Chris W Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Hi Everyone, It's that time again for the member spotlight to be announced and for February it is awarded to..... Yvonne Yeroyan!! Yvonne regularly posts videos of her playing in the Facebook group, she offers a lot of encouragement to other members and many PWJ members have been inspired by her playing and attitude to music and the piano. So here is her Member Spotlight! 1. Where are you from? I’m originally from Long Island, NY but that was another country. I have also spent a decade in Florida and almost 15 yrs out west. I am currently living in the cultural and musical mecca that is Montana (that was a wee-little joke hehe). My New York upbringing has never left me, the Florida sand has never been shaken out of my shoes, and the peaceful wilderness surroundings of Montana will never leave my heart. I’m from all those places. 2. When did you start playing piano? I was 5 yrs old when I began to play. Lessons were sporadic from age 6-14. If I had to guess, during that time I probably had a total of roughly 7 yrs of lessons/classical training. Maybe. I don’t know. Things were very chaotic then, and nobody really remembers! 3. What got you interested in learning music? As a child, I spent the weekends with my father and grandparents. I always wanted to be around and listen to my father when he was singing or playing piano and bass. He was (and still is) so talented. He often had groups of musicians over to jam and I always got to watch and listen. For a time, he played music for a living. It was my grandmother who insisted that I take piano lessons, however. That was what really did it. Those few years of training instilled a love for being at the piano that would strangely stay with me the rest of my life even though I was not really developed as a musician. 4. What is your favorite style of piano music? Well, classical was all I knew. Because it was all I was given to play. I liked the beauty of it then and still do. But it’s not my favorite style. Can’t say I have one. I like a lot of styles. 5. Do you have any favorite pieces to play? Nope, no favorite songs to play. 6. What has most helped you most in improving as a pianist? Hm.That’s a hard question because I feel like every musical experience along the way has helped me in a very significant way. I feel like my classical training was a huge blessing and leg up, as was singing harmony in chorus/ensemble in my teens. When I had the chance to return to the piano in my twenties, it was all contemporary christian music in a worship band/team setting. I was literally flying by the seat of my pants. Playing in that setting forced me to get used to playing and singing in front of people (I had to overcome a large and tenacious case of stage fright), got me used to playing along with other musicians who had different styles and techniques and exposed me to playing off of chord and lead sheets for the first time… But a little formal training, a little natural ability and a little hands on experience only brought me so far. Jonny May is sort of tying all the loose ends up for me that I was not able to put together on my own. He has hands down been the best teacher I have ever had or ever dreamed I’d have the opportunity to get direction and instruction from. Thank you!!!!! 7. Do you have any tips for other PWJ members? As for tips, I’d just say to be realistic and be content. Know yourself and the purpose music has in your life so as to not make it bigger or smaller than it should be. Not everyone is going to play at Carnegie Hall or find fame but where YOU are positioned to play is still good! Enjoy what you get to do being you….and PS: Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. 8. What is your favorite part of the PWJ Membership? My favorite part of the membership is two-fold. For me there’s this joy of attainment for things I have never been able to achieve at the piano up until now and second, It is so fun to get to meet and interact with other members from all around the world who are sharing a similar journey and love. That makes it really special. 9. What are your future music goals? I am pretty happy with where I am now but if I am able to do more, I would prefer to. I think that 2 more years under Jonny’s instruction will put me in a better position to think about and reach for greater things that perhaps would not have been an option for me before. I’ll be more apt to have finer tuned ideas and goals as my skills increase. 10. Do you have any words you try to live by or a favorite quote? I Corinthians 10:31 “ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan D Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Congratulations! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dina M Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Congratulations, Yvonne! Very interesting bio, was very nice to read. May all your PWJ dreams come true! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony m Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 🔥💪👍YEEEEEEE❤️EEEEESSS👍💪🔥. Great job pulling that one off! 😂. It’s great to be able to pass the torch.👍❤️👍 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Y Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 42 minutes ago, anthony m said: 🔥💪👍YEEEEEEE❤️EEEEESSS👍💪🔥. Great job pulling that one off! 😂. It’s great to be able to pass the torch.👍❤️👍 Right??!!!😅 Only in a small town! Thanks Anthony! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe S Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Congratulations Yvonne! VERY well deserved!!!😀😀😀 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancydehaven Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Congratulations, Yvonne! 👏🏻🎶👏🏻🎶👏🏻🎶 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie P Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Congratulations, Yvonne! It really is well deserved. You are always right there with your positive, cheerful comments. Way to go! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne H Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Well done Yvonne! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiress L Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Congratulations Yvonne! You are always a positive, cheerful influence and very inspiring! You are dedicated, hard-working and it shows! Yvonne, you are very much deserving of this month's February Spotlight! You go girl! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry H Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Can’t think of anyone who deserves the honour more. Thank you for your friendship and support. Terry 🇬🇧🇺🇸 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felicia Seigler Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Way to go, Yvonne!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael LaDisa Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Congratulations Yvonne. Your posts inspire me. You really nailed it last month on Facebook. Yes to Zechariah 4:10. Best wishes! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Neumann Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Congratulations! Great job!👏 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Y Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 Thanks to you all for the. encouragement and support! I enjoyed reading your comments today! So happy you guys are a part of my piano community🥰. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George A Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 (edited) I can't think of another person so deserving of getting this recognition. As said in the past, I enjoy your style of music. I love when you also sing while playing! 🎹 My only suggestion would be to include more of yourself in the camera shot. Amen? I enjoy reading where people are living...maybe Jonny can have an opt in place for us to add that bit of news. For myself, I'm about 40 minutes (22 miles) west of Washington, D.C. in Northern Virginia. I grew up as a yooper (do you know where that is)? And being nearly a 5 year widower, I have lots of time on my hands. One of these days I hope to be as brave as many of you and post my skills! to practice and terrorize my two bichons! Say hi to Webster and his half brother Wilson. Their resting place is on top of the desk. As they say, "When there are dogs and music (even mind), people have a good time"....Emmylou Harris. Since we find Yvonne quoting some scripture, I thought I would make a statement that might bring a smile - God couldn't be physically us so he gave us dogs...& notice Dog spelt backwards is God & they both show unconditional "love"! Okay, back to practicing. Edited February 25, 2020 by George A I added more info 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny May Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Woohoo!! Congratulations on being featured @Yvonne Y. You deserve it! I loved reading your responses. I didn't know your dad played piano and bass. My dad was an upright bass player and I would say he's the biggest reason I pursued the piano. I loved your advice to the other students, especially "don't despise the day of small beginnings". You are such a wonderful leader and contributor in our community. Thank you for constantly encouraging the other members and making the community such a vibrant and exciting place to learn the piano. We're all grateful for you! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Y Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 On 2/25/2020 at 9:42 AM, George A said: I can't think of another person so deserving of getting this recognition. As said in the past, I enjoy your style of music. I love when you also sing while playing! 🎹 My only suggestion would be to include more of yourself in the camera shot. Amen? I enjoy reading where people are living...maybe Jonny can have an opt in place for us to add that bit of news. For myself, I'm about 40 minutes (22 miles) west of Washington, D.C. in Northern Virginia. I grew up as a yooper (do you know where that is)? And being nearly a 5 year widower, I have lots of time on my hands. One of these days I hope to be as brave as many of you and post my skills! to practice and terrorize my two bichons! Say hi to Webster and his half brother Wilson. Their resting place is on top of the desk. As they say, "When there are dogs and music (even mind), people have a good time"....Emmylou Harris. Since we find Yvonne quoting some scripture, I thought I would make a statement that might bring a smile - God couldn't be physically us so he gave us dogs...& notice Dog spelt backwards is God & they both show unconditional "love"! Okay, back to practicing. Thanks so much for your remarks George. I love bichons. My mother used to raise them. I took one of her x’s: bichon x pom x maltese. I agree with Emmy Lou🙂. They must be successful sleeping on an office desk all the time! ....Yooper- Upper Michigan, I believe??! Being a slightly extroverted introvert🤔 sometimes I shy away from the camera. I’ll try to sing more for you, George😊. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Y Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 On 2/27/2020 at 3:32 PM, Jonny May said: Woohoo!! Congratulations on being featured @Yvonne Y. You deserve it! I loved reading your responses. I didn't know your dad played piano and bass. My dad was an upright bass player and I would say he's the biggest reason I pursued the piano. I loved your advice to the other students, especially "don't despise the day of small beginnings". You are such a wonderful leader and contributor in our community. Thank you for constantly encouraging the other members and making the community such a vibrant and exciting place to learn the piano. We're all grateful for you! Thanks a million for what you bring to us, Jonny- and thanks for the spotlight!( Sure am glad you got your dad’s music gene🙂! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ido B Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 So I'm a little late to the Yvonne party, but better late than never! Congrats, Yvonne!! you are so well deserving of this Spotlight and I really enjoyed reading your answers! A little fun fact that people may not know (surprised its not in your Member Spotlight): Yvonne, just like me, wears Puma Socks that she buys at Costco...the things you learn at PWJ! 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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