopin
Scherzo No.2, in B-flat minor, Opus 31   
Andrew Lee
 
Claude Debussy
Preludes Book 2, No.3 "La Puerto del Vino"   
Ashley Chen     
                                                                                                                    
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor, Op.27, No.2  
III. Presto Agitato
Allen Wang
 
Franz Liszt
Annees de pelerinage II, S.161, No.5, Sonetto 104 del Petrarca    
Helen Huang

Teachers of participating students
Lybov Shlain ~ Helena Vesterman ~ Niva Fried ~  Luba Pyatkovskaya    
SUSAN B. DEMB ENRICHMENT AWARDS -- APPLY NOW!
 
NEPTA members have just one more week to apply for a Susan B. Demb Teacher Enrichment Grant. The Sue Demb fund was established in honor of retired member Sue Demb for the purpose of fostering teaching excellence. The deadline for application is Monday, May 2.  
 
In alternating years, two NEPTA Members are awarded up to $500 to further their professional growth and enrichment by enrolling in a continuing education course, workshop, seminar or conference in piano pedagogy.  These topics may include: 

● Teaching Basic Piano  
● Using Technology in the Studio  
● Theory or Composition  
● Eurythmics  
● Student Development Skills including Technique and Repertoire 

Eligible candidates  include board members, committee chairs and assistants or those who have volunteered in a minimum of two NEPTA events.  In addition, all applicants must have belonged to NEPTA for a minimum of two years and are active  teachers in their communities. The winners will provide a brief written report of their experiences to be published in a NEPTA newsletter and make a short  presentation at a future NEPTA teachers' exchange meeting. 

All applicants meeting the above criteria will be entered in a random drawing,  with the two winning names selected at NEPTA's annual meeting on Monday, May 23.  If you are interested in applying, please  click here  to go to the NEPTA website and download the application.  Feel free to email Lydia Reed-Guertin with questions.

Good luck to all  applicants! 
ANNUAL LUNCHEON: SIGN UP BY MONDAY MAY 2

NEPTA's annual luncheon, this year on May 23, is always a special event in which NEPTA members have a chance to relax and get to know each other. Many thanks to Nina Grimaldi who has once again organized this event for us. Don't miss out! Sign up by Monday, May 2!

WHERE
The Talk Town Restaurant
116 Main Street, Watertown, MA
(walking distance from the First Parish)

WHEN
12-2PM 
Right after the Awards Meeting

MENU
Please visit NEPTA's website for menu details and to register for the event. Special Diets can be accommodated.  If you need to make a special dietary request, you must call Nina Grimaldi before May 2 to make arrangements. Nina can be reached at 857-753-8994.

COST
$25 includes salad,  choice from a selected group of entrees, coffee or tea, and dessert.
RENEW YOUR DUES BEFORE MAY 31
NEPTA color logo
 
NEPTA is an extraordinary organization. Renew your dues now to take advantage of next year's speaker series, recital and competition programs, and many other tangible and intangible benefits too numerous to mention!

Deadline to Renew Dues: Tuesday, May 31
$50 Active and Associate Members
$30 Seniors (over 65) and Student Members
$70 Two Members In One Household (same mailing address)

Late Fee
$20 Late Fee incurred if dues are not received before May 31
(In September, the Board voted to increase the late fee from $10 to $20)

NEPTA members may renew their annual dues online at www.nepta.info through the secure PayPal site with a credit card, or members may download the registration form and mail it with a check to our interim Treasurer:
Janice Spillane
25 Riverside Drive
Reading, MA 01867

If you want your name and contact information to appear in the Membership Directory, you must renew your dues before the May 31 deadline.   This year, there will be no exceptions.

Please note that by renewing your dues early, you also help many volunteers save time. The Chair of Membership, Treasurer, President, Vice President and Board members end up having to devote more of their time to NEPTA when dues are not renewed on time. 

Do your part and help us by renewing your dues early. Thank you!
COMPETITION WINNERS

MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION WINNERS

Mildred Freiberg Middle School Competition Winners
1st prize: Gaeun Lee, student of  Veda Kogan
2nd prize: Michael Karshis, student of  Tanya Schwartzman
3rd prize: Justin Gu, Student of  Niva Fried
Honorable Mention: James Hu, student of  Marilyn Roth

Congratulations to the students and their teachers!

Our thanks go to the Middle School competition judges for their service:
Alexandra Antonacos
Wayman Chin
Jon Sakata

HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION WINNERS

Ruth Davidson Competition
1st prize:   Avik Sarkar, student of Niva Fried
2nd prize:  Sophie Chen, student of Faina Kofman 
3rd prize:   Helen Huang, student of Niva Fried 
Honorable Mention:  Ashley Chen, student of Helena Vesterman 

Alice Hamlet Senior Scholarship Competition
1st:   Michelle Chen  Dr. Nilly Epstein Shilo 

A. Ramon Rivera Contemporary Music Award
Ruth Davidson Competition: Avik Sarkar, student of Niva Fried

Congratulations to the students and their teachers!


We thank the High School Competition judges for their service:
Bruce Brubaker
Judith Gordon
Alexander Poliykov
COMPETITION CHAIRS and COMMITTEE
Victoria Sucholdolski, Chair of Middle School Competition
Many Thanks to Victoria Sucholdolski and Ranko Konishi-Houston for chairing the competitions. Many thanks also to Jia Shi and Diana Tetzlaff for their help with the competitions.
Ranko Konishi-Houston, Chair, High School Competitions

 
Jia Shi
ADULT RECITAL
Dianne Impallaria and Janice Zaganjori

Many thanks to Dianne Impallaria and J anice Zaganjori for all the time they spent in preparing the Adult Recital this year.  At the last minute the venue had to be changed and Dianne jumped right in and offered to host it.  A good time was enjoyed by all who attended. 


Adult Recital
NEPTA RESOURCES

HELP DESK FOR ALL ONLINE REGISTRATION
Diana Tetzlaff is available to talk members through the process on the phone.  She can be reached at 617-816-1777.  
Tina Liu will help members register online during the breaks of some of the NEPTA meetings.


MEMBER NEWS GUIDELINES
All Member News should be submitted according to the guidelines that are described in detail at this link to the NEPTA website.  

PROGRAM BOOKLET
Please note that the NEPTA Program Booklet that J anice Spillane produced and designed so beautifully contains all the information you need.  
 
WEBSITE
Get to know the NEPTA website!  All the information that is in the Program Booklet is on the website,  www.nepta.info.  Please note that Meeting Minutes and past issues of the NEPTA Newsletter are available on the website.  The meeting minutes are usually posted within two weeks of each meeting. 
Guidelines for submitting Member News are also on the website.  Many thanks to Caroline Ly Germeys and Sue Demb for maintaining the site and keeping it up to date. 

NEPTA NEWSLETTERS
This year, the NEPTA Newsletters will be issued every month from September through May. 

EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS
Many thanks to Eleanor Perrone our Email Communicator. She has already provided us with many important emails.

FACEBOOK PAGE 
If you are on Facebook, please 'like' our page,  New England Piano Teachers' Association. This is a public page which means that it is available to anyone in cyberspace. You are encouraged to share your news on this page and visit it to find out more about your colleagues.  
ONLY ONE GRANT-IN-AID REMAINS

 

We began the fiscal year with eight awards in the amount of $125 being available to students in need. There is now only one grant remaining for the current fiscal year (NEPTA's fiscal year runs from July 1 -June 30). To apply, a brief note from the teacher (email is acceptable) stating the family's need and reasons for financial assistance should be sent via email to  Carol ChaffeeScholarship Chair .
NEPTA'S FACEBOOK PAGE  

Remember that you can post your own up-to-the- minute concert listings and other items of interest on NEPTA's Facebook page. Visit www.facebook.com/NEPTApiano 
to see the latest news from your NEPTA friends!

YouTube videos of your performances are especially welcome.   Don't forget -- when you visit the Facebook page, click the 'Like' button!!
NEW! 8-HOUR PARKING METERS
car-sales-lot2.jpg
For NEPTA members who use the Watertown parking meters for our meetings at The First Parish:
Natacha Rist has discovered that some red parking meters, located farther away from The First Parish, accept quarters for eight and not just two hours. Check the individual meters. Thank you Natacha for saving us a trip to the parking lot to feed the meters!
The Watertown Savings Bank has strongly requested that NEPTA members do not park in the bank parking lot for NEPTA events. Please be respectful of this neighboring business and leave the free parking for its clients.  
Please be aware that Watertown has restricted parking on the side streets immediately surrounding the First Parish and thus eliminating any "free parking." 
LOST AND FOUND
A new job description has been added to the roles of President and Vice President!

The staff at the First Parish has requested that NEPTA members do not contact the church office when they leave something at a NEPTA meeting. So, please, if you leave something at the meeting, contact either Donna Gross Javel or Ranko Konishi-Houston. Better yet, look carefully around you before you leave.