In this comeback episode of the TopCast, I'm excited to welcome listeners back and express my gratitude for your support and excitement to reconnect. Today, we're having a chat with Jared Metzger Abel, our TopMusicSheets' composer for the month of May with his diverse musical background and teaching experience. Jared shares insights into his composition process, the use of rote teaching methods, and his inspiration for creating pedagogical pieces. He also discusses his collaboration with...

Welcome back to another exciting bonus episode! Today, I'm thrilled to bring you a lineup of incredible updates and announcements, including the launch of the TopMusic Piano Podcast, hosted by the amazing Dr. Rachel Ehring. Our spotlight is on our latest episode, featuring Tara Mock on How to Have Conversations with Parents of Neurodiverse Students, emphasizing a valuable statement for every lesson moving forward. Plus, we'll delve into the world of teaching neurodivergent students with...

In this bonus episode of the Integrated Music Teaching podcast, we're announcing our upcoming webinar, "Unfazed: Teaching Neurodivergent Students in 2024 with Confidence and Success" featuring our expert educator Selena Pistoresi. This webinar aims to address concerns and provide guidance for teachers working with neurodivergent students, covering topics such as recognizing student learning needs, effective lesson planning, and managing difficult behaviors. This webinar is going to be...

Welcome to a special episode where we're wrapping up the incredible journey that was 2023 and offering an exciting sneak peek into what's in store for 2024. This live recording brings together our fantastic community of registered participants to dive into the achievements of the past year and unveil our plans for the future. I'll be sharing some noteworthy highlights, including successful releases like my No Book Beginners book, TopMusic Quiz and the groundbreaking Top Music Certification...

In today's episode, we're thrilled to share a major announcement. Dr. Rachel Ehring, our esteemed guest, takes us through her unexpected journey from our chance encounter at NCKP to her new role as the host of the TopMusic Piano Podcast. As a music teacher and director of a conservatory, Rachel shares insights into her unique career path, the challenges of reopening the conservatory post-COVID, and her passion for embracing creative resources in piano teaching. Don't miss this episode full of...

In this episode, we're chatting with two remarkable music educators who recently became TopMusic Certified Teachers, Julie Galan and Sue Stubbs. Julie, a passionate piano teacher based in Arizona, candidly shares her transformative journey within the TopMusic Certification program. Overcoming a period of stagnation, Julie discovered renewed zeal through the unique cohort-based approach, making positive changes in her studio, including the introduction of group lessons and setting long-term...

In this episode, we're joined by Rebecca Stewart, the community manager and the head of certification at TopMusic. Join us as we explore the overview of TopMusic Certification Program, reflecting on the first cohort's experiences, and uncover some of the unique features that set this program apart. We discuss the value of certification in terms of live cohort learning, flexibility, and its sharp focus on practical, real-world teaching. Listen in for exclusive excerpts from cohort meetings,...

As we approach the end of November, I would like to extend warm Thanksgiving wishes to our American listeners. This month, we've delved into teaching early advanced students. And today marks a special announcement - the launch of our brand new online course, the Advancing Pianist Course, created by the incredible Janna Williamson. In this episode, we'll walk through the course modules, covering diverse musical eras from Baroque to 20th-century repertoire, providing insights into...

In today's show, one of our favourite podcast guests and TopMusic friend, Mike Grande, is back on the show. We dive into a rich conversation with him, spanning from the latest at his music schools and his platform Rock Out Loud Live, to his life-changing experience and trip to Africa. Mike shares insights from his new book, "From Teacher to Coach (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher)," delving into the profound impact of coaching in music education. Throughout the conversation, Mike...

If you’ve ever questioned your ability to guide advanced students or perhaps felt lacking in confidence as your students have moved into late intermediate and early advanced repertoire, then this episode is for you. Many teachers toil for years, nurturing their students' skills only to pass them off when they reach an advanced stage, sacrificing both the connection and the fruits of their earlier labor. Join us today as we dive into the potential of taking on advanced students and continuing...

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, questioning whether you can continue guiding your students as they reach the advanced stages of their musical journey? The thought of passing them on to another teacher can be daunting, especially after years of building a strong bond with both students and their families. In this insightful interview, we're here to challenge those doubts and inspire you to reconsider. Our guest today, Suzanne Andrews, knows this feeling all too well and will...

Today, we're delving into the art of goal setting and planning for our students using the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning. We'll be taking a close look to another student of Janna Williamson who's journey is a testament to the challenges many students face, even those with musical backgrounds in their families. This episode will not only provide insights into her unique situation but also explore how to set clear and attainable milestones for students, ensuring that they...

In today's show, we’re continuing our theme for this month of intermediate students by looking at a short case study of how Janna Williamson uses the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning with her students. You’ll be hearing about her student, Amy, and the challenges she’s felt around setting up the right curriculum for her. Throughout the episode, we'll explore how to guide students like Amy and the incredible progress that can be made when you set the right goals and milestones...

We're delving into the complex world of planning an effective intermediate music curriculum. With the freedom to choose teaching methods, repertoire, and goals, music teachers wield significant influence over their students' musical journeys. However, this autonomy comes with great responsibility as the decisions made during the intermediate stage can profoundly impact whether students continue their musical education or quit prematurely. In today's show, I'm going to introduce the "Ultimate...

In today's show, we're having a chat with Jess Homewood, the creative genius behind Not Your Mother’s Piano Studio. Jess, a dedicated private piano studio owner and resource curator, brings a fresh perspective to the world of piano education. She's the mastermind behind the No Printout Playbook Volumes 1 & 2, offering piano educators innovative and minimal prep games for at-home learning. Join us as we delve into Jess's inspiring journey, her creative teaching methods, and her insights on...

We're delving into the world of selling your teaching resources online. Our guest today, Abigail Proffitt, currently runs a thriving studio in North Texas, specializing in preschool and neurodivergent students, where she imparts classical piano skills using a play-based approach through the Whole Foundation Method. But she's not just about teaching, Abigail is passionate about equipping fellow educators. In this episode, she generously shares her journey, offering insights into her music...

In today's show, we're shaking things up a bit and taking a break from our regular programming to answer a series of quickfire questions. We'll dive into a thrilling journey of self-discovery and I'm taking you all along for the ride. I'll be diving headfirst into a barrage of quickfire questions, each one revealing a little more about myself, from time-travel dreams to heartwarming acts of kindness, and a few laughs in between. And finally, discover my favorite childhood memory and a whole...

In today’s episode, we’re delving into the world of dance and instrumental teaching studio of our remarkable guest, Nick Tucker. Nick is the founder of Spark Music and Dance, a thriving multi-location music and dance school in Minnesota. He is also the co-founder of the Studio Success System. Listen in as Nick takes us on a journey through the growth of his instrumental teaching studio, sharing insights into its current vibrant state and how it all began with humble beginnings. We’ll explore...

In today’s fun and exciting episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Lauren Kelly, the renowned piano teacher behind Piano Lessons Vancouver. With students achieving remarkable success both locally and globally, Lauren’s teaching style strikes the perfect balance between seriousness and fun, boasting an incredible 100% student retention rate. But she’s not just an exceptional teacher, Lauren is also the founder of the Teach Me To Teach Society™, where she mentors piano...

In today’s show, we explore an innovative concept that could grow your music studio into a hub of both learning and mentorship. I’m excited to have the pleasure of chatting with TMP Member Ella Luhtasaari, an accomplished collaborative pianist and educator based in Canberra. With over 20 years of private teaching under her belt, Ella’s journey has led her to establish a thriving multi-teacher piano studio. But what sets her approach apart is her dedication to mentoring young piano teachers,...

In this final episode of the podcast takeover of the Piano Games Gurus, we're sharing with you the replay of our workshop, The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Music Lessons. In this workshop, we dive into the world of music education through gamification and delved into a variety of topics surrounding the fusion of games with musical teaching. With Tara and Georgina's extensive experience in creating and utilizing games for effective teaching, they understand the common challenges that many...

Welcome to the second series of the podcast takeover of the Piano Game Gurus, Tara Wright and Georgina Wilson. In today’s show, our topic is “in-the-moment teaching” where spontaneity meets engagement in piano lessons. Join Tara and Georgina as they dive into a world of quick and easy piano games designed to captivate and inspire your students. Listen in as they share their favorite no-prep piano games, perfect for those spontaneous teaching moments. Plus, find out how rubber chickens can...

A brief summary of this episode

In this exciting episode, we delve into the world of music education through music games and playful learning. And in today’s show, we’re shaking things up a bit with a podcast takeover of the Piano Game Gurus themselves, Tara Wright and Georgina Wilson. They’ve taken over the reins of the podcast today to talk about a topic that’s close to their hearts – the transformative power of music games during music lessons. Tune in as they discuss why incorporating games into your teaching...