Piano in Okanogan County

April 19, 2024Leave a comment

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).

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.

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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Sending all My Love Along the Wire!

February 14, 20242 Comments

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

January 28, 2024Leave a comment

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-2 Download

Play Piano Today: An Introductory Piano Course by Laura Dean

January 11, 20242 Comments

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.

Meaningful Musical Experiences

November 9, 20232 Comments

It’s late in the year, and I’m reflecting back on the last several months which have been full of rich musical experiences — attending musical events (such as the Seattle Symphony, WSMTA Convention, Taylor Swift Eras concert), and presenting a load of musical programs (studio recitals, musical author presentations, and playing piano for special events). I also took some lessons over the summer with my dear mentor Dr. Jill Timmons in Oregon who coached me on some “new to me repertoire.” It’s been a very full year of music, once again!

And what about you? Have you been experiencing some rich musical activities that bring you joy, or help you find some peace? I hope so! Below are some ideas for adding some extra musical events into your lives over the next few months!

Reprinted with Permission: “From Music in the Westward Expansion © 2023 Laura Dean by permission of McFarland
Meaningful Musical Experiences:
Ideas to get you started on your own musical journey

Whether you are a professional musician, a hobbyist, or a music enthusiast, the following ideas are jumping off points for enriching your life with musical activities!

Hands-on Music Making Experiences in the Home and Community:
• Attend sing-alongs or hire a musician (a guitarist, or a pianist) for a casual sing-along with friends, neighbors, and family. Pass out song sheets to attendees.
• Dance! Dance in the home, take lessons, attend community dances. Dancing is usually accompanied by either live or recorded music.
• Give the gift of music: tickets to musical events, music lessons, sheet music, a gift card to your favorite music store, or a musical instrument (a harmonica, ukulele, recorder, or small percussion instruments are inexpensive choices).
• Hire a musician or an ensemble to provide background music for family gatherings, outdoor events, or special celebrations. If cost is an issue, considering hiring local high school or college students who are in the early stages of their performance careers.
• Host a house concert––invite a local musician or ensemble into your home to give a concert for family and friends. The audience usually pitches in to cover the musician’s fee. For more information, check out the following organizations that organize house concerts such as:
Concerts in Your Homes
Undiscovered Music
Listening Room Network
• Keep a collection of percussion instruments handy for impromptu drumming sessions with family and friends. Percussion instruments and kits are readily available at your local music store, or online. You can also make your own with buckets, empty containers filled with rice, or other repurposed items.
• Listen to music on LP records, CDs, or online platforms such as You Tube, Apple Music or Spotify.
• Listen to NPR music broadcasts which feature a variety of musical styles such as: Tiny Desk Concerts, American Routes, Alt.Latino, Mountain Stage, All Songs Considered, World Cafe, Thistle and Shamrock, and Jazz Night in America. Check your local NPR station for programming details.
• Join a community band, orchestra, ukulele ensemble, guitar group, or other instrumental groups.
• Join a choir. Many community and church choirs don’t require an audition.
• Learn to play an instrument It’s never too late! If you want to learn an instrument, take private or group music lessons. Teachers are out there, to find one, inquire at local music store, or music school. You may also contact your local branch of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association). Many community colleges and community centers offer private and group instruction. If you are a “do-it-yourself” kind of learner, utilize online prerecorded lessons that you work through at your own pace. (Stay tuned! I am launching an on-demand piano course for adult beginners on January 1st of 2024. More information to follow in the following weeks!)

Attend Musical events in Your Community. Once you start looking, you will that find live music opportunities are abundant in your community, many of them with free access.
• colleges and universities
• art fairs
• breweries
• churches
• community centers
• coffee shops
• farmers markets
• high schools
• house concerts
• libraries
• local choirs, bands, orchestras concerts
• museums
• musicals
• music and cultural festivals
• open mic nights
• opera
• recitals
• street fairs
• summer outdoor musical events
• symphony
• wineries

Taylor Swift’s Extremely Epic Eras Event

July 27, 20233 Comments

Never have I experienced so much unbridled joy in one place as I did at the Taylor Swift Eras concert last Saturday night at Seattle’s Lumen Field. There’s no doubt that the 72,000 other people who attended that night, like me, may still be floating on air and glitter after experiencing the tour de force that is Taylor Swift.

My darling daughter, Ruby, treated me to this event of a lifetime. For three and a half hours, we were treated to a catalog of some 40 songs, multiple costume changes, sparkles, sequins, dancers, lights, flames, fireworks, set changes, and the most perfectly polished musical production that I’ve ever experienced! My hat is off to the dancers, singers, stage crew, musicians, support staff, stadium workers, and organizers.

What a privilege to see Taylor Swift’s dynamic work in action! She played piano, strummed her guitar, sang, danced, strutted across the stage in bejeweled boots, chatted with the audience, acted out dramatic scenes, and held the enthralled audience in the palm of her hand for the entire night. Most of the audience members were on their feet singing, dancing, and clapping throughout the show, many them, the die-hards, also known as “Swifties,” knew the words to EVERY song.

A delightful experiential touch at the concert was that each audience member was given a wrist band upon entrance. We were instructed to activate our wrist bands just before the start of the show. There were two round lights in the wrist bands that lit up with colors that complimented the stage light displays and changed colors throughout the night.

For a complete concert review with wonderful photos read The Seattle Times Review:

Laura and Ruby in our concert gear ready for the Taylor Swift show.

Rancho La Puerta 2023

April 18, 2023April 18, 20231 Comment

Rancho La Puerta is a wellness resort in Tecate, Mexico, dating back to the 1940s. My first visit to Rancho La Puerta was in 2009. Since then, I’ve returned to the Ranch as a musical guest some ten times! This year, I took my daughter Ruby along as my side kick, and we had a wonderful time. Personal highlights of the week included hiking, swimming, fitness classes, wandering through the meandering gardens, reading by the pool, eating award winning vegan meals, and best of all: connecting with old friends and staff members from years past, as well as meeting new friends. In short, a trip to the ranch felt like coming home.

During the week, I presented an evening solo piano concert based on my book which rolled off the presses about a year ago: Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier. I also led a class called “Sing-along with Laura,” an hour filled with standards, show tunes, and pop favorites.

A week at Rancho La Puerta encourages slowing down, breathing deeply, and living in the moment. Indeed these are gifts available to us every day of the year wherever we are! Try it now…… take a big breath in and a long, audible exhale…..Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Now, don’t you feel better?

Sunrise on the Coyote Hike – photo by hike leader Luis! Thanks Luis

Piano students, a wedding, and TÁR!

February 2, 2023Leave a comment

“Prelude in C Major,” J.S. Bach, played by Laura Dean

What do piano lessons, a wedding, and the 2022 movie TÁR have in common? The answer – Bach’s “Prelude in C Major,” the first piece from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier (The Well-Tempered Clavier), a two volume collection of 24 preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys dating back to 1722. The WTC is considered one of the most important works of keyboard literature. Bach’s “Prelude in C Major” is an enduring prelude played by beginning piano students as well as seasoned professionals. I’ve had the pleasure of both performing this piece for special events and teaching the piece to piano students of all ages. The prelude remains familiar, meditative and comforting.

I recently played the piano at the wedding of two dear friends, Mara and Matt, at the Novelty Hill-Januik Winery in Woodinville, Washington. The couple selected Bach’s “Prelude in C Major” as the prelude to the ceremony. The piece was a lovely choice to set the tone for such a beautiful event. Elegant, timeless, and tranquil.

In contrast, the 2022 psychological thriller, TÁR, features the same piece performed by Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett). In a particularly tense scene, Lydia Tár invites a master class participant to sit by her on the piano bench as she demonstrates the prelude. She commands that the student listen to the questions present in Bach’s composition as she intensely plays the piece with a variety of articulations and expressions, all the while making the student feel more and more uncomfortable. The particular scene was featured in this article by the New York Times.

I invite you to listen to a variety of pianists play “Bach’s Prelude in C Major,” each with their own sound, including Glenn Gould (listen carefully and you can hear him vocalizing in the background), Lang Lang, and Angela Hewitt.

A Magical Year!

December 30, 2022December 31, 20222 Comments

“Walking in the Air” by Howard Blake-played by Laura

It’s warm and cozy in my studio as the rain drums on the roof on this penultimate day of 2022. I’m reflecting on this past year, a magical year. My personal highlight was the publication of my book, Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier. Over the past few months, I have thoroughly enjoyed giving concert presentations to audiences in Tecate, Mexico (at Rancho La Puerta), Seattle, and in Eastern Washington. I am just getting warmed up, as there are several more Heart and Place concerts in the works for 2023. I will also be releasing a recorded collection of songs/pieces (on a CD and digital recording) entitled Songs of Heart and Place.

In addition, the year provided special moments all along the way- teaching my students (ages 5-adult), working as a visiting artist in Olympia and Edmonds, early morning swims with my dear swimming pals, traveling to Sedona, hiking along the south rim of the Grand Canyon, cooking dinner for friends, and the daily interactions with people in my neighborhood. There’s magic afoot everywhere.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve been taking a staycation filled with music practice, organizing my studio, planning for the year ahead, taking long walks, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Holiday events have included a couple of special music concerts. The first, a Harry Connick Jr. concert at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall- which felt like a trip to new Orleans with fabulous jazz musicians, funny stories, and Harry’s voice and piano prowess- oh my! On another night, Ruby and I attended the Northwest Boy Choir’s “Lessons in Carols” proceeded by dinner at the Wild Ginger-our annual tradition. (picture of me and Ruby taken at the Wild Ginger-which is across the street from Benaroya Hall)

Music remains a plentiful source of joy, levity, comfort, and connection in our daily lives! May you have a multitude of musical and magical experiences in 2023. Wishing you a warm, cozy, prosperous, healthy, and memorable new year!

Author Events beginning next week!

July 30, 20221 Comment

A quick note to remind everyone that I have a couple of author events coming up for my new book, Music in the Westward Expansion. I’d love to see you there! Both events will include narrative interspersed with live music played on the Northern Cheyenne Courtship flute, the piano, and the guitar!

Saturday, August 6, 2022, 7:00 -8:30 pm

Music Center of the Northwest
901 N 96th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Free Admission- no registration required

*Audience members at the Music Center are required to wear a mask.
*I will have a limited number of books on hand for sale for the Music Center event. If you’d like a book signed, I encourage you to purchase a copy ahead of time at your favorite book seller

Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 7:00 -8:00 pm

Third Place Books at Ravenna: 6504 20th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98115. Registration is required-click on the above link. Third Place Books is stocked with copies of the book for purchase.

The Girl I Left Behind Me!

Laura Dean: Musical Artist, Teacher, Author

piano, music education, live music

Tag: live music