Blog Stories

It is the heart of the school year.  Many festivals and activities are generally held between mid February and late April.  If you are a Guild, National Auditions, or Trinity Auditions teacher, the exams can spread into mid May to early June.  Now is the time to...

Continuing last week's post on making studio tuition and enrollment plans for August 2022 now instead of mid-summr, it's important to consider your personal worth.  In some areas of the United States, teachers often feel compelled to low ball their prices because the...

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...

Last week's post covered the financial and student retention issues involved with an enhanced summer program.  This week I'd like to explore the many options you can consider for your studio!  Let's look at a few: 1.  Summer Camps--generally, a piano camp can last 1.5...

Whether or not you've had spring break, now is the time to get those May and June recitals and programs outlined and planned.  Whether or not your students select a piece they have been playing for several months, or you are learning duets, it's not too early to...

Almost all independent teachers have a one week spring break scheduled.  It usually coincides with your public school system's week long break. This year, my studio waits until the 2nd week of April before our county closes through the Easter weekend.  It's been a...

The buds of spring are barely visible, yet its important to begin planning for fall.   I have found the best time for me to publish an updated studio policy, tuition fees and registration forms is immediately after spring break.  In my area, spring break will occur...

The spring season in piano and forward into the summer months is an interesting time of year.  Whether or not your studio’s students participate in spring festivals, or perhaps year-end auditions, the inclination is to “wind down” the year.  Perhaps you assign a few...

I was monitoring a room in our area auditions last year and noticed that as each student entered, they were asked if they would like to warm-up.  Of course, they said "yes."   What followed next was illuminating.  Some students took a stab at "half playing" their...

Splashing In a complete break from the “traditional” approach, Whiteside describes a method she refers to as splashing. The concept is based on a the simple principle of keyboard geography. While stressing a solid, rounded hand position, Whiteside advocates an...

For years I taught students new to piano to read using method books, following along using their guide notes, and adding one or two notes at a time. Even with all the supplemental reading, and intervallic and directional aides, I felt my students were slow readers. I...

Background Perhaps it began with the "differentiae" of the psalm tones in the tenth century. Music historian Craig Cummings stated, The idea of variation is perhaps the longest-enduring concept in all of music history. From the earliest glimmers of the most...

There are many resources available in books, magazines, and online. Here are just a few to get you started. Good summer reading! Barkley, R (1990) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York, N.Y.:: Guildford Press. Skim...

Abby Whiteside on Piano Playing : Indispensables of Piano Playing - Mastering the Chopin Etudes and Other Essays It was a crisp November day in Manhattan as I stood in front of No. 8 East 83rd Street. The holiday hustle and bustle was no match for the anticipation of...