Backing Up Your Studio Parents: 5 Things You Can Do Now
This year, with so many families simultaneously working and schooling from home, I've needed to go out of my way to communicate more with all my studio parents. I've also…
Beethoven As An Icebreaker?
Do you teach classes or small groups as a part of your studio or music center curriculum? I do. One of the toughest parts of my year is sizing up…
So Not About The Notes
Without question our studio motto is: Not About The Notes (#NATN). Against that little voice inside me, which often screams, “fix-correct-repair,” I remind myself to step back and let students take…
When Music Went Silent: New Musical Experiences for Online Teaching
When my husband and I toasted the new year for 2020, my calendar was filled with exciting activities. I was actively involved in the Music Teachers Association in California where…
Evolving as Schrodinger’s Teacher
Two things. 1. A pandemic happened. 2. I have become Schrodinger’s Teacher. I came full circle right back to where I started teaching more than 40 years ago- in my…
Video vs. In-Lesson Modeling
As I listened to my high school student the other day via Zoom, I was perplexed. Austen had learned the notes and rhythms nearly perfectly. Fingering: check. Hand, wrist, arm…
How to Create a 2 Person Performance Video Remotely
We were planning some duo performances for our spring recital. We were arranging late intermediate solos for two pianos and silliness was planned. I was excited. Students were excited. Social…
Minimize Your Online Lesson Fatigue
A three year old friend of mine and her family came over for playtime and dinner. She had a total meltdown just before we sat down to eat. Her Dad…