*Note: In the following story, a bunch of names of people and places have been changed. To know the real names, please contact me personally.
I would like to take a moment to talk about a
musician in the dance department at Oklahoma State University by the name of Chad
Larsen. According to Matthew Sbolci, music director of OSU’s dance department, Larsen is anything
but the average dance musician. Most musicians can play for either ballet or
modern, but Larsen, who has over 35 years of experience, can do both. “Chad is
a musician with an incredible scope of musical styles and genres,” says Sbolci,
“His technique at the keyboard or piano is impeccable. He is not only a wonderful
improviser but also a great interpreter or the classical repertory.”
When Larsen was younger, he dreamed of having piano
lessons, except for a maximum of 6-10 sporadic lessons scattered throughout his
youth, Larsen* started his formal training at age 18 ½. The opportunity
happened just by chance. Larsen’s friend, Reid Olmstead*, who later became a
very accomplished pianist brought Larsen along to one of his piano lessons. Olmstead
was lucky enough to study with world-renowned music teacher Richard Harling.* Harling
carefully chose his students, who came from all over the world to study with
him. His students tended to be both talented and accomplished. Therefore, Harling
did not accept beginners.
Olmstead was in the middle of his lesson with Larsen
looking on. Suddenly, Olmstead decided to say something out of the blue. “Chad wants
to take piano lessons,” said Olmstead. Harling thought for a moment and then
ushered Larsen to the piano. “I was floored when he said that,” says Larsen. Harling
asked him to play something. Larsen hesitated then declined, but Harling absolutely
insisted. “He didn’t let me say no,” says Larsen, who then played a section of Samuel
Barber’s “Excursions for the Piano,” a very difficult piece. Larsen thought he
did a horrible job. “I don’t know what I was thinking, says Larsen of his music
choice.
(Larsen(2nd from left)-with family in the 1970s-unknown photographer-courtesy Chad Larsen)
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