Collaborative piano lessons, repertoire/vocal coaching, and accompanying engagements encompass a huge variety of musical pursuits, so this page will be perpetually under construction (fair warning) :)
Firstly, what is collaborative piano? Also known as piano accompanying or accompaniment, it's the field of performing with other musical forces rather than on your own, which would be a solo context. This could mean a 2-piano duo; a quintet consisting of a piano, two violins, a viola, and a cello; a piano and 3 opera singers; a piano and a wind band; or even a piano and a class full of ballet dancers! The possibilities are endless, and that's why I love collaborative piano so much. There's so much repertoire that I can't possibly tire of it or run out of music to explore.
Below I'll provide a few important aspects that such lessons may focus on.
Does Studio DiPaolo seem like a good fit? If so, CLICK HERE to start your music-making journey!
Firstly, what is collaborative piano? Also known as piano accompanying or accompaniment, it's the field of performing with other musical forces rather than on your own, which would be a solo context. This could mean a 2-piano duo; a quintet consisting of a piano, two violins, a viola, and a cello; a piano and 3 opera singers; a piano and a wind band; or even a piano and a class full of ballet dancers! The possibilities are endless, and that's why I love collaborative piano so much. There's so much repertoire that I can't possibly tire of it or run out of music to explore.
Below I'll provide a few important aspects that such lessons may focus on.
- In its most basic form, a collaborative piano curriculum would focus on successfully quick-learning the most frequently encountered collaborative repertoire (as appropriately leveled for the student's technical grade and specific interests) and balancing effectively and musically with the other musicians with whom the student would be playing, keeping in mind the involved instruments, voice types, room arrangements, performance practice, etc. Such students should be at least late-intermediate pianists comfortable with the Royal Conservatory's Grade 7+ solo repertoire or ABRSM grades 5 and up (roughly). Levels below that would artificially restrict the amount of repertoire that a student could reasonably quick-learn.
- Students who already play frequently in collaborative situations can elect to be coached on their current collaborative repertoire, without regular repertoire selection input from me. I'm also happy to coach students and groups who are not themselves pianists or working with one.
- Students who are singers may elect vocal coaching: please note, however, that this is not the same as "voice lessons"! A coach addresses musical issues like pitch, rhythm, diction, and style/interpretation and usually works alongside a primary voice teacher who addresses technical and vocal production issues. Most successful classical singers have both a teacher and a coach - and often more than one coach, depending on the types of repertoire they're doing.
- Interested parties may also hire me as a collaborative pianist in the Nashville area or for engagements that cover travel expenses. Rates vary for that based on the event circumstances and repertoire, so please contact me through the Contact page to get in touch.
- Coaching and collaborative piano lesson rates are the same as my other lesson rates, outlined on the Tuition & Info page, with some exceptions in specific circumstances. The main exception is rehearsals/coachings in your home, as opposed to a campus location or my home, which are subject to significant surcharges. For a package involving a certain number of rehearsals/coachings and a performance, I will customize a flat rate based on the repertoire, rehearsal needs, and lead time.
- For more info on my performance happenings and links to purchase my arrangements for collaborative pianists, visit my artist site at www.ndipaolo.musicaneo.com
- You may view my complete collaborative and chamber music repertoire list here: www.tinyurl.com/nicole-rep . This by no means restricts what I'm willing to play, but it will give you a good idea of where my experience is focused.
- Additionally, if you are a pianist interested in exploring cruise ship touring opportunities as a Holland America Adagio duo or classical quartet pianist, I'm happy to book an a-la-carte lesson or two to advise you on how to select collaborative repertoire (in the case that you select it yourself, as the Adagios do) and what to expect regarding ship life. Note that the application process itself has changed since I joined HAL in 2013 - and my violinist and I formed a duo after she had already secured the position with a different pianist I then had to replace - so such coaching sessions won't involve discussions of the specific audition procedures. Even if Adagio is not the specific position you have in mind, I can generally define what is expected of each ship pianist position (HALCats, The Mix, Neptunes) so you can decide which is right for you.
Does Studio DiPaolo seem like a good fit? If so, CLICK HERE to start your music-making journey!
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Home | About | Tuition/Info | FAQ | Piano | Theory | Partimento | Composition | Accompanying | Consulting for Teachers | Media | Shop | Contact/Enroll