Meet Yamaha Master Educator Mirian Conti
Mirian Conti is part of the faculty of the Evening Division of The Juilliard School in New York City.
Referencing her own performance experience, Conti tells students that to succeed as a solo pianist they must be ready to perform at any moment. Her main priority is helping students achieve technical proficiency and better interpretative skills while observing a strict approach to the composers’ instructions.
When speaking to educators, Conti describes the piano as a centuries-old friend who’s been there through the happy and nostalgic moments, always filling us with emotion. Understanding the importance of keyboard pedagogy for the future of music education, she says, “Scientifically speaking, learning the piano — and music in general — helps to develop the parts of the child’s brain that pertain to the functions of coordination, speed and sensitivity, thus speeding up the learning process.”
Conti’s understanding of community and the need for a support system is ingrained into her work with educators and students alike. “Always be grateful to those who helped you start your life and career,” she says. “We cannot do this alone. We need each other. The solo pianist needs family, friends, sponsors, teachers, an audience. We become successful because of all the help and support we received throughout our life. We must be always grateful for that.”
Conti speaks from personal experience to prepare students for the journey ahead, thankful for her “thoughtful and supportive” husband who understood the sacrifices and struggles that can accompany a successful performance career.
Some of Mirian Conti’s session titles are:
- “Children’s World,” which explores unusual piano works through the eyes and ears of composers’ memories of childhood.
- “The Americas,” a selection of North and South American piano literature from the 18th to 21st centuries.
- “Chopin Complete Mazurkas,” a two-day session of the Chopin Mazurkas, a must in every classical pianist’s repertoire.
- “The Spanish Piano,” which explores the passionate, exuberant and variety of dances and rhythms of the masters from the Baroque period to the 20th century.
- “From Tangos to Mazurkas,” a panoramic view of classical tangos, habaneras and mazurkas, laced with Baroque gems, and their influence on other genres of music.
- Various piano literature courses that can be produced on demand or custom made for different levels of students. Courses include: “The Spanish Piano,” “The Russian Piano,” “The French Piano,” “The American Piano,” “The Evolution of Tango.” Coni also has courses on composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Haydn, Liszt, Mozart, Poulenc, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Saint-Saens, Schubert and Schumann.
To learn more about clinics by Mirian Conti, please contact Jalissa Gascho at jgascho@yamaha.com.
Photo by Grendel Foto, Argentina