Longhouse School

(From Julie. What do I mean Lolita’s my “GF-Plus”? We actually are married. But this happened in a country that recognizes both same-sex and 16-year-old marriages. Of course, our marriage is not recognized here. But we are almost 18 and soon we will be wife and wife instead of GF-pluses! In the meanwhile, I’m her “GF-Plus” too. I consider her posts part of the Longhouse foundation. We worked this summer helping to develop the Vision Statement for the school. In the vision statement, set about 10 years into the future, she is also teaching with me in the school. So her developments feed into the school as it develops into a P-12 institution!)

From Heidi

I have off from school today again due to the Jewish holidays. So I ran with the East Bronx Roadrunners which is always full of camaraderie. Also, my friend Gina from school is spending the holiday with us. I play the piano but she PLAYS it! She is auditioning for top conservatories with the very best piano programs. Like Juilliard!

She is helping me with my Domenico Scarlatti’s Three Sonatas (D minor K.517; E major K.380; and A major K.114) which I am studying with Simon, my new piano teacher. Gina can sight play the piece better than I can after three weeks of relentless practice! Oh well….

“I don’t get it,” I said. She said I am not supposed to get it. I am supposed to get myself “in it.” That’s why pianists memorize their pieces so they become one with it. Now where have I heard that before!?!

“I think piano teachers get it all wrong. Students are not ready for the beginning-to-end ‘flow,’” she said. “We need landmarks first! Start from some things you really like in the piece. For example, Scarlatti has a lot of interesting discordant chords–way before his time–that you with your pop and jazz background should appreciate. He was fascinated by the classical guitar and he tries to replicate it. When you play, do you think you can hear the influence of Spain? Hear folk songs? Changes of keys? So start with those segments and then build in the before and after lines.”

Hmmm. Yesterday we took hour-long shifts on the baby grand. It was so refreshing!

Today the Jammy Girlz are coming over to rehearse for our Sinatra and Swingin’ Brass concert at the restaurant this weekend. We’ve also started listening to his All Alone album. Slow torch songs and waltzes, big on Irving Berlin. I don’t “get it” yet, like Scarlatti. Maybe I just need to take a hot bath and let it soak in.

Thanks to My Love for picking up the slack on the LoHeidiLita posts. She has a lot to say right now with her work and studies. I don’t have a lot to say right now—except the Girls VB Team won our first game last week! We fielded a team that’s about one-half talented younger athletes. Coach says we may or may not peak this season but we have to work hard and learn a lot. Wait for next year, she says!

A lot of the Manhattan high school coaches joined a pilot program. After a hard-fought game, both teams sit down for a recap and clinic. We cool down, depressurize, and talk about highlights and challenges. The goal is to make lasting friendships and build skills, going beyond teams. No more separate locker rooms for home and visiting teams, either. Want to fight? Just go right at it (😜).

I think this is such a great idea! What about you? We each partnered up with a girl from the other team and did some bonding games like hand wrestling. At any rate, it was very successful on Thursday. And I learned that the people on the other team actually have their own names! Who would ever imagine that?

Gina joined me and My Love on last night’s call. InstaFriendship!!! I love laughing!