Piano festival to explore musicians’ care for oneself

Self-care for musicians will be the theme of the third Robert Jordan Piano Festival at the Fredonia School of Music. The festival, consisting of in-person sessions as well as online workshops and presentations, will be held Monday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 6.

"We have an incredible lineup of artists and thinkers joining us this year,” said School of Music Assistant Professor Eliran Avni, who serves as festival director. 

There is no fee to attend any session of the festival, which is open to musicians at any level. The deadline to register for online events is Friday, March 4, at 9 a.m. There is no registration process for in-person events.

"We are focusing on a theme of self-care for musicians this year, as this is often an overlooked topic in the studio and practice room. Our guests will be sharing some new tools and cutting-edge techniques to help us better navigate the increasing demands of our profession, regardless of your instrument,” Dr. Avni said.

Our guests will be sharing some new tools and cutting-edge techniques to help us better navigate the increasing demands of our profession, regardless of your instrument.” Dr. Eliran Avni

Three leading pianists – Terrence Wilson, recitalist; Dr. Logan Skelton of the University of Michigan; and Dr. Stijn De Cock of Florida State University – will spend several days on campus to conduct in-person recitals and master classes with students in Rosch Recital Hall.

Special session guest speakers and clinicians will include Feldenkrais Method instructor and SUNY Fredonia alumna Maxine Davis; Dr. Noa Kageyama, a performance psychologist at Bulletproof Musician and The Juilliard School; Fredonia School of Music Professor of Music Education Christian Bernhard, author of “Managing Stress in Music Education;” and Dr. Elaine N. Aron, a clinical research psychologist and author of “The Highly Sensitive Person.”

Update: Ms. Davis's presentations have been postponed - it is hoped they can be rescheduled at a future date.

Dr. Aron has published numerous books and scholarly articles about inherited temperament and interpersonal relationships, especially on the subject of sensory processing sensitivity, beginning with “The Highly Sensitive Person,” which has sold over one million copies.

Events will be held afternoons and evenings and are free and open to the public, thanks to generous support from The Robert Jordan Piano Scholarship and Distinguished Lectureship Endowment, established with the Fredonia College Foundation. In-person events will be held in Mason Hall, home of the School of Music.

Zoom links can be requested online.

More information and schedules are available online.