Last week, we welcomed renowned British/South African pianist, Dr Ben Schoeman into school for a piano masterclass. The evening was a remarkable blend of performance and teaching, as Ben shared his wealth of expertise to our pianists and the audience.
The evening began with a short but stunning recital by Ben, showcasing his technical brilliance and deep musical insight. He demonstrated not only the technical precision that defines his playing but also his exceptional ability to express the emotional core of each piece. After the recital, Ben worked with six talented pianists: Benjamin, Vincent, Thomas, Samuel, Jerry and Richard. Each student performed a piece which was followed by a 20 minute lesson with Ben. The lesson focused on several key aspects of piano playing—sound production, posture, and the stylistic nuances of different composers, especially Debussy and Chopin. Ben’s approach was both technical and expressive. He encouraged each student to refine their sound, paying particular attention to tone quality and dynamic control, incorporating the importance of a relaxed posture, especially in the arms.
After the masterclass, there was a noticeable difference with each of the pianists’ playing becoming more refined, their sound more controlled and expressive.
Schoeman’s depth of knowledge, combined with his warm, approachable teaching style and at times funny remarks, created an environment in which all the pupils felt both challenged and supported.
