Spring 2025 Studio Recital – Sneak Peek
We had our Spring 2025 Recital yesterday, and I couldn’t be prouder of all my students! From beginners playing in their very first recital to graduating seniors preparing to take their next steps, each performance was full of heart and dedication. Video highlights and individual performances will be posted here over the next few days—check…
Highlights from “Assassins” with Horizon Performing Arts at Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti
Just wrapped up an amazing run of “Assassins”—my first production with Horizon Performing Arts! So grateful to everyone who helped make this show such a success. I had a great experience, and am so glad to have been a part of this incredible team!
Spooky Sounds at Kerrytown: 2024 Halloween Studio Recital 🎃👻
Our 2024 Halloween Studio Recital at Kerrytown Concert House was a fun and festive celebration of music! Students performed a mix of Classical pieces, popular tunes, and seasonal favorites, many dressed in creative costumes. The audience enjoyed a lively and engaging program, highlighting the progress and dedication of each performer. Thank you to all who…
Empowering Musical Growth: Embracing Self-Reliance and Problem-Solving
At the beginning of lessons, I almost always tell students to “just play.” Sometimes I get met with resistance. After all, what if they have questions? What if they’re playing a new piece and they make a mistake? But I feel like I’m doing students a disservice if I always give them all the answers…
Transforming Negative Self-Talk: Practical Strategies for Music Students
“I’m no good at rhythm.” “I always make that mistake.” “This is too hard.” These are some of the comments I hear from students on a regular basis. It’s upsetting, because a lot of the time when students say things like this, I can see the issues they’re having with their music, and often these…
Staying Motivated in Piano Practice: Tips for Success
“How do I stay motivated?” It’s a question I get asked a lot as a piano teacher. But maybe it’s not the question we really should be asking. The book Atomic Habits by James Clear offers some fascinating insights into how we do or don’t form and maintain habits like daily piano practice. The author…
Empowered Artists Showcase at Sweetwaters Cafe: Celebrating Autism Awareness and Acceptance
I was honored to have my work featured in the Autism Awareness and Acceptance Show at Sweetwaters Cafe in Novi this month. The exhibition showcased the unique visions and voices of artists with autism, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, accommodation, and creating a supportive community for all. Each piece of artwork in the exhibition is…
Spring 2024 Studio Recital at Kerrytown Concert House | Diverse Repertoire and Outstanding Performances
Our Spring 2024 Studio Recital at Kerrytown Concert House was an outstanding showcase of our students’ hard work and talent! The recital featured 22 performers presenting a diverse repertoire, from Classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites. The audience of over 70 was thoroughly moved by the skill and dedication of each student. Thank you to all…
National Finalist in The American Prize Conducting—Opera/Operetta Division, 2024
I’m a National Finalist in The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts for Conducting—Opera/Operetta Division, 2024! Congrats to the cast and crew of Patience – UMGASS 2023 and to all the other Finalists! https://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2024/05/national-finalists-conductors-opera.html
“Iolanthe (or, The Peer and The Peri)” with University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of conducting Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe (or, The Peer and The Peri)” with the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society. It was an enchanting experience, filled with whimsical characters and delightful music. This marks my eighth time as Music Director with UMGASS, and I am immensely proud…
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Ezra Donner 