Here it is, the teaching studio. When I found this apartment, I knew I could make it work for my life and my business. The house was built as a home for Ezra Cornell's mother-in-law around 1880. What was her formal parlor became my studio. The space is almost a cube, 11' by 12' by 11' high.
These photos show the room in a succession of views, starting in one corner and turning. In that corner is the famous clock that chimes for all the NATS CHATS. Also in that corner, the electric keyboard, and the piano. Over the piano is the photo rail, where photos of former students watch over business. If yours isn't there yet, send one along. I have lots of frames waiting.You'll notice my postcard collection all around the top of the walls. You have to love those 11' ceilings. The collection started around 1994 when a student sent me a postcard from his vacation. Now many more send me cards from many places. (hint hint hint). The collection has made it around the room once. I started the second row on the wall above the door in August 2003.
In the other corner by the front door stands the big mirror. What's a voice studio without a big mirror?
But, also in the corner are things many other studios don't have. Like the pile of bricks under the mirror. And the bungee cords hanging in the corner. And the digeridoo. And the hard hat?
And, of course, more postcards.
When I took this photo I didn't realize how well the urn in the foreground would show. That's a copy of the Townley Urn. You know the Townley Urn, right? That's the ancient Greek urn in the British Museum on which Keats wrote his "Ode on a Grecian Urn".
" 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' ---- that is all
Ye know on earth and all ye need to know."
This is the front wall of the studio straight on. The newest addition has central billing: the German single-manual 1x8' Zuckerman kit-built harpsichord. It came to me (Thank you, Judy!) after long years in storage and only three keys worked, so rebuilding it will be a project for Winter 2003-2004. Look for students to be working on songs suitable for harpsichord accompaniment.Also visible here are the carpet (on which all students lie for breathing exploration and exercise), the student chairs (adjustable task chairs are great, giving everyone a seat at the right height ) and the big exercise balls under the harpsichord which we use for posture, flexibility and breathing work. On the walls are a needlepoint my mother worked of the Phi Mu Alpha insignia, the obligatory credentials, and yes, more postcards.
On the south wall stands the library -- all the way up to those 11' foot ceilings. The bookshelves stand on the desk and table (onto which I climb to reach the top shelves). Also tucked into the space are my audio and video equipment and the computer station. In the center, in front of the window, is a Brattleboro reed organ, circa 1888, which is used, albeit rarely, for pre-twentieth century American songs and hymns and such. No postcards on this wall, but the pothos is doing a fine job filling in.
Coming almost full circle around the room brings us to my own little corner with my own little chair. I spend most of my day right here, teaching, writing, designing, web-posting, corresponding, and dealing with all the business aspects of the studio. I really need to find some more time to sing!
And, yes, you noticed. More postcards rim the top of the wall.