Marisa Lacorte

Pianist, Piano teacher

We sat down with Marisa Lacorte to discuss her career so far and thoughts around music and education.

To begin with, I would like to know details about yourself and some background on your music journey.

I got into the music scene in an absolutely intuitive way. My parents put me to school at the age of nine, but I had no idea about the greatness of this universe.

My first memories are related to the sound interpretation of a very simple piece that my teacher described as the story of a band that came from afar, passed in front of my window, and left. I explored this narrative thoroughly until I understood what I thought was appropriate for that description.

How would you describe your relationship with music and education?

I think people's musicality should not be measured by fragmented assessments such as instrumentalist skills, auditory perception skills, communication skills... What it could mean to "make music" goes far beyond musical skills. Truly making music brings together and transcends all these skills by reintegrating them into the totality of being. It could be said that making music relates to the possibility of harmonizing with the world, in the world. Playing and listening to quality music is always an experience that takes me out of the Matrix.

Music and Education are absolutely intertwined. To give piano lessons, which in my case also means correcting and evaluating errors of writing and language in Portuguese. We contribute to the development of critical mass in relation to the problems that involve our modern world: Is it to indicate the best way to use cutlery, listen to the student's problems or finally, it is a craft work that embraces the person as a WHOLE!

I have learned and always make this reflection with students that limitations can promote and abilities can imprison. In our capabilities lies danger. What we usually think is "graceful" for some, can be effectively "un-graceful" for others. This is an apprenticeship that leads me to believe that talent is the will of what we want to do! That’s why I’ve joined many contests and I love to prepare my students for this unique experience.

What changes do you think need to be made to empower women and girls in the field of music?

Women are born powerful. In order for everyone to be aware that the contrast is the same in itself, it is necessary to have an immense development of character, to the detriment of BEING, HAVING and EXISTING.

I leave here a phrase of the philosopher, historian, Nobel Prize- 1990- Octavio Paz .
"... progress populated history, with the wonders and monsters of technique, but it disabled the lives of men.. He gave them more things, but he didn't give them any more Beings"...