Marianne Krystmas

Share the love and magic of music!

Marianne Krystmas taught music in the North County of San Diego area for many years. She is a product of Michigan State University. Ms. Krystmas has done graduate work at Wayne State University in Michigan as well as graduate work in Europe at University of Innsbruck and the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria. She has also attended the prestigious Conservatory of Music in Moscow, Russia, the Conservatory of Paris, Paris France and The Royal School of Music in London. Ms. Krystmas also studied composition under Samuel Adler, the chairman of the Composition Department of the Eastman School of Music.

Ms. Krystmas specializes in teaching piano beginning through advanced studies, theatrical and Broadway-style singing, woodwinds including Flute, Clarinet, Sax, Oboe and English horn. Other programs available are music theory. music history, ear training and composition. She emphasizes the importance of developing a broad music background for all her students. Ms. Krystmas has seen her efforts bear fruit in the success for her students: two of her recent graduates have moved on to attend Juilliard. An another student has received her first Emmy. She attributes her success to her passion for music.

Ms. Krystmas served as Miss East Detroit, Miss Michigan. She has served as President of the North County Referrals for three years and is currently serving on the NCR board. She has two grown children and three grandchildren. In her spare moments she enjoys walking, hiking and still entertains at special events and private parties.

IT'S A VERY ANCIENT SAYING, BUT A TRUE AND HONEST THOUGHT...

It's a very ancient saying , but a true and honest thought are the words sung by the beautiful Debra Kerr in the classic movie, THE KING AND I. I have had the pleasure of singing the rolls of Anna and the young girl promised to the king, Tuptim. I have also had the pleasure of seeing the great Yul Brenner play his signature roll on stage before he past away. The incredible musical duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein fascinate me. As a pianist and composer as well as a vocalist who sang these wonderful words, I am in awe. As a teacher, I know how true these words are. I learn from my students every day. Students come to me because they want to learn to play or because their parents think they should learn music. However they come to me, it is my job to make them fall in love with the music, In return they expand my mind, challenge me to do better and I learn more each day. Sometimes it is hard to keep up with them. However, I love what I do and it is my great pleasure to do my job to the fullest as I continue to learn each and every day.

Recently I was reading a book by Dr. Grant Venerable, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania...THE PARADOX OF THE SILICON SAVIOR. In his book Dr. Vernaerable states, "Significantly, one of the most striking facts in Silicon Valley industry is that the very best engineers and technical designers are nearly without exception, practicing musicians." Scientists and doctors have proven that music students' brains develop differently. The earlier the student begins the better. However, this is not to dismiss all age groups because by actively participating in music you build new brain cells. This is an important factor regardless of age. If we use the brain in this way we continue to build and grow these parts of the brain.

With this information so widely available why, when budget cuts come, not only in our schools but in our homes is MUSIC the first to suffer? Music teachers in our schools have to do with much less than any sports program. I truly believe that parents and administrators alike look at music not from a point of academic exceptualism but from a point of lesser value. Less immediate bang for the buck if you get my drift. This couldn't be further from the truth. What it brings to the average students life can not be calculated immediately and the intrinsic values are hardly ever taken into consideration. They should stop a moment and consider what is staring them in the face, MUSIC makes everything better. It expands the mind, increases test scores, keeps the students interested in school and adds joy to their lives therefore making them more productive.

I have attended my fair share of high school and college reunions. One thing I have taken notice of while attending these events is the number of people from different parts of country and from different graduation years who have become very successful in life have participated in band, choir, drama and the visual arts. What can we learn from this? Music prepares us for life like few things can. We start out not knowing a piece of music. We struggle with it, work it through, memorize it and then preform it either in a concert or a recital. We receive an immediate response. We are successful in the strongest way possible. We have achieved our goal. Together or by our selves we have reached a pinnacle that no one can take from us. If that isn't a great lesson in life what is?

My hat is off to the music teachers through out our great country who continue every day to hone their craft and bring the love and magic of music to their students. These students continue their education through music and expand and develop their minds to make them more productive and successful citizens. Still, the song is sung; "It's a very ancient saying, but a true and honest thought that if you become a teacher by your pupils you'll be taught..." The students learn, the teachers learn as this ancient saying continue to amaze me.

For more information contact Marianne Krystmas

The Breath of Life By Marianne Krystmas

I have taught vocal music and woodwind instruments for years. To say the breath is important for the vocalist and the woodwind players is obvious. That breath is important for life itself is also quite obvious. But to millions of Americans the seriousness of breathing is not obvious. Better than 15 million Americans suffer from Asthma and other breathing disorders. They use medication and inhalers to get a breath that is vital in keeping them alive. For the most part Asthma suffers do not know how to breathe correctly. From the minute we begin to walk up right most of us breathe shallowly through our mouths. Thus, using only our lungs instead of using our diaphragm to get a good breath.

Breathing correctly is a wonderful opportunity to get in touch with yourself. I recommend that my students practice their breath twice daily. Getting into the habit of breathing the first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed produces two great things. The morning breath produces oxygen and actively engages the brain and prepares it for the upcoming events of the day. Likewise, the breath at the end of the day, using the same procedure, will produce a wonderful nights rest. It takes a bit of getting use to I will admit, however, I am sure you will be pleased with the results. You will wonder how you ever got along with out a proper breath.

This breathing technique will promote good health, increase your stamina and above all if you are an asthma sufferer you may find yourself requiring less medication. Breathing correctly in its' self produces and I quote "A happy blessed opportunity."

For more information regarding "Good Breathing" please check out the web site www.krystmasmusic.com or reach me at mariannekrystmas@yahoo.com