Practice schedule
I’m preparing to perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Chopin’s Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53—two iconic works that have long held a place in my repertoire. I’ll be playing them as part of a Community Concert in Ontario, Oregon, sharing the second half of the program with a talented group called The Moody Jews. The drummer for the group, Grant Green, is featured on the front page of my website, and collaborating with him—whether on stage or simply listening—is always a joy.
This performance marks a deeply personal milestone for me. I’ve had the privilege of performing across the U.S. and around the world, and I’ve played in Ontario many times. I’ve stood on that particular stage more times than I can count. But this will be my first time performing as part of the official Community Concert Series—a series that shaped my early dreams and holds a special place in my family’s story.
When I was a child, sitting on my grandfather’s lap at one of these concerts, I whispered to him that someday I would be on that stage. That dream has come true in many forms over the years, but this time it’s different. My grandmother served as President of the Community Concert Series for many years and dedicated much of her life to its mission. Her favorite piece was Chopin’s Polonaise. To play it now, as part of the series she loved, feels like a full-circle moment—one filled with memory, gratitude, and legacy.
In preparation, I’ve structured a focused practice week using selected Beethoven Sonatas as warm-ups and cool-downs. Each sonata has been chosen to support specific technical and interpretive aspects of the Gershwin and the Chopin. I’ve performed both works before, but this time, I want to go beyond “almost ready.” I want to be grounded, relaxed, and fully inside the music—playing from a place of deep connection and joy.
0:00–0:10 – Warm-up (10 min)
Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 1, 1st Movement –
Focus on clear articulation. Develop phrasing.
0:10–0:40 – Chopin Polonaise (30 min)
0:10–0:20: Work hands separately on the left-hand octave passages and runs
0:20–0:30: Play through sections A and B slowly (LH focus)
0:30–0:40: Use hands together on measures that cause fatigue—test pacing
0:40–0:50 – Cooldown/Transition (10 min)
Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 1, 2nd Movement (Adagio Molto)
0:50–1:20 – Gershwin: Toccata Section (30 min)
0:50–1:00: Right hand only – play staccato passages slowly, solidify memory
1:00–1:15: Isolate 3–5 tricky transitions
1:15–1:20: Play-through at half speed
1:20–1:35 – Relaxation and Coordination Work (15 min)
Beethoven Sonata Op. 14 No. 2, 1st Movement
Why: A joyful piece with motoric RH-LH interaction—non-fatiguing, ideal between intense work
1:35–2:00 – Polish or Improvise (25 min)
Choose either:
– Slow improv around Chopin’s LH rhythm
– Play through the Chopin Polonaise at 70% speed
– Memory test on Gershwin: Try to play 1–2 pages from memory