Tyler Cook ’16 was one of those young musicians who could play a song on the piano after listening to it. His accurate musical ear served him well as a teenager, when he used to play gigs in local bands.
As a student at Greenfield Community College in 2010, though, Cook longed for more technical knowledge, and the yearning led him to Westfield State’s acclaimed Music Department to major in piano.
From the moment Cook connected with Galina Gertsenzon, assistant professor of piano, and other supportive faculty, he underwent a personal and professional transformation, soaring to new heights with his musical skills. A student who was once unable to read a note of music, he can now boast of performing at Carnegie Hall.
At the University’s Wind Symphony Fall Concert last November, Cook became the face of the Music Department. After a solid year of practicing one piece of music every day, he commanded Dever Stage and brought audience members to tears and to their feet with his heartfelt rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue.” This, before presenting Catherine Dower with flowers in recognition of her $1 million gift to the University.)
“It was very surreal,” he says of his performance. “I kind of zoned out of this conscious reality. I was just telling a story at that point. It was very natural and very emotional for me.”
Gertsenzon says, “I worked with him on that freedom. I told him ‘just play from the heart and don’t doubt anything.’ It happened that night. He was free.”
Cook’s family, including parents Deborah and Eric Cook, are struck by their son’s enhanced skills. “He turned into this happy, passionate and confident musician,” Deborah Cook says, noting she has a CD of his “Rhapsody in Blue” performance. “I listen to it over and over, and I cry,” she says.
Gertsenzon auditioned Cook when he transferred from GCC. She saw a future for him at the school—and beyond. “He didn’t have much formal training, but I could see the potential,” she says. “Music is a language and needs to be taught like any other.”
Cook rose to the challenge, spending at least an hour each week in private lessons with Gertsenzon. “At his age, you could either get discouraged or go really far. And go far is what he did. He never minded working hard for it,” Gertsenzon says. “Our department is great at nurturing when we see talent.”
Cook’s confidence got a boost two years ago when he participated in the Crescendo International Piano Competition and earned a spot among other first-place finishers to play “Reverie” by Claude Debussy at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
After graduation, Cook hopes to teach music at the elementary or high school level, and may seek a master’s degree.
“The faculty at Westfield State inspired me to become a music educator. The faculty set a really high standard, and that’s what I want to set, too,” he says. “They have given me this great gift of music and caring that is amazing.”
He adds that without Gertsenzon, “I would not nearly be the pianist I am today. She sets the bar very, very high for a student, but she does it in a way that is very loving and supportive.”
