The Consulting Arts
The Consulting Arts spawns environments that are catalysts for creativity, focusing on piano, voice, creativity coaching, art and writing. Karen Smith-Will teaches students of all ages and with various learning styles, disabilities, and health concerns. Typically her students' ages range from 5-100, and accommodations can be made for exceptional students.
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Why music?
- Great for an aging brain - a longitudinal study with >1000 participants. Another longitudinal study from Australia
- Great for fine motor control - a study demonstrating how pianists have control over nuance, aka "timbre."
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- Written by: Karen Smith-Will
- Category: The Consulting Arts
When I started playing the autoharp this morning, I never expected to get the cats' attention. But our older, male cat, Archie was fascinated.
I've always thought it would be cool if our cats pranced on the piano like Domenico Scarlatti's Pulcinella did, inspiring his cat fugues. Or took walks with us, like Louis Wain's Peter.
Thank you to Katie for the autoharp, and to all of the other friends who have donated instruments to The Consulting Arts and our students.
https://www.facebook.com/TheConsultingArts/videos/580948506518632/
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- Written by: Karen Smith-Will
- Category: The Consulting Arts
Bio
Fi's ❤️ for composition really took off when she won her 1st award in 2018. In the 2019 recital, she's sang her original song, "Robocalls." She has continued to garner awards each year since then. She plays all of her own vocals (including harmonies) + instrumentation: piano, guitar, uke, & a few percussion instruments.
Albums, EPs & Singles
Awards
2021, 1st at Hanover High, 1st in Hanover County, Award of Excellence in Richmond District (regionals)
(More to be added)
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- Written by: Karen Smith-Will
- Category: The Consulting Arts
John McCormick has been a The Consulting Arts (TCA) piano student since 2014. As he completes his senior year in high school, we wanted to highlight his piano repertoire, which emphasizes classical music.
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- Written by: Karen Smith-Will
- Category: The Consulting Arts
When I saw Edvard Munch's Scream at a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' 2016 exhibit, I had no idea 1 (oil) of its 4 versions (2 oil + 2 pastel, the latter as shown at the photograph to the right) had been stolen and returned. Would-be-theologian, turned Scotland Yard "art theft detective," Charles "Charley" Hill tracked down this artwork, among many others, during his storied career, returning them to art museums and collectors, alike.
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- Written by: Karen Smith-Will
- Category: The Consulting Arts
The Consulting Arts teaches composition to students interested in adding that to their voice or piano repertoire. Multiple TCA students have earned awards and praise for their compositions through the last 15 years.
"Bittersweet" is reminiscent of the folk songs in the 1960s and 70s, with a hint of jazz.