I have the privilege to work with a 6-year-old child with special needs, whose prognosis was not optimistic. When everyone looked at the things he couldn’t do, as a teacher and a concert pianist with over fifty years of experience, I looked at the things he CAN do. The effect of positive feedback improved his confidence, his language and social skills. I witnessed the transformation of a child who wouldn’t say his name when asked, to a child who could carry on a conversation for half an hour, in a short 12 months of time. I couldn’t have been happier when his parents mentioned that his skills are carried over into academic and other social environments, too. It always delights me when children progress and eagerly show an interest in learning.

After a year’s work, the child I described above has finished two Instruction books, is now into his third book, is reading his music, entered the National Piano Playing Auditions with 10 memorized pieces and received a “Superior” rating (this competition places each entrant in competition only with himself, on a yearly basis with benefit of an impartial, highly experienced judge), lay notes on the piano and, without his having watched which notes you played, he can tell you which notes you played. He has also learned how to sing on pitch.

My work with students centers on bringing out the hidden potential in each of them. I know that children are not defined by their labels, but by their abilities. All too often, the labels and the abilities are not the same at all! If an adult or a child believes that the limitations of a label define who he or she is, then everything is approached with implied boundaries. In fact, there can actually be an allegiance to the boundaries of a label! How dare we lock all doors and windows of the mind, simply to salute the limitations imposed by a label?

I have seen what can happen when a student is successfully communicated with gets it, then goes on to experience “I can do this!” and “I can do this well!” This is one of the most worthwhile endeavors ever! Why? Because this is a window of self that has been opened and I have witnessed how the opening of one window, can open other windows within a person. The doors which ultimately do open for such a person, I believe, are quite different from those originally anticipated, which a label would have imposed. The greatest secret that enables success is communicating with that part of a person which is perfectly fine, and doing so from the very beginning! Developing independence of the fingers (along with their power) can be a fun challenge with surprising results.

Currently, many of us have serious challenges when it comes to maintaining attention spans. In my opinion, the dependence upon excessive hours of entertainment (TV, videos...etc.) successfully feeds this condition. This passive use of time engages a part of us that craves excitement and only wants more. It does little for the development of our minds and afterwards, what do we have to show for all of the hours of “gluing to a screen?” So, one can excel in viewing? How in the world does this build one’s confidence to know “I can do” and “I can do it well?” Does it not seem that we have created an ever-increasing class of spectators? Fortunately, some of us are realizing that the road to creating the doers, the innovators and the builders in life cannot co-exist with the hypnosis and programming of those whose sole aim is to control one’s mind.

The study of music and learning to play the piano well is a process of self-discovery, self-discipline, imagination, intuition, empathy, communication and sharing. It actually can build a healthy regard for self to include a healthy sense of humor! I delight in the opportunities to share my music with people. I also appreciate the opportunities to help others on their respective musical journeys. To me, these are exciting and worthwhile endeavors, for each of us never stops learning! In the spirit of actualizing your potential, I look forward to being of assistance to you or someone you love. 

Respectfully yours,

Andrea Marsavonian
(214) 387-7703