Louise Goss

PROFILES IN EDUCATION

Candace Braun

Name: Louise Goss

School: The New School For Music Study

Subject Taught: Music Education

Years in Field: 57

Education: bachelor's degree in piano pedagogy, Kalamazoo College, Mich.; master's in music literature, doctoral studies in musicology, University of Michigan

Most Memorable Book: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

Person You Admire: "Frances Clark was an extraordinary piano teacher who inspired me. She believed there was music in every child, and that every child should learn music like it was a second native tongue. She believed students of music were better students in every subject in school."

There are those who take piano lessons as a child and keep that interest into adulthood; and then there are those like Louise Goss, who made teaching piano, and learning to teach piano, her lifetime goal.

"My life has been dedicated to trying to improve piano teaching standards," said Ms. Goss, 79, an internationally-recognized teacher, lecturer, author, and editor, as well as co-founder of The New School for Music Study in Kingston.

Now serving on the school's board of trustees, she is also the co-author and general editor of the Frances Clark Library for Piano Students, a publication which guides piano students in their lessons, from childhood through adulthood.

Most recently, Ms. Goss was presented with the 2005 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Achievement Award, annually given to an individual who "has made significant and lasting contributions to music and music teaching in America."

Born in Kalamazoo, Mich., Ms. Goss began her experience in music at the age of seven, when her parents had her start taking piano lessons. She then went on to take clarinet at the age of 12, and voice lessons at age 16. After that her interest in music was inspired by her own desires, she said.

Encouraged by Frances Clark, her music pedagogy teacher at Kalamazoo College, Ms. Goss decided to major in music pedagogy, a new program at the college that helped students learn how to become better music teachers.

After continuing her music education at the University of Michigan, Ms. Goss met back up with Ms. Clark in 1955, and together they were appointed directors of a new piano and piano pedagogy program for undergraduate students at Westminster Choir College.

"We were already a team by then," said Ms. Goss, reflecting on her friendship with Ms. Clark, which lasted for more than 50 years.

Founding A School

Wanting to start a program that would offer piano pedagogy and music research to post-graduate students, Ms. Goss and Ms. Clark left Westminster in 1960 to found The New School for Music Study in Princeton. Ten years after it was established, the school moved to a revolutionary era farmhouse in Kingston, where it now offers music programs for approximately 250 students.

At the same time they established the school, Ms. Goss and Ms. Clark founded the New Jersey branch of the National Music Teachers Association.

In 1981, Westminster was granted permission to start a master's program for pedagogy at the college, and formed a partnership with The New School that allowed Westminster students to take advanced courses there.

"Those who went through the program became excellent teachers, and even more excellent pianists," said Ms. Goss, adding that while the partnership with Westminster no longer exists, The New School still offers internships to post-graduate students of Westminster who want to further their studies.

Today, Ms. Goss oversees the management of the school, now a division of the Frances Clark Center, which was founded shortly after Ms. Clark died in 1998.

"I would say that my mission in life and the mission of the school has been to do everything we can to improve piano teaching methods and materials, so that every child who takes piano lessons can have a wonderful, joyful, growthful experience," said Ms. Goss, who also has key roles in the other divisions of the center, including a magazine, Keyboard Companion, and a biennial conference in Chicago on keyboard pedagogy, which attracts music teachers from around the world.

Helping Children Find A Passion

A 34-year resident of Princeton, Ms. Goss recently moved into the Montgomery Senior Center in Montgomery Township. She is unmarried, but has many nieces and nephews, as well as grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Along with her involvement with the music school, she has also been very active in the Nassau Presbyterian Church over the years, and has served on several of the church's committees, including music. Ms. Goss has also participated in and directed choirs over the years.

Among the awards Ms. Goss has received is the Master Teacher Certificate from MTNA, as well as honorary doctorates from Kalamazoo College and Westminster Choir College.

Reflecting back on some of the most memorable moments of her career, she remembers one student, Alice, who was the fastest learner she'd ever had.

"I looked forward to every Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. as my favorite part of the week....It was an adventure for both of us," she said, recalling how Alice would always seem to be almost a step ahead of her teacher.

While Alice never went into music professionally, she is still a "beautiful, skillful pianist," said Ms. Goss.

"I wish every child in the world could have piano lessons," she said, adding that those who take piano lessons as a child are also the ones who purchase symphony orchestra tickets as an adult, participate in their church's choir, and encourage their own children to take an interest in music.

"Piano lessons can make a difference," said Ms. Goss.