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, as we can all learn from observing the lessons of others, and especially 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, where her friendly persona combined with a refined, refreshing approach to interpretation can all be witnessed during the following classes. I hope you enjoy them and the interview, which was filmed in 2016.

Publications

Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.

For more information, please visit the publications page, here.