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level up

The start of every school year is always full of excitement. There are new classes, new students, new colleagues, and the possibilities of a fresh start. For me this year, the start of the year also included excitement and anticipation for my new role as a visiting lecturer at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. As a Skidmore alum, it has been an honor to come back and work with former professors as my new colleagues!

During my first two weeks I heard over 30 students’ placement auditions for small jazz combos. Then I auditioned students for private lessons in my piano studio. Then I scheduled the 5 small jazz combos for the semester. Then ran my first three rehearsals. Then taught my class study of jazz piano. It has certainly been a whirlwind.

With the addition of my private students, this coming week will be my first full week of teaching. In addition to my duties here, I hope to continue practicing and writing for my next recording project, as well as line up some gigs here as well as back in CT and/or Boston, Providence, and New York City. Stay tuned for more updates…

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summer adventures ’12 part x: in which I take apart my bike

Today’s agenda involved car repairs and dog sitting. I finally brought my car in for some much-needed work…about $500 worth of work, unfortunately, but that is the joy of car ownership, I guess. I was content to use my bike to get back and forth, as the dogs only live down the road from me in Pomfret. However, as I was biking between houses, my derailleur gave out due to a rusty shifter cable. So, it looks like I will be beginning my bike repair project this weekend as well! I had to carry the bike back to the house where I am dog sitting, then walk to my house to get my tools, and walk back to the other house. It’s a good thing I like walking. I AM excited to learn how to work on my own bike, though I had been planning on doing this project myself this winter when I wouldn’t be riding. I will at least strip down the bike tomorrow and order the parts. If I am really ambitious I also want to sand and repaint my frame…we’ll see!

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summer adventures ’12 part 8: BKLYN

After a few false starts, I finally made it to Brooklyn to hang for a good portion of the summer! I have two weeks at a friend’s apartment in Crown Heights as she is at a conference in Utah…sweet! I have done a TON of walking…especially those couple days before I got a key to the building. I didn’t want to trouble the neighbors too much.

I am playing for a wedding on Saturday, so I brought my entire rig into town so I could practice and head right from the city to the gig on Saturday. Almost immediately, my amp started acting up. Today I finally brought it to a friend of a friend for repairs. Hopefully I’ll get it back tomorrow and be ready for the gig! But, this detour proved fortuitous, allowing me to park in Williamsburg for the day and walk across the Williamsburg Bridge to Manhattan and to meet up a former advisee for lunch! We had a fun afternoon wandering around the lower East side. Speaking of walking, I think I have walked at least 4mi. a day since I have gotten here. It is far to hot to go running, but I’m still getting in a good workout!

Highlights so far include attending Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park to see the Dirty Projectors, Wye Oak, and Purity Ring (with photographic evidence), connecting with friends, and living the city life. Tomorrow I intend to see my friends Rusty Belle play at Pete’s Candy Store. Then, it is back to CT bright and early Saturday for the wedding. Next week I will be back in Brooklyn for a bit, soaking it all in.

bridges walked across: Brooklyn, Williamsburg

bands seen: 3 (1 more pending)

difficulty finding parking spots: mild