A new piano class at 草莓社区 is not only educational, but therapeutic. Chi Nguyen is in the vanguard of the adult group piano class, which started its first seven-week session in August 2014. A graduate of James Madison University and Florida State University, Nguyen began teaching private lessons at EMU in August 2013.
When the preparatory music department wanted to expand its course offerings, Nguyen began looking for grants. The eventually awarded two digital pianos to launch the weekly lessons for adults. EMU bought two more to outfit a full classroom.
Most of Nguyen’s students are over 50 years old, and join the class because such an activity is 鈥渙n my bucket list.鈥� Nine students enrolled in the first session, with more on the roster for upcoming terms. Many have some instrumental experience from earlier in life, and want to build on previous skills for personal recreation or church participation.
For Barbara Feichtinger, from nearby New Market, the class is 鈥渏ust fabulous.鈥� Like all students, Feichtinger is free to drop the course or take session breaks every seven weeks, but she can鈥檛 imagine doing that.
鈥淚’m just inspired to move on,鈥� she says.
director says that part of the department鈥檚 mission is 鈥渢o provide music education for everyone.鈥� For adults who want to learn an instrument, but may be intimidated by one-on-one instruction or prefer more social interaction, group lessons are 鈥渁 low-key way of doing that鈥� and also less expensive than private lessons, she says.
Each weekly class begins with stretching to classical music.
鈥淭hat’s one of the reasons why they come and take piano,鈥� says Nguyen. 鈥淭hey want to be relaxed.鈥�
After reviewing techniques taught in previous sessions, the group progresses to playing songs together.
鈥淭he group class really meets a need for adults,鈥� says Miller.
Feichtinger agrees. 鈥淲e all started with music when we were young,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲e know the value of music, and how therapeutic it is 鈥� I really need therapy this year, so I came back to the piano!鈥� Outside of the class, Feichtinger practices her mother’s old 鈥淒eep Purple鈥� sheet music for entertainment.
Eventually, the preparatory music department would like to partner with local institutions, such as , that 鈥減rovide opportunities for development of the person,鈥� says Miller.
Music can provide healing and a constructive mode of expression, she adds.
鈥淚 love it!鈥� says Nguyen, who hopes to attract EMU students and more local adults to the program. 鈥淎fter classes, I am still full of that teaching energy.鈥�