Blog

The Piano | The First Connection to Recovery. Life Challenges with Polio.

She is delightful, informative, gracious and inspiring. Why not watch and listen to this video podcast with Dr. Roberta Gary on life-long learning. On the surface it may appear that the interview is about the organ or being a musician. Far from it, I asked Roberta to talk about her own journey in life-long learning as I have been inspired at her continued enthusiasm for learning at a time of life when many people are scaling back.

Roberta began life with some challenges (like many of us). Her challenges included polio at the age of 7. Her enthusiasm for the piano was one of her first connections to recovery. It was a love that then later transferred to organ. The physical demands of the organ surely contributed, in large part, to her superb self-use.

There are many pearls of wisdom I received in doing the interview and listening as I edited the movie. I really recommend going for the whole enchilada as you have time.

 

 

Here are some short clips.

Age 7, Roberta recovers from polio and finds her way to the piano. [5mb, 4min]

"My life will be different after this..." [7mb; 6min]

 

Ideas on the Feldenkrais Method and musical mysteries [8mb; 7min]

 

Excerpt from learning about the organ. Performing "When We Are In Deepest Need" by Bach [6mb; 6min]

 

Or you can also see short clips on YouTube. Search for tag: Roberta Gary

The Full Interview: 

 

About Roberta Gary
Roberta received her doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. She has been on faculty at University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music since 1967. At age 74... as head of the Keyboard division at CCM , she shows no signs of retiring. This summer she will again record an album, none other than, Johann Sebastian Bach's The Art of Fugue. An unfinished piece known for its length and complexity.

Shortly after this taping, she recorded Bach's The Art of Fugue which is available on the Arsis label.

She engages with her students on multiple levels. In additional to being an avid reader, she continues to explore musical and spiritual mysteries. A recent addition to her life has been somatic education approaches including The Alexander Technique, Body Mapping and over the past 4 years in the Feldenkrais Method.

She and her husband, Thom Miles are also contributing authors to What Every Pianist Needs to Know To About The Body .