A Teaching Philosophy: Bonnie Nicholson
Music, U of S - 2006
"The good students you don't really teach - you gently guide them"
- Robin Harrison
I find it interesting that the older I get, the more nervous I am before meeting and teaching
my students. I have the privilege at the University of witnessing students mature during four
years of Applied lessons; concerts and juries punctuate their development as players and
artists. I feel teaching them is a tremendous responsibility.
I am excited daily by the beauty of music. The kind of piano tone which my mentor, Robin
Harrison, produced at my lessons and during his concerts makes me drool. I expect and insist
upon moments of beauty from all my students, regardless of experience and repertoire
choices. It is such a rewarding experience to guide a student through technical hurdles and
into a frame of mind where he can weave phrase after phrase of two hundred year old
compositions and make the audience feel the relevance of the music in our current society.
I attempt to motivate my students according to their individual strengths and weaknesses. It
takes me at least the first four months of classes to adequately assess the unique qualities of
each newcomer to the studio. It helps to know background information and experience,
although for some students, the shock of University life can change their life's path
immediately. Once I can clearly see a student's primary artistic strengths, I work at building
expression and confidence in an unfailingly positive atmosphere. I take a keen interest in
practice routines, and it has happened more than once that I needed to see a student on a
daily basis to help them cultivate successful work habits. I also find that Music Festivals and
Royal Conservatory Exams motivate the most talented Undergrads, and I work many extra
hours each year organizing their programs and practicing Concerto accompaniments.
My role models certainly include my own students, who teach me something new about music
at every lesson. My mother, Sylvia Koshlay, was an amazing Grade One School Teacher in
Prince Albert Public School Division who spent hours of preparation time for her students
every night, so that they would have smooth-running, interesting and enjoyable days of
learning. She would spend hours over the late August days and weekends putting up bulletin
boards filled with educational and eye-catching displays. It is from her that I have learned the
importance of stage presentation and creating a positive teaching environment. From my
mentor, Robin Harrison, I learned the importance of listening to all kinds of music so that
there could be a proper perspective on my chosen repertoire. Also from Robin, I learned the
importance of keeping up my own technique and performance schedule so as to constantly
nourish my artistic temperament. Robin truly taught me how to listen, to myself and to
others.
I feel that it is very necessary to create a teaching space in which my students can feel free
to make errors. Sometimes I invite students to my home for lessons, understanding that the
University environment can be stressful at certain times of the year. In my class, a good piano
technique is based upon the student's willingness to relax, and a peaceful environment is a
real asset. I welcome the student's input into discussions about repertoire, and celebrate the
differences between students that draw them to piano works that are new to me as well. I
most enjoy using the two grand pianos in the studio to their fullest potential by having the
"sound" discussions with my students, using their chosen repertoire.
My students are encouraged to be forthright and open, and to cultivate a manner of analyzing
and speaking about their pieces that will improve their own teaching experiences. During
Master Classes, I often ask for reaction to pieces presented. The fourth year students from
this year are going to be marvelous teachers, as evidenced by their pointed and concise
remarks during our November sessions.
I am now enjoying a time in my life where I can work at jobs that expand my learning
potential. It is most satisfying to be invited by the Department of Music to work as the
assisting pianist for many guest artists to Saskatoon and have them respond to the positive
environment of the Music World here. The University students are lucky to have role models
such as Alain Trudel, Guy Few, Claude Delangle and Jens Lindemann as part of their school
lives, as am I. Musicians aspire to the same goals and for our lifetime, we are all students.
Perfection is unattainable; so we must enjoy the journey.