Pack your sammies and enjoy lunchtime recitals

Regardless of his temperamental foibles, piano teacher Art Zegelaar's practical imagination certainly enlivened Whangarei's musical culture.

In particular, instead of presenting polished performances, his monthly recitals rather more revealingly illustrated work in progress. Alas, no more, now that the man with the get up and go has got up and gone.

Zegelaar, at first expecting to be away only temporarily, had persuaded one of his advanced students, Yuka Bath, to keep the lunchtime recitals ticking over. However, when it transpired that Zegelaar would not be back, Yuka decided to take them on and to imprint them with her own personality.

Zegelaar was convinced Yuka, if her abilities had been developed properly, could have become a notable pianist. Unfortunately, she had too tough a time of it. Being pushed over-hard in her formative years, she suffered numerous injuries and, as she says, "I think I had burnt out. I never touched the piano key for nearly 15 years... until I fell in love with a piano I met in Kaitaia. I will never give up playing the piano again."

It says much for her determination that, in spite of some serious setbacks, the brave Yuka has kept faith with her vow, to the extent that this year she intends to have a crack at the Trinity College examination (ATCL).

Happily, the lunchtime recitals "vacancy" popped up just when she needed an opportunity: "I [was starting] to realise it would be very selfish to enjoy the music by myself."

It would indeed - as anyone who has heard her playing will tell you - Yuka is an exceedingly thoughtful, sensitive and expressive musician and fortune, it seems, really does favour the brave.

Yuka, helping to clear up the loose ends of Zegelaar's teaching commitments, got to know Matt Watson, "when I provided the final piano lesson for his daughter Zoe. I talked about my idea and he was so happy to help me."

The enthusiastic Matt Watson is himself no mean pianist; he and Yuka make a formidable team. Having got her teeth into the recitals - which take place on the third Wednesday of each month, at noon in the Old Library - Yuka is now planning a series of Young Musicians' Concerts at lunchtime on weekends.

Yuka is hoping to open up a niche, to create opportunities for players of different instruments and from diverse backgrounds to both entertain the public and broaden their musical horizons. The first one is on Sunday at 1 pm.

Don't just wish her every success - it's far better you pack some sandwiches, go along, and make it happen.

For emails of forthcoming recitals and concerts, or to enquire about taking part, email Yuka at jjgenki@xtra.co.nz.