News Release

For more information   contact:

Sheri Woodland

Office of Public Affairs

Acadia University

Phone: (902) 585-1362

Fax: (902) 585-1072

A piano duet for one

- Piano to piano instruction over high speed networks

 benefits young students -

For Release:  February 26, 2004

(Wolfville, NS) -  A new technological innovation is changing the way music is taught in Canada. MusicPath - a unique software development produced by a special partnership of education, industry and government - allows one pianist to simultaneously play two pianos located distances apart.

“The MusicPath software, developed at Acadia, is an ingenious use of technology that enables a new approach to music education,” says Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, president of Acadia University. “It will not only have a major impact on piano instruction but also on the culture of Canada and the world.”

MusicPath connects two Yamaha digital acoustic pianos through Canada’s national research and innovation network - CA* net 4. This unique program makes it possible for students to receive piano instruction in ‘real time’ from remote locations throughout the nation. The project research partners – Acadia University and the Royal Conservatory of Music – have been partially funded and supported by CANARIE (Canada’s advanced Internet organization) and Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. (manufacturers of the Disklavier pianos).

“As Canada's leader in music education, we are very excited about the tremendous opportunities MusicPath can offer us,” says Dr. Peter Simon, President of The Royal Conservatory of Music. “This groundbreaking innovation will allow us to reach students, teachers and artists living in the most remote areas of the country or abroad.”

In October, a twelve-year-old resident from the village of Port Williams, NS began receiving instruction from Canada’s internationally acclaimed piano instructor, Marc Durand. Every two weeks at Acadia’s School of Music, Lucas Porter – an advanced student in the RCM examination system – receives world-class instruction from Durand in Toronto.

“Marc Durand’s instruction has really improved my sound,” says Porter, a middle school student who wants to become a world-class pianist. “The teaching I’ve received because of MusicPath has made a big difference in my playing. It’s really quite amazing.”

Oscar Peterson, the internationally renowned jazz pianist, has been following the MusicPath project with great interest. “It’s one thing to have a good teacher and another to have a bad teacher. It’s another thing not to have a teacher at all,” says Mr. Peterson. “But if you can reach these youngsters with this kind of technology whereby you can say ‘No, you’re not putting the correct feeling on that phrase, this is the way it should go,’ and actually feel that you’re winning the battle.”

The synergy of the project partnership has built real excitement. “CA*net 4 and the E-Content program are creating opportunities for shared experiences, expertise and learning environments,” said Andrew Bjerring, President & CEO of CANARIE. “Talented individuals and creative minds are developing new applications and technologies. CANARIE, working with the Department of Canadian Heritage, is proud to support this partnership of Acadia University, RCM and Yamaha Canada Music Ltd.”

On February 26, Porter and Durand gave audiences at Acadia University’s Denton Hall and the Royal Conservatory of Music a taste of the innovative approach to piano learning. The presidents of Acadia University, The Royal Conservatory of Music, CANARIE Inc., and Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. hosted the MusicPath demonstration.

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