Last Saturday, I attended the Barry Manilow concert at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. My memories of Barry go way back to the ’70s, when my mom would play his records while cleaning the house on Saturday mornings. I love playing his ballads on the piano, and I still remember the words to his greatest hits. I gleefully sang along with my fellow Fanilows to all the songs, which just kept coming all night—Mandy, Weekend in New England, Looks Like We Made It, American Bandstand, and many more, ending, of course, with the grand finale: Copacabana.
Throughout the evening, Barry—who is 82 years old, by the way—sang, played the piano, danced, changed costumes, and told stories about growing up as the child of a single mother in Brooklyn. In particular, he highlighted his special relationship with his grandfather, who encouraged Barry’s musical talent.
What a delight and inspiration to see this American treasure—a consummate professional—deliver such a joyful and entertaining concert packed with pizzazz, authenticity, musicality, warmth, gratitude, grace, energy, and compassion. For the hour and a half that he performed, we all forgot about what was going on outside the performance hall and enjoyed the “True Blue Spectacle” that is Barry Manilow.
In addition to his stellar performances, Barry’s legacy project is The Manilow Music Project, which, according to the website, “empowers underfunded school music programs to provide quality music education. By donating instruments and equipment and providing scholarships nationwide, the project gives disadvantaged young people the opportunity to experience community, passion, and creativity through the gift of music.” To date, the Manilow Music Project has given away approximately ten million dollars in instruments and scholarships.
At our Seattle concert, Barry honored Ethan Thomas, a music teacher at West Seattle High School. Barry had Ethan stand up and announced that he would be receiving $10,000 for the school’s music program! Bravo! In his tribute to Ethan, Barry commented, “Music will change a young person’s life.” Indeed!
Evan, my thirteen year old nephew, flew from Bozeman, Montana out to Seattle (on his own) to visit me during spring break. This was his first time on an airplane and his first time in Seattle. What a delight to show him around this beautiful city and to see it all through his eyes.
We used the light rail and our feet as our main sources of transportation for our iconic adventures. Our first full day together included a trip to Pike Place Market where we explored the flower stalls, fish counters, a gelato shop, and the corridor of shops that are nestled below the main market where we rummaged through vintage photographs and records.
From the market we made our way down to the Seattle waterfront where we hopped on the Bainbridge Ferry. During the crossing, we enjoyed our picnic lunch while taking in the sparkling views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline.
On our second day, we headed to the Seattle Center where we spent a good chunk of time at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop). Highlights at MoPop for Evan included the video game room, the Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix exhibits, and most of all, the hands on musical experience of playing guitars, drums, and keyboards in small practice rooms. Evan is very musical and he tried all of the instruments and he even let me jam with him. What a thrill to play music with my nephew!
MoPopPike Place MarketBainbridge FerryJam RoomJamming at homeAunt Laura’s Homemade Pizza
In the late afternoons and evenings, exhausted from our big adventures, we relaxed at home with games, tasty meals, and we played even more music together in the Yellow House Experience Music Venue.
On the final day, I drove Evan to the airport and accompanied him to the gate. I was sorry to see him go, but I know he’ll be back. It’s a reminder that connecting with family and spending quality time with those we love is truly priceless.
Here’s a piano version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana – played by Aunt Laura for Evan, who loves Nirvana.
Last week, I wrapped up what I fondly refer to as “March Musical Madness.” This year, my March musical travels as a visiting artist took me to Kenmore, Mukilteo, Whidbey Island, and Everett.
As a visiting artist for the Washington State Music Teachers’ Association for the past five years, I’ve worked with students and teachers in a variety of locations across Washington state. Each student who signs up for the Music Artistry Event (called MAP) performs two pieces and receives feedback in the form of written comments and a mini-lesson with the visiting artist.
There are several visiting artists working across the state throughout the entire month of March. In all, I listened to, wrote comments for, and worked with approximately 150 students. Although the schedule is grueling – with long days and travel away from home – it is truly a privilege to work with these students and to meet so many dedicated teachers.
With this in mind, you can imagine my surprise when I crossed paths with a former teacher at one of the events. While we were chit-chatting, I asked her, “Are you still doing any playing?”
She flatly responded with a question, “What’s the point?”
I was caught off guard. For once, I had no words. Her question was left hanging in the air as we parted ways. However, I was thinking of a response long after the conversation.
What is the point?
Well, let me count the ways……
Aurelia and Laura at the Seattle MAP 2025. (My own students also play in the Seattle MAP)
The point is connection. Music brings people together – of all ages, backgrounds, and viewpoints – around the shared goal of practicing, creating, and listening to music. Connecting with one another through music makes the world a more connected and humane place.
The point is healing. In my book, Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier, I explore countless examples of how music in the 1800s provided solace, hope, and healing during difficult times. As people fought to hold onto their culture or made their way across the continent in covered wagons and set up homesteads in challenging landscapes, music was a touchstone, a candle in the darkness.
As in centuries past, music still heals. For example, in my own life, focusing on my musical studies and activities provided a comfort and grounding when my dad died in a car accident when I twelve.
The point is legacy. Music is a way of traveling through time. Every song, every piece carries echoes of culture, values, aesthetics, and history—the good and the bad. Music helps us make sense of the world we live in by creating, performing, and listening to works that reflect the spirit of their time.
Consider Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony, composed in 1893, which encouraged other leading composers to draw from homegrown musical traditions. What great musical work will our current moment in history yield?
The point is joy and celebration. Throughout history, we’ve turned to music to celebrate life’s big events as well as the small moments: births, friendships, weddings, birthdays, family gatherings, falling in love, the day to day workweek and weekends. Our lives are enriched by the joy of teaching, practicing, performing, listening, and dancing to music. Music brings laughter, delight, and lightness to our days.
The point is personal growth and discovery. As lifelong learners, teachers, performers, and listeners, music challenges us and expands our minds and hearts. As a devoted music student myself, I’m continually inspired to grow as a musician, teacher, and lover of music. The more I learn the more I realize how much there is to explore.
The point is inspiration. A treasured memory from this past month: I was working with an eight-year-old on Whidbey Island. After she performed her pieces, we worked together on connecting and shaping her legato phrases within her lovely melodic piece. When our mini-lesson was finished, I asked, “How do you think this sounds now?”
She beamed and responded, “I think I sound like an angel.”
Moments like this are the point!
ff you’re curious about learning piano, I invite you to explore my course Play Piano Today: An Introductory Online Piano Course. It’s a self-paced, elegant introduction designed to guide you along your own musical path. Learn from the comfort of home in your own time with an experienced teacher.
Bird of Paradise outside the administration building at Rancho La Puerta
Cardio funk classes with Milo Levell, nutritional talks with Sohailla Digsby RD, wellness talks by medical adventurerDr. Brandee Waite, a mountain hike with friend and life coach, Emily Boorstein, time with my daughter, Ruby, swimming, visiting with old friends, and forging new friendships were some of the many highlights of my recent 2025 Rancho La Puerta trip. Rancho la Puerta, on the outskirts of Tecate, Mexico, is an expansive wellness resort that includes 4000 acres of hiking trails, gardens, gyms, yoga and dance studios, spas, swimming pools, a cooking school, an organic garden, and more. I first visited the Ranch in 2009 as a musical guest presenting a piano concert and singing classes, and have returned in the same capacity over a dozen times through the years. In fact, it is where I met my better half, Joe, who was a fitness instructor at the Ranch for some 30 years (that’s another story for another time).
Siempre Mejor, which translates to Always Better, is the motto of the Ranch. Indeed! Each visit provides opportunities for personal renewal and growth. At the end of the week, I ALWAYS leave with a feeling of gratitude and resolve that I am on the right path. My path includes the magic bullet of diet and exercise, self care, friendships, continuing education, travel, and meaningful work: teaching, studying, and performing music. As always, it’s good to return home, and as I look forward to a busy month ahead, which I refer to as “March Musical Madness.” In the next few weeks, I’ll work my own students in my studio as well as take to the road for work with a variety of students and teachers in the Western Washington region. As I step into March, I’m filled with energy, and a sense of calmness, ready to tackle what lies ahead. Siempre Mejor!
The Piano Concert in the Oak TreeLaura and Rubyveggie entreThe activity pool for lap swimmingOn the edge of the RanchHiking with Pal, Emily
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!
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.
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!
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.”
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.”
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.
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 MontanaConnor 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 MuseumWide 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.
