I Get By with a Little Help from AI

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Written by Laura Dean and Chat GPT

I just submitted this article to the Clarion, the bi-monthly publication of the Washington State Music Teacher’s Association, and I thought my readers may find it interesting. By the way, this is the first article I have written with the help of openAI.

Have any of you dipped your toe into the world of Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI?  I have. I have used AI to generate a set list for a Gen Z couple who hired me to play for their wedding ceremony and the cocktail hour. I’ve used it to create a short narrative about the major musical time periods for a concert that I’ve given featuring  composers from the Baroque to  the 21st Century. I’ve use it to find weekly music riddles for my students that I write on a white board at the entrance of my studio. I have embraced  ChatGPT  as a personal administrative and research assistant  who is available to answer my requests 24/7. AI has  saved me hours of time and energy, and I think we can all agree that time and energy are among our greatest resources. 

 AI is rapidly becoming a valuable tool for independent music teachers. While some educators may feel hesitant to embrace technology, AI can simplify many aspects of studio management and instruction. Here are a few practical ways AI can enhance your work life while saving hours of labor.

1. Music Theory Assistance

AI-powered chat tools like ChatGPT can generate explanations, exercises, and quizzes tailored to your students’ needs. If a student is struggling with key signatures, AI can instantly create customized drills or explain concepts in new ways.

2. Music History Insights

Need a quick historical background on a composer or musical style? AI can summarize key information, suggest repertoire based on a student’s interests, or even help craft engaging storytelling for lessons.

3. Organizing Your Busy Schedule

AI can help structure your week by generating lesson plans, reminders, and task lists. Tools like Google Calendar’s AI scheduling suggestions or Notion AI can assist in balancing teaching, practice time, and administrative tasks. AI-generated to-do lists can prioritize important tasks, for example, aiding in recital planning, student follow-ups, and lesson prep. 

4. Project & Recital Planning

AI can assist in creating structured project plans, timelines, and even recital programs. Tools like Notion AI or ChatGPT can generate theme ideas, student progress checklists, and repertoire suggestions based on difficulty level and performance goals.

5. Marketing & Social Media

For teachers looking to grow their studios, AI can help generate website content, write engaging social media posts, or draft newsletters. Canva’s Magic Write and ChatGPT can quickly create compelling descriptions for lessons, events, or studio promotions.

Getting Started with AI

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is available for free at https://chat.openai.com, with enhanced features available through a paid subscription. Other AI tools, such as Google’s Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, offer similar capabilities.

Embracing AI doesn’t mean replacing the human touch in teaching—it simply enhances our ability to be more efficient, creative, and responsive to students’ needs. By incorporating AI thoughtfully, independent music teachers can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what truly matters: making music. 

Now excuse me, what with all the time that I saved co-writing this article with ChatGPT, I’m stepping out for a long leisurely walk.

By the way, is 2025 the year that you’ve promised yourself that you are going to learn how to play the piano? You may be interested in checking out my online beginning piano course:

PLEASE VISIT ME ON TEACHABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP FOR  PLAY PIANO TODAY COURSE: AN INTRODUCTORY PIANO COURSE.

More news…I have a newish Youtube channel, and here you can find weekly videos including piano performances and piano tutorials. Be sure to subscribe on the Youtube site! I release a new video each week! https://www.youtube.com/@lauramusicstudio

A Swimming Intermezzo in Baja Sur

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Though we usually think of an intermezzo as a short piece of music, or a musical break between two acts, another definition according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a usually brief interlude or diversion. I just returned from a SwimTrek Vacation in Baja California Sur to the protected island sanctuary and Unesco World Heritage site of la Isla Espiritu Santo located about an hour’s boat ride from La Paz nestled in the Gulf of California. This was my first, of what I hope will be many trips with SwimTrek. My companions and newfound friends were 11 other swimmers from the U.S., Canada, The Netherlands, England, and Germany. We were accompanied by three swim guides, 2 boat captains, and 4 other staff members who cooked delicious food, and kept our camp sight beautiful and welcoming. The vacation included spectacular open water swimming (around 5 kilometers a day), a swim with sea lions, views of a magnificent frigatebird colony, diving brown pelicans, technicolor sunsets, delicious food, spectacular night skies and a beautiful beach and swimming cove literally a few yards away from our tents. Eat, Swim, Sleep, Rinse and Repeat!

A SWIMTREK DIARY

Day 1: I took a red eye flight from Seattle to La Paz (with a stop over in Guadalajara) with Volaris Airlines.

Approaching La Paz on Volaris Airlines Photo taken by Laura Dean

Day 2: Arrived midday at Hotel Catedral in La Paz after a short taxi ride from the airport. Explored the tranquil streets of La Paz on foot and ambled along the Melecon (a sidewalk that skirts the beach and coastline along the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez).

A tranquil street in La Paz with a view of the water. Photo by Laura Dean

Day 3: Visited the Art Museum of La Paz and met my fellow swim trekkers and swim guides for an orientation and safety meeting in the late afternoon. Early to bed as the next day we will load our two pangas (small boats) and sail to the protected island of Espiritu Santo where our camp will be set up for us.

Mural in the La Paz Art Museum depicting the history of the region. Photo taken by Laura Dean

Day 4: Adios La Paz. After breakfast at the hotel, we load the boats along with our duffle bags and head toward our camp on Espiritu Santo. We stop along the way for our first swim. I’m blown away by the abundant undersea life including colorful tropical fish and beautiful coral reefs. We are separated into our swim groups and given colorful swim caps so the swim guides can easily identify our groups. I am in the pink group which we nickname the Barbies! On our very first swim, we encounter jelly fish and sea lice which are invisible baby jelly fish that sting like crazy. From then on, I decide to wear my wet suit. Luckily, I threw it into my duffle bag at the last minute. We all have a great time getting to know each other during our boat commute. After our first big swim, we head to our campsite for lunch and to unpack our belongings in our tents. The staff has thought of everything, including cozy tent accommodations, an impressive pair of compostable toilets, hand washing stations, a solar shower, a solar powered charging station for cameras and phones (there is no wifi on the island), a dining area, and a kitchen where the staff churns out one delicious meal after another. In the afternoon, after a short siesta, we head out into the bay for a shorter swim before happy hour and dinner.

My swim group before boarding the boats for our ride to Espiritu Santo.

Day 5: Slept like a rock on the first night at the campsite. Breakfast, then we load up the pongas for zipping off to a new swim site. Swim. Back to the campsite for lunch and siesta followed by more swimming. We have the usual happy hour accompanied by spectacular sunset viewing followed by dinner, and most of us are in bed by 8:00 which is called the Baja Midnight. As there is no electricity on the beach and in our campsite, we experience a peaceful early bedtime. I read for an hour before drifting off to sleep while the waves gently roll onto the beach outside of the tent. I am in swimming heaven!

Swims Week2Jamie, our lead swim guide kept track of our 11 swims indicated by the red lines on the map. Thanks Jamie (scroll through the document to see the full map)

Day 6: Breakfast, trip to swim with sea lions, lunch, siesta, more swimming, dinner, and we entertain ourselves with improv games. A favorite was the three-headed guru! We stay awake past 8:00 pm so that Said, our trusty swim guide, who resides in La Paz, can give us an astronomy lecture. He outlines the twinkling constellations with his powerful laser pointer, and tells us stories about Orion and Cassiopeia. After the star lecture, we head back to our tents for a night of celestial sleep. I hear a scratch at my tent thinking that something is scraping the nylon walls from the outside, but then the scratching becomes more persistent and louder and after turning on my headlamp, I realize a ring tailed cat, known in the Baja as babisuri, is peering at me from a corner of my tent, looking very cute, but very wild. Scott and Said, two of the swim guides, are nearby and help me usher the visitor out of my tent. A couple hours later, Hannah and Jules have two babisuris in their tent which they manage to get out on their own with a lot of giggling!

Babisuri from analisisbcs.com
Our camp staff along with Said. They put their heart and soul into the cooking, driving the boats, and taking care of the camp site!

Day 7: Thanksgiving. After breakfast and our morning swim meeting, our trusty head swim guide, Jamie, informs us that rather than running a Turkey Trot (as we’re swimmers, not runners), we will be swimming a 5k. Ok! sounds good to us, we load up the pangas and head to a beautiful series of coves where we swim in, out and around and eventually make our way back to camp via the water highway. Our guides coax us on from their kayaks with water breaks and giving us some gummy bear candies along the way. In the evening, we share our final meal, and we recognize the amazing staff for all of their hard work!

Brown Pelican diving for fish at sunset, video taken by Laura Dean

Day 8: Sadly, we pack up our duffle bags, eat breakfast and head out on the pangas. We make our way back to La Paz with two swims along the way. Back in La Paz, we have ice cream and head back to the hotel where we have our first shower in several days. We meet up in the evening for a family style meal at a lovely restaurant in La Paz. We say our good byes and head back to our hotel. Good bye friends!

Day 9: I fly from La Paz to Guadalajara to Seattle. Home sweet home. I’m already dreaming of my next SwimTrek Vacation which I hope will be an annual event.

Jafet Badillo took some amazing underwater photos and videos early in our week. Below is his video. You can visit him on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jafetphoto/profilecard/?igsh=Y2s2OHp0N284azF3

In the words of Dori in the movie Finding Nemo….. “Just keep swimming.”

A Musical Note From Lady Whistledown

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Dearest Gentle Readers,

This past Friday evening, several fine people were at the Seattle Town Hall for a special Fever musical event: The Best of Bridgerton on Strings. I attended with my daughter, Ruby. We all enjoyed a pleasant hour of music played by the talented and engaging Seattle String Quartet. The stage held a resplendent display of candles and flowers which surrounded the musicians with soft lighting and bathed the audience in a warm glow. The setting perfectly complimented the evening’s repertoire which featured pieces from the three seasons of the Netflix series, Bridgerton. And, oh, aren’t we excited for season 4 which is in the works for a possible release in 2026!

As you may know, gentle readers, the music of Bridgerton is a mixture of covers of contemporary pop songs and original music written by composer Kris Bowers. Inspired by the candlelight Bridgerton concert, I’ve included a piano cover of “Wrecking Ball” from Season Two, Episode 8 which features the love story of Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma – “The Viscount Who Loved Me.”

I am told these string quartet candlelight concerts are available in many large cities, and feature thematic concerts such as the music from Metallica, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Adele, Fleetwood Mac and more. If you get the chance, I hope you will attend one of these relaxing concerts!

Sincerely, Lady Whistledown

To watch the video of “Wrecking Ball” played by Laura Dean click below.

For online, at-your-own-pace beginning piano instruction, visit me on Teachable.
Use the coupon code: HOLIDAY for a 25% discount off of my beginning piano course good through January 1, 2025.

Give the gift of music for the holidays! The piano course makes a great gift!

We Have Reached Our Cruising Altitude

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Photo by Bornil Amin on Upsplash

The following essay recently appeared in the Clarion which is the WSMTA (Washington State Music Teachers) newsletter. I currently serve as the chair of the Independent Music Teachers Forum. One of my duties is writing an article for the Clarion every couple of months. I thought this one might give my readers an insight into the daily life of an independent music teacher.

Back in the early 90’s when I graduated from college, I entertained the thought of becoming a flight attendant. The job appealed to me because it seemed glamorous, interesting, and provided an abundance of travel opportunities. I never became a flight attendant, but I did end up working on cruise ships, which is a story for another time. Along the lines of the flight attendant memory, I’ve been recently thinking about our careers as independent music teachers, and how we might compare a long teaching afternoon to an international or cross-country flight. After all, it takes 6 hours and 15 minutes to fly from New York to London. It takes just over 5 hours to fly from Seattle to Florida. Some of us may spend that amount of time teaching in our studios daily. Let’s consider the parallels of an afternoon of teaching to a long flight.

As teachers, we serve in many roles. We are the ground crew making sure all is well with our instruments and our studio environments. We are also the gate agents , the information desk, the pilot, and the cabin crew all rolled into one. The best that we can hope for is a smooth flight. This would be a teaching day where our students are prepared, they have all their materials with them, they have practiced, they are in good spirits and cooperative, and the schedule runs smoothly from take¬-off (the first lesson of the day) to landing (the last lesson of the day). On some of our musical flights, there is no turbulence, no emergencies, and we thoroughly enjoy a productive and pleasant teaching day – smoothly moving from one student to the next. There is no lost luggage, no one forgets their books at home, no one leaves a coat at the lesson, no one is dissatisfied, and thus, our flight concludes without a hitch.

However, some days the flight is bumpy. The first student may cancel at the last minute with a sore throat, another might forget a critical book, another had no time for practice because of a three-day soccer tournament over the past weekend. Another student may be argumentative and uninterested in anything that we have planned for that day. There might even be an emergency! Just a few weeks ago, a student of mine fainted in my studio because she had absentmindedly not eaten enough that day.

As we go about our days, it’s best to remember that one thing is certain, just as in flying, as in our teaching, there may be bumps in the road, schedule changes, difficult situations, and disappointments. However, there may also be days and days of smooth flights, uplifting interactions, inspired students, agreeable parents, and above all, fabulous music making. The best that we can do is be professional, put on a smile, open that door, welcome our student in, and remember that, in the words of the late Thubten Yeshe, a Tibetan Lama, “If you expect your life to be full of ups and downs, then your mind will be much more peaceful.”

For online, at-your-own-pace beginning piano instruction, visit me on Teachable.
Use the coupon code: HOLIDAY for a 25% discount off of my beginning piano course good through January 1, 2025.

Give the gift of music for the holidays! The piano course makes a great gift!

Jubilee presented by Seattle Opera

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Jubilee
Seattle Opera Image

The Fisk Jubilee singers were a group of talented and courageous students from Fisk University of Tennessee, who first toured their musical show across the United States in 1871 while raising money for Fisk University which, at the time, was severely underfunded. I recently saw the world premier of Jubilee presented by the Seattle Opera at the beautiful McCaw Hall. Jubilee was created and directed by Tazewell Thompson with vocal arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell, and orchestration by Michael Ellis Ingram.

In some 40 spirituals (and one classic aria), the opera tells the story of the often difficult journey of the original Jubilee singers and also highlights their personal victories and struggles. The Seattle Opera program reminds us, “These traditional songs, created, refined, and shared anonymously by enslaved Americans, are the foundation on which all American music has been built.”

File:Fisk Jubilee Singers 1882.jpg
The Fisk Jubilee Singers from 1882
photo wiki-media

In particular, I enjoyed the humorous scene and performance of “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,” the uplifting “There’s a Meetin’ Here Tonight,” and the emotional “Wade in the Water.” If you aren’t able to make it to the Seattle Opera for the production, you can listen to 10 selected pieces on Soundcloud. For a modern recording of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Celebrating Fisk (The 150th Anniversary Album) is available on Spotify.

Patsy Cline’s Walkin’ After Midnight

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Patsy Cline’s Walkin’ After Midnight, coming out on Sept 17, 2024, a book by Judith A. Proffer with Julie Dick Fudge, and Illustrated by Yoko Matsuoka, celebrates the magical childhood dreams of the legendary country musical artist Patsy Cline. Patsy’s dream world includes daydreams, sleep dreams, and dream walking. This delightful book, beautifully illustrated, includes a white piano, a vintage red radio, a retro soda shop, a charming dog named Pepe, and sweet treats. Throughout the book, Patsy dreams of making it big in country music. The poetic prose and whimsical illustrations made me want to leap into the pages of the book and wander with Patsy through her musical dreamscape.

When I saw the cover of this book, I thought it was going to be a biography of Patsy Cline. However, it is more about dreaming big and following your heart, imagination, and aspirations – wherever it may take you. This tender book, written by Patsy Cline’s daughter, is a delight for Patsy Cline fans as well as all dreamers – both children and adults.

Patsy Cline died in a plane accident in 1963. She remains an indelible influence in country music. Her biggest hit, “Walking After Midnight,” climbed to #2 on Billboard’s country charts in 1957. Her resonant voice and heart felt songs remain relevant in the 21st Century.

Walking After Midnight sung by Patsy Cline.

“Sweet Dreams,” was another big hit for Patsy Cline. Here’s a solo piano version played by Laura Dean.

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A Conference, A Convention, and a Concert – a summer music report.

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This summer, my musical adventures have included the WSMTA Conference (Washington State Music Teachers’ Association) in Spokane, Washington; the OCTA National Convention (Oregon California Trails Association) in Pendleton, Oregon; and The American Road Show Concert – featuring Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, and Chris Stapleton at the T-Mobile Stadium in Seattle.

WSMTA Conference highlights included connecting with music friends and colleagues while attending workshops, lectures, and concerts. I reunited with my college piano professor and friend, Steven Hesla, now retired from the University of Montana. I also presented a session on Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier, based on my book of the same title.

Our featured conference artist was Connor Chee, a native Navajo pianist/composer. His evening concert featured a dreamy and emotive program packed with solo piano pieces inspired by traditional Navajo songs and stories. My favorite was a piece called Weaving. Listen to the music of Connor Chee here.

Downtown Spokane
and the Spokane River.
Laura and Steven Hesla from the University of Montana
Connor Chee teaching a master class to a young pianist

Joe, my wonderful other half, traveled with me to Pendelton, Oregon, home of the confederated tribes of the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla. The OCTA conference took place in the Wildhorse Casino which is where we also stayed. In the evening, and early morning, Joe and I enjoyed walks around the beautiful grassy areas surrounding the Wildhorse as we took in the scenery including the gentle Blue Mountains. We also visited the Pendleton History Museum and the Pendleton Woolen Mill, which is best known for vibrantly colored woolen blankets.

OCTA concert
Square Grand at the Pendelton Museum
Wide open spaces in Pendleton

Just a few days after the Pendleton Trip, Joe and I attended the American Road Show with Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, and Chris Stapleton at T-Mobile arena in Seattle. Sheryl Crow kicked off the show with her rockin’ band – I loved her music in the 90’s and she’s still going strong. My favorites included All I Want to Do is Have Some Fun, Soak up the Sun, and The First Cut is the Deepest. Watch her tiny desk concert here.

Next up was Willie Nelson (91 years old) who walked onstage with his trademark braids tied back with a bandana while holding his trusty OLD guitar, “Trigger.” He sat down, and instantly launched into Whiskey River Take My Mind. He didn’t stop there! He delivered four more songs in rapid succession before taking a break to address the audience. He delivered incredible guitar playing and seasoned vocals with every selection- all the while backed by his trusty bandmates. The harmonica player, Mickey Raphael, has been with him for 51 years. Now that’s some dedication! My favorite songs were Angel Flying too Close to the Ground, Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys, and Bloody Mary Mornin’. For a short set featuring Willie Nelson, check out his 27 minute concert on NPR.

Just as the sun sank over downtown Seattle, the man of the hour and his band took to the stage with an epic live version of one of his newest hits, White Horse. His searing vocals, musical artistry, and death defying vocal and guitar playing agility came through loud and clear throughout the stadium. The band punched out one hit after another some slow and sultry such as Cold, and You Should Probably Leave. Other selections were raucous and edgy such as a version of Free Bird, and Think I’m in Love with You. He also gave the best band introduction EVER…. improvising a vocal solo for each band member over the chords of Tennessee Whiskey. He introduced his wife and backing vocalist, Morgane Stapleton, last… saving his best improvisation for the love of his life. Be still my heart! I recommend watching Chris Stapelton’s Tiny Desk Concert from 2015 here.

There is nothing like live music in Seattle in the summer, and this concert soared with one high quality performance after another! The Seattle Times wrote a thorough review of the concert which you will find here.

After the trifecta of musical experiences, I’m home for the month of August, teaching, practicing, and preparing for fall performances and events.

Sheryl Crow, Soak up the Sun

Willie Nelson, Whiskey River Take My Mind
Chris Stapleton, White Horse

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Spring Recital 2024

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We just completed our Spring Recital 2024. This year’s theme was “Rock, Pop, and More!” Most students played piano arrangements of popular songs while some played and sang their pieces! We had songs by Freddie Mercury, The Beatles, Laufey, Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Cold Play, Brandi Carlile, Randy Newman, Claude Debussy, and of course, Taylor Swift! In all we had 27 performers and about 75 people in the audience. It was a fabulous event! Thanks to Weili Ge who captured this group photo at the end of the recital.

This year marks my 30th anniversary as a private music teacher in Seattle. The time has flown by in a flurry of practice, recitals, concerts, events, laughter, tears, hellos and goodbyes, ups and downs. Mostly, I’m feeling inspired, grateful and humbled by the many students, present and past, who have chosen to play music with me. My hope and dream is another 30 years of music teaching and making my little corner of the world a more joyful place through the magic of music.

I opened the show with a cover of Carole King’s, “So Far Away.” With the excitement of the recital, I didn’t video the performance, instead, I recorded the song today in my studio. Click on the link below to view on YouTube. Thanks for 30 years of music making to my colleagues, family, friends and students!

Watch Her: So Far Away by Carole King played by Laura Dean

Bring Them Home / Aiskótáhkapiyaaya 

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Trailer for Bring Them Home. (if you aren’t able to play- please click here.)

I recently attended the Seattle International Film Festival where I saw Bring Them Home/ Aiskótáhkapiyaaya, a conservation documentary film about the reestablishment of the American bison, also known as buffalo, on ancestral territory of the Blackfeet nation near Browning, Montana. The film highlights the history of the buffalo, and how the species was nearly wiped out in the 19th century. The film also points to the many ways the history of the buffalo mirrors the epic history of the Blackfeet people, and how the success of the wild herd has, in turn, uplifted the Blackfeet community.

The film, narrated by Academy Award-nominated Blackfeet/Nez Perce actor Lily Gladstone, was co-directed by Blackfeet siblings Ivan and Ivy MacDonald along with Daniel Glick. The musical soundtrack includes traditional singing, rapping, and contemporary arrangements mixing indigenous singing with modern orchestral accompaniment. I especially enjoyed the inspiring stories of the Blackfeet people who worked on the project, along with the magnificent cinematography of the buffalo roaming, and sometimes, galloping along the Rocky Mountain front. What a thrill! The area showcased in the film is about 70 miles northwest of Choteau, Montana, where I am from.

If you get a chance to see this movie, I wonder if you’ll shed a tear, as I did, when you watch the buffalo thunder toward the wide open space when they are released into the wilds of Montana under the big Montana sky at the end of the film. For more information bout the film here click here.

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