In many respects a master class is a public lesson, the audience eavesdropping on proceedings. Attending public classes can be surprisingly beneficial both for students and teachers. We can all learn from observing the lessons of others. This is especially true when learning from esteemed pianists and teachers. I stumbled across this interesting filmed lesson, master class, and interview on YouTube.

Nelita True’s reputation as a teacher has travelled across many continents. She has been described in Clavier Companion (now known as Piano Magazine) as “one of the world’s most sought-after and beloved pianist-teachers.” True, who died in January 2021, was a professor at the Eastman School of Music in New York. Her friendly persona and a refined, refreshing approach to interpretation can be witnessed during the following classes. I hope you enjoy them and the interview, which was filmed in 2016.