The Size of the Problem
Students come in with baggage from their week. Ok, sometimes from their lives. Some of them are overwhelmed, some guilty, others defiant. Occasionally they get in a preemptive strike. Here's one…
The Positives of Near Misses
Have you ever been motivated by losing a job, a race, a competition, or another opportunity? When you lost out, did you miss by only a little or a lot?…
PA Shorts: Goals & Dreams
It's a new school year bright with possibilities. Yup, I start teaching tomorrow. I will have quite a mix of returning and transfer students this fall. Regardless of their age or…
PA Shorts: Did I Do Good?
I have been doing some judging for various evaluation programs this spring. I love hearing the students. Mostly they are proud of their accomplishments but a little nervous too. I…
Vintage PA: Great Expectations
Last weekend I ended up in the ER and subsequently the hospital with serious anemia. With plenty of time to do nothing, I tried to brainstorm ideas for blog posts…
We Don’t Need No Stinking Board Games
“We don’t play board games in my studio.” I’ve been told this many times over the years. The reasons have varied. Piano learning is serious business. I don’t have time…
Teaching To The Test: A Rant
One of my adult students, whose grandchildren are taking piano lessons, came to me with concerns that the children were not doing anything in their lessons that wasn’t a part…
Vintage PA: Piano Fail
I have done a lot of judging this spring. It is inspiring to hear young pianists who are doing their very best to make music and push their skills to the…