How a Superhero Helps Piano Students Play With Expression
A Musical Adventure That Makes Phrasing Come to Life!
Join Tonal and Sonica, two fearless superheroes, as they patrol the city, searching for ways to transform lifeless melodies into expressive, captivating music! Armed with magical jewels and bracelets, they hurl their powers at the most important notes in each phrase-bringing music to life! But danger lurks in every measure... Villains threaten to flatten their mission, and only by teaming up with the mysterious Krypto-Crescendo can they uncover the most powerful note of all!
Explore and Improv at Piano with your Youngest Students
Finally, a music exploration book for young kids—now available as a digital download!
Research shows that music plays a vital role in early childhood development, enhancing motor skills, social interaction, speech, memory, confidence, and creativity. Ben and the Blue Piano is designed for children ages 4-7, including special needs students or any child who loves to create their own songs and learn at their own pace.
This engaging resource introduces foundational musical concepts through play, exploration, and movement. Perfect for piano teachers and parents, the digital format makes it even easier to incorporate music learning into lessons—whether in-person or online.
Wild Notes: A Nature & Music Camp That Inspires Young Learners
What if you could bring the sounds of nature into your music studio? Imagine children giggling as they shake homemade instruments, tapping rhythms inspired by raindrops, and listening to the wind while creating their own musical stories. With Wild Notes: A Nature & Music Camp for Young Children, you can turn this vision into reality!
This engaging 4-day camp is designed for kids ages 4-9, blending music-making with sensory nature exploration. Perfect for summer programs, community events, or studio workshops, it helps young learners connect with the world around them while developing their musical skills.
How to Plan a Summer Piano Camp (Without the Overwhelm!)
Summer camps can be a fantastic way to engage students, boost your income, and bring fresh energy to your studio. But planning one can feel overwhelming—where do you start? The key is to choose a well-structured curriculum that makes your job easier while keeping students excited and engaged.
Beyond the Notes: Why Art and Music Belong Together in Your Studio Summer Camp
Music and art share a powerful connection—both ignite creativity, encourage self-expression, and help students see the world in new ways. When young students explore music through visual art, they strengthen their listening skills, spark their imagination, and build confidence in their creative choices.
This is why incorporating art into your piano lessons or summer camps can be a game-changer. Whether it’s drawing while listening to music, exploring composers who were inspired by art, or creating music based on colors and shapes, these activities engage students in a deeper, more meaningful way.
How to Plan a Summer Camp for Your Music Studio
Have you thought about running a summer camp but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start? Maybe you just need a little guidance to help bring your ideas to life. If that sounds like you, then you're in the right place!
I've planned and run multiple summer camps in my music studio, and today, I’m sharing my top tips to help you make your camp a success. Whether you want to increase income, keep students engaged, or free up your schedule, summer camps can be a game-changer.
What It’s Like - going from Teacher to Composer/Publisher
I didn't set out to be one of "those" people who create things.
I was happy to buy other people's stuff.
Then the pandemic hit. I was scrambling for solutions for my students. I reached out to Leila Viss, who encouraged me to try making Google Slides to teach theory.
Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Young Beginners with 'O Christmas Tree' Pre-Reading Duet
Make Holiday Music a Family Affair with "Go Tell It On the Mountain"
Bring Holiday Joy with "Deck the Halls" – A Beginner-Friendly Arrangement for Piano!
Spooky and Seasonal Ensembles to Enliven Your Studio This Fall
Spooky and Seasonal Ensembles to Enliven Your Studio This Fall
As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets that crisp edge, there’s a certain magic that creeps into our studios. Fall brings with it a perfect opportunity to introduce some new, exciting, and atmospheric music that will captivate your students and keep them engaged as we transition into the cooler months.
This season, I’ve been focusing on a few favorite pieces that not only fit the autumnal mood but also offer flexibility for different skill levels in your studio. Whether you’re looking to add a little spookiness to your lessons or just want to embrace the beauty of the season, I think you’ll love these as much as I do.
Is Technology Taking Over Our World? How Music Teachers Are Navigating the Digital Shift in Music and Books
I’ve made my new preschool method book, Little Red Piano, available in both digital and paperback.
This book has been a hit with my youngest students. They love playing the same songs over and over (which is fine by me—they’re still learning!), and their faces light up when they see the colorful graphics and cute characters. Having the entire book available as a studio license has been a game changer for me. The PDF comes in two formats: landscape for printing and portrait for use on a tablet.
Shopping for the New NFMC Bulletin: What I Learned and What You Should Consider
If you’re on the hunt for something new, I highly recommend trying this innovative arrangement of "Autumn" from Vivaldi’s "The Four Seasons." It’s incredibly flexible—you can use it as an elementary solo, duet, or trio. And yes, I’ve included sample pages and audio for you to check out!
The Good and the Bad of Preschool Piano Books
Check out my opinions on this very popular, but dated, curriculum for young piano students.
A Love for Color - My Synesthesia > Music
I just thought I was weird. (which I now know is a common trait for creative, musical people!)
My synesthesia comes and goes. I hope that as I pay more attention to it - I experience it more often.
Here's how it works for me: when I play or hear a certain key, I get an "impression" of a certain color. I have talked to many people about this and done some research. Apparently, different people have different color associations than I do. That's okay. Some people have different forms of synesthesia - it can be associated with any two forms of perceptions.
What you need to know about kids who have GAPS
Gaps show up in piano lessons all the time.
Here are some examples of places gaps can arise: 1) notation. Notation is an abstract representation of sound. Kids are literal.
2) rhythm. Some kids just don't have rhythm experience in their bodies, which leads to difficulty in counting and playing.
3) technique. Playing the piano with proper technique is a foreign feeling.
4) listening. Some students have difficulty hearing and discriminating pitches, rhythms, timbre, or form
It all started with a little red toy piano.
I was three years old. I received a red toy piano for my birthday.
I can't describe how fascinated I was with this little instrument. It was as if this toy was calling to me.
I really wanted a teacher. Of course, being a child in the 1960s (oops - now you can guess how old I really am!) meant that no one would take on a child that young.
On top of that, my dad was in the military - and overseas in the Vietnam War. Not a good time. My parents were not particularly musical. They were very PRACTICAL. Being in the military meant moving around. Pianos were big and heavy at that time.
Spring Fever - what is it and do you have it?
After Easter - THEN WHAT?
It's a holiday let-down, that's what! I refuse to stop the fun. But let's get real: in the US - we are heading towards the end of the school term. BURNOUT is all around us. What to do? Going back to my childhood, grown-ups always talked about kids getting "Spring Fever". It's not a real illness. It's a term that describes that feeling of burnout, being antsy, and really wanting a break. I captured this feeling for my students with the MODERN song, "Spring Fever" - which features an ultra-cool backing track. Can you believe my students ask for this song, year after year? Because it's written in two levels, I can accomodate that request a few times. Here's the low-down on Spring Fever:
Easter Fun - Kids are Jumpy, Antsy, and Hyper!
I don't usually write about spring flowers, Easter bunnies, or mild topics when it comes to kids.
I like to write about what kids are thinking about - like CANDY and having FUN!
Can you ignore Valentine’s Day in your studio?
of course you can. Here's some thoughts on Valentine's music for piano kids......
Why teach Valentine’s songs when we already have so MUCH to do?