AIMA-Ayvalik International Music Academy
In the winter of 2011, I had the honor of being invited to the Ayvalik International Music Academy in the Western Coast of Turkey.
The invitation came from the founder of the Academy, Professor Filiz Ali.
In 'AIMA', world renowned Artists, Musicians and literary Masters come together every summer to teach Master Classes and workshops.
I was invited to give a workshop on "Improvisation" as well as play the annual fundraising concert on July 23 rd.
After months of preparing, I outlined my Curriculum which was going to concentrate on developing the ability and freedom for "Creative and Self Expressive Improvisation". It was no easy task! As a classical pianist, I improvised all my life. From my childhood on, I always liked jazz and popular music and I played anything I heard on the radio, in the movies, etc...As a jazz lover, I have been working on adapting my traditional education and skills to the 'ever so free but simultaneously complex' jazz idiom. I needed to combine it all in a way that speaks to the young and inexperienced student. It needed to be coherent and authentic. So with all the ideas, resources and papers at hand, I started, or better said, dived into unchartered waters. With interested and talented students, one's work is always cut in half. Enthusiasm is contagious! So the Program worked itself very smoothly. At times my student and I worked very methodically and other times we just improvised our way through the improvisations:) We improvised on Scarlatti, Bach, Corelli, Beethoven, the color green in E Major:) and others. We improvised with each hand accompanying harmonies, we flew with scales, modes, motives, triads, 7ths, 9ths, suspensions, arpeggios....It was something like, watching a baby learn how to walk, but something more. Success and big smiles guaranteed...
All the hours we had did not suffice to finish the entire Program that I prepared. Now, the curriculum is ready for any size of classroom and for more advanced levels. I thank Professor Ali, her assistant Mr. Ilke Boran, and the entire staff who made my stay so pleasant and comfortable. Filiz Ali invited me for another season again. I will happily oblige!
The invitation came from the founder of the Academy, Professor Filiz Ali.
In 'AIMA', world renowned Artists, Musicians and literary Masters come together every summer to teach Master Classes and workshops.
I was invited to give a workshop on "Improvisation" as well as play the annual fundraising concert on July 23 rd.
After months of preparing, I outlined my Curriculum which was going to concentrate on developing the ability and freedom for "Creative and Self Expressive Improvisation". It was no easy task! As a classical pianist, I improvised all my life. From my childhood on, I always liked jazz and popular music and I played anything I heard on the radio, in the movies, etc...As a jazz lover, I have been working on adapting my traditional education and skills to the 'ever so free but simultaneously complex' jazz idiom. I needed to combine it all in a way that speaks to the young and inexperienced student. It needed to be coherent and authentic. So with all the ideas, resources and papers at hand, I started, or better said, dived into unchartered waters. With interested and talented students, one's work is always cut in half. Enthusiasm is contagious! So the Program worked itself very smoothly. At times my student and I worked very methodically and other times we just improvised our way through the improvisations:) We improvised on Scarlatti, Bach, Corelli, Beethoven, the color green in E Major:) and others. We improvised with each hand accompanying harmonies, we flew with scales, modes, motives, triads, 7ths, 9ths, suspensions, arpeggios....It was something like, watching a baby learn how to walk, but something more. Success and big smiles guaranteed...
All the hours we had did not suffice to finish the entire Program that I prepared. Now, the curriculum is ready for any size of classroom and for more advanced levels. I thank Professor Ali, her assistant Mr. Ilke Boran, and the entire staff who made my stay so pleasant and comfortable. Filiz Ali invited me for another season again. I will happily oblige!