Jon Michael Iverson.com

“Don’t Forget the Sticker”

In January, Jon Michael Iverson

was asked by the Associate Editor of the new American Popular Piano teaching series, Clarke MacIntosh, to put together a video testimonial about the new books by Christopher Norton and Scott McBride Smith. Jon thinks grown-ups talk too much anyway, so he prepared three installments of student performance videos; this being the last in the trilogy. The title is a reference to the second video, where a student emphatically reminded JMI, “don’t forget the sticker.” The first two videos – “Piano Playing” and “Humor, Wit and Charm” – have been viewed hundreds of times from all over the world, including Japan, Britain, Turkey, Canada and Indonesia! Those can be viewed by clicking here; to listen to JMI's recording library of APP, click here. In addition to making these videos, students from this studio at the MacPhail Center for Music have remained busy, having participated over 85 times in recitals, contests and competitions around Minnesota since December 1st. They can boast a 100% successful pass rate on 26 Crescendo Program juries, 5 MMTA Piano Contest participants, and numerous accolades, including several performances in the MacPhail Crescendo Program Gala Recitals and the Honors Piano Recital. Congratulations to each of these students on a very successful year!

Advocating for the Arts

Jon Michael Iverson has accepted the Arts Advocacy Chair position for the Minnesota Music Teachers Association. Here are two issues he is currently working on:

In November, voters will vote upon the Minnesota Heritage and Legacy constitutional amendment. If this amendment is approved, it could TRIPLE the amount of funding arts organizations receive in Minnesota. This is of unprecedented importance to the arts in Minnesota that needs to be communicated throughout the entire state. Minnesota's natural and cultural resources are both critical to maintaining the state’s high quality of life. Unfortunately, they are also both among the first areas to be cut in times of budget crisis. This constitutional amendment gives Minnesota an opportunity to change this. Follow the "Vote Yes" link for more information.

As a way of encouraging and spurring interest in membership, MMTA is offering a one-time $30 rebate on the dues paid by all new members. For whatever reason, there are numerous teachers who have chosen not to join or participate in MMTA. This new member rebate is not only an invitation for new members to join MMTA, but it also serves as an excellent initiative to help revitalize and invigorate the community in which we teach and care so much about.

A “Connections” Workshop

This Professional Development Session was presented by Jon Michael Iverson at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN in February of 2008 on Christopher Norton's "Connections." The hour and a half session has been whittled down into an easy-to-watch six and a half minute video, giving viewers some practical pedagogical tips while getting an overview of the books. Visit The Christopher Norton Project after watching the video for a partial “Connections” recording library by JMI.

Go [Stick] Figure!

In February, stick figures mysteriously started to appear in one particular students music book. JMI couldn’t explain the strange drawings, until he entered the studio for this lesson – fortunately, he had a video camera with him to catch the incident on tape! [A must-see for any teacher!]

Rock out with Piano Hero!

With the enormous popularity of Guitar Hero, you could be certain that pianists wouldn't be too far behind with their own spin on the video game. Well, my friends: that day is upon us! Mario Ajero - the host of the Piano Podcast - gives us a tour of a free-to-download software program called Synthesia. Once aptly named Piano Hero, this application operates on the same principles as Guitar Hero, but offers much more flexibility as students can jam with any MIDI file. Are these cool times, or what?! Booya!

It takes two ...

The fabulous Julie Johnson, flute, and Jon Michael Iverson perform two tangos from “Etudés Tanguistiques" by Astor Piazzolla. This performance was given in Faculty Showcase Recital during April in the beautiful Antonello Hall at the MacPhail Center for Music. This set of six tangos was originally written for solo flute – someone other than Piazzolla wrote out a piano part. The extremely dark and somber first tango in this performance – which isn’t very tango-y at all – is followed up with the sixth tango in the collection. This last tango is more what you expect when you hear the words “Piazzolla” and “tango” in the same sentence. The first one, however, is not.

Oksana Bryn Legacy Recital

In March of 2008, the MacPhail Center for Music paid tribute to one of the longest tenured instructors, Oksana Bryn. Mrs. Bryn has a distinguished teaching career who has had students go on to perform internationally. This "Legacy Recital" invited current and former students to perform in honor of this notable figure in the Minnesota teaching community. Selections here include songs by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Kos-Anatolosky. Performed in Antonello Hall in the new MacPhail building in Minneapolis, MN. Jon Michael Iverson accompanies.

Beauty Incarnate

Buried deep in the vault was this performance of Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” by saxophonist Hiroshi Iwama and pianist Jon Michael Iverson. This recital was the last performance given by this remarkable saxophonist before he headed off to the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music for more schooling. Performed at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in the summer of 2003.

Jon Michael Iverson is currently accepting students! If you or someone you know are interested in lessons with Jon at MacPhail, first read the Studio Policies, then e-mail him by clicking here to setup an audition and interview. If you would like to recommend or refer a student for lessons, e-mail him by following the same link.

Watch Jon’s brief introductory website video by clicking here and then explore the site. Be sure to check back often! Here’s an overview:

Learn more about Jon Michael Iverson and browse a watchable video collection of his public performances on the Biography page. See why he has been described as "virtuoso and poet."

The topics JMI is prepared to speak about at teachers' meetings, workshops, and professional development sessions can be found on the Presentation Synopses page. In addition to professional development sessions and presentations, he also gives master classes and clinics.

The Christopher Norton Project is a section of this website dedicated to the music of Christopher Norton. Follow this link to hear the complete Recording Library of American Popular Piano, recorded by Jon Michael Iverson.

The Memetic Evolution page offers a brief, yet penetrating look into the evolution of information and the underlying causal effect it has on culture; more specifically, on music. We have every reason to believe that we are not at the end of music history, we are creating it. Following this link takes readers to the abstract of an article currently being written by Jon Michael Iverson.

The Meet the Studio! page is currently hosting all the videos of Jon's students found on the Internet. It offers family, friends, guests and visitors a chance to watch student performances -- a guaranteed Internet oasis for proud grandpas and grandmas from all over the country! Also, be sure to check out the Stellar Performances! - video compilations meant to acknowledge the hard work and many hours of practice by dedicated young pianists!

The Viewing Room is chalked full of dozens and dozens of videos of great and masterful performances meant for everyone: students, teachers and music aficionados! Having been described as "nothing less than addicting," this page will tempt your likings and whet your musical palette again and again. It's difficult to watch just one video! Highlights from each category include:

Great Piano Performances Watch Horowitz’ infamous performance of his “Carmen Variations;” experience child prodigies perform mind-boggling pianistic feats; see the performances of master pianists including Rubinstein, Brendel, Argerich, Volodos, Gould, Arrau, Kissin, et al.

Instrumental, Vocal and Orchestral Performances Anna Netrebko's performance of Puccini’s “O Mio Bambino Caro” will take your breath away; Bobby McFerrin not only makes you laugh, but sings Bach like an angel; Jacqueline De Pre’s performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto will make your heart swell; a college student expertly performs Joseph Schwantner’s masterfully written marimba piece “Velocities (1990);” and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Andreas Scholl will simply captivate you.

Cool and Interesting Videos Watch the Science Channel’s “How It’s Made” feature on Mason and Hamelin pianos and the piano building process; see John Cage on “I’ve Got a Secret” from the 1960s; other highlights include a [non-traditional and unconventional – but really cool!] music performance by the Blue Man Group; Fazil Say performing Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” on one piano; an interview with genius Glenn Gould; Stomp performances; and a piano master class with Daniel Barenboim.

Comedy and Funny Videos Victor Borge; Dudley Moore; a “not-your-typical piano lesson;” and of course, Nora the piano playing cat!

The Studio Calendar lists event, recital and performance and all pertinent information for Jon’s students: locations, times, maps and driving directions can all be found here.

Studio Policies outline studio procedures and operations.

Have a question, comment, or great idea for the website? Interested having JMI for a teachers meeting, workshop or professional development session? Contact him by clicking here!