Musical Meditation: Give Yourself Permission

As you listen and reflect this week, consider:

1. What obstacles stand in the way between you and creative permission?

2. What sounds fun at this moment? Try to make a list of as many things as you can that sound like fun to you, even if they are impossible for now. 

3. Finally, I compared the creative impulse in this episode to an underground river. Consider what action you can take to "break ground" or reestablish connection with that flow. No action towards creative recovery is too small.

This podcast featured the first movement of W.A. Mozart’s Sonata No 11 in A Major, K. 331 performed by Marnie Laird at the piano. 

More about Marnie: 

Canadian pianist Marnie Laird, praised as "…a technically immaculate, probing and authoritative protagonist" (The Miami Herald), enjoys an active career as a collaborative pianist, chamber musician, and soloist. Prior to founding Brooklyn Duo and Brooklyn Classical, Marnie spent three years as principal pianist of the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In high demand as a pianist in New York City, she worked with several opera companies, including the Gotham Chamber Opera, and was also on staff as a collaborative pianist at The Juilliard School after graduating. Recent performances have taken her to Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, SubCulture, and Joe's Pub.

Originally from Vancouver, BC, Marnie has been the recipient of numerous Canadian awards, including top prizes from the Canadian Music Competitions, Canadian Music Teachers' Association, and the BC Arts Council. Most notably she was awarded the Gold Medal for the highest mark in Canada on the A.R.C.T. piano performance exams. She made her solo orchestral debut at age 13 with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and has participated in the Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, Kneisel Hall, and Banff summer festivals.

Marnie received her Master’s degree in collaborative piano from The Juilliard School, where she was the recipient of a full scholarship as well as the Orchestral Piano Fellowship. She also has a Master’s in solo piano performance from The University of British Columbia. Her principal teachers include Lorraine Ambrose, Robin Wood, Jane Coop, Jonathan Feldman, and Margo Garrett.

Learn more and hear Brooklyn Duo here.