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 …
Category: Teacher Tips
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 …
This Piano Teacher is … unorganized?!
It’s every piano teacher’s dream. To have their life put together… all the time. But one thing the last year has taught me is that no matter how much we think we have it all together, we don’t. And there is certainly freedom in being at peace with that. But there’s also freedom in finding …
Encouraging a Musical Home Environment
How often do you have a parent accompany a new student and announce that they’ve never played an instrument? If your studio is anything like mine, this happens all the time. How often do you request a parent get involved in their child’s practice – only to be met with shrugs and looks of helplessness. …
Book of the Month: January 2021
2021 came in rather unenthusiastically, but I hope you took the time to sit and think through some goals (maybe more based on the season we are in and less specific, but still goals). As I contemplated where I hope to grow this year, one goal I set for myself is to read 50 books. …
Happy New Year 2021
Happy New Year! I have to admit, I didn’t quite know whether to cry, celebrate, or just go to sleep last night as the clock struck 12 and the ball dropped. But as I lay in bed this morning, it dawned on me. All of us will experience years that are hard. All of us …
Piano Possibilities 