 | |
| Zita in the "Piano Lab" at the Community Music Center | Portland, OR USA |
My name is Zita (Like"Rita" with a Z) Jefferson. I love piano! I began studying at age 3. My father taught me to play on a rickety old Gulbranson upright. Most of the ivory had chipped off, and I remember seeing the letters of the notes written in bright orange crayon on the keys. I was so tiny, I had to sit on a Sears Roebuck catalog!
I took to the piano right away, especially note reading. However, I was a very shy, timid child and suffered from paralyzing stage fright. This would cause me to forget portions of piece in recitals. We were required to memorize our pieces.
When I was 14, I moved to Texas to stay with family. I studied with a fabulous, kind woman in Waco. Her name was Mary Schlottmann. She treated me like a person and didn't focus on my mistakes. I thrived under her guidance and won many awards that year. I moved back home to Vancouver, Washington to go to high school, but I never forgot my teacher, and how I overcame so much of my fear with her gentle, positive approach. It is her I model now that I teach.
I went on to study piano performance at Portland State University.. I suffered again from stage fright and anxiety. I managed to obtain a BA, but didn't pursue a musical career immediately. I ended up going into Massage Therapy. I enjoyed the work, but felt something was missing.
In1990, after the birth of my daughter, I found myself drawn back to music. I was attending a small church. They heard I played the piano and asked me to play for the service. I became a church pianist and played every Sunday. My stage fright eventually diminished and practically vanished. I believe this was because I was in a supportive environment and played regularly. Plus, having given birth and entering the world of single parenthood, I was becoming fearless!
Soon, I was being asked to teach. One thing led to another and here I am 20 years later! I teach group piano classes at the Community Music Center (read about this incredible haven for budding musicians here: communitymusiccenter.org). I also teach privately in my home studio. In addition, now that my children (I have a 22 year old daughter, and 19 year old son) are grown, I am reinspired to practice regularly and am performing more than ever! I find it is the nourishment I need. I accompany the Francis Street Singers choir and the Portland Peace Choir. I am a church pianist at Calvary Presbyterian Church and I have a trio group with a clarinet and cello friend. Also, I am performing with my friends Anya Kalina and Miranda Bradley, both singers. We are forming a goup we are thinking of calling the Starving Divas.
As a teacher, my main goal is to share my love of music and to give my students the tools they need to be able to release the music they have inside them.
My private studio is full for spring term, but you can get on my waiting list by going to:
I am currently learning the guitar by Skype with my friend and co-blogger Nikos! :)
I
No comments:
Post a Comment