Ingrid Clarfield Takes a Bow

“Enthusiastic.” “Dedicated.” “Flamboyant.” “Determined.” “Demanding.”

These are just a few of the words that students and colleagues have used to describe Ingrid Clarfield, professor of Piano. As an artist, teacher and pedagogue, she’s inspired audiences and students at Westminster Choir College and far beyond. Anyone who knows this whirlwind of talent and energy now has a new word to add to that list – survivor.

On March 29 2007, after returning from the Music Teacher National Association’s conference in Toronto, Clarfield experienced a devastating stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. This should have signaled the end of her career. Instead, she returned to teaching, reinventing herself to be even better than before. 

Her struggles and triumph are documented in a new film, Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story. The film takes an intimate look at Clarfield’s background, her passion for teaching and her close relationships with her family, colleagues and students. It also examines the challenges that she faced after her stroke and the sheer determination she needed to overcome her limitations.

“To say this has been, and continues to be, an amazing journey for me is an understatement,” says Clarfield. “The past four years have been full of unbelievable highs and lows. As I now relate this period of my life to the preceding 60 years, it takes on a whole new meaning.”

While Clarfield concedes there continues to be many struggles and frustrations, she nevertheless feels blessed in so many ways.

“With this film, I’m hoping I can help others who might be questioning the quality of their future because of a devastating illness or accident,” she said. “I hope that by seeing how my life has changed, they will find their life fulfilling, but it’s different!”

Take a Bow was produced and directed by Lu Leslan, who saw Clarfield speak at the Washington State Music Teacher Association Conference in 2009.

“I was impressed with how she was able to engage the students, the teachers and the audience in a way I have not seen before,” Leslan said. “We all were in awe of her energy, humor, and personality throughout her sessions, even more so with the knowledge that she had suffered a major stroke three years earlier.  She demonstrated the music with Patti Roberson playing the left hand, and they were fabulous together.”

Leslan and her crew spent the next two years working on the project, traveling around the country to film Clarfield’s presentations at conferences and workshops. They also secured copies of television interviews from earlier in her career and filmed her in her home, in therapy sessions and teaching in her studio and at Westminster Choir College.

Take a Bow premiered in July at the13th Annual Portland International Piano Festival, and screenings are planned at several conferences and festivals throughout the country. It will be shown at the Music Teachers National Association’s (MTNA) National Conference in New York on March 27, 2012.

Audience reaction to the film has been very positive. Brian Shepard, chief operating office for MTNA, has said of the film, “I think Ingrid’s story … will be an inspiration to many.”

Others have shared their admiration for Clarfield with her. “It was a marvelous experience to watch and witness your incredible spirit and to see such dedication to your students and your teaching,” wrote Eduardo Garcia, executive director of the West Windsor (N.J.) Arts Council, in a letter to Clarfield after screening Take a Bow. “The film was at once powerful, sweet, warm and wonderful. I enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story is also available as a DVD. To learn more, or to purchase a copy, go to http:// takeabowingrid.com.