Teaching Method:
Learn to Speak and Create a Story with Music
Good music is infallible. It will never betray, disappoint, or abandon you. Once you know the language, you have a lifetime process for self-renewal, creativity within a given structure, and finding endless ways to vary any tune or piece. It’s a process for all of life, and awakens you to infinite possibilities that spread into your personal universe.
Do you think only “other” people can play by ear, improvise, arrange, transpose, and compose? I used to think so. But Dr. Robert Pace, through his extraordinary method, taught me that anyone, given a methodology, can achieve those skills. And then, as Dr. Bert Konowitz used to say, “spontaneity arises from the reduction of skills to second nature.”
Because so many students who play well, can’t play what they really WANT to play, Betsy’s studio has morphed into a primarily blues, jazz, and keyboard theory program for intermediate through advanced pianists.
Classical music and hymn playing are also a part of a complete program. A student should be taught a variety of styles so they can CHOOSE what they want to do with music. We want them able to perform church music, play in a jazz band/combo, arrange, conduct, compose, accompany, read lead sheets, and, of course, play in all 12 keys.
Want to know more about Betsy’s education and experience? Click HERE
About: Education and Experience
Betsy Hannah received her M.M. in Music from Indiana University. She completed 2 semesters toward the Doctor of Music in Piano Pedagogy before teaching at Colby Jr. College in New Hampshire. At I.U. she studied with Menahem Pressler, pianist with the famed Beaux Arts Trio. She continued post- graduate studies with Dr. Robert Pace and Bert Konowitz at Columbia University, also studying jazz pedagogy and improvisation. She became a National Technician for the Pace method, training teachers at colleges and Universities.
In Raleigh NC she performed and taught music at Meredith College and in her own studio. She performed solo and accompanying recitals, concerti with orchestra, and chamber music in North Carolina and Virginia.
She created the sound track for documentaries receiving an Emmy nomination for one and several 1st place awards from the National Broadcasting Society.
In New York, she started a long journey of jazz arranging and improvising, which developed into a clear pedagogy/methodology of approaching blues and jazz for students.
Betsy Hannah, M.M.Indiana University, member RPTA, CAPTA, NCMTA, NMTA
Photo Gallery
Left to right: Student Kathy, Pianist Menahem Pressler, Betsy, and student Danny. Studied with Pressler at I.U.
Performing Beethoven Concerto No 1 with NC State orchestra. 1972
Solo improvisation on TV show taping.
Betsy at the Frog and Nightgown. Students played in a “rock” recital with bass and drummer.
At events with Dr. Robert Pace and other Pace teachers and technicians.
Rock recital at the Frog and Nightgown.
Betsy and rescued Benji
Workshop with Dr. Pace. In Durham, NC.
Performing at an art exhibit.
