Clavinova Is Fun In the Sun

usic teachers gathered this summer for the seventh annual Summer Technology Seminar (STS), sponsored by the Yamaha Piano Division. Approximately 60 teachers received hands-on experience to help them grasp the vast potential of the Clavinova CVP200 Series and its latest software. Sessions were held at Sonoma State University in Santa Rosa, CA (June 20-22), University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL (July 18-20), and Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, IN (August 8-10).

The intensive STS is suitable for everyone from first-timers to advanced level Clavinova players. Along with presentations, clinicians look over participants' shoulders as they practice new skills, helping teachers integrate material covered into student lesson plans. Daily keyboard ensemble work, lab projects, and overviews of teaching materials, MIDI and software technology are central to this invaluable three-day seminar.

"Teachers return to their classrooms and studios knowing how to use all the functions and make music on their Clavinovas. Plus, they get a comprehensive workbook and they know they can always contact their local dealer or us for additional support," says Yamaha Academic Relations Technology Applications Consultant Dennis Stanfill. "These intensive workshops often lead to more Clavinova sales, too." For example, the Sunday immediately following last year's STS6, Dale Matthies, vice president of ABC Music in Honolulu, HI sold 22 CVPs, within three hours. The sale was announced in a newspaper ad and in a newsletter sent to parents and teachers by an area school.

Many music teachers, like Mary Vandersteen and Lynn Kroeger, return to STS annually to keep their skills current. "Through hands-on experience, the seminar reinforces what I've learned," Vandersteen says. "It's wonderful to have questions answered and become more adept at using the Clavinova."

Kroeger teaches 50 students on her CVP207, CLP260s, and CLP152S models with DOU10 modules. She's conducted group lessons for a decade, and says the ensemble session with newly appointed Yamaha Clavinova Festival Consultant Susan Ogilvy (see story on page 7)"was really motivating. When students orchestrate a piece, it opens up an irreplaceable creative process. My students love playing different sounds and making up sound stories. If you've never been to a STS, just do it! I guarantee you'll get hooked!"

Vandersteen enjoys playing new musical scores into her CVP107 (and soon, her new CVP207), and creating orchestrations for student lessons. "Well before publishing companies release new disks, I've created my own," she says, noting she now has hundreds. "The camaraderie and class projects at STS are so inspiring. I'd recommend STS for any teacher. I particularly like getting new ideas. We all need those!"