hughsung, Author at A Musical Life
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A Musical Life
Stories about making music and whatever moves our souls.
Aurélia Azoulay-Guetta, Co-Founder of Newzik Sheet Music App for iOS
February 3, 2020 by hughsung Leave a Comment
Aurélia Azoulay-Guetta is one of the co-founders of a fascinating sheet music reader app called Newzik for iOS.
First, a little bit of history – it really starts with me, because I was one of the first professional musicians to go completely paperless. Back in 2001, I came up with a system for using computers to convert my paper sheet music scores into digital PDF files. Back then, there were no tablets, there was no Kindle, no iPad, but Microsoft came up with a computer called the Tablet PC, and, believe it or not, for the first time, you could take a computer screen and turn it into a portrait mode so you could see a full sheet of music instead of just half a sheet like you would on a laptop.
For me, that was revolutionary, and so, as a result of that, I actually then started exploring ways of turning pages with foot switches, and that's what led me to co-found a company called AirTurn, and we sold page-turning pedals around the world. AirTurn started in 2008, and in the beginning, sales were actually quite meager. But when the iPad came on the scene circa 2010, that was a game changer. Suddenly, it made sense to start thinking about reading sheet music on a device rather than on a book, and while people thought we were crazy in the beginning, suddenly with the iPad it made sense, and the whole new field of digital sheet music exploded. One of my jobs back when I was with AirTurn in those early days was to reach out to developers to try to see if we could get them to collaborate with us.
One really weird thing that I think was a blessing in disguise; Apple's iPad iOS system was trying to block everybody. They did not want any other manufacturers to work within their operating system. They wanted to control everything. Steve Jobs I think hated us. He knew of us. He didn't like us because we broke into his iPad and we figured out how to get our early prototype AirTurn page turning pedal to work with it. I actually believe we were one of the first Bluetooth external devices that could control an iPad, but we had to have a special code embedded in an app, so that meant I had to reach out to all these other app developers, nascent app developers, to try to get them to use our code so that our AirTurn would be compatible with other programs.
Now, one of the interesting problems that I was finding was that the apps were okay, but they weren't great, and they were all limited in one fashion or another. When I was using my old Tablet PC, I was using PDF readers, and there were things that I started using that I really, really missed. Certain apps could do some things well, other apps could do other things well, but no app really got it 100% the way I wished they could.
Now, skip forward to around four or five years ago, when a brand new sheet music app, Newzik, launched. Back then, I had just left AirTurn, launched an online popular piano school with ArtistWorks, and was simultaneously launching my podcast show, "A Musical Life". Aurélia reached out to me, and by that time I had already started using certain apps for reading sheet music, and while it was pretty good, it wasn't perfect. Aurélia wanted to introduce me to her new app, Newzik. By this time, I had already talked to dozens and dozens of sheet music app developers, and most of these developers were single programmers, guys working by themselves in their basements and very talented, very smart. I took a look at the early build of Newzik, and we talked through the app's feature set. I liked some of the things I was seeing, but it was a very early-stage app. As I shared with any app developer, I was sharing some of the limitations that I was seeing as a professional musician, things that I wished the Newzik developers would do, and then we dropped off and we both went our separate directions. (Back then, Aurélia was living in Tel Aviv – now she lives in Paris, where the Newzik team is based.)
Now, skip forward to the present day. I just relaunched my redesigned website and weekly newsletter a few weeks ago. The day after my new newsletter went out, Aurélia emailed me and said, "Hello. Do you remember me?"
I have to be honest, I was a little surprised because I never really took a hard look because I saw the limitations of Newzik four years ago. Aurélia wanted to talk about what she was doing now with Newzik. I took a fresh look at the app, and, oh, my goodness, it's like the Newzik team read my mind and answered most my wishlist items of features I wanted to see in the perfect digital sheet music reading app! Needless to say, I am so excited to share what I've learned about Newzik to my colleagues on the Net!
Now, I don't believe it's ever possible to have a 100% perfect music reader, but the Newzik team is doing some really amazing things in digital sheet music. First, I asked Aurélia what inspired her to start developing Newzik, and then we'll take a quick tour of what this app can do. I'm also going to share my favorite feature which is, believe it or not, one of the main things that nobody's been able to do up to this point. This feature, for me, solves the most basic problem of digital sheet. music What is it? Well, to find out, watch the interview below, or read the full transcript on my personal website at HughSung.com.
Ja Yeon Kang, Collaborative Pianist
August 16, 2019 by hughsung Leave a Comment
During a recent trip to South Korea, I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful collaborative pianist Ja Yeon Kang. Collaborative piano – also known as accompanying – is the oft neglected art of working together with other musicians who are featured in the limelight, providing them with musical support through a keen ear for ensemble playing and exceptional emotional empathy. Where soloists strive to draw attention to themselves, collaborative pianists defer to serve others. As a collaborative pianist myself, I welcome any opportunity to recognize the remarkable work of amazing musicians such as Ms. Kang as vastly under-appreciated musical heroines/heroes. Ms. Kang was kind enough to share some of her international pedagogical background, as well as her insights into what life is like for professional musicians in the South Korean classical music scene.
Ja Yeon Kang, Pianist, has appeared as both soloist and collaborative artist at Barbican Centre, Wigmore Hall, Holywell Music Room, and LSO St. Luke, in London as well as throughout the numerous venues in the United States and Korea. A native of Korea, she holds a Bachelor's Degree at the Seoul National University and a Master's Degree at the Peabody Institute where she received the Laura Adelberg Award for her chamber work. Ms. Kang finished a Doctorate degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and City University London, supported by the Guildhall Trust and the Leverhulme Trust. She received the accompanist prizes at Guildhall school and the Concordia Foundation Award. Her primary teachers include Yong Hi Moon, Ronan O'hara, and Graham Johnson
Ja Yeon's doctorate dissertation is on Schumann's late vocal and piano music and she recently finished translating Nancy Reich's 『Clara Schumann』 in Korean.
Previously, she was on the faculty of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for the keyboard study and worked as a repetituer at the National Opera Studio in London. Operatic experience includes Jonathan Dove's 'Flight' with British Youth Opera and 'Elvin und Elmire' with Lieder Theater London.
Kang currently serves as the Adjunct Professor of Collaborative Piano at the Sookmyung Women's University and teaches piano literature at the University of Seoul. She recently joined as a faculty at the Montecito International Music Festival in USA and has been also engaged as an official pianist for the Osaka international music competition.
The Best Guide on How to Buy, Care For, or Sell a Piano
December 23, 2018 by hughsung Leave a Comment
In this special video episode of A Musical Life, I wanted to talk about the world of the piano from the perspective of a professional pianist. Contrary to what you might think, I'm actually embarrassed to confess how little I've actually known about the different makes and models of pianos, much less how they actually work to make beautiful sounds beyond my own instincts and musical training. If a professional pianist has a hard time understanding the differences between piano manufacturers and the mechanical details of what makes one piano different from another, then how is an average lay person or first time piano buyer supposed to fare? To that end, I'm incredibly grateful to author Larry Fine, a piano technician who wrote the pioneering book, "The Piano Book", and then went on to share his in-depth knowledge of pianos on his website, http://pianobuyer.com
Larry recently published a compendium to his massive website, titled "The Best of Acoustic and Digital Piano Buyer". This is a fantastic guide to everything about the piano – what they are, how they work, how to care for them, and even how to restore older pianos and dispose of unwanted ones. The book includes an overview of 80 brands of major piano manufacturers, and is an essential guide for everyone interested in pianos.
You can purchase a copy of "The Best of Acoustic and Digital Piano Buyer" at http://pianobuyer.com or on Amazon at https://amzn.to/2CxfiH3 or at local bookstores everywhere.
In Memory of Nelly
June 16, 2017 by hughsung Leave a Comment
In 1976, Nelly Berman immigrated to the United States from Odessa, the former Soviet Union, as a single mother and piano teacher with two children, $17 in her pocket, and a suitcase full of music scores. A gifted piano teacher, Nelly passionately loved classical music and wanted to teach children who love music to play on a professional level, regardless of their future careers. She dreamed that classical music in America would one day be as celebrated as much as sports, if not more so, as it was in her former homeland of Russia.
In 1995, Nelly founded the NBS Classical Music Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide merit-based scholarships to students as well as to bring high level classical music concerts and competitions to the community. The "Young Classical Virtuosos of Tomorrow" competition was her creation. The Nelly Berman School revived the competition this year in Nelly's memory, and it is now hailed as "one of the top classical music competitions on the east coast" by the distinguished panel of judges, representing the Philadelphia and New York Philharmonic Orchestras, several prominent university music programs and schools, and international performing artists.
On Sunday, June 18th, the Nelly Berman School of Music and the NBS Classical Music Institute will present the Gold and Platinum winners of the "Young Classical Virtuosos of Tomorrow" International Music Competition in concert at the Perelman Theater of the Kimmel Center. Gold winners will perform in the 10:00 am concert, and Platinum winners will perform in the 3:00 pm concert featuring guest performer Derek Barnes, cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
To purchase tickets, please call the Kimmel Center box office at 215-875-7633 or visit their website at kimmelcenter.org. To learn more about the competition and the concert, visit nbsmusic.com.
Temple Music Prep
May 1, 2017 by hughsung 1 Comment
http://traffic.libsyn.com/amusicallife/AML-071-TempleMusicPrep.mp3
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Temple University's Music Preparatory Division, or "Temple Music Prep" for short, is a program located in the heart of center city, Philadelphia, that provides high quality, non-credit music and dance instruction, and related activities to the Community on behalf of the Boyer College of Music and Dance, and Temple University at-large.
World-renowned violinists Sarah Chang and Elena Urioste, as well as several members of the Philadelphia Orchestra share something in common: they were all participants of Temple Music Prep. I also started my own professional career right after graduating from Curtis as a theory teacher and chamber music coach at Temple Music Prep. To this day, I'm not sure who had more fun in my theory classes – the kids jumping up and down on the shaving cream staff lines I painted on the floor or the parents laughing outside my class! Anyway, I digress. This month, Temple Music Prep will be celebrating 30 years of excellence with a series of performances featuring students from their Center for Gifted Young Musicians, culminating in a gala concert on Saturday, May 13, 7:30 PM at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square.
Before we visit some of the amazing students and teachers at Temple Music Prep, I want to point out that Temple Music Prep provides quality music and dance instruction to everyone at all ages and ability levels, from their early childhood and Suzuki programs to adult classes and community ensembles. In fact, some of the students we will listen to started participating at Temple Music Prep when they were toddlers themselves.
Temple Music Prep's website: http://www.temple.edu/boyer/community/music-prep/
Temple Music Prep's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TempleMusicPrep
FESTIVAL OF YOUNG MUSICIANS
Friday, May 5– Saturday, May 13, 2017
All performances are free and open to the public
Friday, May 5 7:30 PM Chamber Players Orchestra Ensembles Concert Featuring members of the Chamber Players Orchestra – Temple University, Rock Hall 1715 North Broad Street Lot parking: Liacouras Center Garage – Fee required. Located at 15th St. and Montgomery Ave. (Enter from either 15th St. or Sydenham St.)
Saturday, May 6 4:00 PM Youth Harp Ensemble Concert Featuring the Temple Music Prep Youth Harp Ensemble, Manijéh Pickard, Acting Director – Temple University, Rock Hall (See May 5 for address and parking)
Friday, May 12 7:30 PM Showcase of Chamber Ensembles Featuring members of the Youth Chamber Orchestra, Charles Parker, Jr., Ensembles Coordinator – Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square 1904 Walnut Street Parking options: Street parking, public garages
Saturday, May 13 2:00 PM Singular Strings: Large Ensembles in Performance Featuring Chamber Players Orchestra, Davyd Booth, Conductor; Baroque Players, Aaron Picht, Conductor – Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square 1904 Walnut Street Parking options: Street parking, public garages Gala Concert
Saturday, May 13 7:30 PM Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square 1904 Walnut Street Parking options: Street parking or public garages Featuring: Youth Chamber Orchestra Temple Music Prep Youth Harp Ensemble, Aaron Picht, Conductor with Elena Urioste and Paul Laria Guest violin soloists / YCO Alumni 2017 Inspiration Award Recipient Yumi Ninomiya Scott / Premiere of work by winner of the Boyer Composition Project Competition, Simeon Pate Church
Alumni of YCO You are invited to join the celebration by performing a special piece with the current YCO. Please call or email for details and music in advance.
Now available on iTunes – A Musical Feast: The Youth Chamber Orchestra in Concert – released on BCM&D Records.
To contact Temple Music Prep: Call: 215.204.1512
Email: musicprep@temple.edu
Jeff Russo, Composer, Songwriter, and Founding Member of "Tonic"
March 20, 2017 by hughsung 1 Comment
http://traffic.libsyn.com/amusicallife/AML-070-JeffRusso.mp3
Jeff Russo was one of the two founding members of the rock band "Tonic", perhaps best known for their number one hit in the 90s, "If You Could Only See". Nowadays, Jeff is in demand as a TV and film composer, having scored music for hit shows like "Fargo", "American Gothic", and can currently be heard on the new FX Marvel series, "Legion".
Welcome to A Musical Life. I'm Hugh Sung. Jeff Russo is a two-time GRAMMY® and Emmy-nominated musician who taught himself to play the guitar as a child before going on to become one of the founding members of the multi-platinum selling rock band, "Tonic". Their debut album, "Lemon Parade", posted three singles in the U.S. Mainstream rock Charts' Top 10 back in 1996, with the song, "If You Could Only See," rocketing to number one. Jeff is now a highly sought-after film and TV composer, having scored the music to the new show "Legion" based on Marvel's mutant comic book characters and currently airing on FX. He's currently working on the score to season 3 of the hit series, "Fargo".
Jeff's Website: http://jeffrusso.com/
David Hart, Guitarist and Entrepreneur
http://traffic.libsyn.com/amusicallife/AML-069-DavidHart.mp3
David Hart is the developer of the G4 Guitar Method, a method based on his two decades of teaching and opening schools throughout Australia. David's G4 method not only teaches students the 7 essential skills of guitar playing – it also teaches teachers how to become entrepreneurs and open their own schools, as evidenced by the 50 franchises of the G4 Guitar method around the world.
For most musicians, "sales" is a dirty word. "Art" and "business" are concepts that mix about as well as water and oil in their minds. But for David Hart, the business of music education is all about helping students succeed in becoming better players and teaching teachers essential entrepreneurial skills to grow and keep their student base. David himself learned to play the guitar in the early 1980's and spent many years performing on the Australian music scene in various cover bands as well as solo performances as a singer/songwriter. David discovered his passion for teaching at an early age, opening the first of several guitar schools in Australia back in 1987, and launching his G4 Guitar Method back in 2005. If you're a music teacher struggling to find or retain your students, no matter what instrument or genre of music you're in, you're going to find this interview enlightening, inspiring, and practical.
David's G4 Guitar Method: http://g4guitarmethod.com/
Carol Jantsch, Principal Tuba of The Philadelphia Orchestra
March 6, 2017 by hughsung 2 Comments
http://traffic.libsyn.com/amusicallife/AML-068-CarolJantsch.mp3
Carol Jantsch became the first female tuba player to win a major symphony orchestra position while she was still a senior attending the University of Michigan back in 2006. In addition to her duties as principal tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Carol has been active as a tuba soloist, appearing in recital and in concerto settings with orchestras and ensembles around the world, and now has started her own tuba cover band called "Tubular".
Carol Jantsch is a stunning virtuoso musician, which is perhaps even more remarkable for the fact that she performs on an instrument that isn't typically known for its virtuoso capabilities. As you'll hear in this interview, Carol thrives on hearing folks exclaim, "I never knew the tuba could sound like that!" I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Carol after a reading rehearsal together, and learned that she is not only a musical virtuoso, but between her varied interests in ultimate frisbee, distance running, reading voraciously and writing her own solo and ensemble arrangements for her tuba cover band, "Tubular", she is also a virtuoso in the art of living.
Carol's website: http://www.caroljantsch.com/
Tubular's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TubularBand/
Tubular plays "Bohemian Rhapsody": https://youtu.be/rsVi_-f2ipA
Sara Davis Buechner, Concert Pianist
February 27, 2017 by hughsung Leave a Comment
http://traffic.libsyn.com/amusicallife/AML-067-SaraDavisBuechner.mp3
Sara Davis Buechner has been hailed by The New York Times for her "intelligence, integrity and all-encompassing technical prowess". As one of the leading keyboard artists of our time, Sara has an active repertoire of over 100 piano concertos and has appeared with prominent orchestras all over the world. Sara was recently appointed to the piano faculty at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, in Philadelphia.
Sara Davis Buechner first came to prominence as David Buechner, winning the gold medal in the 1984 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and a Bronze Medal in the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Incidentally, as a result of being the only medal winner to perform on a Yamaha piano at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, David was invited to tour Japan, and subsequently became the first American Yamaha artist. In 1998, David came out as Sara Davis Buechner, and underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2002. Now residing in Philadelphia, I had the opportunity to visit Sara for this interview at her new center city apartment.
Sara's website: http://saradavisbuechner.com/
Sam Rao, CEO and Founder of Practicia
http://traffic.libsyn.com/amusicallife/AML-066-SamRao.mp3
Sam Rao is a multi-discipline musician, entrepreneur, and developer of Practicia, an innovative app platform that helps students and teachers make practicing more fun and productive. As a musician, Sam studied composition and conducting at Oberlin Conservatory and the Aspen Festival. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded his own music school which grew to be one of the largest in Northern Ohio.
Everyone knows that practice makes perfect, and no doubt you've heard the old adage, "how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice". Ah, but practicing a musical instrument can be the bane of any student and a frustrating topic for teachers and parents alike. I'll confess, I hated practicing the piano as a kid (and I still hate it as a professional). It's just one of those "necessary evils" that you have to suck up and do, just like eating your veggies or sticking to your exercise plan, right? As a music educator himself and the co-founder of one of the largest music schools in Northern Ohio, Sam understands the challenges of practicing well. As the CEO and founder of Practicia, he's introducing a radical new approach to help students and teachers make practicing a musical instrument profoundly more productive and – dare I say – fun? – with some really interesting accountability and gamification tools.
Practicia website: http://www.practicia.com/
Link to App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/practicia/id1023124296?mt=8
Explainer Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1NTxIwsafQ&t=26s
Features Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JPOJfbEZHY
Sam's email: sam.rao@practicia.com
...Next Page
Aurélia Azoulay-Guetta is one of the co-founders of a fascinating sheet music reader app called Newzik for iOS. First, a little bit of history – it really starts with me, because I was one of the first professional musicians to go completely paperless. Back in 2001, I came up with a system for using computers... Read more →
Hugh Sung is a classical pianist, techie, and author dedicated to helping folks discover the joy of making music.
Are you a musician with a story to share? A music lover who wants to express what music means to you? No matter who you are or where you come from, I invite you to contribute to this show! Email your stories to stories@amusicallife.com
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