My "super teacher": Dorothy Taubman.

As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a pianist. Nobody could understand why because there were no musicians in my family. The only music I remember hearing was on the radio, the sound of my parents always singing and whistling around the house or the inevitable sound of guitars, maracas and various forms of Cuban music that seemed to emerge from every cafe on the streets of my native Havana.

One of the happiest memories of my childhood was the day the "Three Wise Men"--Cuba's Santa Claus counterpart--loaded their camels with my first piano and delivered it to my house. It was a huge old upright, but, to my eyes, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I was 6 years old.

My next longing was to find the most wonderful teacher in the world who could quickly teach me to make music.

This journey took much longer than thought. My parents were poor, so it took awhile to be able to afford piano lessons. Eventually, I graduated from the Conservatory in Havana; I won a Canada Council Grant to go to school at the University of Toronto, where I graduated with artist and licentiate diplomas. I then completed a master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Northwestern University. In addition, I studied periodically with several famous teachers. But I had not yet found "the one" I dreamt about when I was given my first piano.

This is why, when I heard in 1976 about this supposedly amazing Dorothy Taubman, I absolutely had to check it out. I already was a professional musician, and I was attending a piano workshop for children at the Manhattan School of Music in New York with my little daughter. Suddenly, the women seated behind me started talking about Taubman's remarkable teaching and her first upcoming public seminar at the Institute for Man and Science in Rensellaerville, New York. At intermission I asked them about the details and immediately changed my summer plans so I could attend. As I read the claims in the brochure, I concluded that this person would either be a fake or the teacher of my dreams.

The rest is history. After the two-week seminar, I knew Dorothy Taubman was the "super teacher" I had been searching for. I have studied with her for many years, and every time I see her, I feel I have an appointment with history--because, one day, history will talk about this woman's genius. Every time I go for a lesson a new, miraculous discovery unfolds. She has become my teacher, my loving friend and my musical mom. Dorothy Taubman has totally revolutionized my playing and teaching. She has taught me to diagnose problems, find solutions and make beautiful music while, in her own words, the hands feel "delicious." It is hard to describe the uniqueness of her teaching. It truly needs to be experienced. Now, my students love to share with their own students the Taubman insights they have learned. It is rewarding!

When the Taubman Institute was canceled, several of her students, who also were full-time faculty members, decided to organize the Dorothy Taubman Seminar in New York. We wanted to share with others the opportunity of working with this true master who had so enriched our careers and our lives and who is now at the zenith of her teaching prowess.

The first New York seminar took place June 6-7, 2003, at the Museum for the American Piano. It was so successful that this year it has been expanded to four days, June 3-6, 2004, at CAMI HALL. (Go to www.taubmanseminar.com for more information.) Some of the comments of those in attendance at the first seminar were: "This was a breath of fresh air." "Taubman is a miracle." "To see her in action was an unforgettable experience." "Start looking for another location because you will outgrow this one immediately."

Furthermore, the Taubman Institute has reopened and is being represented by The Taubman Seminar in New York.

The founding faculty and directors are Dorothy Taubman, Eleanor Hancock, Paul Maillet, Sondra Tamman and me. This year's new associate faculty are Angelin Cheng, Joseph Gurt and Sheila Paige. Affiliate concert artists are Michael Gurt, Beth Levin, Joshua Pierce and Robert Shannon.

I found my "super teacher," and I'm proud that I'm able to honor her in this way.

Maria del Pico Taylor, NCTM, is professor of piano at Temple University and one of the founding faculty members of the Dorothy Taubman Seminar in New York. Recent credits include premier performances of commissioned concerti for symphony orchestra and Taylor's ensemble Latin Fiesta.