Spring 2026 Studio Recital
Congrats to all of our students who participated on Saturday’s Spring recital! This year’s recital at Kerrytown Concert House featured 16 performers ranging from age 6 through high school, including both students just completing their first year of study, and also more experienced students performing longer and more advanced works. The program included Classical favorites,…
“Waltz for Izabela” Now Available from Alfred Music
Excited to announce my new composition, “Waltz for Izabela,” is now available from Alfred Music! I wrote Waltz for Izabela during my first year of ballroom dance lessons. It was composed as a tribute to my teacher. You can purchase the sheet music using the link above. If you perform the piece, I’d love to…
Miguel Earns a Perfect Score at Solo & Ensemble!
Congratulations to my student Miguel, who earned a perfect score of 100/100 at last Saturday’s Solo & Ensemble Festival! Miguel performed Frédéric Chopin’s Etude Op. 10 No. 5 (“Black Keys”), one of Chopin’s most famous and technically demanding études. The piece requires exceptional control, clarity, and musical shaping, and Miguel rose to the challenge with…
Come See Merrily We Roll Along March 5-8 at Riverside Arts Center!
Next weekend I’ll be music directing this great production at Riverside Arts Center with Horizon Performing Arts! This is my second collaboration with Horizon and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done on it!
Spring 2025 Studio Recital
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…
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Ezra Donner 