About Natalie
Welcome to Music Matters Blog! My name is Natalie Wickham and I operate an independent piano studio in Derby, Kansas. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to be a teacher. I just never would have guessed that I would be a piano teacher! At the age of 17 I began teaching lessons to a family of three boys, not because I wanted to, but because their Mom begged me until I couldn’t say no anymore. Word quickly spread in our small community that I was teaching and soon I had several days’ worth of students. The only problem was that I didn’t enjoy teaching piano. In fact, most days I dreaded it. Until I caught the vision for something more…
About a year and a half after I first began teaching, I attended a weeklong piano pedagogy workshop that was transforming. The workshop instructor was a dynamic young woman who just oozed energy and excitement. It was contagious! She did far-out things like use colored pens to write her students’ assignments. What?! Assignments were to be boring, written in pencil, preferably on a blank sheet of paper in a drab looking spiral notebook. Right? She made big, exaggerated motions when explaining concepts to her students. If I even tried that my students would look at me like I was crazy! Wouldn’t they? Or, they might think I was actually having (dare I say it?)…f.u.n. while I was teaching. Horrors! Needless to say, I left that workshop with a whole different image in my mind of what it could look like to be a piano teacher. The only problem was that now I felt completely inadequate and incapable of being the kind of teacher I wanted to be. I had only a fragment of the knowledge and experience of this inspiring teacher. Only one thing kept me going when I was ready to throw in the towel.
I was spending time in my morning Bible reading one day when I came across a sentence in a verse that seemed to be God’s promise to me. It was in Ezekiel 36:36 and it read, “I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.” In that moment I felt certain that my role as a piano teacher was no longer a self-imposed duty, but a Divine calling, at least for this time in my life. God had called me to teach and He would do it through me. I cannot tell you how often I have quoted those words to myself when I feel inadequate or burned out or overwhelmed. With that promise in mind I determined to become the best teacher I possibly could for the glory of God and the benefit of the families and students in my studio.
As soon as I arrived home, I began taking lessons from another teacher, joined several on-line music teachers forums and became more active in our local music teachers associations – asking questions, attending workshops, participating in festivals, etc. My students bombed the first couple years of our state Music Progressions evaluations. But I had warned them of that possibility and we plodded on, learning and growing together. I gained valuable experience and received practical tips from other teachers so that we would be better prepared in the future. I started thinking creatively and using some of the ideas I’d come across in my other teaching experiences to enhance piano lessons for my students. I started developing a theme each year with specific goals to work toward and a variety of incentives to inspire each student to work hard and do his or her best. We organized special events and poured hours into planning and preparing for every detail so that family and friends would enjoy it.
The studio is now painted in bright red and yellow with a border of black hand-painted musical notes dancing across the walls where the colors meet. Framed prints of colorful flowers adorn each wall. I still have those days that I don’t look forward to teaching, but honestly, I love what I do. I love my students and I love having the privilege of teaching them to play the piano. There is still so much to learn. And I’m still not the teacher I want to be. But now I have a cup of colored pens sitting next to my piano that I use to write all of my students’ assignments… 
Natalie, that is so awsome! I think as teachers we do get really down on ourselves. Could you send us some photos of your place? I’d love to see your studio and gain some ideas from it. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks, Lisa! Sure, I’ll post some pictures of my studio. Have to see if I can get some good ones sometime this week.
HI Natalie,
Thanks for taking the time to send me some pictures. I wanted to ask you your opinion of private teaching as to group teaching? I know there are teachers out there who do strictly group teaching and others that just work it into
Hi Lisa~
I’ve found that I really like to have a combination of private and group instruction. I love private lessons for the individual attention I can give each student and work with them at their own pace and on things that are interesting to them. There’s just a lot of flexibility in private lessons.
However, I also love the group setting for the interaction and inspiration it provides. The students love getting together, playing games, performing for each other, etc. It’s such a great way for them to develop skills they wouldn’t otherwise be able to and it gives me a chance to reinforce skills and concepts in a fun atmosphere through games and competitions, etc.
I almost always offer group classes in addition to private lessons and never as a replacement for a private lesson. There are some students for whom group activities are not feasible (schedule conflicts) or who just aren’t interested (adult students, older beginners).
What are your thoughts? (Anyone else can feel free to chime in too!)
Natalie,
Great info and links on your page. It’s wonderful seeing someone excited about what they are doing…but taking the time to do it right! It’s also encouraging to see you using your gifts from the Lord…and sharing your ideas with others.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Donald!
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!
Natalie,
I love your blog.
I am sure we have all had the moans and groans about some recital. I saw where parents were becoming glassy eyed and bored at recitals, other teachers have shared the same experience. Today’s students are exposed to so much more than we were, Disney Movies, concerts, MP3’s.
I teach piano at a private school and have forty plus students.
I started having themed recitals three years ago. I was amazed at the response and how well this clicked. Mind you, it is more work and so much more rewarding, Happy parents and happy students.
The first year’s theme was “We LOVE MOVIES”
Each student played a song from a movie and dressed in a costume to fit. Examples;
Marry Poppins, Hello Dolly, Inspecter Gadjet, Star Wars, Phantom of the Opera, and on and on.
Last year it was “A ROYAL PERFORMANCE” and girls dressed like a queen, or princess and boys dressed like kings, knights, and a prince or two. This year the theme was “ALICE IN WODERLAND”. Once again all were excited and the audience was packed. Cameras were flashing and all enjoyed the event.I decorate the stage to go with each theme and work on it all year.Already working on theme for 2009.They love to dress in costume, boys love it just as much. There is something about being in 8th grade and being a knight.
Sue Stanfield Miller
Wow, Sue! That does sound like a ton of fun…and lots of work! I can imagine it would take all year long to come up with the theme, decorations and appropriately-leveled music for everyone. Do you compile lists of music/books that goes with each theme? That would be a wonderful resource to make available to other teachers! I, for one, would love to have such a list (especially since I can’t imagine how you can find enough different pieces for 40+ students centered on an Alice in Wonderland theme!).
I’m planning to have my first piano/voice recital in October for my private students. Is there any advise you can give me in regards to organizing the event. I have the venue and time set. I feel I need to send a note to the parents in regards to the date, time and location of the recital right away. Do you think I should serve refreshments? Should I ask someone to take care of that for me so I don’t have to be running around at the last minute organizing that? How about a program? Should I type up something or announce each piece? What order would you suggest I organize the voice and piano pieces? Voice students all in one group, then piano or stagger the order of the program? I need help! Thank you, in advance, for any advise you can give me.
Hi Barbara! That’s great that you are holding your first recital soon! Yes, good communication is key! In addition to sending a note to the parents, start talking it up a lot. Mention it in every lesson, jot it down in the student’s assignment books (recital in 23 days!, etc.) and send it in an e-mail reminder.
Refreshments are always a fun addition to a recital. I would recommend seeing if one of the families in your studio can organize it or just asking each family to bring a plate of treats to share. One of my studio moms organizes my reception for our big recital and asks each family to bring a plate or two of cookies or finger foods. For the informal student recitals throughout the year, I just provide a simple snack of some sort.
For my formal recitals I always print up a program. For the informal ones, I have the students introduce themselves and announce their piece. If you are going to have the students announce themselves, though, it’s a good idea to have them rehearse it that way leading up to the recital. I have my students do lots of practice performances for me during the lessons leading up to the recital and then for my formal recitals, I hold a rehearsal the week prior.
My advice is to mix the program up as much as possible to provide variety. That helps prevent boredom.
Anything you can do to make recitals more fun and enjoyable for those in attendance will keep people coming back for more!
Hope this helps!
Hi Natalie,
I just love your website. All the ideas and information you give us is priceless.
I have been looking for a studio idea you once posted ( Iam sure it is you) where you have some popsicle sticks in a jar with things written for the students to do during their lesson. Can you kindly post that again. Savithri
Hi Savithri!
Thanks for your kind words. I believe this is the post you are looking for: http://musicmattersblog.com/2007/01/25/melodic-dictation-game/
Let me know if not and I’ll try again!
Natalie,
Nice to get to know you and feel your enthusiasm. You are on the right track! Keep it bright, cheerful and fun for you and your students. Keep writing aobut it too.
Natalie – wonderful to see what you’re doing.
I’ve invented a fun online system to help kids develop good music practice habits – would love to get your comments on it.
Oops – the site is at http://www.goalkards.com
[...] September 1 Music Matters Blog by Natalie Wickham starts out with About Natalie [...]
Wow! This site is great! I am just starting teaching piano this year to three of my cousins. I hope to get more students soon, as I really enjoy it! Your site has inspired me to make lessons more fun. I’d love to try a group lesson with the three boys sometime. Do you have any ideas for such a small group? I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks so much!
Heidi
Hi Heidi!
That’s great that you’re getting into teaching! You might try looking under the Game Ideas category for starters. A lot of the games that I use in lessons could easily be adapted for 2-3 students. They could either take turns with various things or you could place them at different octaves on the piano for games that require a keyboard. I’ll try to post some more ideas along these lines in the coming weeks!
Your blog is fantastic!! So much helpful information, and so easy to access. This definitely helps me keep my energy and excitment up for teaching. My students enjoy the new ideas and games I’ve introduced. Thank you for all your time spent on this blog! Please, keep up the great work!
Natalie,
I love your website. Found it when looking on internet for fun group games for music students. I was trying to find out what Stinky Sox cards are. But ended up spending a ton of time and reading all your ideas. They are great. You have been a tremendous amount of help But I never did find the stinky sox cards. Can you let me know where to find them. Thanks
Hi Marlynae!
Thanks for stopping by! The Stinky Sox game was actually created by Wendy and can be found at this link: http://sites.google.com/a/wendyspianostudio.com/wendys-piano-studio/store
They are a lot of fun!
Hi, Natalie. I’m a music teacher in Malaysia. Your website really gave the motivation to give more to my students. There are so much information here that I think I will take more than a month to read all. Currently I have 30 students. I’m still finding out the ways to organize a recital.
Dear Natalie, after having enjoyed your great site for quite a few weeks now, I really have to thank you for sharing your experiences and your game ideas. Its really generous of you to give so many insights in your work and to inspire us to become better teachers! I am writing from Germany where I am teaching four days as an employed teacher at a school. I think I have some quite good students, but I never thought much about fun in the lessons – this also wasn’t an issue during my studies at a German Hochschule… Since the new school year started, I am using flashcards and dice, and I must say we never laughed so much in the lessons! Thank you for those ideas!
After moving last year, the school where I am teaching is one hour away, so some day I want to teach more private students at home. Your website inspired me to try having one also – with the help of my brother, this happened quickly. School started here one month ago and I cannot believe that I already found seven new students through my website. Thank you so much, Natalie! Please go on with your wonderful work, and please continue writing about it! Thanks a lot and best wishes, Martina
[...] to Natalie Wickham from the Music Matters Blog, a piano teacher’s cornucopia of tips, articles and links, a big [...]
Hi Natalie!
When you do an ensemble recital, with duets, how do you work with the students in their individual lessons? Do they each practice their parts separately, then get together a few times to work together? Do you play the other duet part with each of them so they know what it sounds like? I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!
Natalie,
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I began teaching when I was 15 and enjoyed it for a while, but got frustrated after always getting good students but bad parents. However, I did have a few good students, so I kept going. I am a junior in college and took a piano pedagogy class last spring. It was amazing! I gave me a completely different outlook on teaching just like the workshop you went to. However, I find myself at the point where I have many ideas, but am not exactly sure where to go from here. I only have 5 students and am praying that God leads me more if it is His will. I am thinking about joining NMTA, along with my state and local associations. Do you have any advice?
Thank you and God bless!
Hi Alicia!
Oh yes, if you have a local association in your area, I highly recommend joining! In fact, you can read another post I wrote about how much I enjoy having the interaction with other colleagues here: http://musicmattersblog.com/2010/01/08/re-igniting-enthusiasm-congregate-with-colleagues/. Plus, if you’re still in college you can get the collegiate rate, which is very reasonable.
Both of our local associations have excellent referral programs that new teachers in the area especially find beneficial. Plus, most associations offer a variety of student events throughout the year that provide great musical experiences. I know I certainly can’t imagine teaching without the benefits I derive from our music teachers associations!
Natalie,
I am not sure how you find time for teaching, blogging, maintaining your website, etc…but Thank You! I find a lot of inspiration for my own teaching from your blog, and appreciate all of the fantastic resources.
Regina
Charlotte, NC