Emma and Henry took a big step toward truly becoming Marinites (someone from Marin County, not the mineral) by competing in the 2012 Marin County Fair piano competition. Under the tutelage of their piano teacher, Kenn Gartner, they’ve become quite the piano players. They’d practiced the same pieces over and over for the last several weeks all in anticipation of the big day.
Emma’s award-winning performance of Rondo from Sonatina: Opus 36, #5 by Clementi. This clip showcases classic Emma behaviors, from the way she talks about the left-behind music, to her frustration that the music stand won’t go down and the way she starts even before she’s fully seated. Classic, I tell you.
Henry’s award winning performance of Mozart by a Nose at the 2012 Marin County Fair.
Emma joined the Marin Dance Theater almost as soon as we moved to Marin this summer. Her first performance was a quick collection of pieces put together over the summer session. The winter performance was far different. It was a full-length, two hour long ballet called Sophie and the Enchanted Toy Shop featuring a full 150 dancers. Emma and the other girls practiced multiple times per week for hours on end, including back-to-back full dress rehearsals as the night grew closer.
Emma’s winter piano recital was all music from The Nutcracker Suite, which Tchaikovsky extracted from the two hour Nutcracker ballet. (The ballet was apparently a flop when first produced!)
Emma practiced this piece relentlessly for the past few months and forced us all to listen to the Suite in the car, as well. Who couldn’t stand a little more celesta in their life, eh?
Emma is performing in her very first school play, a performance of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She will be playing a Wonka Bar and has been practicing relentlessly for weeks. Here’s a little preview.
Emma’s first school play was held a few weeks ago. The kindergarten class had been practicing for weeks to bring us a spectacular production of The Nanny Goats Gruff. Take a look at the video and let me know if you’re singing the song, too, later in the week! Continue reading
I’m finally getting around to converting video from some of Emma’s various performances and recitals this year. (Thanks for making it easy, Mac!) First up is her gymnastics performance for earlier this year. Continue reading