Today, I spent some time in the TMTA exhibit hall where I got to meet Liz Boyd with www.SusanParadis.com and bought some music stickers and piano manipulatives to use in my lessons. I also won an item in the silent auction, which raises funds for the Texas Music Teachers Education Foundation. I won a box of wooden cutouts from www.DenneheyDesigns.com . Last night, we heard a wonderful concert form the lovely Dr. Artina McCain www.ArtinaMcCain.com . If you aren't familiar with her, please check h...
Jun 16, 2025•10 min
Today I attended a session by Wendy Stevens with www.composecreate.com. She spoke on the topic. "Have you forgotten what it's like to be a child??" I also attended some meetings which highlighted the fact that we don't have to do all the things. We can focus on the things we do well and give other people opportunities to do the things they do well. Connect with me on Instagram @pianoparentpodcast
Jun 15, 2025•13 min
Today was a day filled with music. It started with music with my elementary piano ensemble and their piece called "Ice Cream Scoops written by composer Susan Staples Bell. I think Mrs. Bell was as excited to hear the students as the students were to play for her. The day ended with an eclectic collection of musical pieces; some of them were to my tastes and some of them were not... and that's okay.
Jun 13, 2025•14 min
In today's video, I share some of the highlights from the second day of our conference. Today was a lot of business meetings and chatting with fellow teachers from across Texas. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player at piano parent podcast. Connect with me on Instagram @pianoparentpodcast and send me a direct message if there's something you'd like for me to talk about on the next video.
Jun 13, 2025•11 min
In this short video, I share the value of professional development for your piano teacher and how that has a direct influence on your piano kids' development as a musician. This is day one of a 7-day mini series.
Jun 12, 2025•11 min
There are ways that we intentionally speak positive encouragement into our piano kids' musical journey, but we must also be aware of the ways our unintentional conversation communicates with them. On today's show, learn some of the ways my parents impacted my musical journey, both intentionally and unintentionally. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/363
Jan 20, 2025•29 min
The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and... chaos. With all the festive frenzy, it can be challenging to maintain a consistent piano practice routine. In this episode, we'll explore practical strategies to keep your child's piano practice on track during the holiday season. We'll delve into three key tips: setting realistic goals, creating a dedicated practice space, and incorporating holiday music into practice sessions. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/362
Nov 18, 2024•24 min
"Practice only on days that end in Y." It's playful, it's catchy, and it makes you laugh at first. But when we dig deeper, this phrase offers a profound truth about growth, mastery, and commitment. It’s a reminder that the journey to excellence doesn’t happen just on the days we feel motivated, or only when things are convenient. It happens every day. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/361 Join the practice challenge at www.PIANOVEMBER.com...
Oct 28, 2024•24 min
On the podcast, we've talked about what to do when you have to miss a lesson but we've never talked about how to respond when your teacher needs to take an extended absence. Using my family's circumstance from this past year, here are ten ways my students responded when I had to take a two-week break during the semester. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/360
Aug 19, 2024•30 min
Crystal Boyack is a leader in early childhood violin pedagogy and the best selling author of Wee Violin: Music for Young Violinists Preparatory to Twinkle. She currently teaches at the University of New Mexico’s Lab School and runs a private studio teaching Suzuki Violin and Music Together in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She loves spending her time gardening, doing yoga, and spending time with her husband and four young children. On today's show, Crystal shares some of the joys and frustrations of p...
Jun 24, 2024•25 min
Crystal Boyack is a leader in early childhood violin pedagogy and the best selling author of Wee Violin: Music for Young Violinists Preparatory to Twinkle. She currently teaches at the University of New Mexico’s Lab School and runs a private studio teaching Suzuki Violin and Music Together in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She loves spending her time gardening, doing yoga, and spending time with her husband and four young children. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/358...
Jun 17, 2024•31 min
Mr. Fred Rogers was born on March 20, 1928. This encore presentation is in honor of his 96th birthday, with gratitude for his life, well lived. What an example and inspiration for us all! Learn more at www.PianoParentpodcast.com/143 .
Mar 19, 2024•33 min
What's your best deflection technique? Sometimes I'll answer a question with another question to avoid giving an uncomfortable answer. What's your piano kid's best deflection technique? Do they try to memorize all their music to avoid sight reading? Do they blame the metronome when they aren't able to play along with it? Learn some common "artful dodges" in today's teacher chat with Becki Laurent and Clinton Pratt. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/357
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Do you ever feel like you're living the same piano lesson week after week? Listen to today's show to learn some reasons why music is re-assigned at the lesson and how you can help your piano kid keep moving forward. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/356
Jan 29, 2024•26 min
24 hours each day, 7 days every week. We all have 168 hours each week. If we're not careful, those hours will get filled with other people's agendas. Now is the time to take inventory of your schedule and make time for the things that are important to you. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/355
Jan 08, 2024•32 min
In the style of Mike Rowe’s podcast “The Way I Heard It” and Paul Harvey’s radio show “The Rest of the Story” , this episode of the Piano Parent Podcast brings you the backstory of a musician or song or a moment in music history. I use these musical mysteries to tell you something you might not know about someone or something that is somewhat familiar. In this case, I will tell you the story of a young author who never wrote the great American novel but still managed to go “Down in History”. Fin...
Dec 18, 2023•18 min
In today's episode, author and international teacher of piano teachers, Tim Topham shares his approach to music learning in his new book, "No Book Beginners". Rather than stifling your piano kid's enthusiasm for piano by slowing down music-making with foreign terminology and symbols and expecting them to learn to read music before they expore the interesting sounds the piano can create, Tim's book offers a different approach. Get your piano kid creating music and exploring sounds right from the ...
Nov 06, 2023•48 min
Listen to today's episode to hear my suggestions for what you and your piano kid can do about your piano lesson when you've gone the whole week without spending time at your own piano. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/353
Oct 16, 2023•28 min
Welcome new Piano Parents! If you and your piano kid are new to the wonderful world of piano lessons, you may be wondering what kinds of things they will be learning during this first year. Today's episode gives you a few things to expect. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/352 .
Oct 02, 2023•32 min
Vicky Weber is a musician and an elementary educator with a love for children’s literature. All her current titles are based on her background in music education or her heritage. While she has taught a variety of grade levels, primary-level education is where her passion lies. It has long been a dream of hers to teach children through the magic of books and she hopes you love reading her works as much as she loved writing them. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/351
Sep 18, 2023•42 min
'Tis the season for all things orange, yellow, brown, and a little scary. Today's list offers ten things that are likely to scare your piano teacher. Some are silly and some are serious, but all are things you might encounter with your piano kid. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/350.
Sep 11, 2023•24 min
We do everything we can, as parents, to set our kids up for success at the piano. We pay for lessons, drive them to their lesson, provide them with an instrument to practice. What steps should we take to help our piano kids overcome failure? How can we make their piano journey "so simple, plain, or reliable as to leave no opportunity for error, misuse, or failure"? Find out in today's episode and learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/349.
Sep 05, 2023•21 min
Today's episode offers help for those piano kids who have a difficult time feeling the steady beat of music. Some children can feel the beat but they aren't yet able to discern the downbeat, the start of a new measure. If a child has trouble feeling the steady pulse of music they listen to, they will have even more trouble trying to reproduce a steady beat in the music they play. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/348
Aug 28, 2023•30 min
Enjoy this delightful conversation with Kansas piano teacher, award-winning composer, and founder of My-Melodies Publishing, Brock Chart. Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/347
Aug 21, 2023•57 min
200 episodes ago, I published my first musical mystery. I'm sharing it again today to prepare for the upcoming 200th anniversary of one of this composer's greatest hits! Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/346
Aug 14, 2023•22 min
As we gear up for a new school year and a new semester of piano lessons, this is a great time to declutter your piano or keyboard. Let's do it together! You can clean off your piano while you listen to this episode! Check the show notes for links to all the resources mentioned in this episode at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/345 . Watch the companion video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lmLpRthqxE8 ....
Aug 07, 2023•21 min
Back in March, I interviewed Ashlee Young (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/324) . When the official interview was over, I asked Ashlee if I could ask her one more question. "Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a 'Do Over'?" So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to liste...
Jul 31, 2023•16 min
Back in February, I interviewed Thomas Grayston (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/321) . When the official interview was over, I asked Thomas if I could ask him one more question. “Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?” So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to...
Jul 24, 2023•14 min
Back in October, I interviewed Fernanda Nieto (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/314) . When the official interview was over, I asked Fernanda if I could ask her one more question. “Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?” So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to...
Jul 17, 2023•13 min
Back in August, I interviewed Stephen Hughes (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/304) . When the official interview was over, I asked Stephen if I could ask him one more question. “Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?” So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to l...
Jul 10, 2023•11 min
