Presented by Eric Ruple, James Madison University. Dutch treat lunch to follow.
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION
“Fun With Scales…Really”
This workshop is all about the teaching and playing of scales. Is scale practice a daily routine for yourself and your students? Or is it more akin to pulling teeth, a “lost cause” or a Sisyphusian exercise in futility? We will review and explore why they are important, take a fresh look at how we teach them (yes, folks, much of this this WILL be controversial), and show some ways to help you to never get bored playing or teaching them ever again!
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Steinway Artist Eric Ruple is on the piano faculty at James Madison University. He enjoys an active career as a solo and chamber musician, including several performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Steinway Hall in New York. He is also pianist for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, including principal keyboard role in the ongoing “Harry Potter Live” concerts. He was also featured in Bernstein’s “Prelude, Fugue and Riffs” with the VSO Jazz Ensemble.
His recording “Musica Incognito” with hornist Ian Zook has earned unanimously positive reviews from several national and international publications. He is president of the Shenandoah Valley/JMU Chapter of the American Liszt Society and is a regular adjudicator in Hong Kong. In 2019-2020, he served as Interim Director for the JMU School of Music. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Michigan.