I have always loved coloring books, long before they became so popular that bookstores now dedicate entire shelves to them and have special displays all through the store. Many years …
Coloring inside the lines
Piano for Young Beginners
For me, teaching young beginners is like having a toddler around, or a puppy: cute, enjoyable, so much fun, and so incredibly much work. Lesson preparation has to be immaculate …
Student Recital at Meadowlark Hills
Sarah at the piano
Rachmaninov
Last week, Jamey came to visit. He is working on Rachmaninov and wanted some advice on “how to fix some things”. Here is a short excerpt of his arrangement for …
Time off
Today, one of my piano parents made an interesting comment. When I reminded her that she didn’t have to wait until the next lesson to find out whether her daughter …
Furlough
Kansas State University is looking at a possible furlough soon: As the state budget is being debated in Topeka there have been many questions based on media reports about potential …
Honors Recital
The local Music Teachers Association started last year to have a yearly Honors Recital. The idea is that each teacher selects one or two students and has them perform in …
Watching my students grow up …
One of my former students, Anna, studied with me from when she was in Kindergarten until I went on sabbatical when she was in high school. She continued her studies …
Spring Break
I love teaching. It’s one of the relatively few things I am really good at. After having temporarily moved to a new city, several years ago, I was unable to …
Why Praising Your Kids Can Hurt Them
Not exactly new, but definitely worth repeating: Psychology of Parenting: Why Praising Your Kids Can Hurt Them Po Bronson Debunks Conventional Parenting Wisdom that All Praise Is Good for Kids …