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Congratulations to Lyle Prajogi for his success (BRONZE MEDAL) at the Seattle International Piano Festival's "Classical Viennese Festival!" This program draws applicants from around the world - so this is an especially sweet recognition! 
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Congratulations to all students and their families for a wonderful weekend of sharing music! Seven students filled a program at The Greens on Friday night, and then a whopping 20 performed at Saturday's recital (including one student who was live-streamed from Seattle, Washington!). From arrangements of Ode to Joy (Beethoven) and Spring (Vivaldi) to Seven Nation Army (White Stripes), Don't Stop Me Now (Queen), and Pirates of the Caribbean (arr. Radnich) to a Chopin Nocturne and two massive Beethoven Sonatas... sooooo much good music! Our goal was to make this the "best recital ever" and we just may have accomplished that. Truly, each and every one of the performers had something to say, and did so beautifully. I am proud to have studied with renowned pianists and teachers who gave me so many tools for my development that I can now pass on to the next generation. I. recently stumbled on a site called "Pianists Corner" which allows us to trace our musical roots through our teachers. If I look at the roots of my teachers it's astonishing to see the "greats" that are part of my family tree: Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Carl Czerny, Arthur Schnabel, Vladimir Horowitz, Franz Liszt, Marguerite Long, Franz Josef Haydn, Myra Hess, Arthur Rubenstein... I can trace my family tree back to Jean Philippe Rameau, who was born 300 years before me and lived before the piano was invented! I look forward to my students carrying on this musical family tree far into the future! THE CHALLENGE: click here to visit my page on Pianists Corner and explore my family tree. You'll be able to click on each teacher to learn more about their life and influence (and honestly, that's only part of the story - some of the best still only have short bios on this site... be sure to do further research, and listen to recordings, when available!). Write a short report on what you learned. Please also listen to recordings of music (if mentioning a composer) or performances (if mentioning a performer) and include this list in your report. Option for students under age 7: -Select a composer in our branches of the tree and listen to 3 pieces of music they wrote (write down the composer and pieces!) OR -Select a teacher/performer in our branches of the tree and listen to 3 recordings (write down the performer and pieces) OR -Create a visual project/drawing about our music family tree  The Musicians Way: Downloads
An fantastic collection of practice templates, assessments, and plans to make sure you are making the most of your time! 12 Tips for Memorizing Music https://colorinmypiano.com/2010/03/02/12-tips-for-memorizing-piano-music/ 
An estimated 46% of Americans have taken music lessons, with piano lessons being the most popular choice. Most quit.
At some point, every piano student encounters a struggle to stay motivated. There are several factors that will influence if they come out of it: the teacher, their goals, and their perseverance are all important. But, in my experience, the BIGGEST factor that determines whether students will stick with their piano studies is whether they love the pieces they are playing! I am uniquely suited to write for young pianists. As a pianist and composer, I know what audiences love. As a teacher, I know what students love. I grew up immersed in classical music. I studied with renowned pianists and received degrees from top programs. I have a strong foundation in theory, music history, conducting, orchestration, and of course piano literature. In grad school, I also studied psychology and learned a LOT about... well... how we learn. What motivates us. These days, I listen to music of all genres. Pop, rock, country... you name it. I draw inspiration from all of these. This project will see through the publication of 100 pieces that are unlike anything else out there! I write music for young pianists that's relevant and engaging... but challenges and inspires them to grow in their technique and artistry. I jokingly refer to these pieces as "gummy vitamins" - they're delicious but technically and artistically nutritious. They're etudes (studies) for this generation of pianists. Each piece was custom crafted for a student and has been student-tested and student-approved. You WILL want to listen to this music! Audiences who have heard these pieces have commented: "It's like something you'd hear in a movie, or on the radio." The music is relevant and it is engaging. Styles include cinematic, contemporary lyrical, Neo-Classical, Neo-Romantic, jazz/blues, and minimalist. It's been said that if your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough. This is a huge project. Composing 100 pieces is just the start (the average length of time I spend on an intermediate piece is 4-5 hours. Advanced works have taken much longer!). Alongside the music (complete with colorful and inspiring cover and musical descriptions) will be video performances, video tutorials, and audio recordings. I'm estimating that's another 4-5 hours per piece. No joke. The process looks like this:
I want to motivate piano students world-wide with music by a contemporary, female, American composer. I need YOUR help! I am eager to reach students and teachers and share 100 Pieces for Piano Prodigies with them. Thank you for supporting this project! Every dollar counts and is truly appreciated! I will be sharing progress updates and recordings as I make my way through this project. I am offering a few incentives to sweeten the deal! ALL donations I'll keep you up to date with my progress. You'll get to see behind-the-scenes of the work, hear the recordings, etc. $25 or more: Zoom Concert and Q&A Attend a Zoom concert and Q&A during which I play selections, share backstories, and address your questions about the pieces or process. $50 or more: 25 Pieces Digital Music OR 5 Yoga Classes (+ Zoom Concert and Q&A) Choose to receive sheet music for 25 pieces or attend 5 "Yoga for Musicians & Friends" classes. I am a "RYT200" yoga teacher and lead yoga each summer at the Intermuse International Music Institute and Festival. I will lead 5 live classes through Zoom (approx. 30 minutes/class). No prior experience necessary. Classes will focus on balance, posture, and awareness of breath and tension. And... at the end of each class, I'll play one of my compositions! Pledge $100 or more: 50 Pieces Digital Music (+ Zoom Concert and Q&A) When the compositions are complete, you will receive digital files to 50 pieces! Pledge $200 or more: 100 Pieces Digital Sheet Music (+ Zoom Concert and Q&A) When the compositions are complete, you will receive digital files to all 100 pieces AND an autographed hard-copy compilation. Pledge $500 or more: Sponsorship Package Help me get this music in the hands of teachers and students around the world! We will send digital AND an autographed hard-copy compilation of all 100 pieces to a music program in the USA or abroad (I have several I've worked with but am open to your suggestions) This will be donated on your behalf. I will also offer a Zoom masterclass free-of-charge to that school, good through July 2022. AND, I will perform a private Zoom concert for you and up to 25 friends! About Me As a pianist, I have enjoyed a vibrant career, performing as a soloist in 35 countries worldwide since my childhood (I first went on tour at age nine!). I have developed expertise in how to enchant an audience; capturing their attention within the first few notes and then taking them on a musical journey that leaves them inspired. I have performed masterpieces by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and many other composers and intimately understand the theory and structure of successful composers. I have recorded critically-acclaimed CDs and DVDs as a soloist and collaborative pianist. I hold degrees from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington, Trinity College of Music in London, and Towson University. As a teacher, I have taught ALL ages and levels of students. I have enjoyed working with advanced students at universities and conservatories and given masterclasses in Cuba, Lithuania, Germany, China, Poland, and throughout the USA. I have worked with outstanding young musicians at the Intermuse International Music Institute and Festival. Since 2008, a huge part of my career has been focused on developing the talents of pre-college students. I founded Piano Prodigies LLC in 2011. I consider myself a successful teacher, not just because several of my students have been successful in competitions or pursued careers in music (earning full scholarships to college along the way), but because my students of all aspirations have loved their studies. I take pride in establishing a strong rapport with my students and their families and serving as their musical mentor for years (see testimonials). As a composer, I have written for piano, trio, and orchestra. My compositions have been performed by international orchestras including the Tianjin Philharmonic (China), Šiauliai Chamber Orchestra (Lithuania), King David String Ensemble (Israel), and the Cumanayagua Concert Orchestra (Cuba). My composition "In Memoriam" was premiered at the 2013 Pažaislis Music Festival in Kaunas, Lithuania on June 14 under the patronage of the President of Lithuania. I have had several works commissioned, and am the 2021 New Hampshire Music Teachers Association commissioned composer. |
AboutElizabeth Borowsky is a pianist, teacher, and composer. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano (Music Teachers National Association). 
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