Welcome to KeyAction Spring 2000: Page 7

Wisconsin Teacher Loves Her Clavinova

It’s only been six months since music teacher Colleen Perrine had a Clavinova CVP96 delivered to Foster Elementary School in Appleton, WI, but already the instrument has revolutionized the musical life of the whole school district. Perrine has a variety of projects planned using the versatile Clavinova digital piano.

Colleen Perrine and student Jonathan Zabel work together on the Yamaha Clavinova digital piano to mix his recorded piece using the initial edit function on the Clavinova

“I’m just so fired up about this instrument!” exclaims Perrine. To begin with, she’s using the Clavinova digital piano’s multi-track recording ability and unique voices as an integral part of a ‘50s concert for her students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. “We’re doing stuff like ‘Rock Around the Clock’ and ‘Moments to Remember.’ By accessing the Clavinova’s available sounds, the arrangements sound like they are right out of that period. It’s so cool!” Perrine’s use of the Clavinova digital piano doesn’t stop there. She is also writing a graduation song that her son’s class will use this spring, helping several 4th and 6th graders compose their own original music, and loaning the Clavinova out to other Appleton teachers who want to try their hand at teaching and arranging their own music.

According to Perrine, the Clavinova made its first impression on her when she saw how easily it could be used to demonstrate different sounds. “It’s really difficult for us to get people in the school classes to demonstrate what various instruments sound like,” she explains. “Kids might get to the eighth grade without knowing what an oboe sounds like. So I play those sounds on the Clavinova digital piano, and they sit up and listen.” Perhaps her most ambitious Clavinova project is her mentorship of an Appleton East High School senior, Jonathan Zabel, who volunteers with her grade-school students. “He played a couple of his songs for me, and right away I said we should work together,” she states. “We’re going to have a recital this summer, and we’re thinking of bringing in a dance troupe.” The teacher also uses her own Clavinova to record songs for the Christian music group For a Reason, to which she belongs. “I’ve got a lot of teachers interested in the Clavinova,” Perrine says. “We’re shuttling it around from building to building, and I’m having a ball being involved in bringing this technology to so many people.”

Key Action Home - Yamaha Home - Table of Contents - Next Page

| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 |