Chris W Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Hi PWJ Members, We have come to the PWJ member spotlight for October and for this month it goes to someone who contributes regularly to the Facebook Community and the PWJ forum - both encouraging other members and joining in with the challenges set. She is a very active member in the group and has inspired many members with the progress she has made. So this month's spotlight goes to.......... Emma Collingwood! Please join with me in congratulating her on her Member Spotlight! Where are you from? • I’m originally from the UK but I live in Burgundy, France now. When did you start playing piano? • I started playing the piano when I was about 6 and played until I was 16. I had lessons in classical piano and never practiced, so during that time I was only playing 30 minutes per week and didn’t make much progress, but I did get taught the right technique, which is valuable to me now. What got you interested in learning music? • Ever since I can remember, I had always wanted to play the piano. I clearly remember when I was a teenager wanting to find a jazz and blues piano teacher, but there were none around. I was really disappointed because although I love classical music, the idea of playing didn’t ignite the flame in me the way jazz and blues does. What is your favorite style of piano music? • I love blues the most, or jazz if it has blues elements incorporated throughout. I love gospel music too. This is why I’m so drawn to Jonny’s teaching. He incorporates a lot of blues elements into various styles of music, and this is exactly what I want to be able to do. Do you have any favorite pieces to play? • When I signed up to Piano With Jonny, I started learning the Beginner/Intermediate version of Cruella de Vil. It took me months to get it under my fingers, but now that I have learnt it, I play it every day. I also love playing Shout Hallelujah! which is the PWJ theme tune. Last but not least, I’m learning the Maple Leaf Rag at the moment. This is the piece that made me quit the piano when I was 16. I fell in love with it, asked my piano teacher if she could teach it to me, but she didn’t want to. I tried to learn it myself, found it too difficult and gave up. After a year at PWJ, I feel equipped to tackle this piece and I’m pleased to say I’m making great progress. What has most helped you most in improving as a pianist? • Without a doubt, it has been prioritising daily practice time. When I plan my day, the first thing I do is work out when I’m going to find 1 hour to practice. Everything else has to fit around it. I have been very consistent in practicing almost every single day since I joined PWJ and it has really paid off. Another thing that has indirectly helped me immensely is Jonny’s positive, upbeat energy. Often I can be tired and stressed from work when I sit down to practice. But I just put on a lesson, listen to Jonny’s cheerful voice and all my problems melt away! Do you have any tips for other PWJ members? • My top two recommendations would be 1) consistent focused practice (even when you don’t feel like it) and 2) record yourself and post in the Facebook group. If we are doing consistent, focused practice, it so often feels as though we are repeating the same thing over and over and not making progress. But when I look back at some of my earlier videos, I can see how I’ve come so far in my playing ability in just a few short months. I can’t wait to see where the years ahead take me! What is your favorite part of the PWJ Membership? • This is such a hard question! Every aspect of the membership exceeds my expectations, but if I had to pick one, I’d say it was the live events. The amount of interaction between Jonny, Yannick, Katie and the members really sets PWJ apart from any other online piano lessons platform. That and the exceptional community of gifted piano players in the Facebook group makes PWJ a really special place to be. What are your future music goals? • I like to set myself monthly goals to keep myself on track, but I don’t have any longer term goals, other than to “play like Jonny”, which I think will keep me busy for several decades to come! I find that this goal in itself is highly motivating and keeps me coming back to the piano day after day. Do you have any words you try to live by or a favorite quote? • I love the quote “Big dreams happen one small step at a time.” I love that it’s totally in my power to play the piano as well as I want if I’m just willing to turn up every day and take those small steps to get there. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott M Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Nice job Emma! I loved your answers - they inspired me. Thank you!! This is a long journey and what is so wonderful is that we all have similar experiences with practice, or motivation. I agree, when Jonny teaches in his cheerful way, it makes the day shine brighter. Keep up the good work and good luck with Maple Leaf Rag! Once of my fav's, but not near ready to tackle it yet. Cheers! Scott 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie Rushing Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Yay Emma! Congrats on being the Member Spotlight! You add so much warmth to the PWJ community. I love your videos! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt T Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 Great spotlight Emma! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Collingwood Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Thank you so much @Scott M, @Katie Rushing and @Matt T! I feel so at home on this site and so lucky to be surrounded and supported by so many wonderful people! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor M Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 Great stuff, Emma. And well deserved ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Collingwood Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Thanks Ivor! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven H Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Congrats on the member spotlight, always inspiring with your Facebook posts and practice dedication. I should read this forum more often... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susana R Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Congrats Emma! You deserve this distinction. I love your posts so inspirational! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George A Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 So pleased to see you accomplishing great things. I can only imagine how you will sound in a year when staying with your practice sessions. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiress L Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 Congratulations Emma! Well Done! I enjoyed reading your member spotlight post! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph G Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 Wow, that was rich Emma, a lot valuable points on what it takes to learn to play piano: prioritizing practice even when you don't feel like it (the discipline); taking months to learn Cruella de Vil (the persistence), then playing it daily (the dedication); the motivation ofJonny’s cheerful voice...amen to that; your last lines really summarize it: “Big dreams happen one small step at a time. I love that it’s totally in my power to play the piano as well as I want if I’m just willing to turn up every day and take those small steps to get there. Every day of practice is a small step. " Thank you!! I will be reading this forum more often. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisa Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Hi Emma -- so glad I finally found your member spotlight. I loved reading about your piano journey! Your warmth and enthusiasm shines through the printed words. I also really enjoy your posts on the Facebook page and your persistence with those 7th chords 🙂 See you around PWJ! --Elisa- 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ido B Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Congrats on the member spotlight, Emma! Well deserved. I enjoyed reading your answers and love watching your videos on the FB page. Look forward to hearing more from you! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynette G Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 Thanks, Emma! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe S Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Congratulations Emma! Loved your advice and reading your experience! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dina M Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Congrats Emma! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnn S Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Congratulations, Emma! Your comments were very helpful and inspiring, especially the comment about consistent focused practice. It may seem repetitious, but just stick with it and when you look back, you will see how far you’ve come! I love how you said you spent months on one song to get it under your fingers and that is very helpful to me. Good job, Emma!👏 It looks like you have inspired quite a few of us! Thank you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne H Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Well done Emma! A bit late to the party but I got there eventually... interesting answers and fantastic work ethic. 👏🎶 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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