On-screen commentary from pianist Joshua Piper during YouTube ballet class
When I first learned to drive, I read a book about the police driving test, in which you had to do a “commentary drive,” which involves describing to the examiner…
RIP John O’Brien
RIP John O'Brien, dear friend and wonderful teacher, to whom I owe everything as a pianist in ballet, died yesterday, 11th May 2019.
Music in “Where Snowflakes Dance and Swear” by Stephen Manes
I bought Where Snowflakes Dance and Swear when it first came out in 2011: I didn’t particularly want to read it (because I spend enough time in this world at…
Ivor Guest Trainee Pianist at The Royal Ballet (paid 9 month contract)
Delighted to see that the Royal Ballet have launched a 9-month paid position for a trainee pianist at the Royal Opera House, named in memory of Ivor Guest. Please pass…
“Ballerinas in the church hall”—Virginia Taylor’s thesis online
Joyce Kilmer thought she would never see a poem as lovely as a tree; well, I’m pretty sure I will never see a thesis as lovely as Virginia Taylor’s “Ballerinas…
Judith Espinosa, the fishermen’s wives and the waltz
As allegro was about to begin during a ballet class yesterday, I started to smirk thinking about something I’d read in Derek Parker’s fascinating book, The First 75 Years of…