Inside the Taubman Approach
Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach Podcast! I’m your host, Benjamin Harding.This new podcast is an inside look at the power of the Taubman Approach, an approach to working with playing-related problems, such as discomfort, tension, pain and injuries. Through first hand experiences and discussions with some of the premiere teachers of this approach we’ll be sharing how pianists at various stages of learning the piano have benefitted and grown through applying the Taubman Approach.Sponsored by The Golandsky Institute. The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Doro...
Ricky Moreira on New Artistic Vistas with the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode, Benjamin Harding interviews Ricky Moreira, a recent graduate who has embraced the Taubman Approach in his piano teaching and playing. Ricky shares his journey from a self-taught musician to a passionate advocate for the Taubman Approach, discussing its profound impact on his teaching style and understanding of piano technique. He emphasizes the importance of natural movement and finding equilibrium in playing, while also addressing common hesitations about the Taubman Approach. The conversation highlights the supportive community within the Golandsky Institute and the...
Matthew Camastro's Musical Journey in the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today we welcome the wonderful pianist Matthew Camastro to the show! Having studied with Edna Golandsky for a number of years now, he is a certified teacher of the Taubman Approach through the Golandsky Institute. His journey is fascinating and I think you are really going to enjoy this episode. Let's dive in.
Website: www.camastunes.com
Retraining Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/N87grQkCI_I?si=yvPpyNxKeTsInDsF
Matthew's Instagram: @camastunes
The Golandsky Institute's mission is to...
Jennifer Rosenfeld on her new album "Piano Girl" and the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In this episode, Benjamin Harding welcomes back pianist and composer Jennifer Rosenfeld to discuss her latest solo album, 'Piano Girl,' and the profound impact of the Taubman Approach on her piano technique and creative process. Jennifer shares her journey of personal growth through music, the evolution of her practice techniques, and her current and future projects, including her work in composition and musical theater. The conversation highlights the importance of mindset, efficiency in practice, and the joy of revisiting challenging repertoire.
Jennifer...
Barbara Banacos on Community in the Golandsky Institute and Her New Substack!
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach, the podcast from the Golandsky Institute—a vibrant community of pianists, teachers, and musicians dedicated to the pursuit of artistic freedom, technical mastery, and expressive depth.
I’m your host, Benjamin Harding, and this episode marks the beginning of Season Two of our series. Over the past year, we’ve heard from remarkable artists who have shared their journeys with the Taubman Approach—how it has transformed their playing, teaching, and understanding of music. And this season, we conti...
55: Marcus Ostermiller on Overcoming Tendonitis and Reaching New Heights with the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Visit: www.marcusostermiller.com to be in touch with Marcus.
Summary
In this conversation, Marcus Ostermiller discusses his journey as a musician, focusing on the challenges he faced with physical pain and how the Taubman work transformed his playing and teaching. He shares insights on the importance of physical well-being in music performance, and how his teaching methodology evolved through his experiences. The discussion highlights the profound impact of understanding physical movement and technique on a musician's confidence and ability to...
54: Nikos Syropoulos - The Taubman Journey Jazz Meets Taubman: A Pianist's Perspective
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today's guest is Nikos Syropoulos. For more information on Nikos visit his website at: https://www.nikospiano.com/
Summary
In this conversation, Nikos shares his transformative journey with the Taubman Approach, detailing his initial struggles with injury as a jazz pianist and how he found relief and improvement through this technique. He discusses the unique challenges jazz musicians face when integrating Taubman movements into their improvisation and addresses common skepticism about the approach. Nikos emphasizes the continuous discovery and growth that...
53: Walter Aparicio on the Transformative Nature of the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
WALTER'S INFO
www.walteraparicio.com
IG: @wfaparicio
Aires Indios: Piano Music of Bolivia
https://open.spotify.com/album/4WUNbg5MaINRCKG8OuKmKa?si=gRyhvZqPSwOukVEwy956rQ
Nonprofit org: Foundation for Bolivia Artists
www.bolivianartistfoundation.org
Composer Names Mentioned:
Eduardo Caba (1890-1953)
Daniel Alvarez Veizaga https://alvarez-daniel.com
Fugas Bolivianas
https://open.spotify.com/album/2wkuxHpaHw7M8uJwsYPuBx?si=9WpgWjTUSv-joFq3gl7BuA
The Golandsky...
52: Jeff Nations on Teaching the Taubman Approach to Adult Learners
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
For more information on Jeff Nations visit: www.jeffnations.net
Born in Kyoto Japan and raised in North Carolina, pianist Jeff Nations began studying at the age of eight and playing professionally by the age of sixteen, performing in local establishments in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Actively competing by the age of twelve, he was the recipient of numerous awards, and by age 17 was the first prize winner in the Young Artist Competition held by the Raleigh Piano Teachers...
51: Jason Gallagher on Learning and Teaching the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
You are going to love this episode with Jason Gallagher.
Here is Jason's background in his own words:
I've always loved piano. Ever since I was a kid, I loved all the different sounds the piano could make. From the blues to rock to the classics, I played everything.
As I got older and more serious, I realized there were things I couldn’t do. When I tried to play the music I loved, it hurt. I had pains in...
50: Sophie Till of the Till Project on the Taubman Approach for String Players
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Show Notes: Interview with Sophie Till of the Till Project
Episode Overview
In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant violinist, Sophie Till, founder of the Till Project, to discuss the transformative power of the Taubman Approach for stringed instrument players. Sophie shares her journey into the world of music, the influence of Edna Golandsky’s work, and how the principles of the Taubman Approach can help string players unlock their potential.
Connect with Sophie Till
We...
49: Not Only a Comprehensive Foundation
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach I’m Benjamin Harding. On today's episode, I want to outline the idea that yes, the Approach is a comprehensive foundation for all of piano technique, but it is more than that. I want to give you steps to pursue this incredible work; for you to be exposed to its transformative power and to excel in the work itself.
The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Ta...
48: Nurturing Young Pianists: An Exclusive Interview with Mary Moran
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach! I’m your host, Benjamin Harding, and today we’re diving into an inspiring conversation with the incredible Mary Moran.
In this episode, we’ll explore the teaching of the Taubman Approach to young children—how to make these foundational techniques accessible and engaging for the youngest pianists. Mary, with her decades of experience, will share valuable insights on new course and program development initiatives, offering guidance for piano teachers looking to integrate the Taubman Approach into their pr...
47: Edna Golandsky on Her New Book!: The Taubman Approach to Piano Technique (PART ONE)
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach, I’m Benjamin Harding.
Today’s episode is a must listen. We welcome the great Edna Golandsky to the podcast to discuss her new book: The Taubman Approach to Piano Technique: A Comprehensive Guide to Overcome Physical Limitations and Unlock Your Full Pianistic Potential. Part one of the interview is today and next week we will have part two.
You can visit Edna’s website to purchase this book.
I have my copy in fro...
46: 3 Reasons Why I Think You Need to Listen to Next Week’s Episode
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Hey there, it’s Benjamin Harding. Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach. We’re stepping into a brand-new season of the podcast, and it’s a thrilling time for us here at the Golandsky Institute. Why, you ask? Because next week, September 10th, Edna Golandsky’s highly anticipated book is hitting the shelves! Have you reserved your copy yet? If not, now’s the time—trust me, it’s an incredible read. https://www.ednagolandsky.com/taubman-approach-book
So, today’s episode is titled “3 Reasons Why I Thin...
45: Andrew King on the Healing and Artistic Heights that the Taubman Approach Brings
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
On today's episode the brilliant pianist, Andrew King, shares about his incredible journey of reaching new artistic heights through the Taubman Approach. He has been studying this work with master teacher, Robert Durso, for two decades.
His quest to finding a comprehensive piano technique was on his heart for many years until one day, serendipitously he was making eggs in a communal kitchen in Vienna when someone shared with him the Taubman Approach.
You will have to listen to the full...
44: Stream the Taubman Approach at the Golandsky Institute
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Well, in North America at least, we are in the "dog days" of Summer. It's hot; we're on vacation; and, we are getting ready to get back into the Fall with regular rhythms of teaching and life!
It's a perfect time for you to sign up for the streaming service at www.golandskyinstitute.org. The quality of the content on our streaming service is not be to be found anywhere else and it is world class.
On today's episode, we give...
43: Elizabeth Grace, Master Teacher, on Experiencing the Life-Changing Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Elizabeth Mueller Grace, NCTM, enjoys a multi-faceted career as performer, teacher, clinician and adjudicator. An award-winning pianist, her performances have been praised for their “depth of sound, intelligent interpretation and fluid technique.” (Omaha World Herald)
A frequent collaborator, Ms. Grace is a member of the Capriole Duo with Barbara Leibundguth, former co-principal flutist in the Minnesota Orchestra. The acclaimed ensemble has performed extensively together throughout the United States since 1984. The Duo was chosen to perform at the National Flute Conference in Chicago, toured unde...
42: Barbara Banacos on Being Healed from Dystonia and Helping others through the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
You are going to love today's episode! Barbara Banacos is an inspiration.
As a young pianist, she endured an injury that manifested itself as a form of dystonia. This is significant because it is not well-understood in the medical community. The Taubman Approach can help you if you are struggling with a devastating injury. Some of us are experiencing devastating injuries in regards to playing the piano. We are here to help! Go to Golandskyinstitute.org and we will get you connected to...
41: An Exclusive Interview with John Bloomfield
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
John Bloomfield is a Kentucky native and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Furman University in Greenville, S.C. An award-winning solo and chamber pianist, he has been broadcast by Public Radio in New England and has been heard on the air in New York under the auspices of Ars Viva. He earned a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and since then has been a long-term student of Dorothy Taubman and Edna Golandsky. He has taught at Adelphi University and...
40: Bill Charlap, Jazz Great, on Inside the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Grammy award winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with many of the leading artists of our time including Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. Born in New York City, Charlap began playing the piano at age three. His father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and his mother is singer Sandy Stewart, who toured with Benny Goodman, and was a regular on the Perry Como show. She earned a 1963 Grammy nomination for her recording...
39: A Rebroadcast of an Interview with Edna Golandsky in 2022 on the Piano Explored Podcast
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In 2022, I (Benjamin Harding) had a podcast entitled, Piano Explored. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Edna Golandsky. My life has forever been changed. And so - today's episode is rather personal for me.
This interview changed my life and I know it will have an affect on you as you listen.
Here are the show notes from that particular episode.
I hope you gain a glimpse into the great work that the Golandsky Institute is doing for...
38: Symposium 2024 this Summer!
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Take your piano playing to the next level this summer from the comfort of your own home at the Golandsky Institute Summer Symposium, taking place live online from July 12 to 15. This Symposium offers an invaluable experience of engaging with peers and experts of the Taubman Approach of piano playing through lectures, interactive problem-solving sessions, and one-on-one guidance. On top of the informative sessions, the Symposium also gives exceptional opportunities to participants through masterclasses, and exclusive performances by world-renowned concert artists, Ilya Itin and Josu de...
37: Lisa Yui on Experiencing New Horizons of Artistry through studying with Edna Golandsky
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
For decades now, Dr. Lisa Yui has inspired audiences with her playing, has promoted the piano with her writing and speaking, and is raising up a new generation of artists with her teaching. Her career is multifaceted and multi-variegated; it shines with brilliance and excellence. It was an absolute honor to explore with her the Taubman Approach and its impact on her astounding pianism.
Be sure to visit Lisa's website for more information about this incredible person, artist and pianist. Lisa Yui's website.<...
36: John Bloomfield on How to Take a Lesson Effectively
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
This lecture was published on the Golandsky Institute YouTube Channel on May 20, 2013. It is a presentation given by master piano teacher, John Bloomfield, who is also a board member and founder of the Golandsky Institute. It's timeless, friends. This is yet another example of the brilliance of the faculty at the Institute and the timelessness of the Taubman Approach.
But before we get to the lecture, I have to tell you something really exciting. Did you know that Edna Golandsky has a book...
35: Sarah Fritz on the Genius and Resilience of Clara Schumann, Dorothy Taubman and Edna Golandsky
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
I am so grateful to the writer and musician, music historian and public musicologist , Sarah Fritz, for joining us on today's episode of "Inside the Taubman Approach." I am also so grateful for amazing women like Clara Schumann who blazed the trail for us all in music. I see so many parallels in the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman and Edna Golandsky. These women have sacrificed so much in bringing this body of knowledge to us for our benefit. They have pressed on despite criticism...
34: Norwegian Pianist, Dimitris Kostopoulos, on Studying the Taubman Work Online
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today we welcome Dimitris Kostopoulos to Inside the Taubman Approach. I love this interview so much. Here's why: Dimitris came across the Taubman Technique tapes during a questioning period in his professional career. He studied these 10 DVD's for years. He understood the concepts and the language used to the point where he began to apply them to his playing. But - it was not until he met Edna Golandsky that he realized he that he needed to study this incredible work with an expert one...
33: Father Sean Duggan, Supreme Bach Pianist, on How Studying with Edna Golandsky Enhanced His Pianism
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Thank you for joining us on today's episode on Inside the Taubman Approach. I'm your host, Dr. Benjamin Harding.
Today we welcome Father Sean Duggan to the podcast. Pianist Sean Duggan is a monk of St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana. He is also a professor of piano at SUNY Fredonia. Father Sean is a master pianist and a master teacher. His teaching and playing was and is enhanced in studying with Edna Golandsky.
His work in the playing of Bach...
32: Yegor Shevtsov on the Taubman Approach Helping in Practical Applications
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach sponsored by the Golandsky Institute.
I am your host Benjamin Harding. Today’s episode is fascinating.
Yegor Shevtsov is one of the most interesting people that I have ever met. He truly is a Renaissance man. He’s an intellectual: he speaks many, many languages; he devours repertoire, literature, poetry, and art. He grew up being a dancer, then studied economics in Amsterdam. He then came to the United States and pursued music at Manhattan Scho...
31: Edna Golandsky Inspiring Us All in a Lecture on Passages from Chopin
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today's episode is from the Golandsky Institute Online Workshop on August 6, 2020 in the heart of the global pandemic. Our founder, Edna Golandsky, answers questions related to passages in Chopin.
Of note is the first 6 minutes or so of the presentation. Edna brings to our attention the clear idea of which, yes, the Taubman Approach can help with the reversal of injuries and bring healing to pianists. However, there is so much more to this approach. The heights of where the technique can take...
30: Josu de Solaun: Why Every Pianist Should Explore the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today’s episode features a conversation with Josu de Solaun as he describes the new heights and depths of artistic expression he experienced in studying the Taubman work with Edna Golandsky. Josu was not injured when he came to the Taubman approach. He wanted to understand what he did well at the piano and to discover his limitations in order to play with more freedom, power, speed and artistic expression.
https://www.josudesolaun.com/
In the 2023 edition, the ICMA jury expressed: "Jo...
29: The Basic Principles of the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
On today's episode, Benjamin takes a different approach in that he outlines the basic principles of the Taubman Approach listed on our website here: https://www.golandskyinstitute.org/resources/
Be sure to listen to this episode a few times as it is full of detail and may be a springboard for further learning and exploration of this life-changing approach to playing the piano.
The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy...
28: John Bloomfield on Mozart's A Minor Sonata, K. 310 and Chopin's Scherzo no.3 in C-sharp minor, op. 39
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
This is a presentation from the June 25, 2020 Golandsky Institute Online Workshop.
John Bloomfield speaks about applying the Taubman Approach to Mozart's A minor Sonata, K. 310 and Chopin's Scherzo no.3 in C-sharp minor, op. 39. Please visit our YouTube Channel to watch this brilliant lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOx5Ukkbge0
PDF Handout: https://bit.ly/62520handout
Subscribe to Golandsky Streaming and gain access to 100+ other educational videos teaching the Taubman Approach. Learn from master classes, technique clinics, lectures...
27: Arthur Simoes and I want You to Test the Taubman Approach for Yourself
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
We welcome the brilliant pianist Arthur Simoes to the podcast today. You are going to love this conversation. Arthur has tested the Taubman Approach in many mays; from classical literature to Dalcroze and now in jazz and improvisation. What's kind of fun about this episode is that I surprise Arthur with a rapid fire question time at the end of the episode. Stick around for that exciting exchange.
You can be in touch with Arthur on Instagram @arthursimoesmusic,
https://www.golandskyinstitute...
26: Hugo Bermúdez on the Taubman Approach in Latin America
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today's episode is so inspiring. We welcome Hugo Bermudez to the podcast where he shares his story of incredible recovery from a massive injury sustained in playing the piano. He tried everything to get better. But, it was only after the expert care of Edna Golandsky that he was able to achieve full and complete healing. This journey of healing prompted Hugo to pursue the Taubman Approach in a deep way becoming the first and only certified teacher in Latin America. This episode relays the...
25: It's Episode 25! and Mary Moran on Avoiding Tension from Stretching in Broken Octaves, Unreachable Chords, and Complex Patterns
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
It's Episode 25! and we are just getting started bringing stories, interviews, tips, tools, strategies from the Taubman Approach.
I wanted to point to our website now before we get into today's episode with Mary Moran. At www.golandskyinstitute.org you can find the latest resources on the Taubman Approach. But let me be more specific - you can get connected to a certified teacher. Our teacher matching service is outstanding. We will get you connected to someone who has been vetted in the...
24: Debbie Poryes on Jazz Teaching and the Taubman Approach
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Born in Santa Monica, California, Debbie Poryes found herself at the piano when she was five, practicing everything from Chopin to show tunes. Playing led to fascination with musical theory and structure, then jazz standards, composing, and improvising. Hearing Monk and Miles as a teenager, she fell in love with their music and decided to become a jazz pianist. At twenty, her first regular paying gig lasted a year at a Berkeley restaurant, playing five nights a week from 5 p.m. to midnight.
...
23: Nathan Kaplan, student of John Bloomfield, on Learning the Piano through the Taubman Approach as an Adult Learner
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
In a previous episode we mentioned that the Taubman Approach is for everyone. For example, if you are an older adult that played the piano when you were younger and want to begin to get back into playing the Taubman Approach is the best way to accomplish your dreams!
Today's episode with Nathan Kaplan goes through the ups and downs of learning the Taubman Approach as an Adult Learner. Nathan is a retired public school teacher in the New York City Public School...
22: Jacob Silver on Hope, Teaching, Community, Healing, and Jazz
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today's episode features an interview with pianist and teacher, Jacob Silver. He teaches full-time out of his Brooklyn studio. Jacob faced an injury in graduate school where he reached out to Taubman expert, John Bloomfield. Jacob was able to retrain under the direction of John Bloomfield. His website references that 6 out of 10 musicians have debilitating pain. We get into this epidemic that faces musicians in both the jazz and classical worlds.
And, stay tuned until the end of the episode where Jacob turns...
21: The Taubman Approach is for Everyone
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
Today presents for us a different episode. Yours truly, Benjamin, gets into the 'why' of Inside the Taubman Approach.
I also get really bold in this episode and make some claims that I would love for you to test and respond to!
I really think that the Taubman Approach as taught by Edna Golandsky and the Golandsky Institute has come to the world of piano teaching, and piano playing at a critical time. Yep - that's a big claim but take...
20: Famed Jazz Pianist, Adam Klipple, On the Power of the Taubman Approach for Jazz
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.
I am watching the Taubman Technique videos. Actually, I am absolutely consuming this material. Friends, it's what you are searching for in giving freedom and new levels to your playing. On those tapes, there is an interesting quote of Dorothy Taubman some of which appears in the publicly available documentary, The Choreography of the Hands. (We have it available on the Golandsky Institute YouTube channel). She says something to the effect that teachers must provide answers and direction to these sincere, talented and earnest people...