This year’s fall practice/performance incentive.

This year, we’re going to be making fall trees together in my studio. I’ll have 12 grade school-age students participating. Each gets to make a tree that will hang in the studio, and I’m going to give out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes at the Fall recital to those with the most leaves. KeepContinueContinue reading “This year’s fall practice/performance incentive.”

Having a Baby and Teaching Piano From Home

I love working from home. It’s not for everybody, but it’s definitely for me. I like making my own hours, being my own boss, and being accountable to myself. I’ve finally found a job where I don’t have to suck up to the boss, or tip-toe around a cranky co-worker. So naturally I thought thatContinueContinue reading “Having a Baby and Teaching Piano From Home”

Taking the Piano Lesson Outside

First, I have to say that I don’t live in one of those magical places where the weather is wonderful year-round. I live in the northeast, and we have four very distinct seasons. That’s why when the weather finally gets nice, I try to find ways to get my students outside every now and again. BecauseContinueContinue reading “Taking the Piano Lesson Outside”

Why I Teach From Home (or why I won’t come to your house to teach lessons).

Why I Teach From Home (or why I won’t come to your house to teach lessons). I get asked to travel to student’s houses to teach pretty often. When I first decided to be a piano teacher full time, I would take any student I could get, even if it meant I had to driveContinueContinue reading “Why I Teach From Home (or why I won’t come to your house to teach lessons).”

Piano Studio Incentives and Prizes

I try my best to motivate my students by choosing music that they really enjoy, but sometimes that isn’t enough. Today I’m going to show you some of the ways I encourage students to work on their music at home in between lessons. Studio Incentives: Every student under age 10 gets a sticker chart. IContinueContinue reading “Piano Studio Incentives and Prizes”

Chooosing a Piano or Keyboard

Choosing a Piano One of the first things I ask a new piano student is “Do you have a piano?” You need to have a working instrument in order to learn. Why? To practice on! Imagine if you were expected to learn to drive a car with just one 30 minute lesson a week, andContinueContinue reading “Chooosing a Piano or Keyboard”