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El Cerrito “Sushi” cat is a match for Aiden (Videos)

Aiden took the prize for his mini-choreography of Chopin's C# minor Waltz, http://youtu.be/v38sPHrPSP0 but "Sushi" outdistanced him with an impressive break dance routine on the kitchen floor. http://youtu.be/Z76zHeM2Qwk "Sushi," the house cat in El Cerrito, is always on the move--resistant to stay on the grand piano, or to teeter by the bathroom sink. Aiden, however,… Continue reading El Cerrito “Sushi” cat is a match for Aiden (Videos)

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My First Skyped Piano lesson from California to Oregon

I must say I was skeptical going into this until I watched the Skype screen enlarge an 8-year old to nearly life-size proportion as she sat comfortably at her piano. Her dad, a tech savvy parent with an ability to guide me through the basics of Skyping, was co-director with his web cam weaving around… Continue reading My First Skyped Piano lesson from California to Oregon

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The Life of a Cat on April Fool’s Day

There's no doubt who's King of the Castle with his Keyboard Crown. What else would I expect? He really wanted the whole piano bench to himself: How did he manage to sneak off with my sneakers? They weren't there the last I saw them. He's decided I can't go anywhere without him. Better yet, he… Continue reading The Life of a Cat on April Fool’s Day

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DREAM PIANO: Overview and Acknowledgments

My two-year long romp on the piano finding trail with York as my professional companion and consultant had been worth all the time spent in, around and under pianos. How else would I have acquired knowledge about the piano’s harp, or cast iron plate were it not for his having the bravado to dismantle it… Continue reading DREAM PIANO: Overview and Acknowledgments

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Behind the Locked Gate!

Have you ever been a prisoner in your own home? I was, after my return to Fresno from El Cerrito where I had my second piano studio. My brand new custom-made cedar gate that enclosed my front patio, had endured three days of continuous Valley showers while I was gone. In the aftermath, it just… Continue reading Behind the Locked Gate!

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Aiden the Cat Swoons over Chopin’s music (on You Tube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5MLPxKFl2c I was joined by a surprise visitor while videotaping myself playing the Chopin Waltz in A minor, a composition discovered long after the composer's death. (Cataloged as "Opus Posthumous") I had been tirelessly recording the piece for about 20 times in the sanctity of my piano room, while Aiden had been shuttled off to… Continue reading Aiden the Cat Swoons over Chopin’s music (on You Tube)

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A musical match made in heaven, Aiden cat and Claudia in purrr-fect harmony

This evening Aiden decided to share star billing with 8 year old Claudia. It was an encore of sorts, since my student had just completed her lesson and was packing up her music books. Out of  nowhere my angel cat made a soft landing on the piano bench and beckoned Claudia with his serene expression… Continue reading A musical match made in heaven, Aiden cat and Claudia in purrr-fect harmony

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Aiden, the Cat Rules!

Aiden rules! He steals my attention at the top of each day. At the peep of dawn he scratches the frig door for his scoop of Solid Gold wet food and he meows incessantly until I traipse out of my bedroom to feed him. Aiden prefers his genetically unaltered lamb served 6 seconds out of… Continue reading Aiden, the Cat Rules!