Spent a week in Ottawa one day...

We've been here just a few days yet it feels like we've been here an entire week.  The Brian Lewis Young Artist Program  (aka BLYAP) is intense and immersive.  Maya has five hours daily (most days) plus several hours of personal practice time plus an evening music activity every day.  My role as task master isn't so bad but keeps me occupied most of the time. If I'm not sitting in the lessons taking notes and video recording I'm managing technology, task planning/managing or generally hovering.  I have been able to take the lunch hour to get some exercise.  More on that later.  One thing I haven't been doing much is photography and consequently have not been posting notes here.


This is my set-up when Maya is taking a class with an instructor such as Brian Lewis shown here.  I have a small but effective video camera running while I type notes from the session into an email which is promptly transmitted around the US moments after the class is finished.

Then I wait about two minutes for return comments, questions, corrections and instructions.

Here's a shot of the first evening's music activity.  This program is solo-oriented so all of the classes are one-on-one sessions with acclaimed masterclass instructors or one-on-one piano coaching sessions with fantastic collaborative pianists.  It is only during meals and the evening activities that the 12 students are in the same place.  It is a nice group of kids from around the country.


Last year I wrote out a complete grid of times and appointments for the entire program.  I did the same this year on a chalk board in Maya's original practice room but that room was too hot so we were moved to a different room.  I just didn't have any juice left to do the entire grid again so for now it one (or two) days at a time.

We're finding our stride so hopefully I will get back on a daily regimen of posting.