Several of the symphony orchestras across the country have great, interactive websites for children, parents, and teachers. I just came across the Nashville Symphony Orchestra Kids website the other day. The Our Instruments section of the site has a photo and brief info about each instrument, along with a short recording so that students can […]
Teaching
Monday Mailbag – Piano Methods
I’ve been talking to other teachers to find out what curriculum (technique, method, theory, etc.) they use in their teaching. Could you list what curriculum you use in your studio? This could be a long list! When I first started teaching, I used just about every method that I could find just so that I […]
Monday Mailbag – Parents in Lessons
How do you get parents OUT of the lessons? I have just 2 out of 22 where the parents stay, but I would love for them to let their kids do this on their own. One little girl is an only child and very doted on, the other is a 5 year old boy whose […]
Last Day to Get a Free Piano Camp Student Workbook!
Today is the last day to receive a free 26-page Piano Camp Student Workbook with your purchase of the Piano Camp lesson plans that I used in my studio this year. (See lots of pictures here, here, here, here, and here!) Just wanted to remind you in case you were planning to order, but just […]
4 Components of a Good Practice Incentive
There is much debate in the educational community about whether to use extrinsic motivators (i.e. practice incentives) to encourage students to perform required tasks or meet certain objectives. Those in the non-incentive camp tend to assert that motivation should be intrinsic and that the completion of the task or the attainment of the objective is […]
Planning Next Year’s Practice Incentive
Things have been a little more sparse around here because I’m trying to plan next year’s practice incentive. Trying is the operative word. 🙂 For those of you who have been here a while, you know that each year I plan a big studio-wide practice incentive based on a particular theme. I really love coming […]