28 FOCUS - AUGUST 2017 aged me to just do my best. It took some ‘head games’ to get me through those competitions.” Not surprisingly, as she grew, so did her resentment of the rigourous course she was following. “Music came first, before any activities with friends. By 12, I wanted to quit. My parents said I could, but I would have to tell my teacher myself. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t appreciate it then, but now I thank my parents for that discipline. It’s served me well as an adult, because it taught me you had to put your ‘all’ into whatever you were doing in order to be successful.” Her next crossroad was choosing a career path, be- tween performance and teaching. “Those are two entirely different streams. I’d compare performing to the career path of a fashion model: many try, but few become supermodels. I chose education be- cause it’s easier to make a steady living.” Marie-Therese had already had an introduction to teaching at a young age through her parents’ music school. “They’d double-booked a student and by coincidence, I was right there. ‘Why not?’ someone said. I enjoyed it, so I assisted every week in the group class.” Music’s academic path saw her complete her Bachelors’ Degree in Cleveland, then a graduate degree at the University of Hartford. At the university level, she says students were encouraged to analyze the pieces they learned. “It’s much different than a typical piano lesson. The focus is on artistry, breathing life into a piece of music with ‘textured’ playing. You ask yourself, what would the composer have wanted to hear? I enjoy that kind of analysis…that’s my nerdy side coming through!” She also branched out musically between the two degrees, studying harpsichord for a year in a Diploma program at U of T. “I’d taken it as an elective as an undergrad. It gave me a chance to learn more about the baroque style.” Once graduated, Marie-Therese recognized an attrac- tive business opportunity. “Hard copy piano books were vanishing. The wave of the future is online marketing… ‘Pianokids’ grew out of that. My mother and I formed One-Eye Publications and co-authored a series of instruction books. Eventually we did ‘Violinkids’ and ‘Guitarkids’.” …and the funky name? “I have a soft spot for animals no one else wants,” she laughs. “I adopted a one-eyed cat, Spartikus, and when he passed, I went to the animal shelter where to my surprise, there was another up for adoption, also with just one eye. I took him home too, and saw it as a sign. That name would be memorable, I thought, so One-Eye Publications it was!” Marketing through an online app would, she believed, lead to increased exposure. “I auditioned for Dragons’ Den to pitch that idea, Marie-Therese practices the piano at the tender age of three. Marie-Therese after her Royal Conservatory of Music graduation with her ARCT in Piano Performance Diploma. Dillon Schneider, a grade 11 student at Port Perry High, playing a wonderful tune, while Marie-Therese listens and enjoys. Perfect Harmony (continued from page 27) Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 12 - 6 p.m. Palmer Park, Water Street, Port Perry Great local food • Local bands • Games ScugogChamber.ca | OldFlameBrewingco.ca www.portperrycraftbeer.ca presented by: ScugogCham b e r . c a Port Perry’s 3rd Annual