Angle

Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Media Credit: Supplied by Sheila Paige Sheila Paige [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Janice Wisinski Seminar participants [Click to enlarge]

A young college student hardly expects to experience back pain, especially intense pain that would not go away.

But that is exactly what happened to former CCC piano student Bethany Dzedzy in 2006. Dzedzy's pain did not begin with a car accident or playing sports. Her pain began with playing the piano.

According to music professor Dr. Craig Ralston, Dzedzy's arm and back pain became so severe that she had to leave college. Ralston suggested to Dzedzy that she find a specialist who works with pianists.

Dzedzy took his advice and began to work with Sheila Paige, the executive director of the Piano Wellness Seminar, who teaches techniques to enable pianists to play without pain.

"In two month's time working with Sheila, Bethany was able to play the piano again with almost no pain," Ralston said.

Realizing that others could benefit from Paige's work, Ralston invited her to hold a seminar at CCC January 12-13. Participants included piano and music majors, music faculty, and area piano teachers.

The two-day seminar included lectures on basic anatomy for pianists, posture and seating, and proper positioning, including use of the arms and wrists.

Paige taught students new skills for playing difficult passages. She also suggested proper posture and movements to help them improve their performance and feel more relaxed while playing.

Several music and music education majors, including Josh Quinn, Amy Kiskaddon, Sarah Custer, Ryan Blackmore, Joy Wasmundt, Laura Mason, and Justin Smith, played for Paige.

What was it like to play for a renowned piano teacher?

"At first I was nervous," said freshman music major Josh Quinn. "I mean, a world-famous piano instructor coming to critique me in front of all my peers and distinguished guests. However, it was completely the opposite. I have never felt more at ease playing the piano in front of a crowd."

Paige's techniques proved especially helpful to students in playing arpeggios, in which individual notes in a chord are played in rapid succession, and in playing large intervals such as octaves.

"I would highly recommend this seminar," said sophomore music major Amy Kiskaddon. "Musicians gain so much valuable and practical knowledge that will help them become a better musicians and prevent unnecessary physical problems. The knowledge that she imparted to me paved the way for a more gentle, defined, and passionate sound."

Quinn agreed. "I highly recommend this seminar to all musicians, even if they aren't pianists," he said. "This seminar really gives a student the true outlook of musicianship. I feel as if I learned almost as much in these two days as I learned in the 14 years I have been playing the piano. Sheila Paige is an absolute joy."

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