Why beauty will change the world: Video of piano duet
Monday, October 06, 2008
(As Jessica encourages her students to trust and open up to new possibilities within themselves, so we at The Sunny Way hope to inspire you to think about the future in new ways, and act in new ways to create it. Enjoy this beautiful video! -ed)
Last fall, I began teaching piano at the Riverbrook Residence for women with developmental disabilities in Stockbridge, MA. Riverbrook is a rare and special place—the women there are supported in every dimension of life. I often remind myself of how new this phenomenon is. It has been only a few decades since ABC news reporter, Geraldo Rivera exposed the shockingly inhuman conditions at Willowbrook—an institution for those with mental retardation on Staten Island, NY. In doing so he helped bring this issue into our collective conscience. The care for those with developmental disabilities is, I believe, central to the evolution of humanity as a whole.
While things have generally improved since Rivera’s report in the early 1970’s, Riverbrook stands out as a remarkable place. Because of its uniquely supportive environment, the women trust me, and work closely with me. I, in turn, am discovering a new dimension in my own teaching as I witness them express, through our piano improvisations and group music activities, strikingly individual aesthetic sensibilities. This experience is proving to me that the Authentic Self—that part of us that is beautiful, natural and free—is, indeed, universal and unfettered by any limitation.
In this video, Tanny Labshere, whom I wrote about in my previous post, is playing an improvised duet with me. It will give you a first-hand experience of what I am describing.
Do you have any thoughts on this video, or the unleashed freedom it depicts? Let us know in the comments.
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Jessica, thanks for highlighting this video. It was beautiful to watch, I got all choked up. Interesting to see tanny play and I noticed that her concentration increased as she continued to play. I really love the section towars the end where you stretch across her her hands and play on both sides of her. your openness and support of your students shines through in this duet. Yes, I have recently expreienced that unleashed freedom as a new runner. I am learning that I have untapped potentials in developing my body physically that I didn’t know existed. In my mid-thirties I am learning how to run, and how to push through the pains,discomfort,unquestioned beliefs and hesitation that come up as a beginner. It’s very exciting especially since in tapping into my own potential in this specific area, I am starting to see potentials in other areas of my life and to focus on that in people around me. It’s really cool when I choose to focus on the possibility in any situation rather than habitual limitations.
Oh that was so moving. I’m actually sitting here with tears running down my cheeks, and my kids are wondering if I’ve lost it! I played the piano as a child and teenager for almost a decade, but when I moved out of the family home, I left the piano behind and I think now I’ve maybe played it about 5 times in the last 10 years. Watching this beautiful clip of you and Tanny playing together reminded me of the hours I used to spend practicing, running my fingers up and down the keyboard, losing myself in the rhythms, melodies and harmonies that my fingers intuitively picked out without the need for conscious thought. Thank you for bringing back those memories of musical freedom, and keep up the wonderful work you are doing with these truly special women.
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