Artist Spotlight: Cathy Miller & Jim Gill

Artist Spotlight:

Cathy Miller & Jim Gill

 We are very pleased to introduce to you two of the hardest working musicians in the area.  We are equally pleased to enjoy Cathy's talents on our teaching staff here at the store.  Cathy and Jim play extensively at many area clubs and venues including right across the street from our store at Sully's.  They can also be seen playing on the square and many other outdoor venues in the summertime. For their concert schedule, and to hear their music visit:

 cathymillermusic.com

jimgillmusic.com

1. You both performed solo before forming this duo, how did you two
 meet up, and what inspired you to put the two acts together?

Jim and I met at a show in Lakewood at The Winchester Music Hall when he opened for a band I was in. I really liked what he was doing, and he liked my sound too. We started playing together the very next week (at Sully's in Medina) in July 2010, and it took off from there. Since then, we have released four cds together.

 2. I know that you guys have the opportunity to play in a lot of
 concert settings, but when you are playing in a club setting how do you
 keep a balance between what you want to play, and what the audience
 expects to hear?

We work very hard to read the room and determine what style and pacing is most likely to be received well. Most of the covers that we play we have chosen because they are something that we both enjoy. We always cherish the opportunity to play for an attentive audience, but when we are in a noisy bar, we work to engage as many tables and patrons as we can. Sometimes this means pulling out those tunes that everybody expects to hear, but with a different sort of twist. 

 3. You both look very comfortable when you perform, do you have any
 tips for those who struggle with performance anxiety?

Comfort comes with repetition. The more often you put yourself out in front of people, the more you become accustomed to how that feels. You also develop means of coping with the anxiety that sometimes comes along with performance. If you have severe performance anxiety, it's likely due to a fear of feeling as though you are going to fail. You have to give yourself permission to not be perfect every time -- and then work towards being better the next time you get up there.  

 4. As working musicians, do you have any words of encouragement for
 artists that feel like there's no money in music?

If you are going into music to make millions, you will be sorely disappointed. I make the majority of my income teaching, and gigs help to augment that. You have to be willing to work in a variety of environments, including performing school programs and playing gigs that may not be the most fulfilling, but make the rent. 

 5. What's your most memorable performance?

That can be taken two ways -- the best or the worst. The worst that we played together had to be the performance in a parking lot with a Ford parked right in front of our "stage". 

As for best, I'd have to say our concert in Medina Square this past summer may have been one of our best. We both played extremely well, it was a beautiful day, and we got to play outdoors in a gorgeous setting for an attentive audience. It was also recorded by Armstrong Cable and played on the local cable channel for a few months. That was a lovely show.

February Students of the Month

Kaleigh Reed

            The piano student for the month of February is 7 year old Kaleigh Reed.  Kaleigh is in the 2nd grade at Ella Canavan Elementary

and started piano lessons in October,  2011.   In that short time

Kaleigh has progressed rapidly and is already playing melody/counter-melody pieces that are written for students who have been studying at

the very least 9 to 10 months. Because of her hard work both

at home and during her lesson time she is very deserving of Student

of the Month.

Brooke Loftis

Brooke approaches each week with excitement and a willingness to work hard, both in lessons and during her practice at home. She has progressed quickly and is now beginning to step into the world of fiddle music after only playing the violin for a short time. Her enthusiasm and upbeat approach makes her a pleasure to work with, and a blossoming player. I look forward to seeing where her talents will take her!

Meghan Burkhardt

Meghan has been studying with me since the August of 2011.  She is thirteen years old and is a 7^th grader at A.I. Root Middle School.  She started in 5^th grade band, took a year off and returned to band this school year.  Meghan participated in the annual Woodsy’s student recital and is looking forward to going to Solo and Ensemble contest.  She is a hard worker and makes time to practice in addition to participating in the jazz ensemble and concert band at school.  She looks forward to playing in the MHS marching band in two years.

Jurni Harmon

            Jurni is a freshman at Cloverleaf High School. She has being taking lessons since September of 2010. She is being recognized for her outstanding attitude and dedication that she puts forth in making herself a better trumpet player. She comes to her lesson eager to make the best out of every lesson. This has helped her in receiving consecutive “superior” ratings (the highest rating) at OMEA Solo & Ensemble Contest for the past two years. She was also chosen to play the trumpet solo during Cloverleaf’s competitive marching band show.  She is currently working on Sigmund Herring Technical Studies, the Clark Studies, and the Hornpipe duet.

 

Jack Kula

Jack's story is a common one and one that I experienced first-hand as a beginner 14 years ago.  He came to me with the intent of being a lead guitarist.  Many of the students who have that desire can be quite averse to practicing chords and strumming patterns.  Try as I might, it is difficult to impress upon these students the importance of developing really solid rhythm guitar skills.  Most of the fundamental techniques required to play great lead guitar are developed significantly through a thorough understanding and ability with the basics of rhythm guitar playing.  Not only that, but lead guitarists only fulfill their role a small portion of the time they are performing.  The rest of the time, they themselves are rhythm guitarists.

Once a student has developed some comfort with a certain aspect of their playing, they want to practice what they are already good at and it becomes even more difficult for them to develop the weaker aspects of their playing.  Jack seems to have had an epiphany recently.  He has shown a lot of interest in addressing the short comings in his playing.  This is an incredibly difficult thing to do, but is a common trait of great guitarists.  Not only has Jack been able to make progress on his rhythm guitar playing, but he has also shown an admirable interest in the theory homework that so few students are willing to take on.  Jack has displayed a passion for the instrument and the guitar culture since the moment he started taking lessons with me.  Now that I am recognizing his willingness to become a well rounded player, I am incredibly optimistic about the growth he will experience in the future and about what creative accomplishments he seems destined to have.

 

Corbin Cerny

As this is the first Student of the Month, I'd like to say that this program is not a competition, but rather a chance to acknowledge a student who has gone above and beyond to further  their own personal progress. 

February’s percussion Student of the Month is Corbin Cerny. Corbin never backs down from a challenge. Corbin chose a Class A (advanced- difficult) snare drum solo to play at this year’s Solo and Ensemble contest. The hours and effort Corbin put in to get his solo and rudiments ready were many. No matter what rating Corbin gets from the judge at the contest, Corbin gets a Superior rating from me, for the effort and perseverance it took to get his technique to a point where he could play his solo with confidence, and musicality.  Corbin Cerny is a freshman at Medina High School.

 Roy King,

Percussion Instructor

Madison Marple

My choice for student of the month this February is Madison Marple.  Madison consistently puts forth good effort and focus both in lesson and on her weekly assignments.  She is always prepared and has near perfect attendance. Taking lessons since only July she is already applying her studies to performance.  She earned the opening spot in her school's talent show in her first audition, choosing to play the Star Spangled Banner on the acoustic guitar.  I'm very proud of Madison's growth and know she will continue to do great things with her talent.