Blog Stories

After many years of using the same theory series, I decided it was time to make a change to a different series.  I decided on Basics of Keyboard Theory by Julie McIntosh Johnson.  A self published series, it is available for purchase on Amazon.com.  There are 10 books...

The time frame between Halloween and Christmas is filled with additional activities and distractions for all of our students.  If you throw in travelling over Thanksgiving, students often come back tired and having lost a week of practice.  The same thing can happen...

Are you kidding?  Plan NOW for next summer and fall!  YES, YES, and YES.  In my studio, paperwork/registration/tuition changes and any policy changes are announced in a new folder that is given to all existing families after spring break in April.  The deadline for...

It's almost that time.  For those of us starting school on the 23rd of August next Monday is the first day of the fall studio schedule.  Many teachers will follow an after Labor Day schedule.  Either way, time is drawing near.  Here are some tips to make your studio...

It's that transitional time--Mid Summer.    If you haven't already, it's time to plan your fall registration and paperwork.  My fall registration is due by June 1st for a July 1st "new year" start (my new year encompasses summer session.)  Every spring I take a look...

Is it just me, or does it seem that as this school year progresses our students are becoming more and more lethargic?  I'm hopeful the spring sports that seem to be planning to open will help with the listlessness.  I see it even in my more dedicated students.  They...

It's almost upon us.  Soon the holidays will be here and with that will come the turning of the calendar.  I cannot believe how quickly time is passing, in spite of being home so much more.  It seems there's more to do even with going far fewer places due to the...

Dear Colleagues, This week's post offers you a three workshop series on Wellness for the Piano Teacher and Studio Musician.  The series will be held on three Fridays in October and November between 10 AM and 12 Noon, EST.  The topics will be: October 9th:  Chip...

Here we are starting week 4 of the school year in North Carolina.  No matter who you are, how much experience you have, or the number of degrees you have aquired, we all at times need to deal with an unhappy and/or unrealistic parent.  This past week was rocky for me...

Here we are!  Whether you have started teaching in the past week for the fall semester or are not beginning until after Labor Day, summer is essentially over.  I find summer to be a mindset--somehow even through teaching in the summer we get that "summertime" pace. ...

Last spring I was unable to have my spring recital.  The church I regularly rent had closed as had almost all churches across the country.  Many of my colleagues chose to have Zoom recitals.  Due to a family emergency I was unable to summon the time and energy...

Depending on where you live, your state or country may or may not be heading back to in-classroom teaching this fall.  Perhaps students will be attending on a staggered or reduced class schedule.  everywhere parents are frustrated and concerned about all the...

On the many blogs available for music teachers, one theme that continues to surface is the issue around summer lessons and the loss of income.  Of course, if you are running a school with group classes, those are dictated by start and stop dates and summers may be...

Dear Pianists and Teachers,   It is clear that until a vaccine is readily available for Covid-19, recitals, festivals and music student activities will likely take a new shape at least for the coming school year.  As I begin my summer session next week, I have...

Welcome to Summer Keys!  I will be posting a series of articles with suggestions to make summer studies meaningful and well-structured.   As we reopen our studios (please see previous post) it's more important than ever to plan for well-structured lessons.  Generally...

Dear Colleagues, It's almost two months since shutdown here in North Carolina and we are moving slowly toward reopening and going "off-line."  I hope you have had the same stability of income and success as I have had, as my studio remained intact and steady...

When it became apparent that COVID-19 would likely close schools, stores, offices and most likely music studios I quickly decided that online teaching would be my only viable option.  I trial tested a lesson 2 weeks before shutdown and informed my parents that this...