On the 5th of April 2018, it was the 50th anniversary of my first music school in Poland. the State School of Music in my home town of Kluczbork. When the school’s director Danuta Nalewajka learned that I would be attending, she asked if I would be prepared to give a Master Class to the current pupils. Of course, I agreed and in the afternoon of the 9th April it was a full house!

A Master Class is unique way for student pianists and audience members alike to gain insight from a a highly proficient teacher who works with each student in front of an audience. It offers the Master an opportunity to communicate on musical interpretations and offer technical advice to students. During the afternoon, the piano students who attended each played a piece they chose for me and listened intently to my advice on how they could improve their playing.

I am sure the pupils and parents in attendance gained some useful insight on how to become better piano players. I presented new ideas and concepts and hopefully the pupils had that “ah-ha!” moment when they listened to my ideas. The pupils were all engaged and accepted my praise and criticism with equal measure. Well done all!

I would like to thank the management and staff of the school for making this possible.

Here you can see some photos of the pupils from the master class and the last few are of me and the current teachers. The last photo is when we retired to a local restaurant for a well earned celebration dinner!