TopMusic Piano Podcast

By: Tim Topham
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  • Summary

  • The TopMusic Piano Podcast is a weekly show that provides piano teachers with inspiration and ideas for teaching piano in a way that engages and motivates students. Your host, Dr. Rachel Ehring, is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano-teaching gadgets. Rachel holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. Join Rachel as she interviews guests from the music education industry and shares tips and advice to help you run your dream piano studio.
    2023
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Economics Music
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Episodes
  • 047: A Review of Preschool Piano Methods with Abigail Proffitt

    047: A Review of Preschool Piano Methods with Abigail Proffitt
    Dec 13 2024
    Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by our guest, Abigail Proffitt, who specializes in preschool and neurodivergent students and teaches classical piano through a playful and repertoire-rich approach. In this episode, we'll dive deep into various preschool piano methods, featuring a detailed discussion on books like Piano Adventures, WunderKeys, Celebrate Piano, and many more. Abigail shares her invaluable insights, practical tips, and expert advice on creating an engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experience for young piano students. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting, this episode is packed with resources and inspiration to enhance your teaching journey.
    • Abigail shared her journey to becoming a piano teacher and her passion for teaching.
    • Her online business for music teachers, offering music theory resources and workshops.
    • Her experiences teaching preschoolers, both in groups and private lessons.
    • Emphasis on playful, sound-based learning, using games and improvisation.
    • Advice for and tips for teachers to better understand and teach preschoolers.
    • The importance of a strong rhythmic foundation for better sight-reading skills.
    • Discussion on specific curriculums such as Piano Adventures, WunderKeys, Celebrate Piano, Music for Little Mozarts, Music Play Curriculum, Piano Safari, etc.
    • Importance of a combination of different methods over relying on one.
    • Abigail shared some practical tips and encourages not focusing too heavily on hand shape for very young children.
    • She shared details about her Preschool Piano Crash Course.

    Method Books Mentioned
    • The Whole-Brain Child Book by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson
    • The Power of Play Book by David Elkind
    • How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen Book by by Joanna Faber
    • Faber Piano Adventures
    • WunderKeys
    • Celebrate Piano!
    • Music for Little Mozarts
    • Music Play
    • Theory Made Fun by Kevin Olson
    • Piano Safari
    • Piano Safari Friends

    Guest Links Mentioned
    • Whole Foundation Method Etsy Shop
    • Proffitt Piano Studio Instagram Page
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    38 mins
  • 046: Music Moves with Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo

    046: Music Moves with Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo
    Dec 6 2024
    Music has the power to shape young minds and create lifelong connections. In this engaging episode, we're chatting with Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo to dive into the transformative world of audiation and early childhood piano education. They discuss their unique journeys towards implementing Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, the impact of starting music education as early as age four, and practical tips on integrating singing, movement, and improvisation into piano lessons. Tune in to learn how they foster a deep understanding and love for music in their students from the very beginning.
    • Krista and Hannah shared a brief overview of their background and their music studio.
    • Importance of starting music education early, targeting ages 4-6.
    • Benefits of music education for neural development and building foundational musical skills.
    • Explanation of audiation and its role in music learning theory.
    • Details on the Music Moves for Piano curriculum by Marilyn Lowe.
    • Comparison between music learning and language acquisition.
    • Personal stories on how they both became interested in audiation and music learning theory.
    • Challenges and milestones in their professional development.
    • Impact of early music education on young learners.
    • Preferred techniques for teaching preschoolers, including the center finger approach.
    • Addressing common concerns such as singing and movement in lessons.
    • Integrating audiation into piano lessons in manageable ways.
    • Timing of introducing formal music reading, typically around age 11.
    • Balancing playing capability with reading skills.

    Links Mentioned
    • Music Learning Academy Website
    • Music Learning Academy YouTube Page
    • Mayo Piano Website
    • Music Moves for Piano Website
    • Introduction to Audiation-Based Piano Instruction and Music Moves for Piano Facebook Group
    • Keys to Music Learning Podcast
    • The Ways Children Learn Music Book

    Today’s Guest Hannah E. Mayo, a nationally certified teacher of music, is an independent piano teacher, specializing in guiding students through a lifetime of music making at the piano. She holds a B.M. and M.M. from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After graduating, she continued to teach class piano as an adjunct faculty member at ULL until 2023. Hannah has been an independent piano teacher since 2006 and has directed the early childhood music and piano program at the REACH Preschool Institute since 2012. Hannah is a dedicated practitioner of Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory. Krista Jadro is the owner of Music Learning Academy, an online resource center dedicated to supporting teachers using the Music Moves for Piano curriculum by Marilyn Lowe for audiation-based piano instruction. Through Music Learning Academy, Krista provides online courses, leads study groups, and presents and hosts webinars and workshops. Krista has a thriving piano studio at Brookline Music School, where she previously redesigned and directed the early childhood and group piano program. She earned degrees in Music Education from the University of Delaware (M.M, B.M.) Both Krista and
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    58 mins
  • 045: Preschool Piano for Better Business with Amy Elmore

    045: Preschool Piano for Better Business with Amy Elmore
    Nov 29 2024
    In this episode, we sit down with Amy Elmore, a seasoned piano teacher who has transformed her studio with over 30 years of experience into a thriving multi-teacher business. Amy shares the inspiring journey behind starting preschool piano classes, an idea sparked by her husband, and how these classes have significantly impacted her studio's growth. Join us as Amy delves into the ART framework she developed for teaching young children, offers practical advice on managing classes, and emphasizes the importance of community among piano teachers. Whether you're looking to enhance your teaching strategies or expand your studio's offerings, Amy's insights are invaluable. Tune in to discover how preschool piano can elevate your business!
    • Amy shared a brief overview of her background and her teaching business.
    • She talks about her multi-teacher studio and the range of lessons they offer.
    • She shared how preschool piano classes started in her studio.
    • Rachel shares her inspiration from Amy to start piano classes for preschoolers.
    • The benefits and impact of preschool piano on students and business.
    • Amy introduces the ART framework for teaching preschool piano (Aural, Rhythm, Theory, and Technique).
    • Discussion on practical aspects such as class size, equipment needed, and duration of classes.
    • Amy answers rapid-fire questions on space requirements, materials, class size, pricing, and more.
    • Tips on managing behavioral challenges in preschool piano classes.
    • The importance of ignoring, redirecting, and keeping the class moving.
    • The value of building a network of teacher friends.
    • Information about Amy’s Piano Teacher Happy Hour, Preschool Group Piano Blueprint course, and coaching sessions.

    Links Mentioned
    • Amy Elmore's Website
    • Preschool Group Piano Blueprint
    • Amy's Instagram Page: @amy_elmore_piano
    • Keys to Praise Studio Instagram Page: @keys_to_praise_studio
    • Download your latest TopMusic Magazine here.

    Today’s Guest Amy Elmore is a seasoned piano teacher with over 30 years of experience. She owns a lively multi-teacher studio in Southern California that welcomes students as young as 3 1/2 to those about to graduate high school. Amy didn't originally set out to be a piano teacher; she “fell into” the profession in high school when her teacher asked if she would take on some students of her own. In a full-circle moment, after teaching solo for many years, Amy hired one of her high school students and started down the path of becoming a multi-teacher studio. Over the last several years, Amy has developed a keen interest in the business aspects of running a studio. Her academic background is as unique as her career path, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics/Foods in Business and a Master's Degree in Marriage Family Therapy. This unexpected combination enriches her approach to teaching and business, bringing a fresh and multifaceted perspective to the world of music Education. Recognizing the potential to expand her impact beyond the studio, through coaching and her Preschool Group Piano Blueprint course, Amy has also ventured into helping other piano teachers scale their businesses. Beyond her professional life, Amy and her husband Jim have two adult sons and a brand-new daughter-in-law. She...
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    49 mins

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