2005_ENG

2nd Colloquium on Music Pedagogy, Department of Music, University of Ottawa

Presenters:
Jason Ray – Music, University of Ottawa
Alicia Desjardins-Hutchinson – Music, University of Ottawa
Line Morais – Music, University of Ottawa
Nisreen Jardaneh – Music, University of Ottawa
Mélina Dalaire – Music, University of Ottawa
Abstract
Program

Challenging 300 Years of Piano Teaching Practices with 21st Century Technology: New Teaching and Research Tools in Piano Pedagogy – Round table session at the Canadian University Music Society Conference in London, Ontario led by Professor Gilles Comeau.

Presenters:
Gilles Comeau – Music, University of Ottawa
Stephen Birkett – Engineering, University of Waterloo
Monique Frize – Engineering, University of Ottawa and Carleton University
Christophe Herry – Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University
Roger Knox – Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre and Wilfrid Laurier University
Pierre Payeur – School of Information Technology and Engineering, University of Ottawa
Donald Russell – Engineering and Design, Carleton University
Abstract

Christophe Herry, Monique Frize, Rafik Goubran and Gilles Comeau present “Evolution of the surface temperature of pianists’ arm muscles using infrared thermography” at the 27th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society in Shanghai, China.
Full Text

Professor Comeau presents “Developing a theoretical framework for the critical analysis of beginner piano methods” for the Don Wright Faculty of Music’s Graduate Student Symposium in Music at the University of Western Ontario.

Media Coverage: Higher Learning: Technology Serving Education, pp. 14-15
Music Machines
Full Text

Lecture
Professors Pierre Payeur and Gilles Comeau present “Modern sensing technologies for piano pedagogy and professional diseases prevention” at the 2005 University of Ottawa Research Showcase: Advanced Technologies for Better Health.
Abstract

Media Coverage: The Ottawa Citizen, pp. C1, C6.
Professors Tune in to Musicians’ Pain: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Other Conditions Could Be Eased Using New Imaging System
Full Text

Research Activity
Creation of the multidisciplinary piano pedagogy research group on Movement, Force and Timing in Piano Performance

Researchers:
Gilles Comeau – Music, University of Ottawa
Ramesh Balasubramaniam – Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa
Donald Russell – Engineering and Design, Carleton University

Student
Jaclynne Smith defends her 4th year Honours in Psychology undergraduate thesis entitled “The development of a motivational assessment scale for young piano students”.
Abstract

Lecture
Graduate student, Alicia Desjardins, presents her major research paper, “Developing a theoretical framework for the critical analysis of beginner piano methods” at the University of Western Ontario’s Graduate Student Symposium (GSS).
Abstract

Media Coverage: Tabaret, University of Ottawa, pp. 12-13.
Harmony in the Laboratory
Full Text

Student
Graduate student, Jason Ray, is awarded a $17,500 scholarship from SSHRC as well as an Excellence Scholarship from the University of Ottawa to complete his M.A. in Music with thesis in Piano Pedagogy.

Summer Staff
Eleven students in music and in computer engineering are hired for the summer. Six students are working at the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory, three students at VIVA lab, and two students at the National Research Council.

Visit
Students registered in the mini-courses summer program at the University of Ottawa visit the Piano Lab, one of the highlights on their campus tour.

Research Activity
Creation of the multidisciplinary piano pedagogy research group on the Coordination of Eye and Hand Movements While Reading Music at the Piano

Researchers
Gilles Comeau – Music, University of Ottawa
Ramesh Balasubramaniam – Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa
Donald Russell – Engineering and Design, Carleton University
Alain Desrochers – Psychology, University of Ottawa

Visit
The Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory offers a tour of its facilities to guests of the Alumni Breakfast hosted by the University of Ottawa Music Department.

Guests enjoy experimenting with state-of-the-art equipment like the Disklaviers and are fascinated with the research objectives that are the basis for the multidisciplinary nature of this unique facility.
Photos
Affiche

Workshop
Cynthia Floyd gives a masterclass on the Walter fortepiano to a group of young children, highlighting the action of the instrument and how it differs from that of the modern piano.
Photos

Student
Ann Babin defends her Master’s thesis, “Piano curriculum and examination requirements in Canadian Conservatories: Historical development and comparative analysis”.

Student
Line Morais defends her Master’s thesis, “Le développement d’un cadre théorique permettant de mieux comprendre l’utilisation de l’analogie comme stratégie d’enseignement du piano”.

Media Coverage: Time Magazine: Canadian Edition, p. 52
The Finger Fixer
Full Text

Visit
It was our privilege to welcome Maestro Pinchas Zukerman to the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory. As the Founder and Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre Young Artists Program hosted by the University of Ottawa Music Department, Mr. Zukerman took a keen interest in the laboratory and its overall educational objectives.
Photos

Research Activity
Nisreen Jardaneh, a graduate student in music working on the motivation project under the supervision of professors Gilles Comeau (Music) and Alain Desrochers (Psychology), attended Studea Musica, a summer music institute for children, teachers and parents, to collect data for the motivation project.

Media Coverage: Da Capo, University of Ottawa, p. 2 / p. 6
Activités des professeurs / Faculty Highlights
Quoi de neuf: Laboratoire de recherche en pédagogie du piano / Pérez News: Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory
Full Text

Exhibit
For six weeks of the Fall 2005 semester, the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory was invited to showcase its facilities in Simard Hall at the Faculty of Arts. Five display cases highlighted important features of the laboratory, its history and areas of interest: Media Coverage, Construction, Activities in the Lab, Multidisciplinary Research, and Period Instrument Room & Resource Centre. This was a wonderful opportunity, both for the Piano Lab to gain public awareness, and for students and faculty members to discover a unique, state-of-the-art research facility on campus!
Photos

Research Activity
This past summer, graduate and undergraduate students from different fields were hired to work on various research projects at the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory. The project teams gather to share what they have accomplished.

Colleagues in Finland are connected to the seminar through video conferencing.
Program

Visit
The Ottawa chapter of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA) visited the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory as part of their “toolbox day” at the music department. The teachers were intrigued by the technological capabilities of the laboratory and were especially eager to play on the Disklavier. The group was very enthusiastic about their visit and expressed a desire to come back for another tour.

Visit
Ottawa Suzuki teachers visited the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory. The tour started with the period instrument room where the teachers tried the different unique instruments. This was followed by a visit to the multimedia centre and piano studio, where all technical and technological aspects in the lab were explained and demonstrated. The tour ended with a presentation of the lab’s various ongoing research projects.

Opening Ceremony
The long anticipated official inauguration of the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory ceremony is celebrated by Professor Comeau, his colleagues, friends and students.
Full Text
Photos
Programme – Opening Ceremony
Programme – Symposium

Media Coverage: the ORBit, p. 4
Official Opening of the Piano Pedagogy Research Laboratory
Full Text

Workshop
Ursula Stuber, Laval University, hosts a weekend of intensive workshops designed to create awareness for music teachers with regards to health-related injuries.
Photos
Affiche

Research Activity
Nisreen Jardaneh, a graduate student, was in Toronto to interview students for the motivation project. A total of 30 interviews were conducted with piano students from the ages of 7 to 15 at the Yamaha Music School from November 8 to 13, 2005. Most of the participants came from different musical and cultural backgrounds, which allowed a strong diversity within the project sample. The researchers would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants, piano teachers and administration of the Yamaha Music School for their great support and cooperation.
Photos 1
Photos 2

Media Coverage: University Affairs, University of Ottawa, p. 8
A High Note for Piano Research
Full Text

Media Coverage: The Ottawa Citizen, pp. B1, B2
Young Pianist Loves His Lessons, but Really Hates to Practice
Full Text

Media Coverage: The Ottawa Citizen, pp. B2
Piano: Thermal-Imaging Cameras
Full Text