Mineralogical Records\u2019s 50th anniversary issue (November\/December 2019)<\/a>\u00a0– are now known to exist.<\/p>\nWhile every adventure yields memorable experiences and such road trips can often result in great \u201cfinds,\u201d the odds of making a new discovery such as this are rare (which is also part of the thrill of field collecting).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Aboriginal Didgeridoo” image=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/didge-performance-6.jpg” image_max_width=”280px” admin_label=”didgeridoo” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”20px” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”Nunito||||” body_text_align=”justify” body_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”justified” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin_tablet=”10vw||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”||0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
While pursuing his B.A. degree in Cultural Anthropology from UC Davis, Len also traveled around Australia, learning from local and indigenous people about customs, aboriginal art, music, mineral locales and more.<\/p>\n
Along with memorable experiences, Len returned with a small collection of artwork, a hand-crafted didgeridoo and a coat that he believed made him look like Indiana Jones (which he admits friends and family close enough to speak truth observed as more of a rather foul-smelling, oil-soaked canvas duster!).<\/p>\n
As Len’s coat came to see less and less of society, his didgeridoo came to see more and more. As with piano and mineral collecting, practicing with this unique instrument became yet another form of meditation. And, while the exotic, spiritual and moving sounds emanating from the didgeridoo may have frightened at least one small dog, audiences attending local events in his community have thoroughly enjoyed Len\u2019s captivating and original improvisations.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.11.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_3″][et_pb_blurb title=”Teaching at Waldorf” image=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSCF7427.jpg” image_max_width=”280px” admin_label=”teacher” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”20px” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”Nunito||||” body_text_align=”justify” body_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”justified” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin_tablet=”10vw||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px|||||” animation=”right” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
When teaching mathematics, geology and science at Waldorf schools, Len enjoys connecting abstract lessons with concrete observations of what is happening in the natural world. Weather permitting, ] he says \u201cI take class outdoors because I believe whatever we are learning can be found in nature \u2014 whether it\u2019s measure, growth, weight, fractions, multiplication \u2014 you name it, it\u2019s out there. What I observe is that students are not just learning the material \u2014 they are sharpening their focus and teaching me to do the same, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another benefit he observes from taking class outside is that students learn more freely and out of their own, natural curiosity. \u201cIt brings great satisfaction to see students discovering different phenomena related to material we\u2019re covering by becoming actively aware of wonders, in and around them, every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/LenArticlePage1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ width=”80%” width_tablet=”280px” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||6vw||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||10vw||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.0″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Haiku Minerals” url=”https:\/\/froggyfertilizer.com\/haiku\/index.php\/gems-and-minerals-shop\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/book-cover.png” image_max_width=”280px” admin_label=”haiku” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”20px” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”Nunito||||” body_text_align=”justify” body_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”justified” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin_tablet=”10vw||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”||1px|||” animation=”right” link_option_url=”https:\/\/froggyfertilizer.com\/haiku\/index.php\/gems-and-minerals-shop\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Len\u2019s lifelong passion for mineral collecting comes together with his love of writing haiku poetry, in the exquisite first edition of Haiku Minerals.<\/p>\n
This unique book pairs Len\u2019s mindful musings with museum quality specimens from his personal collection. Just as Waldorf students come to life through observations of the natural world during classes held outdoors, readers connect to the elevated, artistic expression found in Haiku Minerals, in profoundly personal ways.<\/p>\n
Featuring the captivating photographic work of Martin Backhaus and glowing endorsement from acclaimed Sausalito poet, Paul Geffner, this book offers moments for pause, reflection, inspiration, delight and soulful connection.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”music” image=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_2555.jpg” image_max_width=”280px” admin_label=”music” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”20px” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”Nunito||||” body_text_align=”justify” body_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”justified” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin_tablet=”10vw||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation=”right” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Len began composing on the piano at the age of six however, shortly after starting formal lessons, he soon lost all interest. When in high school, he purchased an upright Steinway that he found hidden away, inside of a closet at the Carmel Youth Center. After using his own allowance to tune and restore the piano to beautiful condition, Len returned to playing what he \u201cheard\u201d in his head as \u201cwhole symphonies,\u201d He continued this way until finally attending the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, where he learned valuable skills to help him better express himself, musically.<\/p>\n
With life now taking him in other directions that include teaching and parenting two small children, Len practices piano at home whenever he can and occasionally performs\u00a0 original compositions for private gatherings in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.<\/p>\n
Musically, one of Len’s favorite activities is improvisation, as he says this unrehearsed exercise brings him his most profound experience in life; one he describes as being \u201cthe closest thing to touching God.\u201d<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Piano-Piece-in-F-Major-by-Len-Pisciotta-1-232×300.jpg” title_text=”Piano-Piece-in-F-Major-by-Len-Pisciotta-1″ url=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Piano-Piece-in-F-Major-by-Len-Pisciotta-1.pdf” align=”center” admin_label=”sheet music” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”download” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Click the image above to download a PDF you can print and play.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_image=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/SolGatePhotography_LP-3\u2568\u00ba\u2568\u00e6.jpg” parallax=”on” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px|||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_image_tablet=”https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Lencropped2.jpg” background_enable_image_tablet=”on” parallax_tablet=”off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”Footer Row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” animation_style=”fade” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.5.3″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.11)” custom_padding=”100px|10%|100px|10%” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Len” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ max_height_tablet=”” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”40vw||40vw||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” background_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.5.3″ background_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”100px|10%|100px|10%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”contact” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ text_font=”Oswald||||” link_font=”||||||||” ul_font=”||||||||” ol_font=”||||||||” quote_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_letter_spacing=”2px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||4%|” custom_padding=”|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Contact<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”phone” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ text_font=”Nunito||||” header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_color=”#DCA57D” header_font_size=”16px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.7em” header_4_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#af182a” header_4_font_size=”16px” header_4_letter_spacing=”1px” header_4_line_height=”1.5em” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||6%|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Phone<\/h4>\n
510.415.7141<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”mail” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ text_font=”Nunito||||” header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_color=”#DCA57D” header_font_size=”16px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.7em” header_4_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#af182a” header_4_font_size=”16px” header_4_letter_spacing=”1px” header_4_line_height=”1.5em” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||6%|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Email<\/h4>\n
len@lenpisciotta.com<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”address” _builder_version=”4.5.3″ text_font=”Nunito||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”Oswald|||on|” header_text_color=”#DCA57D” header_font_size=”16px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.7em” header_4_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#af182a” header_4_font_size=”16px” header_4_letter_spacing=”1px” header_4_line_height=”1.5em” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||6%|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Address<\/h4>\n
274 Redwood Shores Pkwy #424<\/span><\/p>\nRedwood City, CA 94065<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MISSION I search for what is authentic and living in all that I do; whether it be music, mineral collecting, teaching, writing haiku, promoting organic methods for agriculture and more. There is a silver thread connecting all that I enjoy; an undercurrent of feeling that connects all of these creative aspirations. Through all endeavors, my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12"}],"version-history":[{"count":58,"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":192,"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12\/revisions\/192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenpisciotta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}