Robert Greenberg, author of How to Listen to Great Music: A Guide to Its History, Culture, and Heart, has written a humorous and helpful article for those looking for ways to introduce children to concert music. I’m looking forward to reading his book and gleaning new ideas for myself and my students! Enjoy the following guest […]
Ideas for Parents
This Quote Should Be on Every Wall in My Studio…
“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not you’ll find an excuse.” I’m still pondering the results of the Practice Survey I conducted in my studio last week. It’s interesting to see how many of my students selected the option, “I am too busy; my schedule doesn’t allow time for […]
Monday Mailbag – Help for Parents Teaching Their Children Piano
There are no piano teachers here in our area that will teach kids under the age of 7 or 8. Do you have any lesson and/or book recommendations…teaching approach recommendations for beginning teachers and learners? Occasionally I receive questions like this from parents who really want their children to have a music education, but just […]
Monday Mailbag – Practice Tips for Young Students and Parents
I recently started a few new kindergarten students and I was wondering if you might have any practice suggestions for that age. I would especially like to give some ideas to their parents about how they can help their children practice. I’m finding more and more that the best approach to teaching good practice habits […]
Time for Year-End Evaluations – Free Downloadable Forms
It’s hard to believe that the spring semester of lessons is coming to a close. One of the most helpful things I ever started doing was scheduling Year-End Evaluations at the last lesson of the spring semester. Last week I sent home Student and Parent Questionnaires with each of my students. Next week, parents will […]
The Case Against Offering Make-up Lessons
When I first started teaching I knew nothing about operating a business, establishing professional policies, or setting personal boundaries to help maintain sanity and avoid burnout. That’s probably why I hated teaching. Thanks to the influence of many wise teachers who have mentored and advised me since then, I now have well-formulated policies that enable […]
