I am an accomplished pianist and piano teacher. This blog is about MUSIC – that is, a blog with posts about teaching, performing and listening.
I live and teach in my home studio in Calgary, Alberta. My teaching tenets are based on the following principles: (1) a passionate commitment to my students and their personal development, (2) a traditional classical approach that prepares students to explore and enjoy all genres of music, (3) the enrichment of the lives of students of all ages and abilities through the study of music.
I grew up in Meadow Lake, a small town in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. I started piano lessons at age 5 and was reading music before I was reading words. After a move to Calgary I studied with Dale Jackson. He had an immeasurable impact on my musical growth and technique and my success in achieving the Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in Piano Performance (ARCT).
After earning a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of British Columbia, I worked as an accompanist in the Academy Program at the Mount Royal Conservatory of Music (Calgary) and then as a freelance accompanist for numerous instrumentalists and choirs. My teaching career began while I was still in high school, continued on a part-time basis alongside the playing, and is now my sole focus.
If you have a love for music, please join me on this grand piano ride…
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Disclosure about product reviews in my blog:
My blog is a non-commercial labour of love. I do not receive remuneration of any kind for products that are reviewed on this blog. I may choose to review music and music-related products that are shared or given to me but I reserve the right to publish my honest opinion, or to refrain from writing a review at all. If you wish to have me review your music or product(s), please contact me at aahenda@shaw.ca.
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Follow me on Tumblr at LaDona’s Music Studio where I post additional music stuff as well as other stuff that that somehow moves me.
Hi LaDona,
I’m going to start following your blog. What I’ve read so far is both interesting & helpful. I’m teaching the “Music for Young Children” program in southern Alberta. Thank you!
Carrie
Welcome, Carrie. That you for your kind words. I love getting students who have completed the MYC program – they have a good solid background.
All the best,
LaDona
LaDona, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blog Award. See the nomination at http://wp.me/p1TJPv-2m0. Congratulations. Dave
Well said. Actually, with Suite101.com and some of the other webzines out there, writers are NOT to review anything they’ve received for free. It has to be something, as you said – that you’ve purchased to use, professionally endorse and write about of your own free will.
Otherwise, it’s bribery of sorts..
It’s similar to click-fraud in a way. Those of us who have online publications with ads on them aren’t allowed to click on the ads or force people to click on the ads.
Thank you, Rhona-Mae. Should have gone to you first! This all crept up on me.
LaDona, I have nominated you for the Family of Bloggers Award in this post: http://davidkanigan.com/2012/10/06/1-year-and-counting/. You are under no obligation to accept. I just wanted to thank you for your followership and your friendship. Dave
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Hi LaDona,
I recently found your favorable review of my composition, “Buenos Dias, Welcome To Spain!” Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I am so pleased that you enjoy it. I’ve also enjoyed perusing your blog, and look forward to reading more of your musical thoughts and opinions.
All the best,
Sarah Konecsni
Sarah, thank you so much for stopping by and reading! All the best with your compositions – looking forward to hearing more from you.
LaDona
Hi LaDona,
Have you perused the new From Prairie to Pine Book 2? I have another composition there which my students enjoy, completely different in style, titled, ‘Whistlestop Jazz and Blues’.
I am currently publishing several new works as well, including an arrangement of ‘Happy BIrthday’ in a few different levels. I think every student should know how to play it!
Sarah
LaDona, thank you for stopping and liking a recent post. I love music, but cannot sing or play any instruments. My tastes are eclectic so my radio station of choice is CKUA which satisfies that need. I look forward to following your blog as you enrich me with your knowledge about music.
Take care,
Ivon
Thank you Ivon. The snowstorm bit caught my attention – we didn’t get it as bad here but bad enough! CKUA does just fine for me sometimes, too! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by.
Cheers,
LaDona
LaDona, I’ve nominated you for the 2012 Blog of the Year Award @ http://davidkanigan.com/2012/12/08/blog-of-the-year/#more-13084. You are under no obligation to accept. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your inspirational posts and your friendship in 2012.
Dave, thank you so much for another nomination. It means so much to me. You can’t know just how inspired I am by your blog and your friendship. I treasure it.
LaDona, I’ve nominated you for the “Family of Bloggers” Award. To see the nomination, visit http://anotherlovelyday.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/overdue-thank-yous-awards-and-a-little-winnie-the-pooh.
Thanks so much for your friendship and followship.
~ Sandy
Hi LaDona – I’ve nominated you for another award! It looks like you’ve had a great 2012 – so you’ve been named a winner of the ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award. It’s a great way to acknowledge the blogs you’re enjoying! You can learn more in my post: http://lauralamere.com/2012/12/18/blog-of-the-year/ Congrats – and happy new year!
Happy New Year, LaDona! I’ve nominated you for 2012 Blog of the Year. You can get all the details on my post at http://thefameschoolblog.com/2013/01/08/blog-of-the-year-award/
Congrats!
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