Winterhalter Music– Musicians Making a Difference: Featuring Daniela Clapp

Daniela and Christina Clapp

Today’s blog post is a very special one to me! I hope it inspires you and reminds you of the power of perseverance in the face of insurmountable obstacles.

Daniela Clapp is a piano teacher in Phoenix, Arizona. Her daughter, Christina, one of her pupils, has been featured on the local news and has performed as a soloist with a number of orchestras. Personally I’m jealous. In all my years of playing, I’ve never been featured as a piano soloist with an orchestra.

This is quite an impressive feat for any 14 year old teenage pianist, but for Christina, it’s really remarkable.
Christina was born with Down syndrome.

Daniela began teaching Christina when she was 9 years old. This was four years after she first asked if she could learn to play. Daniela has taught many other students with Down syndrome and has developed her own piano method for students with Down syndrome and other brain injuries.

My heart goes out to Daniela for doing such important, meaningful, transformative work and advocating the power of music for these special students. I was so inspired by Daniela, that I knew I wanted to interview her and feature her here.

Daniela’s responses to my questions are as follows:

1. What inspired you to create a piano method for children with Down syndrome?

I didn’t set out creating any special piano method, I just noticed that Christina learns differently from typical kids and that I had to change my approach. Besides, ALL piano methods have BIG gaps that an experienced piano teacher has to fill. Those methods on the market are confusing and require too much from a beginning student. For example: in the first lesson the new student has to learn Right from Left, all the finger numbers, quarter- and half notes, barlines, ending bar, what rhythm is, location of the black keys and/or names of some white keys, good posture, hand position and curved fingers….information overload!!!!….and then they are thrown into the ocean and asked to swim or sink….that’s depressing and the reason why so many students fail and lose their enthusiasm and desire for the piano.

I have lots of experience teaching very young students, 3-5 year olds and I always taught them my own way, step by step. So that is HOW I started teaching Christina: I broke everything down for her step by step and made it fun by including singing, dancing, drumming, and other rhythm instruments. I gave her time to become acquainted with the piano by just letting her experiment with it, without rules and without the typical piano approach.

I am also approaching music and piano from a holistic way, going with the natural flow of sound, which is spheric. So I include many relaxation exercises, getting the body to move with the natural movement of sound. My piano program is not just for individuals with Down syndrome, but can be used for anyone who has a special need, or with very young children or any beginner that wants to learn in a more natural, holistic way.

2. What are the benefits of music lessons for students with Down syndrome?

The benefits are many:

• Better Self-esteem
• Higher brain-function
• Better thinking-skills
• Increased concentration
• Improved motor and coordination skills
• Enhanced verbal and language
• Better social skills
• Improved health
• a more balanced life
• and so much more!  Click here. 

3. How is teaching a student with Down syndrome different than teaching a child without it?

When teaching someone with a special need, you have to be extra patient and know that everything will take longer and may never be accomplished like a typical person might. So your expectations have to be modified. Rejoice in every little progress. Also be prepared to experience more defiance or stubbornness and more LOVE and HUGS 🙂

4. What does a lifelong love of music mean for you?

I am a musician. I have known this since I was a young girl. Although along the way my journey in music I encountered many challenges, but I never did regret that calling. Music plays such a vital role in the world around us, and I feel deep gratitude to be part of this process and to be able to appreciate classical music, and to witness the wonders it does in people’s lives, especially in troubled times. Often we feel betrayed by life itself, and fear overwhelms us, but our music will never betray us nor let us down, it will always give back and enrich us. The need for music is “hardwired” into our fabric; even infants and plants respond to it and understand it. We remain for all our lives sensitive to the power of music, it holds the key to solving seemingly insurmountable challenges and obstacles. In times of difficulty, the arts become more vital to human condition. Through the arts we honor our past, understand our present and dream our future.

I encourage all of you to make classical music part of your daily life. You will not regret it, I promise.

I couldn’t have said it better myself, Daniela! Hallelujah!

Thanks so much for reading today’s post. If you want more information about Daniela and her piano program, you can find Daniela:

1. On her website
2. On her youtube channel
***Be sure to check out this video of Christina performing with the Four Seasons Orchestra and this video of Daniela demonstrating how Christina learns.

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Have an amazing day!

Sincerely,

Cassie