I started at the age of three playing the piano. Piano lessons began at the age of 5, with Jane Brown from the Cincinnati Conservatory in Music, and violin lessons at the age of 11 with Dr. Piowstrowski, and Dr. Holeshofski; and Dr. Katz (conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at that time). At the age of 8, I won the International Music League held in Sandusky,OH with a total score of 98. I have received many Superior awards from the International Music Guild Association. At the age of 14, I was guest pianist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra as well as other orchestras, studied with the Wasson Studio and received a few lessons with Van Cliburn. I represented the United States at the Eastern Music Festival, studying under Dr. Rich from Britian. At the age of 15, I had been accepted to study at Julliard in New York and Curtis in Philadelphia, but my family felt I was too young and wouldn't allow me to go. I was awarded the McCarthy Scholarship to attend Bowling Green State University where I studied under the leadership of Jerome Rose, artist in residence. For years I have been the pianist for World Premieres, guest soloists with orchestras, bands, trios, quintets, Chamber Orchestras, pianist for hotels, restaurants, performing and arranging plays, and weddings; the pianist that entertained Robert Dole and his wife while visiting the Dayton, area; pianist for private parties held by the Legal Society in Dayton, Dental Association of Dayton, as well as other private parties; and teaching in the Dayton School system. For a short time, I instructed my own students in my Miller Piano Academy. I graduated with a BA in music (piano and violin performance) and BS in nursing from Wright State University. Studying the classics developed technique and sensitivity. Now I can perform and allow the emotions of the piece to take over. I have been educated to not get up on stage unless you had something to say; for anyone can play pretty music. Every note has breath and meaning and should take you on a trip without you ever leaving the farm. It is total atmosphere. I really feel each and every note I play. It all has so much meaning.
My dream is to perform and light everyone's heartstrings all over the world. Please, when you hear me perform bring a penlight so I can see with each piece performed whose heart has been touched. I love to see every penlight in the audience come alive. I'll be asking, "Who's Lit tonight?" LOL If the piece touches your heart then light your penlight so I can see it. To look out into the audience and see nothing but the glow of lights, is heaven for the artist and heaven for the audience... What a way to connect. Enjoy listening to my selections that I have arranged and performed and tell me which one was your favorite...
I love Follow Me which melts my heart; Summer of 42 with its mysterious atmosphere; Love Story and its romance; My Heart Will Go On that is driven by the bass and the haunting melody; and I tried to capture the emotions of Lionel Richie singing Truly..
I hope to be the twist of Liberache someday...(the grand piano, the beautiful outfits, the candelabra, and music that touches the heart)...only female this time!!!! LOL ... Darlene
I have added two of my favorite concertos to share with you. The violin picture was taken backstage. I was concert mistress of the orchestra and had to lay my violin down in order to play the piano with the orchestra. Hope you will listen to both concertos and give me a chance to show you how I can really play:
The Beethoven Concerto starts out with a long orchestral intro, but the cadenza where the artist gets to show off is at the end. See if you can hear where I tried to make the piano sound like a harp. When I walked out to perform this, my (ex)husband was sitting in the front row with his arm around his mistress, what a way to have to perform. It was a true Beethoven moment-truly ferocious, and truly sickening sweet as the hurt poured in. There are sections that the piano plays smoother than a flute, and ends sounding like heaven opened up right after the cadenza.
The Saint Saens Concerto begins after you hear my footsteps actually on the stage. It starts out with a Cadenza; but the most exciting, technical section of this concerto appears in the middle, right after the most beautiful melodies ever produced; and does it ever get down. It was my hook your wagon to the stars technical piece that I first heard at the age of 15; and it took a good portion of my life before I could play it. My family says I killed the orchestra...LOL Enjoy. This was the last piece my father heard. He died just before he could hear it with the orchestra. This was in honor of my father.
For the holidays I have added Christmas music for your enjoyment also.
Please enjoy my jazzy selections that were just added and tell me which ones were your favorites!! Love 720 in the book, Ain't Misbehavin, Get Some Cash for Your Trash,Baby Elephant Walk, and Crazy World~~~~
Thanks for visiting my showcase and hope you were entertained. Please drop me a line and tell which ones you enjoyed the most.
