Some parents assume that it is normal and to be expected for children not to like lessons because they grew up with the idea that learning is supposed to be …
Enthusiasm
Changing Teachers
During the first couple weeks with a new transfer student, they will often exclaim when I say or demonstrate something, “Wow – I didn’t know that! My old teacher never …
Expectations
Recently, a disgruntled parent complained that my expectations were unclear. I scoffed. To me there is not much that’s more important in the teacher – student – parent triangle than …
Covid-19 and other challenges
Yesterday, the Kansas State Department of Education clarified that “Governor Kelly didn’t cancel school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year due COVID-19. She closed school buildings. Schools will …
On the subject of pianos
I own a piano studio. I teach people how to play classical piano. Acoustic pianos have several unique properties that allow them to produce music that is richly textured, has …
Genius and Little Mozarts
The parents of my young piano students know that I have a serious problem with the name of one of the piano methods for young beginners, “Music for Little Mozarts”. …
First Impressions
As someone who often has trouble “reading” people, first impressions are tricky for me. I tend to take things literally, at face value. Last year, a new student was coming …
Competitions – who gets to go?
In my studio, I have many ambitious and competitive students and parents who naturally aspire to enter competitions and win prizes. This leads to the important question: Who gets to …
Grousing
My biggest gripe with piano teaching is not what you’d expect – students who don’t practice. It is the parents. For the most part, I have wonderful parents: they are …
Planning and growth
Many, many years ago, when I was still in the first ten years of my teaching career, I was successful. I was able to attract good students, where good meant …