52: Jeff Nations on Teaching the Taubman Approach to Adult Learners

11/18/24 • 26 min

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.

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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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 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.

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51: Jason Gallagher on Learning and Teaching the Taubman Approach

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You are going to love this episode with Jason Gallagher.
Here is Jason's background in his own words:
I've always loved piano. Ever since I was a kid, I loved all the different sounds the piano could make. From the blues to rock to the classics, I played everything.

As I got older and more serious, I realized there were things I couldn’t do. When I tried to play the music I loved, it hurt. I had pains in my wrists, and there were many techniques my body refused to do. I decided to go to college for music because I knew I had limits, and I wanted to go past them.

After getting a Bachelor’s and a Master’s, I play well. Professional level. I’ve studied with masters such as Phyllis Lehrer, Ingrid Clarfield, and Robert Durso, and I’ve overcome every difficulty I ever had. Thanks to that, I love piano more as an adult than I ever did as a child.

Here’s the thing:

A lot of what I learned in college can be learned in high school. Middle school. Even elementary school! I can prevent your child from having to face many of these difficulties. I can show your child short cuts to playing the music of their dreams. Because I went through those struggles, I know what to look for, and I know how to fix it.

No matter what your child wants to do with music, I am on the lookout for ways to help them succeed. Yes, everyone believes in hard work, but hard work simply isn’t enough. You need a guide who knows how to get results from that effort. My students have won top awards that led them to performances at Carnegie Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center, and Gill Memorial Chapel.

You can find more information about Jason's studio at:
https://jasonwgallagher.com/