March, 2007

This year, I was asked by Jenny Regehr if I could play for the masterclass series at the RCM in Toronto. The visiting teacher would be Mr. Leon Fleisher, who is one of the most well-known performers and instructors in the world. GULP! I hadn’t played for any other teacher other than Marc Durand in so long. At any rate, I attempted the Appasionata for him. Though I didn’t play well initially, the lesson was incredible. He had so many great ideas and seemed to fix things with one sentence or a simple gesture. Of course, most of the information I had already known from Marc and Bonnie Nicholson (my teacher in Saskatoon). But it was certainly fresh, coming from a teacher of such distinguished reputation. I mean...this year his documentary was even nominated for an Academy Award! (called “Two Hands").

Here’s a picture with all the Glenn Gould School students, and Mr. Fleisher. He sort of slouches when he teaches, and plays everything with his left hand. Mr. Fleisher joked that as he gets older, he finds himself teaching more in a horizontal position, and that soon he probably would be teaching lying down on his back. Well, sitting or lying down, I think all of us are grateful that he makes time to help us and inspire us.

From the back row, left to right: Matthew Bagasao, Emily Rho, Patrick Cashin, Theresa Leung, Kyung Wha Chu, me, Matthew Wicks, Mr. Fleisher, Christine Kim