A new piano class at Eastern Mennonite University is not only educational, but therapeutic. Chi Nguyen is in the vanguard of the adult group piano class, which started its first seven-week session in August 2014. A graduate of James Madison University and Florida State University, Nguyen began teaching private lessons at EMU in August 2013.
When the preparatory music department wanted to expand its course offerings, Nguyen began looking for grants. The National Piano Foundation eventually awarded two digital pianos to launch the weekly lessons for adults. EMU bought two more to outfit a full classroom.
Most of Nguyen’s students are over 50 years old, and join the class because such an activity is “on my bucket list.” Nine students enrolled in the first session, with more on the roster for upcoming terms. Many have some instrumental experience from earlier in life, and want to build on previous skills for personal recreation or church participation.
For Barbara Feichtinger, from nearby New Market, the class is “just fabulous.” Like all students, Feichtinger is free to drop the course or take session breaks every seven weeks, but she can’t imagine doing that.
“I’m just inspired to move on,” she says.
Preparatory music director Sharon Miller says that part of the department’s mission is “to provide music education for everyone.” For adults who want to learn an instrument, but may be intimidated by one-on-one instruction or prefer more social interaction, group lessons are “a low-key way of doing that” and also less expensive than private lessons, she says.
Each weekly class begins with stretching to classical music.
“That’s one of the reasons why they come and take piano,” says Nguyen. “They want to be relaxed.”
After reviewing techniques taught in previous sessions, the group progresses to playing songs together.
“The group class really meets a need for adults,” says Miller.
Feichtinger agrees. “We all started with music when we were young,” she explains. “We know the value of music, and how therapeutic it is … I really need therapy this year, so I came back to the piano!” Outside of the class, Feichtinger practices her mother’s old “Deep Purple” sheet music for entertainment.
Eventually, the preparatory music department would like to partner with local institutions, such as Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, that “provide opportunities for development of the person,” says Miller.
Music can provide healing and a constructive mode of expression, she adds.
“I love it!” says Nguyen, who hopes to attract EMU students and more local adults to the program. “After classes, I am still full of that teaching energy.”