This month's book was published late 2020, and has already become a favorite of mine! It's complete title is Music and How it Works: The Complete Guide for Kids - published by DK publishing. This month though, I'm including it as both the student and teacher book recommendation. Why? Because I enjoyed looking through this …
Author: McKenzie
“It was an average practice week…”
I heard this at least 4 times from different students last week in response to my often-asked question, " How did practice go?" It didn't dawn on me at first. One student saying this isn't out of the ordinary. But as several students shrugged and shared the same sentiment, it hit me. We live in …
The Musician’s Meal Plan
The piano teacher's life can sometimes feel incredibly unbalanced. Oftentimes students are looking for availability in the afterschool/evening hours. You've had most of the day time to do whatever needs done in life, and then your job begins. What does this mean for family? Dinnertime can be crazy! Often you are either finishing up teaching …
Bringing Easter to the Studio
I don't know about you, but Easter has snuck up on me this year! Spring is on it's way and everyone is looking for signs up bunnies, eggs, and crosses. And your piano students will be no different 🙂 I have long said that holidays are the perfect opportunities to shake things up and add …
Book of the Month: March 2021
As I write, it is one of those perfectly rainy days. I don't want to be outside - it's wet and cold. And the mood just screams that I should grab what I'm reading, find a cozy chair, and curl up for the afternoon. Growing up everyone thought I was so strange for liking raining …
The Life and Legacy of Nancy Bachus
Who is Nancy Bachus? (biography taken from her author profile and obituary.) "A teacher, recitalist, and music historian, Nancy Bachus has been a featured clinician at numerous piano teacher organizations and music conventions. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Nancy studied with pianist Eugene List and accompanist Brooks Smith, and more recently she …
Finding a Pot of Gold and Prepared Practice
Imagination is everything. If I tell a student we're going to do a score study, I'm either met with a blank stare or with disappointment. But if I tell that same student we're going to follow the rainbow to a pot of gold, the score study suddenly becomes exciting! It's the same objective coming in …
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Teacher Tidy Up… Keeping the Piano Studio Sane
Last month I announced that I would be sharing one organizing tip each month. I am one of those people who enjoy being organized, but am constantly working on aligning my habits to get there. The truth of the matter? The more organized I am as a teacher, everyone benefits. I am calmer and more …
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4 Tips For Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Like many of you, the pandemic has my family doing life in new ways. I’ve learned to teach online piano lessons, church was moved to livestream, taking care of our grandparents began to involve grocery trips, and hugs between anyone outside of the house seem to be a thing of the past. One of the …
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Book of the Month: February 2021
In my humble opinion, this month's book recommendations are GOLD. Walt Disney says it best in this regard though. "There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates loot on treasure island." If you value learning and reading, and share this with your students, they are more likely to value it and find …
