A Christmas Sky tells a unique story. While sailing from South America’s Cape Horn to the continent of Antarctica, Suzanne was in awe. This remote part of the world felt vast and exhilarating. Even though it was nighttime, darkness does not appear this time of year, yet the filtered-lit sky was filled with bright stars. The music paints a landscape that transports the listener to a remote place on planet earth at a very special time of year…it was Christmas! This is the story behind A Christmas Sky. Sheet music available here
The Drake Passage is the body of water from South America’s Cape Horn to the continent of Antarctica. The Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Southern Ocean all converge at the infamous Drake Passage. It is considered one of the most challenging voyages for ships to navigate. During Suzanne’s experience sailing the Drake Passage toward Antarctica, she felt the waves and currents moving in different directions. As she traveled farther south, the air and temperature drastically changed. Leaving civilization far behind felt wonderfully surreal. This was the inspiration for Suzanne’s single release, Where Oceans Meet. Sheet music available here.
Music sometimes celebrates our joys and triumphs. At other times, music reveals our inner sadness, grief, and betrayals. The creation of music for touching the feelings in the heart, is powerful. This single release titled It Mattered, shares a sincere cry from Suzanne’s heart. It is a dramatic expression of her personal, raw emotions, understood by all. Sheet music available here.
The west coast of Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, has beautiful, vast beaches with powdery white sand and amazing sunsets. The beach at the northern point of Anna Maria, a local barrier island, is incredibly natural and pristine; it’s where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay. This spectacular panorama, with its changing moods and coastal wildlife, is the setting for the music of the album, A Seaside View. Reviewer Kathy Parsons of Mainly Piano writes, “Suzanne’s touch on the piano keys is elegant, graceful, and very expressive.” Songbook and sheet music download available here.
Sailing to a Sunset is a 2023 single release. The west coast of Florida has iconic sunsets. Suzanne’s favorite local beach is Anna Maria Island, especially the northern most point. It’s where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. No two sunsets are ever alike; each one is different and unique. Experiencing a sunset is saying good-bye to yet another day. Whether you walk the beach or are sailing to the horizon, people never get tired of watching a sunset. Kathy Parsons from Mainly Piano calls Sailing to a Sunset “Relaxed and dreamy with a colorful sparkle, it’s an exceptional piece of music.” Sheet music download available here.
Dancing Lights is a 2022 single solo piano release. At night, when the sky becomes dark, a fascinating scene can be experienced. From the northern point of Anna Maria Island, on Florida’s beautiful west coast, colorful lights glisten across Tampa Bay. It is the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, sparkling on the water with different light colors and patterns every night. The brilliant, changing display of shimmering lights truly appear to dance on the water! It is mesmerizing! Hence, the insight behind Dancing Lights. Critic Steve Sheppard describes Dancing Lights as “Glistening, radiant and packed with abundant energy that flows like musical bliss”. Kathy Parsons of Mainly Piano writes, “Bright and expressive…hypnotic and captivating.” Sheet music download available here.
Path of the Sandpiper is another 2022 single solo piano release, and has been nominated “Best 2022 Solo Piano Single” by One World Music Radio. One of Suzanne’s favorite activities is walking the local, west coast of Florida beaches. The powdery white sand and iconic sunsets are a perfect setting for sandpipers, one of Florida’s beautiful beach birds. This piece, Path of the Sandpiper, was inspired by these little birds gently scurrying and moving together along the water’s edge. Kathy Parsons, from Mainly Piano, describes Path of the Sandpiper as :warm and gentle, with a subtle energy that propels it. This sweet piece is a real day brightener and mood elevator!”. Steve Sheppard from One World Music Radio writes, “… This performance by Suzanne Herman is fluent, stunningly graceful, and charming.” Sheet music download available here.
Suzanne’s Stories from Portugal solo piano album and songbook was released May 2021. While traveling throughout Portugal, Suzanne was inspired by the country’s rich traditions, welcoming people, and natural beauty. Exploring the landscape and mingling with locals served as a reminder that everyone has a unique story. We carry our personal stories with us wherever we go. Likewise, wherever we venture in this world becomes part of our personal stories. This is the inspiration behind the music of Stories from Portugal. Janet Mawdesley of Blue Wolf reviews states, “This album is a collection of stories delivered in solo piano narrative…A tapestry story book, journeying through Portugal, enjoying the stories told along the way.” Songbook and sheet music download available here.
Suzanne’s album and songbook, Cascades of Time, was inspired while hiking Cascade Canyon in the spectacular Grand Teton National Park. The passage of time was extremely evident in the numerous layers of rock and the jagged appearance of the massive mountains. These original piano solos reflect changes that we all encounter as time quickly passes and never stands still. The song titles include Timeless Vista, Tomorrow’s Journey, Healing Nocturne, Savor the Moments, Breeze of a New Dawn, A Generation Shines, Sojourn, Anthem of an Era, The Clock That Never Stops, and Tapestry of the Ages. Songbook and sheet music download available here.
Released in 2018, Lifeline, was composed and recorded in honor of Suzanne’s late brother, Raymond. The music of Lifeline reflects the emotions when coping with grief. The song titles are Raymond, Daytime Shadows, Unanswered Questions, Healing Nocturne, and Tomorrow’s Journey. Songbook and sheet music download available here.
Also released in 2018, Horizons, is a contemporary solo piano album composed as a reminder of the wonderment in the places and experiences of our lives. It contains five original compositions entitled Dream of Wonder, Salsbury Cove, Whisper of the Wind, Creative Horizons, and The Sand Pine Tree. Songbook and sheet music download available here.
Suzanne’s Cheerful Explorations is a suite of five original teaching pieces composed for aspiring, young piano students. The songs, Sea Shell Rag, Joyful Emoticons, Chinese Kites and Lanterns, Boulders on the Trail, and A Festive Day, highlight children’s pianistic learning and fosters their development of a life-long appreciation for music. Songbook and sheet music download available here.
