A number of years ago a friend of mine turned me on to Stride Piano. Didn’t know much about it then. I got into it and taught myself  how to play. How did I learn how to play Stride Piano?

I listened, listened and when I was finishing listening, I listened one more time. A thousand more times. Of course I practiced too. I’ll tell you my secrets next time.

Here is some information on their latest activity. Will be putting together a video interview of So Young where she will answer questions about her work as director of RRMC, on Piano TV in the near term. Stay tuned!

Rocky Ridge Music Center Presents Concert and Live Auditions in Philadelphia

BOULDER, COLORADO 11/06/09

Rocky Ridge Music Center is pleased to invite the public to a free concert and live auditions in Philadelphia, PA on November 14th @ 11:00 a.m. in the Recital Hall of the Settlement Music School’s West Philadelphia branch located 4910 Wynnefield Ave.

The concert is part of Rocky Ridge ‘Road Show’ 2009-2010 which features pianist SoYoung Lee, Rocky Ridge Music Director, and baritone Daniel Ihasz, Director of Vocal Studies, in a program that includes Liederkreis, op. 39 by Robert Schumann and an information session about Rocky Ridge residential programs for youth and adults.  Directly following the concert and presentation, live auditions for acceptance and scholarship consideration for Rocky Ridge 2010 summer programs for middle school, high school and college students will take place at 12 p.m.  Students interested in attending the Young Artist Seminar (age 15-24) or the Junior Student Seminar (age 10-15) should contact Jean Denney to schedule an audition rrmc@rockyridge.org  or 970-443-3333.

Rocky Ridge Music Center, founded in 1942 by pianist Beth Miller Harrod, is one of the oldest residential summer music programs in the country.  It is located at the foot of Longs Peak (14,256 ft.) in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park.  The historic Hewes-Kirkwood Inn and cabins on 17 acres with a stream provide a stunning backdrop for performances, practice, lessons, chamber music, reflection, dining, residence and friendships.  Rocky Ridge summer programs for youth (ages 10 to 24) and adults are designed to improve and broaden musical skills in areas of strings, woodwinds, brass, piano and voice through solo, chamber, orchestral, and theory/composition studies, all under the guidance of a world-class faculty and guest artists.  More information about RRMC and all its summer offerings can also be found at www.rockyridge.org.

RRMC would like to thank the Settlement Music School for their generous hospitality for hosting the November 14 event.  Since 1908, more than 300,000 people have benefited from Settlement Music School. The largest community school of the arts in the United States, Settlement provides students at six locations in PA and NJ with high quality instruction and activity in music, dance and the related arts, regardless of age, ability, race or financial circumstances.  The School awards close to $2 million in financial aid each year. They are the largest employer of musicians in the Philadelphia region and there is at least one alumni in every major symphony in the United States.

Settlement brings together an enormous diversity of students and helps them not only to develop musical and artistic talents, but also to build self-confidence and readiness for academic and other achievements. Among its many programs are a nationally recognized, award winning pre-school that prepares Head Start-qualified young children for kindergarten through an arts-integrated curriculum. For more information, visit www.smsmusic.org or call 215-320-2600.