USC Mellon Awards for Excellence in Mentoring, 2005
Mary Au
Doctoral Student
Department of Keyboard Studies
Thornton School of Music
I am honored to have been a mentor to many people; to have the opportunity to share my knowledge so others can make beautiful music, and through that bring joy to others. This is one of the greatest blessings ever bestowed on me. Here is what the parents of two students I mentor wrote about my mentoring philosophy:
"You will notice three things right away when you start working with Mary Au as your mentor and piano collaborator: She has a big smile for you, she tells you enthusiastically 'This is going to be great,' and she will always be directing your concentration toward the goal of making the best music you can."
"Be ready to work! Mary will engage you to actively participate in exploring what is happening in the music. Her process involves many learning styles. She will pepper you with questions about the direction, mood, colors, climax, story, harmony and history of the music:
- 'What does your teacher want you to do here?'
- 'What feeling do you want to convey in this passage?'
- 'This passage is repeated three times: how are we going to say something different each time?'
- 'Has the mood changed here?'
- 'Is this an echo or an answer to a question?'
- 'How does harmony influence how you interpret the piece?'
- 'Can you make up a story to go along with the music?'
"She asks all these questions because she knows there needs to be a good answer for each one."
"Mary's long and accomplished career as a professional musician and music lover has taught her that every detail and idea in the music is critical to the meaning of the whole work. Her knowledge of the repertoire is immense. If the student is stumped she will perhaps offer a few ideas of her own, but she will always be sensitive to what works best for the student within the context of the musical passage. Loud and soft is not a sufficient tonal vocabulary; Mary wants the color and life to burst out. Through all the details, she remains focused on the goal: a beautifully interpreted and performed piece of music."