Brooklyn Accordion Club Presents Judy Minot

May 1st 2021
Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor Accordion USA News
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Best Practice

The Brooklyn Accordion Club presents Judy Minot on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 2-3:PM. Judy Minot’s new book, “Best Practice: Inspiration and Ideas for Traditional Musicians” is a #1 New Release on Amazon, and has received rave reviews from many well-known musicians, including Kevin Burke, Liz Carroll, and Natalie Haas. Judy’s workshop for BAC will introduce easy-to-learn skills for practicing more efficiently. She’ll teach specific practice techniques, address the “mind game” of creativity and practice, and discuss how to ensure your body provides the most effective support for your playing. You’ll walk away with tools you’ll use every day.

Judy Minot plays piano, accordion (piano and diatonic), and violin in a range of styles from jazz to Celtic and contra. Current groups include:
Kestrel: English country dances.
John Burkhalter (recorders), Judy Minot (piano), Paul Morrissett (violin), Mary Roth (concertina)
Kitchen Bridge: eclectic folk-y tunes and well-chosen songs
Wolf Hul (violin, mandolin, vox), Judy Minot (piano, accordions, violin, vox), Mark Wilber Stewart  (bouzouki, guitar, violin, vox)
Judy has played Celtic/Irish music with Patrick Clifford and Fiona Tyndall, and in various other groupings including contra and English dances. She annually leads the pickup contra dance band at Folk College and the Accordion Arkestra at Northeast Squeeze-In.

Her new book, “Best Practice”, includes 197 self-contained chapters, each with a single concept or idea. It’s designed to provide daily inspiration to help you stay motivated and practice with more ease. It’s specifically oriented to adults who play traditional music styles (whether it’s the music of Eastern or Northern Europe, Central or South America, or anywhere else), and who play for enjoyment, rather than to become professionals.

Judy believes in the transformational power of playing traditional music. “Becoming a better musician and becoming a better person have a great deal in common,” she says. “Traditional music is meant to be played together, as a social event in itself, rather than playing for paid audiences. It is an incredible force for unity and community that we really need in the world right now.”

Judy Minot is the author of “Best Practice: Inspiration and Ideas for Traditional Musicians”. An accomplished pianist, she also plays accordion (piano and diatonic) and violin, and leads workshops all over the Eastern U.S. She trained in classical piano until age 16, and in the “empty nest” years began playing jazz. At that time she discovered the vibrant community of traditional music.

An advocate of teaching and supporting “amateur” or non-professional musicians, Judy has never made her living as a musician. She began her working life in broadcast video: editing music videos, entertainment specials and documentaries for a long list of well-known musical artists. She went on to produce, direct and write for broadcast, cable and recording industry clients, eventually transitioning to work in digital marketing. Judy holds a 4th degree black belt in the martial art of Kokikai Aikido, which she taught at Rutgers University for 12 years. She is also a certified yoga teacher.

The Brooklyn Accordion Club celebrated their 8th anniversary on Feb.10, 2021. They have provided education, entertainment, and fun for all during these years. The Brooklyn Accordion Club aims to build a community of accordion players of all levels and admirers in the heart of Brooklyn.

For further information: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com
For further information on Judy: judy.bestpractice@gmail.com