Inside the Taubman Approach

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For more information on Jeff Nations visit: www.jeffnations.net

Born in Kyoto Japan and raised in North Carolina, pianist Jeff Nations began studying at the age of eight and playing professionally by the age of sixteen, performing in local establishments in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Actively competing by the age of twelve, he was the recipient of numerous awards, and by age 17 was the first prize winner in the Young Artist Competition held by the Raleigh Piano Teachers' Association. The next year he took first prize in the Concerto Division of the same competition, performing the final movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto in G minor.

He was a finalist in the Sanford Scholarship Competition to attend The North Carolina School of the Arts, where his teachers were Marian Hahn and Robert McDonald. While attending NCSA, Mr. Nations was a member of the ONYX Contemporary Ensemble, under which he premiered his own work "Night Fantasy" for solo piano (not to be confused with the work by Elliot Carter of the same title).

Upon graduating from NCSA with the prestigious Irwin Freundlich Award in Piano, he was offered a scholarship to study with pianist David Bradshaw in New York City.

He has performed in various cities throughout the U.S., including New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Antonio, as well as throughout North Carolina and Ohio. His Philadelphia performances include recitals at The Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany, The Ethical Society of Philadelphia, The Fleischer Art Memorial, Jacob's Music, and The Karin Fuller Capanna Memorial Concert at the Settlement Music School.

A classical artist who is accomplished in a variety of musical genres including popular idioms, musical theater, and gospel, he has consistently endeavored to break through barriers that have often stood between the classical musician and the public. From 1995 to 1998 he was a regular pianist for The Philadelphia Gospel Seminars Choir and the Villanova Gospel Choir.

Recognized for his performances of works by American composers, he has collaborated extensively with Soprano Diana Barnhart and has also served as Artistic Ambassador for the United States Government, performing in over twenty recitals in countries throughout the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Oman and Egypt as well as conducting master classes at the Cairo and Alexandria Conservatories.

He has lectured on the Taubman Approach and since 1998 has been studying the Taubman Approach with Robert Durso, Senior Faculty Member of The Golandsky Institute.

A former faculty member of the Settlement Music School, Mr. Nations now teaches privately in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

This Summer, Edna Golandsky, renowned pedagogue and leading expert on the Taubman Approach will release her first book with Amplify Publishing Group. Entitled ‘The Taubman Approach To Piano Technique: A Comprehensive Guide To Overcome Physical Limitations and Unlock Your Full Pianistic Potential.’ Visit: www.ednagolandsky.com to learn more.

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.
Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

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Vincent Wong is a dedicated music educator and pianist, specializing in piano improvisation. With a deep belief in the transformative power of improvisation, Wong is committed to providing students with a holistic approach to learning music.

With a rich musical background, Wong has honed his skills through extensive experience and training. He has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned musicians and ensembles in diverse genres, including classical, baroque, contemporary, and non-classical music.

Notable recent productions showcasing Wong's musical prowess include his involvement in the successful arrangements for "Animenz" and the Hong Kong Doujin Philharmonia in 2023. He also participated in the post music production of the movie”Still Human". Wong's compositions have been recognized and he has served as a member of CASH in Hong Kong. He worked as a media composer at Hong Kong TML Media.

As an educator, Wong brings a wealth of teaching methods and experiences to his students. He has completed ANCOS Orff music and movement education level courses level 1, studied the Dalcroze method under Joseph Reizer, and participated in a Dalcroze workshop at Carnegie Mellon University. Wong's expertise extends to teaching music in Montessori kindergartens and serving as a lecturer in Montessori teacher training programs. In fact, he was invited to speak at the Montessori Asia conference in Hong Kong in 2017, where he shared his unique approach to music education.

Wong's commitment to fostering creativity and musical expression through piano improvisation is evident in his teaching philosophy. By imparting the skills and techniques of improvisation, Wong empowers his students to explore their own musicality and develop a deep connection to their instrument.

Wong holds a Master of Education from Hong Kong Baptist University, having previously earned a first-honor Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the same institution. His passion for music sparked at a young age when he began playing the piano at six years old. Throughout his musical journey, Wong has been privileged to study under esteemed instructors such as Mr. Shi Jing Lin, Miss Kwok Ting, Mr. Raymond Young, and Mrs. Nancy Loo. Currently, Wong continues to enhance his musical knowledge and skills through his studies of the Taubman Approach with Mary Moran.

Vincent's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@backtozero40
Vincent's YouTube channel that specializes in improvisation: https://www.youtube.com/@vwmusic3456
Vincent's Studio Website: https://sumszemas.com/

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.
Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

Send us a text

You are going to love today's episode! Barbara Banacos is an inspiration.
As a young pianist, she endured an injury that manifested itself as a form of dystonia. This is significant because it is not well-understood in the medical community. The Taubman Approach can help you if you are struggling with a devastating injury. Some of us are experiencing devastating injuries in regards to playing the piano. We are here to help! Go to Golandskyinstitute.org and we will get you connected to a teacher to help you.

If you could list my website and social media in the show notes I'd greatly appreciate it!
Website: www.barbarabanacos.com
Instagram.com/barbara.banacos
Facebook: Barbara Banacos Piano Studio
youtube.com/@barbarabanacos
Barbara Banacos is the daughter of world-renowned jazz educator Charlie Banacos and pianist/educator Margaret Banacos. She began teaching in her mother's studio in 1997. Ms. Banacos teaches children and adults from beginner to advanced levels with a focus on classical music and offers advanced technical training in the Taubman Approach.

While completing her undergrad and graduate degrees in music from CUNY Hunter College, Ms. Banacos ran a private studio in Millburn/Short Hills, NJ and taught at Montclair State University Preparatory School. Since returning to the Boston area in 2003, Ms. Banacos teaches in-home private lessons in Lexington and Winchester, MA and at her home studio in Hamilton, MA. She has also taught remotely since 2010, reaching students as far away as Malaysia and New Zealand.

One of only three teachers in the Boston area certified in the Taubman Approach, Ms. Banacos has studied with Robert Durso of the Golandsky Institute since 1997. She is certified at the Associate level with the Golandsky Institute, is adjunct faculty for their annual summer symposiums at Princeton University and has led their support groups for many years. She has presented lectures on piano technique at the Golandsky Institute Boston Workshops and was invited to teach at the Danilo Pérez Foundation in Panama, assisting Edna Golandsky. Check out the Golandsky Institute and info/videos about the Taubman Approach here. Other significant teachers include Edna Golandsky, Charlie Banacos, Garry Dial and Lefteris Kordis.

Ms. Banacos has performed as a soloist, accompanist and in numerous piano duos with her favorite duet partner, Margaret Banacos.

(If you are looking to study the lessons of Charlie Banacos via online lessons taught by Garry Dial, click here for more information or inquire by emailing Barbara at [email protected])

This Summer, Edna Golandsky, renowned pedagogue and leading expert on the Taubman Approach will release her first book with Amplify Publishing Group. Entitled ‘The Taubman Approach To Piano Technique: A Comprehensive Guide To Overcome Physical Limitations and Unlock Your Full Pianistic Potential.’ Visit: www.ednagolandsky.com to learn more.

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.
Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

Send us a text

In 2022, I (Benjamin Harding) had a podcast entitled, Piano Explored. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Edna Golandsky. My life has forever been changed. And so - today's episode is rather personal for me.
This interview changed my life and I know it will have an affect on you as you listen.
Here are the show notes from that particular episode.
I hope you gain a glimpse into the great work that the Golandsky Institute is doing for musicians and especially, pianists. Founded by my guest today, Edna Golandsky, the Golandsky Institute has given insight to millions into how to play the piano pain-free.
Edna Golandsky is one of the premiere students of Dorothy Taubman. Visit her websites listed in the descriptions below.
Edna Golandsky is a world-renowned piano pedagogue and the leading exponent of the Taubman Approach. She has earned wide acclaim throughout the United States and abroad for her pedagogical expertise, and for using the Taubman piano technique. She is also known for her extraordinary ability to solve technical problems and for her penetrating musical insight.

​Ms. Golandsky started piano study in Israel at the age of eight. A gifted pianist, she played recitals at the age of ten and was performing with orchestras by the age of twelve. Ms. Golandsky came to the United States when she was sixteen years old, and was immediately accepted to the Juilliard School in their Preparatory Division.

She remained at Juilliard for the next eight years, studying with Jane Carlson, Rosina Lhevinne and Adele Marcus, and graduating with bachelor and master’s degrees in piano performance.

​She has been featured in The New York Times,Classical Music UK, Authority Magazine, Piano & Keyboard Magazine, The Clavier Companion, New Work Weekly, Thrive Global and has written for The Strad, Interlude, TopMusic, Piano Marvel, and The Cross-Eyed Pianist among others.

The Golandsky Institute was established in 2003 by Edna Golandsky, John Bloomfield, Robert Durso and Mary Moran to bring high-level training in the Taubman Approach to the musical community. This Approach has proven to be highly effective in the resolution of technical limitations and playing-related injuries. The aim of the Institute is to provide musicians with a foundation that allows for full artistic expression and the development of virtuosic technical ability.
The work of the Golandsky Institute is presented internationally through private instruction, lectures, master classes, workshops, performances and symposiums by a team of expertly trained faculty members and teachers who are all highly regarded in their own right. In addition, the Institute produces critically acclaimed learning materials, including several series of DVDs, a photo-r

This Summer, Edna Golandsky, renowned pedagogue and leading expert on the Taubman Approach will release her first book with Amplify Publishing Group. Entitled ‘The Taubman Approach To Piano Technique: A Comprehensive Guide To Overcome Physical Limitations and Unlock Your Full Pianistic Potential.’ Visit: www.ednagolandsky.com to learn more.

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.
Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

Send us a text

Grammy award winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with many of the leading artists of our time including Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. Born in New York City, Charlap began playing the piano at age three. His father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and his mother is singer Sandy Stewart, who toured with Benny Goodman, and was a regular on the Perry Como show. She earned a 1963 Grammy nomination for her recording of “My Coloring Book." In 2005, Charlap and Stewart released the acclaimed CD, Love Is Here To Stay (Blue Note).
In 1997, Charlap formed his trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. In 2000, he was signed to Blue Note Records and received two Grammy Award nominations, for Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein and The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard. He is known for his interpretations of American popular song.. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved...no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” In 2016, Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining, The Songs of Jerome Kern, was awarded a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album. In April, the Bill Charlap Trio released, Notes from New York, their debut recording for the Impulse label. Alan Morrison's five-star review in Down Beat stated that the new recording is "a masterclass in class."
In 2019, Charlap will be celebrating his 15th year as Artistic Director of New York City’s Jazz in July Festival at 92Y. He has produced concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Chicago Symphony Center and the Hollywood Bowl. Charlap is married to renowned jazz pianist and composer Renee Rosnes, and the two artists often collaborate in a duo piano setting. In 2010 Charlap and Rosnes released Double Portrait (Blue Note). Bill Charlap is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.
https://www.billcharlap.com/

This Summer, Edna Golandsky, renowned pedagogue and leading expert on the Taubman Approach will release her first book with Amplify Publishing Group. Entitled ‘The Taubman Approach To Piano Technique: A Comprehensive Guide To Overcome Physical Limitations and Unlock Your Full Pianistic Potential.’ Visit: www.ednagolandsky.com to learn more.

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.
Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.