Clavier Companion - March/April 2013 - 16

that correlate with Alfred’s Basic Piano Library; and a brand new
series of six books by Wynn-Anne Rossi called Creative
Composition Toolbox that goes from early-elementary through lateintermediate levels. I would also encourage teachers to take a look
at another new publication by Carol Klose, Piano Teacher’s Guide to
Creative Composition, published by Hal Leonard. All of these
materials are written by wonderful and talented composers who are
also dedicated teachers.

What would you say to today’s pedagogy students, or to
young teachers just starting a career?
I would tell them that they’re entering one of the most fulfilling
and satisfying vocations anyone could choose! When I reflect back
on more than forty-five years of teaching, I think about all of the
young people whom I have had the honor and pleasure of teaching,
and how satisfying it has been to see so many of these young
pianists become young “artists.” Many of them are very successful
and inspiring teachers today—either in a private studio, or within a
college or university system. I’m truly so very proud to be able to
call them “former students!” Of course, many of those younger students also chose not to major in music, but are still enjoying their
musical knowledge and piano skills as adults. For all of them, I’m
quite convinced that the study of music has made them better
human beings—and that this art form has taught them to be more
sensitive and caring to the world around them. There’s a lot to the
saying, “I teach—therefore I am the future!” Certainly, I would
remind them that they won’t get rich teaching, but that they will be
rewarded in so many other ways that are often far more meaningful
than what they might receive from other professions. When we
teach, we hopefully give young people a gift that lasts a lifetime,
and that gift is truly one that just keeps on giving.

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

tips” section of the website. In addition, I want to add a couple of
more books to my Especially for Boys collection, along with a new
recital suite in honor of beautiful Montana where I lived for so
many years!

I’ve seen pictures on your website from the Dennis Alexander Piano Competition—could you tell us a little about the
competition and how it all began?
This has been such an exciting “adventure,” and we’re now entering into the third year of this annual event! It is the brainchild of
Tatiana Vetrinskaya, the Director of the New Mexico School of
Music, who felt that young pianists in the state needed an opportunity to showcase their extraordinary talent. She wanted the competition to evolve around a well-known, living American composer
of educational music, and since I had recently moved to
Albuquerque, I was honored to be involved. The response from
students, teachers, and parents has been wonderful, and now we’re
working to get more corporate and individual funding to help
cover the expenses as it continues to grow. There are currently four
divisions, with students ranging from seven through fifteen years of
age. Students can choose a piece of mine from a “required list” and
must also perform another piece of their choosing in a contrasting
style. All of the students who participate receive a medal, a beautiful certificate, a piece of music signed by me, (compliments of
Alfred Music Publishing), and written comments from the judges.
First, second, and third-place winners of each division all receive a
trophy, a cash award, a special “performance diploma” and perform
in a winners concert in the recital hall of the University of New
Mexico. In addition, the first place winners in each division perform for me in a master class open to the public. Our goal is to
give every student the opportunity to interact personally with a
composer, while also making every single participant go away feeling like a “winner”!

Well, ironically enough, I’m currently working on
Finally, please tell us more about your beaunew duet books to correlate with Alfred’s Premier
Piano Course. Since my career as a composer began
tiful companion on the cover!
Isn’t she a beauty? Her name is Shelby (she’s a
with duet books to go with a piano method, it’s
mini-schnauzer), and she is truly the most
rather nostalgic to be doing the exact same thing
adorable and wonderful little creature in the uniover twenty-five years later for a brand new method
verse! I’ve had her since she was just a few months
for which I’m a co-author! I also recently finished a
old, and she has been an official “greeter” for many
project with a wonderful and very talented teacher
students over the twelve years that she has been
friend here in Albuquerque, Amy Greer. It’s a colwith me. I’ll be the first to admit that I am a paslection of pieces for young students to learn by rote.
sionate dog lover in the first degree! (I love cats
We both believe that students love learning pieces
too, but dogs just seem to like me better.)
that have easy patterns but sound sophisticated, and
Whenever the piano is being played, Shelby is
this project is going to be loads of fun for teachers
immediately there, right next to the pedals and
to explore with students of all ages!
almost on top of my feet. She has always loved
A couple of other projects “off the beaten path”
having students of all ages come to the house to
include a trio for piano, violin, and cello that was
Dennis Alexander at the
see her—they’re not really here for a lesson, but
commissioned by MTNA for the 2013 national
Dennis Alexander Piano
they simply showed up to see HER, right? Dogs
conference in Anaheim, CA. This work was
Competition, 2012.
teach us SO much about life and living—the beauinspired by a recent love affair with tango music—
ty of unconditional love! There’s a wonderful quote
which is quite alive, rich, and plentiful in
that I saw quite a long time ago, by Roger Caras, which reads:
Albuquerque, NM! The first movement is an “Introduction—
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
Tango” and the second movement is a “Valse brillante.” When I
Certainly, I feel so very blessed to have enjoyed a lifetime of listentaught at the University of Montana for twenty-four years, I often
ing to music, teaching music, and composing music. But always
collaborated with string players. I’ve performed much of the reperhaving a dog around the house has certainly made my life whole
toire for piano trio, and nearly all of the standard repertoire for vioand infinitely more interesting!
lin and piano duo. Consequently, when I accepted this gracious
invitation it only seemed natural to write for this medium. I’m also
To view a video of Dennis Alexander, please visit page 13 of our digscheduled to do another collection within our Popular Performer
ital edition at www.claviercompanion.com. To learn more about
series. I also want to spend some time making more videos of my
Dennis Alexander, visit www.dennisalexander.com.
teaching library to include on my website, in addition to writing
more pedagogical articles on my music to place on the “teaching
16

CLAVIER COMPANION

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Clavier Companion - March/April 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clavier Companion - March/April 2013