Hazel Ghazarian Skaggs facts for kids

Hazel Ann Ghazarian Skaggs (born August 26, 1920 – died March 4, 2005) was an American author, composer, and music teacher. She was especially good at teaching piano.

Who Was Hazel Skaggs?

Hazel Skaggs was born in Boston. Her parents were Seeran Bardezbanian and Hagop Ghazarian. She later married Paul Skaggs.

Her Education and Learning

Hazel loved learning! She earned a special diploma for teaching piano from the New England Conservatory of Music. She also got two degrees, a B.A. and an M.A., in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Plus, she earned an artist diploma from the American College of Musicians.

She didn't stop there! Hazel also studied at other big universities like the Universities of Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Some of her important teachers were Dr. Clarence Adler, Howard Goding, Ernst Levy, and Gladys Ondricek.

Her Early Writing Career

While she was studying at the New England Conservatory, Hazel wrote short stories for a newspaper called the Boston Post. Later, she helped write a book called The Art of Teaching Piano. She also wrote many articles for music magazines.

How Hazel Skaggs Helped Others

Hazel was very active in her community and in music groups. She was a deacon in the Armenian Presbyterian Church. For fun, she enjoyed folk dancing!

She was also a leader in several important music organizations:

• American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) – This group helps protect the rights of musicians and writers.
• National Guild of Piano Teachers – She was the national leader for this group from 1964 to 1992.
• Piano Teachers Congress of New York City – She was the president of this group from 1975 to 1979.
• Professional Music Teachers Guild of New Jersey – She was on their Board of Directors in 1987.

Her Lasting Impact

Hazel Skaggs left a wonderful legacy! The Professional Music Teachers Guild of New Jersey started a piano competition named after her, the Hazel Ghazarian Skaggs Memorial Piano Competition. It still happens today! Also, the Piano Teachers Congress gives out Hazel Ghazarian Skaggs Awards to students who are really good at piano.

Hazel Skaggs' Music and Writings

Hazel Skaggs' music and articles were published by many different companies. Some of these included the Boston Music Company, Carl Fischer Music, and the Willis Music Company.

She wrote some songs for singers. She also wrote many articles and composed music for the piano.

Articles by Hazel Skaggs

Hazel wrote many helpful articles for music journals. Here are some of them:

• “A Hypothesis and a Look Inward” (from Piano Quarterly)
• “A Plea for the Transfer Pupil” (from Music Journal)
• “Decentralization in Music is Necessary!” (from The Etude)
• “Group Piano Teaching” (from Journal of the American Liszt Society)
• “How Can We Save the Beginner?” (from Music Journal)
• “Is the Make Up Lesson Necessary?” (from Music Journal Anthology)
• “Teachers Are Not Born” (from Music Journal)
• “What About Student Recitals?” (from Music Journal)

Piano Compositions by Hazel Skaggs

Hazel also composed many pieces for the piano. Here are some of her well-known works:

• Flight to the Moon
• Impressions of Snow
• Little Blue Lady
• Little Girl from Mars
• Merry Cricket
• Petite Ballerina
• Phantom Waltz
• Polka Dot Clown
• Prelude and Fugue
• Sonata
• Spring Showers
• Thumbs Under (an exercise book)
• Toccatina