Chris W Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Hi everyone, Thanks to everyone for all their contributions and posts in both the PWJ forum and Facebook page - there is so much inspiration from all the piano players of this group! Also well done to everyone who took part in the members recital - the performances were great! So we have come to the August member spotlight, and for this month it goes to........ Ellen Martinson! Check out this interview video to learn more about Ellen! Ellen frequently contributes to the PWJ Facebook community, encouraging other piano players with the videos they post. She participates in a lot of the challenges in the group, both the PWJ challenges and other ones which members create. Thank you Ellen for posting all of your piano videos and inspiring other members along their piano music journey! Here is her PWJ Member spotlight, please join with me in congratulating her! 1. Where are you from? • Hmmm, I was born in McKeesport, PA, grew up in Lorain, Ohio, currently living in New London, Wisconsin. I’ve lived in so many places that once, while applying for a job, the interviewer jokingly asked if I was with the Witness Protection Program. BUT I’ve lived in New London, Wisconsin, for the last 18 years. 2. When did you start playing piano? • I started taking piano lessons at age 6. 3. What got you interested in learning music? • My older sister and cousin were taking piano lessons and I started playing around on the piano for fun. I was later *forced* to commit to classical piano lessons for 5 years and then given the option to continue or not after that. Also, there was always music in the house coming from the stereo thanks to my parents, heavy on the Frank Sinatra ;-). 4. What is your favorite style of piano music? • I love so many styles, but to name a few, I love Motown, musicals, blues, and contemporary worship. 5. Do you have any favorite pieces to play? • Currently the Rock & Roll piece from Jonny’s course, Stairway to Heaven, Bohemian Rhapsody 6. What has most helped you most in improving as a pianist? • Posting AND watching other people’s videos has helped immensely—realizing that people can enjoy a piece that isn’t 100% perfect, seeing myself from someone else’s eyes. And, of course, putting the time in at the bench to be able to do the best I can. 7. Do you have any tips for other PWJ members? • Always have something that you’re working on with definite goals, such as complete by X. Try to practice at least 5 days/week, even if it’s just for 15 minutes some days. 8. What is your favorite part of the PWJ Membership? • Besides the great teaching method of Jonny May, it would be the community and the support that we give each other. Seeing people at ALL levels striving to improve. 9. What are your future music goals? • Master the set list that I have for myself and continue to add new songs to it. Also to learn a few more pieces that I can play without sheet music so I can sit down at the piano and wow some people ;-). 10. Do you have any words you try to live by or a favorite quote? • One of my favorite quotes is something my husband once said many years ago. It was related to his business, but I think it applies to everything: Everyone makes mistakes; it’s what you do after that’s important. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terri T Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Congratulations, Ellen! Well deserved honor! I really enjoy your posts and thoughtful comments. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan D Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Woo hoo! Congratulations @Ellen M! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy L Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Congratulations! Well deserved recognition. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miriam K Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Congratulations, Ellen! It was fun reading about you and I laughed out loud about you being in the Witness Protection Program! Thank you for your encouraging words! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura U Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Congrats, Ellen! Way to go! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Congratulations Ellen! You are such an inspiration to me and this group! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dina M Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Congratulations Ellen! I love your interview! Good ending words! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel L Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Congratulations! Your hard work is paying off! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ido B Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Congrats @Ellen M! Well deserved! I always enjoy watching your videos! Great answers. Are you sure that you are not in the witness protection program? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Y Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Yes! Very well deserved!! Congratulations on the spotlight, Ellen. I love what you said about the benefits of watching other people’s posts it’s helped me tremendously. Keep working on that litany of songs- It’s so neat seeing all the variety of songs you tackle. Keep up the amazing work💓 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmoody Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Congratulations, very well deserved indeed! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellen M Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 On 8/4/2020 at 12:23 AM, Ido B said: Congrats @Ellen M! Well deserved! I always enjoy watching your videos! Great answers. Are you sure that you are not in the witness protection program? Thx, Ido! Also, I'd answer, but i'd have to kill you :-) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellen M Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 On 8/4/2020 at 2:42 AM, Yvonne Y said: Yes! Very well deserved!! Congratulations on the spotlight, Ellen. I love what you said about the benefits of watching other people’s posts it’s helped me tremendously. Keep working on that litany of songs- It’s so neat seeing all the variety of songs you tackle. Keep up the amazing work💓 Thank you, Yvonne. Love your posts as well! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie Rushing Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Yay! Congratulations @Ellen M. You definitely deserve this. I so enjoy your videos and comments in the Facebook group. Keep up the awesome work!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felicia Seigler Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Congrats @Ellen M!! Loved reading this! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe S Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 Congratulations Ellen! Well deserved, and great insights! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny May Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 Woohoo!! Congrats @Ellen M! You definitely deserve the recognition. Thank you for being a positive energy in our PWJ community and your continued support and encouragement to our members! I enjoyed reading your responses above, especially you advice about making mistakes. Keep up the great work! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt T Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 Well done Ellen. Love your TikToks too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise L Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Congratulations Ellen, it was lovely to read all about you 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne H Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Congrats Ellen! I feel like I know people from their posts but the spotlight fills in a little more detail. Great answers. 👏 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susana R Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 On 8/2/2020 at 1:41 PM, Chris W said: Hi everyone, Thanks to everyone for all their contributions and posts in both the PWJ forum and Facebook page - there is so much inspiration from all the piano players of this group! Also well done to everyone who took part in the members recital - the performances were great! So we have come to the August member spotlight, and for this month it goes to........ Ellen Martinson! Ellen frequently contributes to the PWJ Facebook community, encouraging other piano players with the videos they post. She participates in a lot of the challenges in the group, both the PWJ challenges and other ones which members create. Thank you Ellen for posting all of your piano videos and inspiring other members along their piano music journey! Here is her PWJ Member spotlight, please join with me in congratulating her! 1. Where are you from? • Hmmm, I was born in McKeesport, PA, grew up in Lorain, Ohio, currently living in New London, Wisconsin. I’ve lived in so many places that once, while applying for a job, the interviewer jokingly asked if I was with the Witness Protection Program. BUT I’ve lived in New London, Wisconsin, for the last 18 years. 2. When did you start playing piano? • I started taking piano lessons at age 6. 3. What got you interested in learning music? • My older sister and cousin were taking piano lessons and I started playing around on the piano for fun. I was later *forced* to commit to classical piano lessons for 5 years and then given the option to continue or not after that. Also, there was always music in the house coming from the stereo thanks to my parents, heavy on the Frank Sinatra ;-). 4. What is your favorite style of piano music? • I love so many styles, but to name a few, I love Motown, musicals, blues, and contemporary worship. 5. Do you have any favorite pieces to play? • Currently the Rock & Roll piece from Jonny’s course, Stairway to Heaven, Bohemian Rhapsody 6. What has most helped you most in improving as a pianist? • Posting AND watching other people’s videos has helped immensely—realizing that people can enjoy a piece that isn’t 100% perfect, seeing myself from someone else’s eyes. And, of course, putting the time in at the bench to be able to do the best I can. 7. Do you have any tips for other PWJ members? • Always have something that you’re working on with definite goals, such as complete by X. Try to practice at least 5 days/week, even if it’s just for 15 minutes some days. 8. What is your favorite part of the PWJ Membership? • Besides the great teaching method of Jonny May, it would be the community and the support that we give each other. Seeing people at ALL levels striving to improve. 9. What are your future music goals? • Master the set list that I have for myself and continue to add new songs to it. Also to learn a few more pieces that I can play without sheet music so I can sit down at the piano and wow some people ;-). 10. Do you have any words you try to live by or a favorite quote? • One of my favorite quotes is something my husband once said many years ago. It was related to his business, but I think it applies to everything: Everyone makes mistakes; it’s what you do after that’s important. Congrats Ellen!! You certainly deserves this distintion, especially after your TikTok videos. 🙂 I enjoyed them so much! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Congratulations Ellen, so well deserved. I love your posts and you are doing really fun ones lately to keep us amused at such changing times. Great humour you have. I particularly loved your persistence and determination doing the Rock n Roll piece 😁🎹🤘 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellen M Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Thx everyone! I appreciate your kind words. 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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