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A mini “Up With People” Cast Reunion in Sarasota, Florida.

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Official Cast C 1987-1988 photo, taken in Tucson, Arizona before the start of our tour. I’m second row- 5th from the right with spiky hair and a hot pink shirt. Got to love the 80s!

Today’s blog post contains a bit of nostalgia, thus the Up with People Cast C photo from 1987. If you’ve known me for a while, you may know that upon graduating from high school in Choteau, Montana, and prior to attending the University of Montana, I spent one year traveling as a student with the international educational program, Up With People. Created in the 60s, Up With People is still around today. By the way, contrary to some preconceived notions, UWP is NOT a religious group.

This is the letter of reference that we each received upon completion of our year in 1988. (this gives an overview of the year.)

During the year, our cast of 100 students along with about 20 staff members gathered in Tucson for five weeks to learn the show and the ins and outs of life on the road. (Back in the day, there were five casts touring to different parts of the world all at the same time.) After our staging and orientation, we took to the road in two tour buses, a couple of small vans, and a semi truck (filled with our set, lights, instruments and costumes.) Our first leg of travel took us through middle America before making our way to the east coast of the U.S. and then into Canada. In Canada, our tour stopped in large cities and small towns throughout Quebec and Ontario where we played in a LOT of hockey stadiums. During the second half of the year, we headed to Europe where we toured in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland. At each of our tour stops, we set up the stage, performed our musical show, and engaged in community service such as performing in hospitals, prisons, and retirement homes. Wherever we went, we stayed with host families. In all, I stayed with over 50 host families.

To say the least, this was a life changing experience for this once 18 year old naive girl from rural Montana. Sure, I remember the amazing places we traveled to, the host families, and the show. I remember what a thrill it was performing in front of audiences in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. But, nothing compares to the lasting friendships we forged during that year of touring, performing, laughing, crying, singing, dancing, and making our way through a year on the road including the challenges, the highs, and the lows. Those friendships endure to this day.

This brings me to Sarasota, Florida, where I recently traveled to during Spring Break for a mini cast reunion with Frank, Cary, Manon, Holly, Kate, Bruce, Geert, and his husband, Ray. Ray didn’t travel with Up With People, but with his dancing skills, he should have! Whenever I reunite with cast members from the road, it feels as if I just saw them yesterday. This last trip was no exception. During the three days we were together, we danced, sang, walked, biked, experienced the solar eclipse, went boating, prepared meals and ate together, went to a drumming event on the beach, went to a musical fund raiser for an arts building in need of repair, visited the Selby Gardens, toured the art museum at The Ringling Estate, and much more. I hadn’t seen many of my friends for some 20 years, as I have been busy raising my now 22 year old daughter, Ruby. However, when I saw them on this trip, our friendships picked right back up where we had left off.

Thank you to Geert and Ray who hosted us and who made our reunion and time in Sarasota so special.

On the beach for an evening drumming and dancing party in Siesta Key (Geert, Laura, Cary, Ray, Frank, Manon- and one photo bomber behind Geert)

Boat ride around Siesta Key with our gang!

Ringling Mansion with Laura and Geert
Selby Gardens

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Piano in Okanogan County

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Photo taken outside of Roz Nau’s studio

Okanogan County in North Central Washington state, is the largest county in the state and reaches north to the Canadian border. The county seat is Okanogan, while the biggest town is Omak. On a recent musical adventure, I visited the town of Tonasket as a visiting artist for the Washington State Music Association (WSMTA).

Laura, Evelyn Sheller and Roz Nau
Laura, Lois Rhoads, and Lydia Thompson
Laura, Lois Roads, and Violet Thompson

After a short flight from Seattle to Wenatchee, I drove for 2.5 hours on US-97N to Tonasket. Along the way, I enjoyed the scenery and stopped for a snack at SweetRiver Bakery, a cute bakery and coffee shop in the town of Pateros. Upon arrival in Tonasket, I met the trio of teachers of the Okanogan Chapter of WSMTA (Roz Nau, Lois Rhoads, and Joan Smith), listened to some fine pianists in a recital competition, enjoyed a pot luck, and gave a musical presentation on my book, Music in the Westward Expansion.

The next day, I listened to, wrote comments for, and worked at the piano with twenty-three students who each played two prepared pieces. (We had a delicious lunch at Joyful Thai in Tonasket.) I enjoyed meeting the engaging teachers, spending time in the beautiful piano studio of Roz Nau, and working with the students. By the way, Evelyn Sheller won the recital competition and will be performing at the WSTMA conference at Gonzaga University in June. Lydia Thompson it the alternate, and Violet Thompson received an honorable mention.

Laura and Susan Graves

As a bonus, I met Joe’s cousin (Joe is my better half), Susan Graves. The delightful Susan lives near Omak, and she was already acquainted with the music teachers in the area. I had heard a great deal about her prior to our meeting, including her legendary sewing and design skills that she puts to use for local productions. Susan joined us for the student recital, potluck, and the Westward Expansion program.

Okanogan County not only has a vibrant piano scene with the three dynamic teachers and motivated students, but there is also an orchestra and chorus. Community arts organizations also host several visiting arts groups and soloists throughout the year.

This was my first time to the Okanogan Valley. Beautiful features of the area include the Columbia River, snow capped mountains, and apple orchards dotting the landscape.I stayed at the newly remodeled and very comfortable Omak Peppertree Inn. The trip is a reminder of just how big and beautiful the state of Washington is and also how dedicated professionals enliven the community with their talent, energy, and engaging arts education offerings. For more about arts in the Okanogan area, visit:

Okanogan Music Teachers Facebook Group

Okanogan Valley Orchestra

Have you been wanting to learn how to play the piano? Check out my online piano course for beginners that you complete in your own time. Here you’ll find a curriculum outline along with sample lessons.

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Applause Worthy Performances!

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istockphoto.com (Photo credit: ziggy_mars)

It’s Music Artistry season in Washington State. What is that, you ask? Throughout the month of March, Washington State Music Teacher Chapters invite visiting artists to their neck of the woods to listen to students, write comments, and work with each student for a few minutes on two pieces that the teachers and students have painstakingly prepared for performance. (Phew!) A visiting artist may be at a location from one day to one week. Sometimes these locations are private studios, but most often times, they are in churches, as some churches have wonderful grand pianos – perfect for such an event.

I have been on both sides of the Music Artistry Program (MAP), my students annually play in the Seattle Music Teacher Chapter’s MAP, and I have been a visiting artist myself for the past four years. In that time, I’ve worked with students in the Snohomish, Olympia, Edmonds, and most recently, The Kitsap Peninsula. At the end of the month, I’ll be flying to Wenatchee, renting a car, and then driving north to visit the Okanogan Chapter in the north eastern part of Washington state.

As a visiting artists, some things that we watch for in performances are stage presence, posture at the piano, hand position, and ease of movement while playing. We listen for beautiful phrasing, smooth legato passages, crisp staccatos, and expressive playing that uses a wide variety of dynamics. We check that the performer accurately interprets the score including rhythm, tempo, notes, fingerings, clean passages, and articulations. We listen for beautiful tone production and balance between the hands. Is the melody coming through over the accompaniment? Do the phrases end gracefully? Does the music breathe? Does the student understand and express the mood of the pieces?

Here’s a video of an early intermediate piece demonstrating attention to details as indicted in the score. This piece, “Fantasie,” by George Philipp Telemann, is an early intermediate piece from the Baroque Era, it is found in The Festival Collection, Book 3, edited by Helen Marlais.

If you are interested in learning the piano in a traditional style, that is learning: how to play musically with ease, how to read a musical score, how to practice a piece, and how to add all of the details that will make your music sing, consider taking my online, on-demand piano course. Visit my teachable page for sample lessons and for a complete outline of the course.

Commuting from Seattle to the Kitsap Peninsula by ferry. I boarded the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry with my beloved electric Nissan Leaf. I spent an afternoon teaching near Poulsbo and drove south on the Kitsap Peninsula to Bremerton where I spent the night, recharged the Leaf, taught the next day, and then took the Bremerton/Seattle ferry home. It was a musical adventure in my own back yard. In all, I worked with about 25 students and 5 teachers.
A typical set up at a Music Artistry event. This was at a Methodist Church in Bremerton. The piano was a beautiful, older model Steinway.

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Bob Marley One Love

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The grand finale of the new bio pic, Bob Marley One Love, showcases his historic 1978 ‘One Love Concert’ in Kingston, Jamaica. During the concert, Marley stood on stage and locked hands with two opposing political leaders in a gesture of peace. This scene is a powerful illustration of the power of music to unite people, offer hope, and lift people up – even in a divisive political climate – even if it is just for a moment. For more about this concert event and the complicated history of Jamaica, I encourage you to visit this article on history.com.

I enjoyed every minute of the movie, including the Jamaican accents, the flashy and funky 70’s clothing, the scenes of Jamaica and London – London is where Bob Marley and the Wailers recorded the historic album, Exodus, which Time Magazine called “The Best Album of the 20th Century.” Most of all, I enjoyed the music: “Three Little Birds,” “One Love,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “No Woman No Cry,” and so many more songs.

An intimate scene depicts Bob, and his wife Rita – Bob is sitting in a simple room on a sofa, strumming and singing, “Turn Your Lights Down Low,” while the soulful, smart, and beautiful Rita lovingly listens and comments that she has always enjoyed his love songs. What a beautiful scene, and what a gorgeous song! When I got home, I immediately purchased the sheet music from Musicnotes.com.

A reminder, if you’re interested in piano lessons, try my online piano course. With my course, in your own time, on your own schedule, you can learn beginning piano and music reading skills. You too, could be playing music that touches your heart and lifts your spirit!

PLEASE VISIT ME ON TEACHABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLAY PIANO TODAY COURSE, SAMPLE VIDEO LESSONS, AND TO SIGN UP FOR PLAY PIANO TODAY: AN INTRODUCTORY PIANO COURSE. Use the code: Love at checkout to save 25% off the course until the end of February!

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Sending all My Love Along the Wire!

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Faithfully, the classic Journey song was written by Jonathan Cain, played here by Laura Dean.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ve been nostalgic for the 80’s ever since I watched The Greatest Night in Pop on Netflix a couple of weeks ago. The documentary, narrated by the never-aging and engaging, Lionel Richie, recounts the making of the 1985 mega hit, “We are the World.” If you are of a certain age, you remember the song and the video which featured iconic 80’s superstars including Quincy Jones, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Steve Perry, Diana Ross, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Huey Lewis, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Daryl Hall, and the list goes on and on. I highly recommend this movie for a feel good trip down memory lane! 

If you’re interested in learning to play the piano so that you can play some of your favorite songs of the past, Play Piano Today: A Beginning Piano Course, created by yours truly, is a great place to start. This is an online, on-demand course which includes a PDF book, and 20 instructional videos. Now through the end of February, use the code: Love at checkout to save 25% off the course. Purchase the course yourself, or gift it to a loved one.

May your day be filled with love, joy, and sweet moments.

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GRAMMYs 2024 Wrap Up with “Vampire” for Beginners.

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Did you watch the Grammys last Sunday? I did, and was blown away by the variety of magnetic performances inducing Dua Lipa’s exuberant opening song and dance, “Training Season.” Tracy Chapman lit up the night with her smile, guitar playing and performance of “Fast Car” with Luke Combs. Joni Mitchell, sang a tear jerking rendition of her classic, “Both Sides Now,” Miley Cyrus, with plenty of attitude, in a Tina Turner hairstyle and outfit, rocked the house with “Flowers.” Mic drop, loved it! Olivia Rodrigo, dressed in a killer red gown nailed a dramatic torch–song–style performance of “Vampire,” Billie Eilish, with her silky voice, dressed in a 50’s style outfit, crooned her award-winning song, “What Was I Made For,” and list goes on and on! More than ever, the evening was a reminder of how music lifts our spirits, connects us, stirs up memories from the past, and deeply touches our hearts and souls.

One thing I appreciate about being a musician is the ability to readily read music. I love finding piano arrangements of current and old popular songs on the website musicnotes.com. The site has thousands and thousands of songs arranged for every level for beginning to advanced players. You simply purchase the sheet music and then download a PDF to print- no waiting. You can also set up your iPad and have your sheet music collection in one convenient place. I’ve been collecting sheets for over a decade and have purchased more than 300 songs. Of course, it’s always best to purchase the sheet music rather than finding a sketchy, pirated version online. When you purchase the music, the artists, songwriters, and arrangers receive compensation for their work.

Have you wanted to read music? Do you wish you had the skills to play some of your favorite pop hits? Look no further than my beginning piano course: Play Piano Today, and you’ll soon have the playing and note reading skills to take on beginning piano arrangements of your favorite pieces. For example, several arrangements of Olivia Rodrigo’s, “Vampire.” are available at musicnotes.com.  I choose a beginner’s arrangement to demonstrate how good an easy arrangement can sound. Here’s my recording of “Vampire,” along with a small sample of the sheet music below.

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The Piano Landscape/Black Keys- A Teaser Video from the Play Piano Today Course.

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Is it time to add some music lessons into your life? Have you wanted to take piano lessons, but you’ve been putting it off until the time is right? Well- the time is right! Playing the piano improves your cognitive function, adds joy and solace to your life, and improves your mental health. What are you waiting for? 

Today, I’ve got another teaser video from my online and on-demand course, Play Piano Today: An Introductory Piano Course – available on Teachable (a platform for online learning.) If you haven’t read the posts about the course yet, you can read them here , and here. If you’re interested, you can view more teaser videos and the complete curriculum at Teachable.

The video below is from Unit 2: The Landscape of the Piano Keyboard/Black Keys. At the end of this post, you’ll find a PDF of the corresponding lesson page from the Play Piano Today PDF book. If you have a piano or keyboard available to you – give the lesson a try, and let me know what you think in the comments below! Through the end of January, save $55 off the total price of the course by applying this code at checkout: Happy-Birthday!

The Landscape of the Piano Keyboard, Black Keys from Play Piano Today: An Introductory Piano Course with Laura Dean
Unit-2-The-Keyboard-Landscape-2Download

Play Piano Today Introductory Piano Course (on demand, online) FAQ and a January Special.

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Study piano online and at your own pace with the Play Piano Today Introductory Piano Course by Laura Dean

Happy Friday! Last week I launched a new online product, Play Piano Today: An Introductory Piano Course. The course, which includes a 42-page PDF book and 20 instructional videos, is available for purchase on Teachable, a platform dedicated to online learning. Designed for the beginner, the online format allows students to work through the materials at their own pace. Check out he course on the Teachable platform by clicking this link, here you may view the complete course outline as well as sample a few lessons.

I’m coming up on a birthday next week, and I’m celebrating by offering you $55 off the course through the end of January! (You guessed it- I’m turning 55). Use the code: Happy-Birthday! at checkout for the $55 discount. It just so happens that one of the lessons in Unit 10 is all about how to play “Happy Birthday!” I’ve included the video below.

Happy Birthday Lesson from Unit 10 of Play Piano Today!

If you’re interested in the course but not completely sure, perhaps this list of FAQ will help you decide:

Is this only for beginners?
This is for beginners and for anyone returning to the piano who would like a review of the basics.
What ages is this for?
This course is designed for adults but would also work older self-motivated kids ages 10 and up.
What if I’m dissatisfied with the course?
Students purchasing my content on Teachable are entitled a refund within 14 days from the date of purchase if they are not completely satisfied.
How long will this take me to complete?
That depends on your learning style and how many days a week you can devote to working on the course and practicing. I recommend practicing 5 days per week for 20-30 mins. The course, on average may take 4-6 weeks to complete – it may take less time, and it may take more time.
How long with the course be available for streaming?
The course will be available for one year past your original purchase date.
When can I start?
After you enroll, the course will be available to you immediately.
Will I need a piano?
You will need an acoustic piano, a digital piano, or some type of electronic keyboard for practicing.
Will there be a follow-up course?
I am currently working on Play Piano Part 2, release date TBD.

I’m ready, Sign Me UP!!!!!!!!

Play Piano Today: An Introductory Piano Course by Laura Dean

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It’s winter! It’s dark and cold. Are you ready for a cozy indoor project that brings you joy while engaging your brain? How about a beginning piano course? You won’t even have to leave your cozy home. After months of frenzied content creation, I’m elated to announce that my new online piano course, Play Piano Today: An Introductory Piano Course is up and running on Teachable (a web platform dedicated to online learning). The course is available on-demand, meaning once you purchase the course, you work on it at your own pace. The curriculum includes a 42-page pdf book filled with lessons and sheet music along with 20 instructional videos. Hope to see you there! Below is a little sneak peak! Visit me on Teachable for more information and sample lessons.