5 Piano teachers tune up - for new semester by Betty Barton Acclaimed pianist, teacher and author Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco was in Terrace last week to con- - duct a free piano clinic and to see a Kermode bear, The clinic was held at the Northwest Academy of Performing Arts and was spon- sored by Sight & Sound and the Northwest Academy. Dr. Lethco, who has travelled extensively in Canada, is an avid animal lover and had read about the Kermode _bear in a tourism magazine. Dr. Lethco says, "I consider myself a conduit for productive musical time spent with kids, whether they pursue it pro- fessionally or just for personal enjoyment. It takes one out of oneself." Dr. Lethco is an ambassador of musical learning, with vivacious and enthusiastic presentations illuminated by anecdotes. For the past 14 years, Dr. Lethco has been the head of the piano pedagogy (the theory of how to teach) program at the University of Texas at Austin. Before she had a family, she taught at Northwestern University in Chicago and Julliard in New York. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in piano per- formance and music education, a Master’s in piano performance and a Doctor of Humanities. She’ has been a clinician for the Music Teachers’ National Association on local, state and national levels and has conducted seminars and lec- tures around the world. The piano clinic held in Terrace was attended by 30 piano instruc- tors from Kitimat, Hazelton, Kit- wanga, Prince Rupert and Terrace. It was designed specifically for professional teachers and pedagogy students to learn about the new teaching method called Alfred’s Basic Piano Library. Dr. Lethco is one of the three authors of this program. She explains that she and her two co-authors write by con- sensus and that each of them brings different skills and perspec- tives to the writing and teaching process. While the course has a number of proven techniques for teaching piano to young and adult beginners (multi-key approach, reading key intervals), it also includes many innovative devices especially designed for the students of the 1990’s. Concepts are overlaid in highly honed succession, so that the learning is comprehensive, methodical and fun. Dr. Lethco advocates keeping the students interested and stimulated from lesson to lesson. She feels verbalization and ear training are "magical". And she says that once the students have the feel of a gesture, they’re well on their way to playing the piano. She often asks her students if she can ’play piano’ on their arm, so that they can actually feel the gesture. Dr. Lethco believes that instruc- tors should “have them (the stu- dents) make music. while they learn music and acquire skills that are transferrable to other pieces." Alfred’s is the largest publisher of educational music materials in the United States, with its head offices in Los Angeles. It presently publishes its educational materials in English, French and Japanese and plans soon to expand to Spanish language programs. Dr. Lethco feels, "education is the best investment. I should know; I educated five children." Her mother was also a fine pianist and felt it important to offer that opportunity to her children. Amanda, the fourth child, was offered piano lessons. "I am very glad I practised as a little girl. Music and teaching have enriched my life." ; At the end of Dr. Lethco’s com- prehensive, half-day workshop, Marilyn Kerr of Sight & Sound presented her with a photograph of a Terrace Kermode bear in the wild. Dr. Lethco had wanted to visit the Terrace 200. When she found out we didn’t have one, she said she didn’t care where she had to go to see a Kermode bear. So, she was escorted out to the Terrace dump the previous evening and was thrilled to see three black bears and one large Kermode bear. Upon her departure, she said, "I’ve had a great time. Hope you ‘have, too," Terrace Review — Wednesday, August-29, 1990 B13 Dr. Amanda Vick Lethco: Music and teaching have enriched my life. Summer ends for theatre students by Betty Barton Last Friday evening Terrace Little Theatre Summer School’ students held their grand finale performance for family and friends at the McColl Playhouse. It was the second of two summer sessions held for local youngsters this summer. Morning classes were held for juniors and afternoon classes for seniors. Many of the July students, enthusiastic for more, returned for August sessions. . The two classes, 40 students in all, combined artistic talents and boun- tiful energy to present eight short skits in a one-hour performance. Although more subdued than the July performance, the plays were creative and funny. Many were written by ‘the siudents themselves, Then they worked together as sound and light technicians, props people, costumers, and actors, changing "hats" as required in each play. Tillie's Terror was presented by juniors (looking younger than eight years, their probable age) and narrated by senior Kathleen Gook. It had a fairy tale ending, with the villain slain by the husband. And they lived happily ever after. -In "The Magic Sculpture", Aija Buckle as the sculptor announced Brazil. The Terrace Inn Northwest Arts and Entertainment Calendar K’san Exhibition Centre, Old Hazelton: *Until the end of August, a serigraph retrospective by native artist Ken Mowatt ‘For the month of September, etchings and engravings by Lida Watson of Terrace Art Gallery: “Until September 1, mixed media summer show by local artists *Gigi’s - Divine Power Source (Top 40’s) *Augie’s - Karin Ljungh and Glen Fossum Kitimat Centennial Museum: “Until Sept. 9 — the museum features the most recent works by local artists. Landscapes, portraits, wildlife, native design, abstract and social commentary in water colours, oils, ink, clay and photography. Northern Motor Inn, George’s Pub: *Until Sept. 1 — Charlie Wells proudly, "I think that contest was wonderful because I was the win- ner!" In a few,of the plays, the "end" was announced by numerous: of the actors. The prompt helped audience response on. some of the pieces. A monologue by Glen Lorenz highlighted the evening, as he described "Mum’s gonna have a baby". Glen described pre-natal classes, breathing exercises, general family excitement ~- and his disgust with a baby named Rodney. Kathleen Gook also entertained the full house with a monologue . about piano lessons with a fictional Mrs. Campbell. After the performance, families were invited to the Green Room for refreshments and for the acters and actresses to revel in (for most of them) their first performance in front of a live audience. TERRACE LITTLE THEATRE SUMMER SCHOOL: Writing, producing and performing. lessons. Call Marylin or Bonnie at 638-1183 #306-4720 Lakelse Ave. Northwest Academy of Performing Arts Fall registration for piano, guitar, dance, and instrumental or drop by the Academy at: