Anonymous
Brody D. Smith
I last heard from Mrs. Turk about 2 years ago right after I had finished work on my Ph.D. and graduated. She wrote a lovely note, and I intended to call her but didn't get around to it. I studied with her from 1974-79 in high school and at KC. I won several competitions and performed with the Longview Symphony Orchestra, among others. After study at UT Austin, I moved to New Orleans to work with Melvin G. Alford, Director of the New Orleans Institute for Performing Arts 1984. This is when the true work began, and I understood for the first time some comments Mrs. Turk had made to me again and again. I worked with Mr. Alford for 8 years and received an artist diploma from the Institute. I also performed throughout the region, including with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1991, I was selected as a performer for the TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute where I met Jose Feghali. I studied with Mr. Feghali from 1992-1996. He really taught me how to play the piano. For the following 15 years, I played concerts in France and the US and also taught master classes. I finished my master's in 2002 and my doctorate in 2010. I always kept Mrs. Turk apprised of my work and send her recordings of the playing, which she was finally satisfied with! I think of her often and know that she opened the door for me to a career that would not have otherwise happened. I finally realized at some point how important it is to listen to oneself playing. Our ears become our best critics. So, Doris Anne, I look forward to seeing you in heaven and playing the piano. Brody Smith, Ph.D.