Jill Berryman: Piano Club

Staff Scientist, Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

How long have you been engaged in the Piano Club? 

The Glencairn Neighborhood Piano Club had its first gathering on May 5, 2018. I have been a member since the beginning! We are a group of 8 women, ranging in age from the late 30s to the late 80s! We meet monthly at someone’s home, and the host rotates each month. During COVID, we met virtually, but have been meeting in person again for about the past year. 

For another MSU connection, Teresa Dunn, Professor in the Art, Art History, and Design Department, is also a member of the Glencairn Piano Club. 

What types of lessons have you learned or skills you have gained or strengthened through the Piano Club 

Since the club began, we have all grown so much as musicians. We meet monthly, and we each play a piece for each other every month. To prepare for our performances, we all have become more disciplined in practicing the piano. With more practice, more performances, and hearing the positive feedback from everyone, we have become better pianists over the years! 

Even though our piano club is small, and everyone is extremely supportive and friendly, many of us (myself included) still get nervous when playing for each other. During performances, I have learned how to focus better, and breathe to help me stay calm. I started doing some meditation videos on YouTube to help me with this.  

Do you use those skills or lessons at work? How? 

I have used the focus techniques at work, most notably when I have to give presentations. The same technique to focus and breathe is very helpful! 

What value does the Piano Club have in your life outside of work? 

Playing the piano is a fantastic mental outlet. While I’m practicing, I am transported into my own world where everything else melts away. Having this outlet allows me to reset, and be excited and motivated for work again the next day. We all need such outlets in order to stay productive at work.  

What is the most rewarding thing about the Piano Club? 

The friendships I have formed, and hearing the music of those friends each month is the most rewarding!  

I am so inspired by everyone in the club. Some members are in their mid to late 80s in age, and play very well, giving me hope I will be able to do the same at their age! Some members have been playing the piano their whole lives, others only just started playing the piano recently, and others took a long break and are just coming back to the piano. We give each other ideas for new pieces to play, and we all have a different style of playing, which broadens our own perspective. 

How do you prepare for the Piano Club? 

I try to practice the piano every day, but that is mainly because I enjoy it so much. It’s not something I feel like I HAVE to do, I really WANT to do it. With a demanding job, and also a family, I am not always able to practice as much as I would like, but at minimum I can usually sit down for the 20 minutes or so while my kids are getting ready for bed on their own. A good day is when I can practice for an hour! 

I have also played duets with other members of the piano club, and in that case we will also find time to practice together before our monthly gathering. 

Casey Bye: Playing Guitar

Communications Manager, Creative Services within Student Life & Engagement’s Office of the Senior Vice President 

How long have you been engaged in playing the guitar? 

I started taking lessons when I was 12 and have played on and off in bands pretty much ever since. 

What types of lessons have you learned or skills you have gained or strengthened through playing the guitar? Do you use those skills or lessons at work? How? 

In middle and high school, I studied with both flamenco and jazz guitarists, so I picked up sort of juxtaposed lessons in speed and accuracy paired with bringing a wide variety of ideas to the table and then going with the flow when implementing those ideas based on the needs and “feedback” of other players. This has all translated pretty directly to my work as a communications manager on campus. 

What value does playing the guitar have in your life outside of work? 

Playing solo at home just for my own enjoyment is always a stress-reducer. Recording and playing live is honestly one of the best ways I’ve ever known to maintain a healthy amount of self-confidence. Not that I feel my personal worth is tied to my playing being good or not so good, but I get so much joy out of doing it and talking to people after a performance and seeing the joy they experience from listening to it just makes me all warm and fuzzy. 

What is the most rewarding thing about playing the guitar? 

The collaboration aspect of being in a band. I love working with people to create something; everyone contributing their ideas and talents, working hard together and then being able to enjoy the end results. 

How do you prepare for playing the guitar? 

I have quite a few rituals I’ve picked up from the mind-bending guitarist Robert Fripp (King Crimson, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie etc.) who treats playing as a sort of spiritual practice. A lot of these tidbits are just practical preparation to allow for better playing, such as using baby power to keep your strings from rusting, but others are more in line with mindful intention-setting, from putting yourself in the best mindset to be open to interacting with your band while improvising to sitting or standing in such a way that your movements can be more fluid and your breath more controlled. It’s a whole instruction-based series he calls Guitar Craft. It’s kinda like yoga for guitarists. 

How does playing the guitar compare to other goals you have set? 

I’m always learning new techniques and incorporating things I’ve learned from other guitarists into my playing. It’s sort of never ending. And while a lot of other hobbies I enjoy, from writing fiction to drawing, also allow me to work in new ideas I learn from others, guitar is maybe the most immediately rewarding, as implementing any new things I learn can basically be instantaneous. So that keeps playing and wanting to learn new things consistently entertaining over the years. 

How does playing the guitar affect your relationships inside or outside of work? 

I definitely think the lessons I’ve learned in collaboration and the necessity of being a good listener when improvising with a band have helped me be a better collaborator and listener at work and in friendships I have outside of playing music.  

Is there anything else you would like to share about playing the guitar? 

My band, Otho Roi, will be playing a set of songs all by the band The Cure Friday, May 6 at the Avenue Café in Lansing. Come on out and say, “Hi!” I’d love to meet other folks at MSU interested in live music! 

What advice do you have for others to get started or to learn more if they are interested in playing the guitar? 

Start on the cheap—find a used or generic guitar and small practice amp to see if you like it. Lessons were invaluable to me, as I learn from watching and interacting, so I’d recommend trying to find a good, affordable teacher rather than diving in on your own. Then, if you find that sort of structure doesn’t work best for you, you at least know you tried it and you’ll have a bit of a base knowledge to strike out on your own. After you get some of the basics down, the best advice I was ever given was to start trying to learn songs you like by ear. You’ll both learn something you’ll enjoy playing and discover techniques and fingerings unique to you that you might not otherwise learn from someone else. 

Do you have other hobbies/activities that you want to mention? 

I’m just starting to work on my third, as yet unpublished novel. Anyone with any literary agent or publishing connections, let’s be friends! And anyone interested in hearing some music I’ve recently been working on, my band just finished performing in the MSU Department of Theatre’s production of “Hit the Wall,” and you can check out the music we wrote for the play here. We’re always available to perform for events if you think we might be the right fit (feel free to email me to discuss at byecasey@msu.edu). Thanks so much for this opportunity to share about my hobby! 

Isaac Kalumbu: Grammy-Nominated Singer

Assistant Director for Outreach, African Studies Center, International Studies & Programs  

How long have you been engaged in singing/music?

Since I was born! My first cry was a song. Pity no one recorded it! Actually, my first single was in 1986 in Zimbabwe where I am from, originally. 

What types of lessons have you learned or skills you have gained or strengthened through singing/music?

Besides sharpening my writing and singing skills, I have enhanced my communication, designing, and problem solving skills and applied my creativity to the demands of the various jobs I have held at MSU. I have also learned people skills, how to persevere and to always go for competitive, high quality results in everything I do. Every song you write has to be able to compete, or you will have no chance of ever being heard. Team work and collaborations are what musicians do, and I have drawn from these lessons and experiences in doing my outreach work, and in my previous roles. 

What value does singing/music have in your life outside of work?

It is so valuable to me I cannot imagine my life without it. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, I listened to, and attended, popular music shows of some of the top local Zimbabwean musicians. I also listened on radio and records to US R & B and pop, and to reggae music, and regularly watched these international acts on television. I imitated my favorite local and international artists, and put it in my head that I too was talented. J So music has always been important in my life. 

What is the most rewarding thing about singing/music?

An applauding, excited and pleased audience that have enjoyed a song or performance. I can’t think of anything more pleasant, satisfying and gratifying than that. Completing the songwriting process is another of the most rewarding things about music. From thinking up and finishing the lyrics, to designing/constructing the music, to recording it. Each stage has its own high points that lead to the big reward that comes when you finish the song and it’s ready for radio and social media. 

How do you prepare for singing/music?

I practice my voice a lot. There is always something to learn or to strive for. I also try to keep physically active. Stage work requires that. When it comes to writing lyrics, listening to how people talk, the words they use, how they put them together. There is something about casual everyday conversations and expressions that is very effective when incorporated into lyrics. It makes a song more relatable, real and not sound, “put on.” You have to have a knack for knowing what sounds casual or natural, but is still unique enough to stand out. People are saying creative things all the time in casual conversations. A good songwriter listens to how people express themselves. 

How does singing/music compare to other goals you have set?

It is definitely one of the top ones. I believe I have a gift and it needs to be shared. I didn’t even know that I was passionate about music until people started telling me that I was. To be me is to be about music. I have never known myself outside music. 

How does singing/music affect your relationships inside or outside of work?

Not so much. Many people don’t even know I’m a singer, and I’m not always bringing it up at work so it rarely gets into our conversations at the work place. I actually like it that way. Sometimes after a big release it might be more present but it tends to go away for most of the time. Of course colleagues who are on social media run into our posts there and into my music, and some of them are fans of the music, which I appreciate very much. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about singing/music? 

I was given my stage name, King Isaac, in Jamaica by Joseph “Bragga” Russel, a former aide of Bob Marley on my first visit there to record my first single in 1998. 

I was nominated for a Grammy for the 2011 Best reggae album for a collaboration I did with Gregory Isaacs; “Isaacs Meets Isaac.”  

Currently, I have two songs on the charts on two main radio stations in Zimbabwe. The songs are, “Uye Uye,” a solo effort and “The Score,” a collaboration with top Jamaican artist, Chaka Demus. Here is my Link Tree where you can find these songs and many more: 

https://linktr.ee/KingIsaacReggae 

What advice do you have for others to get started or to learn more if they are interested in singing/music?

Pick an instrument and practice as often as you can. Like with everything else, to become good in any aspect of music making, one needs a lot of practice; whether it is playing an instrument, songwriting, singing, producing, or becoming a recording engineer. Ultimately, music is collaborative. Join a band, if you can. You will learn a lot playing or singing with other musicians.  Stay humble no matter how much success you get. This will keep you growing and improving yourself. As long as you live, you are not the best you can be yet. There’s always more to learn and accomplish. 

Do you have other hobbies/activities that you want to mention?

I studied Okinawa Karate to black belt level with the local but internationally renowned legend, Sensei Iha. I have been away from it for some time and I have been thinking about going back. 

Ellie Louson: Rockband (Two-Body Problem)

Academic Specialist, Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation and Lyman Briggs College 

How long have you been engaged in a rock band? 

Jamming with the group for about 4 years; we named ourselves Two-Body Problem and started playing gigs about 3 years ago. I sing and play keyboards. Our other MSU members are singer/lead guitarist Max Evjen (Theatre & Digital Humanities) and bassist Jeff Kuure (WRAC). Tim Bober is our fantastic drummer; he teaches anthropology at Western Michigan U. 

What types of lessons have you learned or skills you have gained or strengthened through a rock band? 

Communication, trusting my bandmates, having confidence. Also flexibility: when the pandemic stopped us from playing shows at local bars, we organized a few virtual gigs in Max’s driveway. It’s easy to feel so busy that there’s no room for a hobby, but it’s important to do what you love. I also started writing songs with Max about our experience as academics. So far, we have two songs: “Associate Dean” and “Zoom Lover.” I never thought I could write a song, but the lyrics for “Associate Dean” occurred to me nearly fully-formed. 

Do you use those skills or lessons at work? How? 

Definitely. In any work with a team, I’m a better team member, and I have a healthier work-life balance. 

What value does playing in a rock band have in your life outside of work? 

I’m more relaxed, and happier having this creative outlet. I also got to know the Lansing area bar scene better. 

What is the most rewarding thing about playing in a rock band? 

The pure joy of rocking out with my bandmates, especially when we are jamming and improvising well during a song. We also had 2 pandemic shows as fundraisers which was really rewarding, one for Detroit Action and the other for the Museum Workers Speak Mutual Aid Fund. 

How do you prepare for playing in a rock band? 

When we have a show coming up, I practice on my own and we practice as a group. We also have a group text thread where we share ideas for gigs and songs. 

How does playing in a rock band compare to other goals you have set? 

It’s more informal and totally self-motivating. We play when we want to, and have shows when we want to. We aren’t competitive with it, although we did play in a Battle of the Bands in Lansing before the pandemic. It’s all for fun. 

How does playing in a rock band affect your relationships inside or outside of work? 

People at MSU always seem impressed to learn I have a rock band! My kids love coming to our recent outdoor shows, they get excited and run around with the other band members’ kids. With shows in bars or at MSU events, my husband stays home with them, or we get a sitter. He gets more childcare responsibilities because of my hobby, and I do the same for his hobbies like running. We understand that it’s good to do things just for yourself outside of work and family life. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about playing in a rock band? 

You need to make time for the things you love and enjoy. If you leave your goals for “someday” it might never happen.  

People can find Two-Body Problem on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TwoBodyProblem and we’re putting together another virtual show later this spring. 

What advice do you have for others to get started or to learn more if they are interested in playing in a rock band? 

You don’t need to be a perfect musician to have fun in a rock band. Just try it and enjoy yourself. 

Do you have other hobbies/activities that you want to mention? 

I garden, bake, and try to find time for physical activity.