by Spring | Aug 1, 2017 | 4 D's, Discover, Featured, Tuesday Teaching Tactic
There are many ways to introduce a new piece to a student. Sometimes we start with the sound of the piece through a recording or demonstration. Do you ever start by studying the score? This week’s Teaching Tactic is to go on a “Score Scavenger... 
by Spring | Jul 18, 2017 | 4 D's, Discover, Featured, Tuesday Teaching Tactic
Wow! We’ve made it to 16 weeks of Teaching Tactics! Today’s tip is to pull up a YouTube video to play for your students. We know that most students are not watching classical pianists and orchestras perform. It’s our job to expose them to this... 
by Spring | Jul 13, 2017 | 4 D's, Discover, Featured
While the Cliburn is fresh in our minds, I thought I’d share some resources to learn more about the man who inspired the competition. Van Cliburn shocked the world by winning the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow in 1958. In the... 
by Spring | Jun 26, 2017 | 4 D's, Discover, Featured
I’m trying something new with most of my students this summer – ditching the lesson book! We will return to lesson books in the fall, but I decided a lot of my students could benefit from a break. I think method books are great for elementary students,... 
by Whitney | May 15, 2017 | 4 D's, Develop, Discover, Featured
After just over twelve years of teaching piano, I still love it. When that amazing adult student performs that piece she’s wanted to play for years. When that six year old races in to tell you about how she learned the entire piece in one week, even though it was her... 
by Spring | May 8, 2017 | 4 D's, Discover
Have you heard about the MTNA eFestival? This new initiative by MTNA launches May 15, thats next Monday! The eFestival uses the idea of a traditional piano festival, where students perform for a judge and receive feedback, but makes it accessible for students...