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Rowing FriendsEpisode 26 Rowing Friends Dave CusanoWe are pleased to welcome Dave Cusano a fellow UB Crew Alumni to the Rowing Friends podcast. Dave discussed the challenges and successes of his rowing team's season, highlighting the impact of weather and other factors on their performance. He noted that despite the difficulties, the team maintained a positive attitude and achieved some success at nationals. David also shared his philosophy on coaching, emphasizing the importance of producing good humans through rowing rather than focusing solely on competitive results. Additionally, he mentioned his plans to coach a small group of college athletes over the summer and expressed hope f...2025-06-301h 09
Piano, finallyEpisode 55 - Play Like No One Is Listening🎙 Episode 55 – Play Like No One Is ListeningG’day and welcome back to Piano, Finally, where an old bloke keeps learning the piano, one step (and one podcast) at a time.This week’s script was written in the foyer of Carriageworks ahead of Aphrodite, a world premiere chamber opera by Nico Muhly. The venue, with its industrial charm and bold programming, is perfect for discovering new voices—and maybe a future Taylor Swift. More on the opera at the end of the episode.🎭 Aphrodite at Carriageworks🎸 Friday’s school carnival featured t...2025-06-2917 minPiano, finallyEpisode 54 - Under Pressure🎙 Episode 54 – Under PressureWelcome to Episode 54 of Piano, Finally, the podcast of one old bloke making his way—note by note—through learning the piano.It’s been a big week at school with the Creative and Performing Arts Showcase on Wednesday and a packed end-of-term schedule coming up, featuring the walkathon, carnival, and Battle of the Bands (yes, I’ll be in the dunk tank again). The week also brought a tech upgrade with a new Mackie Big Knob Studio+ audio interface—so if the show sounds a bit different, that’s why. A review of...2025-06-2219 minPiano, finallyEpisode 53 - A CommunityEpisode 53 – A CommunityG’day and welcome to Episode 53 of Piano, finally, the podcast of a bloke getting around to learning the piano… finally.This week finds me writing from the foyer of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith, not the Opera House this time. I was waiting for Shake & Stir’s touring production of 1984, and I have to say, it was an impressive adaptation—just five actors and some clever use of video screens. Highly recommended if it’s heading your way:👉 Tour info👉 The Joan🎹 YouTube Recommendat...2025-06-1519 minPiano, finallyEpisode 52 - A Dangerous Business🎙 Episode 52 – A Dangerous BusinessG’day, and welcome back to Piano, Finally—a podcast from an old bloke finally learning the piano. This week’s episode was written once again from the busy foyer of the Sydney Opera House—where Vivid’s light show and some eye-watering appetiser prices ($825!) set the scene before another performance by Sir Stephen Hough.We begin with an update from the Cliburn piano competition, streaming live on YouTube. All six finalists are men—curious, but I’m just glad to have a favourite from the earlier Gina Bachauer comp in the running...2025-06-0816 minPiano, finallyEpisode 51 - Once a DayWelcome to Episode 51 of Piano, Finally! This week, I talk about how my piano practice was affected by long work days, debating competitions, and the occasional musical side quest — like programming the Nord Stage 4 to sound like the iconic synth from Van Halen’s Jump. (You’ll hear my first attempt in the progress section.)In the spirit of broadening musical horizons, this episode’s recommendation is the Early Music Sources channel, run by Elam Rotem. It’s a beautifully produced, deeply researched dive into the music of the 16th and 17th centuries — ideal if you're curious about how mu...2025-06-0114 minPiano, finallyEpisode 50 - One YearG’day, and welcome to Episode 50 of Piano, Finally! This week marks one full year since the podcast began, and in that time, fifty proper episodes have made it to air. In this episode, I take a moment to reflect on the journey so far — from consistent recording and practicing, to discovering the joy of small but meaningful progress at the piano.As I write this, I’m sitting in the Sydney Opera House foyer, waiting for a Stephen Hough concert. There’s also an update on the school’s Battle of the Bands (spoiler: I won’t be perform...2025-05-2513 minPiano, finallyEpisode 49 - Do I Need A Piano Teacher?Thanks for tuning in to Episode 49! This week, I talk about why piano lessons are back, how progress changes when there’s someone else listening, and whether it’s worth having a piano teacher at all (spoiler: yes, it is).🎼 Back to LessonsLessons resumed this week after the summer break—though it’s a short term, just five weeks before Devi heads overseas again. Playing the Spindler Canon and the Bagatelle in F in front of someone else felt very different than at home. I also made a bit of progress on Mozart—those first t...2025-05-1816 minPiano, finallyEpisode 48 - Dancing about Architecture🎹 Episode 48 – Dancing about architectureWelcome to Episode 48. This week, I reflect on remixing, musical distractions, and the sneaky ways we convince ourselves we’re making progress.🎧 Remixing in the ClassroomYear 9 music students had a workshop on remixing, led by two presenters, including musician Nyxen. I got to sit in on parts of the day and was surprised by how much I enjoyed her music and her breakdown of the production process.Check out Nyxen’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NYXENMUSICHere’s the track they worked on...2025-05-1118 minPiano, finallyEpisode 47 - Making it upWelcome back! In this episode of Piano, finally, I talk about a week of not-much-practice, school restarting, and musical surprises—including a band at a diocesan staff day that, while technically solid, wasn’t quite my style.🎭 On StageIf you're in Sydney or the Blue Mountains, tickets are now on sale for the Blue Mountains Musical Society’s production of Come From Away, on at Springwood later this month.Tickets: https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2025/come-from-away/🎼 Streaming SpotlightI caught Yunchan Lim’s phenomenal performance of Bach’s Gold...2025-05-0417 minPiano, finallyEpisode 46 - Get OutG’day everyone, and welcome to Episode 46 of Piano, Finally!This week, I’ve been thinking about all the unexpected doors learning the piano opens — doors that aren’t always about the piano itself.On ANZAC Day, I joined the Hawkesbury District Concert Band as a bus driver for the Sydney march. It was a real privilege to be part of an important community event alongside students and local musicians.If you’ve been following the Chopin competitions this year, good news — the preliminary rounds are now streaming live from Warsaw! Introductions are in Polish and E...2025-04-2717 minPiano, finallyEpisode 45 - PlayingWelcome to Episode 45 of Piano, FinallyThis week, David reflects on what it really means to “play” the piano—not just as a technical activity but as a source of joy, creativity, and fun.🚗 Road Trip & Piano ConcertThe episode begins with a musical journey—literally—to Armidale for the Piano Plus Showcase Concert, part of the Autumn Piano School. The highlight? Watching Coady Green blaze through two of Anton Rubenstein’s études with jaw-dropping precision.🎶 Listen to the études: YouTube Link🥁 Practising with RhythmDavid shares his...2025-04-2016 minPiano, finallyEpisode 44 - Choosing for the Year🎹 Episode 44 – Choosing for the YearWelcome back to Piano, Finally, the podcast by an old bloke finally getting around to learning the piano. In this episode, I share a bit of everything – from an odd experience learning the school song to choosing my piano pieces for the year ahead, and even a book review for those exploring pop piano.🎵 The School Song SagaI kicked off the holidays with a curious challenge: trying to play the school song. Despite knowing it well, my first attempt sounded way off – but, oddly enough, it fixed its...2025-04-1317 minPiano, finallyEpisode 43 - Artificial Meaning🎹 Piano, finally – Episode 43: Artificial MeaningG’day, everyone! In this week’s episode, I share a bit about live music, online rabbit holes, and thoughts on what makes music meaningful, even in the age of AI.🎶 Sydney Symphony and Daniil TrifonovI had the pleasure of hearing Daniil Trifonov perform Rachmaninov’s Fourth Piano Concerto at the Opera House. A magical evening that also featured Lyadov’s The Enchanted Lake—a piece by a lesser-known Russian composer. Learn more about Anatoly Lyadov and why he might have missed his big break.🎹 YouTube...2025-04-0619 minPiano, finallyEpisode 42 - Devi Mamak🎙️ Episode 42 – Devi MamakG’day, and welcome back to Piano, finally—a podcast by an old bloke learning the piano, finally.This week’s episode is a little different. I’m thrilled to share the very first interview on the show, and it’s with someone many of you have heard me mention before—my piano teacher, Devi Mamak. We sat down at her studio to chat about music, teaching, and learning piano as an adult. A big thanks to Devi for taking the time to speak after a full day of teaching....2025-03-3031 min