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In this episode, Benjamin Harding welcomes back pianist and composer Jennifer Rosenfeld to discuss her latest solo album, 'Piano Girl,' and the profound impact of the Taubman Approach on her piano technique and creative process. Jennifer shares her journey of personal growth through music, the evolution of her practice techniques, and her current and future projects, including her work in composition and musical theater. The conversation highlights the importance of mindset, efficiency in practice, and the joy of revisiting challenging repertoire.

Jennifer was a guest on Episode #13 in Season 1 of this podcast.

Visit www.jenniferrosenfeld.com for more information on Jennifer's work and creative projects.

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.

Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

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Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach, the podcast from the Golandsky Institute—a vibrant community of pianists, teachers, and musicians dedicated to the pursuit of artistic freedom, technical mastery, and expressive depth.

I’m your host, Benjamin Harding, and this episode marks the beginning of Season Two of our series. Over the past year, we’ve heard from remarkable artists who have shared their journeys with the Taubman Approach—how it has transformed their playing, teaching, and understanding of music. And this season, we continue that exploration with even more inspiring voices from within our Golandsky community.

To open the season, I’m joined by Barbara Banacos—a gifted pianist and teacher whose insight, generosity, and curiosity embody the spirit of our community. In this conversation, we talk about her journey with the Taubman work, her teaching, her writing on Substack, and the wonderful camaraderie that continues to make the Golandsky Institute such a special home for pianists around the world.

It’s a joyful and reflective way to begin Season Two.

Here’s my conversation with Barbara Banacos.

In this episode of Inside the Taubman Approach, host Benjamin Harding welcomes Barbara Banacos to discuss her journey with the Taubman approach, her teaching experiences, and her new Substack project aimed at promoting the Taubman work. They explore the importance of community within the Golandsky Institute, the challenges and joys of teaching piano, and the significance of mentorship in developing as a musician and educator. Barbara shares insights on building a diverse studio and the excitement surrounding annual gatherings that foster learning and connection among pianists.

https://barbarabanacos.com/

https://substack.com/@barbarabanacos

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.

Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

Visit: www.marcusostermiller.com to be in touch with Marcus.

Summary

In this conversation, Marcus Ostermiller discusses his journey as a musician, focusing on the challenges he faced with physical pain and how the Taubman work transformed his playing and teaching. He shares insights on the importance of physical well-being in music performance, and how his teaching methodology evolved through his experiences. The discussion highlights the profound impact of understanding physical movement and technique on a musician's confidence and ability to express themselves.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Marcus's Journey with Injury and Recovery

06:39 Understanding the Root Causes of Pain

08:58 Transformation Through Taubman Technique

10:12 Exploring the Taubman Approach with Bob Durso

14:45 Marcus's Musical Journey and Teaching Philosophy

23:09 The Impact of Taubman Work on Performance Confidence

Takeaways

Musicians often come with a depth of musicianship they crave to express.

Physical therapy and strength training are crucial for musicians.

Expressive constipation can hinder musical expression.

The experience of rotation in playing evolves over time.

Taubman work helped me become symptom-free within six months.

Understanding physical challenges can lead to better performance.

My technique improved significantly after Taubman work.

Performances became more confident and grounded after addressing physical issues.

Teaching methodology changed as a result of personal experiences.

Revisiting past pieces can be a healing journey for musicians.

The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.

Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.