Crane School of Music Dean Reflects on Lessons Learned from Piano Pedagogy in Seminar Series

Dr. Michael Sitton Speaks at 2012-13 Disciplined Inquiry in Education Series on Feb. 6 at SUNY Potsdam's School of Education & Professional Studies

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Crane Dean Dr. Michael Sitton will present “Lessons from the Pedagogy of Practice: Reflections of a Piano Teacher,” at the 2012-13 Disciplined Inquiry in Education Seminar Series.

POTSDAM, NY (01/24/2013)(readMedia)-- Crane School of Music Dean Dr. Michael Sitton will continue the 2012-13 Disciplined Inquiry in Education Series with a talk at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in Satterlee Hall Room 300.

Dr. Sitton will present a talk entitled "Lessons from the Pedagogy of Practice: Reflections of a Piano Teacher."

Sitton's interests include piano performance and teaching. He has created a teaching method centralized around the importance of freedom and flexibility for students studying music. His work focuses on the steps teachers can take to ensure students' academic excellence and enjoyment.

"While my academic credentials are in the area of piano performance, I learned early on that there is an intimate connection in music between teaching and performing, no matter how one engages either," Sitton said. "I developed my own ideas about what I came to call the pedagogy of practice, and arrived at some understanding of the role of the teacher in cultivating a spirit of independence in student learning."

The Disciplined Inquiry in Education Seminar is sponsored by SUNY Potsdam's School of Education and Professional Studies. Over the last five years, the School has hosted more than 50 presenters through the series.

The seminar session is free, and the public is welcome to attend.

For the full schedule of Disciplined Inquiry in Education events for the semester, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/seminar.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

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