Patricia Melcher Bissell
Patricia received B.M. and M.M. degrees in piano and composition from Peabody Conservatory and Yale University. She also received a Fulbright Scholarship to study composition in Paris. “Pat” has taught keyboard at Gateway Community College in New Haven, CT for 16 years. She taught K-12 music in suburban and inner-city schools, and operated piano studios. She also served as the floor exercise arranger/pianist for two U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastic Teams.
Recent Works:
“Appropriate Arrangements” in Piano Magazine, March 2020
'Classroom Keyboard', co-published by NAfME and Rowman & Littlefield
MORE ABOUT KEYBOARD COSMOS
In 2018, Patricia published 'Classroom Keyboard', a guide to teaching keyboard and piano in a group setting. Following the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic, Patricia realized it was imperative that work be re imagined into an online platform accessible to individuals who no longer find themselves able to enjoy group music lessons.
A lifelong passion fulfilled, Patricia M. Bissell is excited to finally realize her vision of bringing piano and keyboard learning to the masses.
AS DEMONSTRATED BY:
Patricia Melcher Bissell
Patricia received B.M. and M.M. degrees in piano and composition from Peabody Conservatory and Yale University. She also received a Fulbright Scholarship to study composition in Paris.
“Pat” has taught keyboard at Gateway Community College in New Haven, CT for 16 years. She taught K-12 music in suburban and inner-city schools, and operated piano studios.
She also served as the floor exercise arranger/pianist for two U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastic Teams.
See “Appropriate Arrangements” in Piano Magazine, March 2020
Also, see author’s book co-published by NAfME and Rowman & Littlefield: Classroom Keyboard
Suitable for individual, group, or remote instruction.
A New Wheel
FOR MUSIC EDUCATION IN A POST-COVID WORLD
Like so many, this year has thrown dozens of curve balls my way. Beyond the economic pinch, has been the pressure and isolation of social distancing. For so many it has meant stepping back from friends, family and their entire community.
It has meant putting dreams and passions on the back burner… and I almost saw my life long dream of making piano and keyboard accessible to the masses go up in smoke.
In early 2018, I published ‘Classroom Keyboard’… a tested and sound curriculum for teaching keyboard and piano in group setting, something previously not well done as piano is traditionally taught one-on-one.
Jump forward to Fall, 2020 and music lessons (in groups or in person) aren’t really an option anymore… music education has flat lined across the country.
So what does that mean for enthusiasts, professionals and lifelong educators like myself and you?
What does that mean for our future and our passions?
It means that we, as educators and enthusiasts must rethink, redo and, perhaps, reinvent the wheel… at least a little.
For me personally, this has meant revisiting the delivery of my 2018 “Classroom Keyboard” and reworking its messaging so the ultimate goal of making Piano and Keyboard accessible to everyone can be achieved.
That being said, I’m so proud to have finally launched my ‘Keyboard Cosmos Learning Channel’! Users can Watch, Learn and Download FREE practice arrangements include sheet music and video demonstrations.
Our 'Keyboard Cosmos' learning channel allows users to download practice arrangements of authentic melodies that improve rhythm coordination, use a fuller keyboard range, and provide experience with different keys in shorter pieces… All for FREE!
I invite you to explore Keyboard Cosmos… Watch a few demonstrations, download some materials… take it for a test spin… send us some feedback too!
I also encourage you to please sign up to our email list so we can notify you as we add content, make enhancements and create new resources.