Presentations
Symmetrical Inversion: A Pianists’ Journey Towards Ambidexterity
This presentation, given at the MTNA 2020 Virtual Conference, explores developing ambidexterity through symmetrical inversion. It discusses techniques to enhance the left hand's dexterity, control, precision, power, voicing, tone, and phrasing to match the right hand. By connecting left hand movements to conscious and subconscious listening and applying training methods from handwriting experts and athletes, we can use mirroring exercises at the piano. These exercises engage the full brain and can lead to significant technical and musical growth. Re-examining our habits and changing our psychology towards our hands can liberate musical expression.
Towards A More Organic Approach to Phrasing at the Piano
Shaping the contours of a long line can be amongst the most difficult things to teach pianists. If we address this as a cerebral concept, students adopt a “by-any-means-necessary” attitude, resulting in music-making that is physically strained, with the long line eluding them. Instead, we should search to find an innate physical approach that can bring out shaping more naturally.
Phrasing at the piano is too often a series of jerky events, a succession of nuances gradated from note to note; the larger shape is then controlled by a series of vertical movements carried out with unnecessary physical tension. We often ignore the actual physicality behind shaping long phrases, as well as the underlying thought processes.
By re-examining how we integrate our various disjointed motions together, we can simplify the process and reveal a more organic method to phrasing. Music can unfold in an unfettered natural state if we rid ourselves of our worst habits and re-examine our own approach to music-making.
Getting Out of Our Own Way: Catching a Musical Ride on our Subconscious Train
This presentation, given at the ISMTA 2021 Virtual Conference, explores how the subconscious mind can empower or undermine musicians. It examines how early-instilled bad habits affect musicians and how to draw upon positive musical experiences for improvement. The presentation covers specific practice methods and the principles behind achieving the "flow state" in successful performances.
CAMTA presents Winston Choi: Multi-Sensory Experiences the Piano
In the search for more vibrant and emotionally authentic ways of expressing oneself at the piano, concepts such as Synesthesia and Tetrachromacy are embraced in pedagogical ways Professional Development Program: September 8, 2023
Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA)
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Reflections at the Keyboard
This event begins with a performance of Debussy's Reflets dans l'eau. Choi then lectures about pianistic and pedagogical topics related to the piece, centering around the topics of control (managing touchweight) versus freedom (both physical and psychological). The event ends with Refractions in the Water, Choi’s 3-piano arrangement/re-imagining of Debussy's work.