The power of creativity can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, and today’s guest exemplifies that truth in her approach to piano teaching and recitals. In this episode, we are joined by the distinguished piano and pedagogy professor, Dr. Olivia Ellis, from Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Olivia is renowned for her innovative teaching methods and as an editor for Piano Magazine and the author of the Easy Piano Lead Sheets and Chord Charts series. She shares how her upbringing, with a crafty mother and inspiring teachers, shaped her passion for creativity in music education. Tune in to learn how her creative recitals and teaching strategies can elevate your students' performances and create unforgettable musical experiences.

• Olivia shared a brief overview of her background and her roles in the piano teaching community.
• She shares her passion for creative teaching inspired by her mother and past teachers.
• Her preferred piano resources, favorite books and tools.
• Overview of Olivia's unique themed recitals.
• Importance of using creative ideas in teaching both young children and college students.
• How Olivia involves students in the planning and execution of creative recitals.
• Advice and tips for teachers feeling overwhelmed or on a budget.
• Olivia shares exciting future projects, including concerts and student recitals.
• Importance of integrating lead sheets in lessons for practical skills.
• Tips on how to start and progress with teaching lead sheets to students.

• Olivia Ellis Website - Creative Piano Teacher
• Creative Piano Teacher Instagram Page
• Creative Piano Teacher Facebook Page
• Download your latest TopMusic Magazine here

Dr. Olivia Ellis teaches piano, group piano, pedagogy, and chamber music at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She's an editor for Piano Magazine and has published several books including the Easy Piano Lead Sheets and Chord Charts series. She's constantly creating new activities and games to teach concepts, and loves helping other teachers find their niche.

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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Confidence on stage is built long before the performance begins. In this episode, we're diving deep into the strategies and tools that will help your students perform with confidence. Whether you're a piano teacher guiding your students or a musician getting ready for your own performance, preparation is key to managing nerves and feeling at ease on stage. We'll explore everything from building a preparation timeline to effective rehearsal techniques, the power of affirmations, and even some personal stories and tips to help both you and your students shine when it matters most. Join me as we explore how to make performance day a success!

• Why preparation is key to calming nerves, but why it’s normal to still feel anxious.
• The value of creating a detailed preparation timeline to guide your practice
• How to avoid common mistakes, like scheduling dress rehearsals too late or not practicing in the performance space.
• Importance of practicing in front of others, whether it’s friends, family, or even stuffed animals.
• How technology and video recordings can provide additional practice opportunities.
• Fun ways to help younger students practice bowing and stage presence to reduce anxiety.
• How practicing on the performance stage ahead of time can improve confidence on recital day.
• The power of affirmations to help both students and teachers replace negative self-talk with positive, empowering thoughts.
• Tips on handling students’ post-performance disappointment with encouragement and positive reframing.
• Simple breathing techniques to help calm nerves before and during a performance.
• How to prepare mentally and physically on the actual day of a performance.
• Why it’s important to take care of all logistical details well in advance.
• Personal rituals, like lucky socks or mints, that help performers feel grounded and confident.
• Advice on responding when a student feels disappointed after their performance.

• Affirmations for Student Musicians YouTube video
• Affirmations for Performing Musicians YouTube video
• TMPP Episode 037: Helping Teens Work through Performance Anxiety with Sonia Poon
• TMPP Episode 036: Never Stop Innovating with Will Armstrong
• TMPP Episode 028: Music and Magic Journals with Tweena Vuong

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page:

Performance anxiety is a significant hurdle for many young musicians, but Sonia Poon has mastered the art of helping students conquer it with grace. In this episode, we delve deep into effective strategies for teaching teens and tweens with the remarkable Sonia Poon, a dedicated piano teacher since high school and founder of Forte Music Studio. She shares her wealth of experience from decades of teaching, including her unique approaches to addressing performance anxiety, building student trust, and curating balanced repertoires that resonate with young musicians. We explore how Sonia utilizes technology, sets up ideal practice environments, and offers practical advice for both teachers and parents to support their children's musical journeys. Sonia’s engaging methods are shaped by her extensive background and passion for music education, making this episode a rich resource for anyone involved in teaching music.

• Sonia shared a brief overview of her teaching journey and her home studio.
• Teaching teens and tweens, their performance anxiety, and establishing a connection with this age group.
• Importance of eye contact, listening skills, and personalized communication to build trust.
• Why reading non-verbal cues and giving students the space to express their emotions during lessons is critical.
• Sonia stresses balance between necessary repertoire and pieces that resonate with students.
• How she uses video assignments to keep students accountable and help them get used to performing.
• Importance of setting up practice environment that is crucial for effective practice.
• Sonia advocates for a clear and structured approach to preparing for performances.
• Some tips and advice on handling performance anxiety.
• How group classes and overlapping lessons help students get comfortable in performing.
• Value of parental involvement by celebrating milestones.

• Forte Music Studio Website
• Forte Music Studio Instagram Page
• Download the latest issue of TopMusic Magazine here.

Sonia has been teaching passionately since she started high school. She specializes in intermediate/advanced private piano, and in contrast, also loves to work with her Music Explorers preschool programme.

At seven years old Sonia was accepted under the tutelage of Constance Kline with whom she completed her RCM examinations, receiving top provincial marks five times. During her years of study, she also garnered numerous honours and scholarships at the Kiwanis Music Festival. She competed in the Canadian Music Competition, where she was a semifinalist. At the University of Alberta Sonia studied with Marek Jablonski, Alexander Sandler and Jean-Paul Sevilla. After completing her Bachelor of Music, she went to Paris to continue her studies for piano solo, chamber music, and analysis. In 2001 Sonia founded Forte Music Studio, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Alberta Piano Teacher’s Association. She is also a standing member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association and is a registered Royal Conservatory of Music teacher.

She has three wonderful children- Sascha, Luka, and Camila who play guitar, piano and violin. When possible Sonia also loves to play tennis, read and sleep in.

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently...

Today, we're exploring Will Armstrong’s journey as an accomplished musician and founder of the successful WillYouLearn music education business. He also shares the story of launching MeTempo, a groundbreaking platform that enhances the student-teacher relationship with daily feedback and personal connection between lessons. Will offers insights into how MeTempo supports both teachers and students with its innovative approach, while discussing the challenges of building a scalable product, managing teacher availability, and pitching to investors. With over 22 years of experience as a musician and educator, Will highlights the importance of persistence, adaptability, and constant innovation in today’s music education landscape.

• Will shared a brief overview about "Me Tempo," a platform designed to help music students with daily guidance between lessons.
• Some early student challenges and issues that the platform encountered.
• Importance of having a technical partner who understands music for the development of the app.
• He emphasizes learning business skills, including dealing with finances.
• The intricacies of running a tech business, balancing fundraising, marketing, and maintaining the quality of education.
• How learning to pitch the product to investors requires building a thick skin and persistence.
• Partnerships with music influencers and local marketing efforts to help promote the platform.
• He shares their marketing strategies to find what works best for their budget and needs.
• Value of user feedback in constantly improving the platform.
• How the platform helps teachers and students build stronger relationships.
• Will clarifies that "Me Tempo" is not a marketplace for teacher, but a curated platform for high-caliber educators.

• Will Armstrong Website
• MeTempo Website

Will Armstrong is an accomplished professional musician and music educator with over 22 years of experience, including 11 years as the founder and director of WillYouLearn LLC, a successful music education business based in New York City offering personalized lessons across multiple instruments, emphasizing an "ear first" approach to music education. With proven expertise in scaling music education services, Will has a strong background in piano pedagogy, curriculum development, teacher recruitment, and strategic planning. As a highly skilled pianist and composer with a Master of Music in Jazz Piano from NYU, he has recorded with Grammy award-winning Irish musician Joanie Madden and performed with jazz legends like Ron McClure, Stefon Harris and Ari Hoenig. Will has also toured nationally with bands like Oh Whitney and led his own group, WildTonic. Will is the founder and Managing Partner of MeTempo LLC, a platform connecting music instructors and students in a continuous feedback loop allowing for flexibility, accountability and personal, connection.

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at

In today's show, we delve into the inspiring career of JoAnn Kulesza, the retired Chair and Music Director of the Opera Department at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. With a profound knowledge of Opera's vast repertoire, JoAnn has dedicated her career to teaching recitative and repertoire classes while mentoring collaborative pianists and conductors. Her journey spans freelancing with regional opera companies, leading the chorus for the Wolf Trap Opera Company, and transitioning from pianist to conductor with Opera Omaha, showcasing her versatility and dedication. Throughout our conversation, she shares invaluable insights and advice for aspiring musicians, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about the art of collaboration in music.

• Introduction to JoAnn Kulesza and her distinguished career in the opera world.
• Her role as the retired Chair and Music Director of the Opera Department at the Peabody Conservatory of Music.
• Discussion on teaching recitative and repertoire classes at Peabody.
• Her extensive experience in working with and mentoring collaborative pianists and conductors.
• Insights into her early career and freelancing with various regional opera companies.
• Challenges and opportunities she faced in her journey from freelancing to working with major institutions.
• JoAnn's leadership role as the chorus master for the Wolf Trap Opera Company.
• Transition from a collaborative pianist to a conductor with Opera Omaha.
• Key skills and qualities necessary for collaborative pianists, including language proficiency and flexibility.
• Importance of communication and emotional sensitivity in coaching students.
• Advice for young pianists to diversify their skillset through sight-reading and learning from top voice teachers.
• JoAnn's perspective on the evolving role of a collaborative pianist in today's music world.
• Strategies for networking and maintaining professional contacts throughout one's career.

• JoAnn Kulesza Website

JoAnn Kulesza is presently Interim Chair and Music Director of the Opera Department at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD. The Department produces between six and ten performances a year, serving between 85 and 100 singers. With her years of experience in the professional world, she provides an important aspect of the aspiring professionals' training. Well versed in Opera's vast repertoire, she teaches classes in recitative, repertoire and works with collaborative pianists and conductors at the school. She team-teaches a seminar in Opera Conducting with the master teacher Gustav Meier.

A life-long lover of choral music, Ms.Kulesza worked with the renowned Margaret Hillis at the Chicago Symphony Chorus and as assistant to Chorus Master Philip Morehead at the Chicago Lyric Opera. She was chorus master for the Wolf Trap Opera Company for many years and prepared the chorus for Washington National Opera's Romeo & Juliet in 2004, under Maestro Bertrand de Billy. She presently conducts the Arundel Vocal Arts Society, a chorus of 35-45 members, in two concerts annually, of a wide variety of repertoire; she is in her eighth year as Music Director of this ensemble.

Since entering the conducting realm, Ms. Kulesza has conducted three world premieres and led as well as played continuo for productions of Mozart, Rossini, and Britten. She has worked with some of the most notable conductors in the field – Loren Maazel, George Manahan, Heinz Fricke, Stephen Lord, Margaret Hillis – and is in demand as a clinician and educator around the country. She made her Opera Omaha debut in February '11, conducting and playing continuo for Mozart's Don...

Today, we're having a chat with Kirstin Weston, the talented founder and owner of KW Music Studios, to discuss her innovative summer duet camps that have been a hit with her students. Kirstin, who holds an MFA in Piano Performance from UCI and has a wealth of experience in competitions and collaborative music, shares how her studio in Aliso Viejo, California, has grown to include 140 students and a team of dedicated instructors. We delve into the inspiration behind her duet camps, the impact on her students' musical development, and the unique approach she takes to foster collaboration and connection among her students. Whether you're a music teacher looking for fresh ideas or a parent considering new opportunities for your child, you won’t want to miss this insightful conversation.

• Kirsten shared a brief overview of her background and her multi-teacher studio.
• The pros and cons of renting a commercial space.
• Advice for teachers on running a multi-teacher studio.
• She describes how the idea for a duet camp was born from a desire to foster student connection and collaborative skills.
• Repertoire and activities included in her duet camp and the outcome and impact to her students.
• She discusses more about her duet camps, including flexible pairing, student levels, age requirements and skill improvement among students.
• How Kirstin reintroduced community outreach recitals at a local retirement home.
• Her upcoming events and a holiday recital in December.
• How she balances teaching and family time.
• Kirstin shared about her studio activities and meal prep on her Instagram page.

• Kirstin Weston Instagram Page: @kwmusicstudios
• KW Music Studios - Piano Lessons Facebook Page
• KW Music Studios YouTube Channel

Kirstin Weston is the founder and owner of KW Music Studios and offers private lessons in piano performance, music theory, and piano pedagogy in Aliso Viejo, California and online. She manages a team of instructors who offer private lessons for the studio in their home studios or in the student’s homes throughout Orange County. Kirstin received a BA in Piano Performance from UCLA in 2012 and an MFA in Piano Performance from UCI in 2014. She has performed in competitions, master classes, chamber music groups, duet teams, and has been an active member of professional teaching organizations including MTNA, MTAC, and CAPMT. Outside of piano teaching, Kirstin loves spending time with her husband, two kids, and their dog Oreo!

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop...

In today's solo episode, I'm going to take you on a personal journey through my career as a collaborative pianist. From my beginnings as a piano performance major with uncertain career prospects to becoming an experienced accompanist and educator, I'm going to share the ups, downs, and everything in between. Tune in to hear some insights on the art of collaboration in music, the soft skills essential for success, and the various ways pianists can build fulfilling careers through accompanying.

• Rachel shares her excitement for discussing collaborative piano, one of her favorite topics in the piano world.
• What is collaborative piano?
• Her career journey, starting with uncertainty after completing her piano performance degree.
• Importance of "soft skills" like flexibility and ease of collaboration in successful accompanying.
• She shares about her education, career development & diverse experiences on collaborative piano.
• Benefits of coaching and teaching accompanying for both the teacher and students.
• Rachel's career shift and her current role as the director of a music school.
• Opportunities for pianists to earn money through accompanying.
• How collaborative piano can help students improve skills like rhythm, listening and sight-reading, while fostering a sense of community in music-making.
• Importance of collaboration, teaching collaboration skills & ideas for student collaboration.

• Download your free PDF Guide: Empowering Students: A Piano Teacher's Guide to Collaboration
• Download TopMusic Magazine August 2024 - Issue 08: Making Music Together

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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In this episode, we dive deep into the world of digital course creation with Jacques Hopkins, a former electrical engineer who turned his passion for music into a thriving online business. Jacques is the creator of the successful "Piano In 21 Days" course, which has generated over $4 million in revenue and transformed the lives of over 10,000 students worldwide. He joins us today to share his journey from corporate life to financial independence, offering valuable insights on crafting a unique course, building an audience, and mastering the art of content marketing. Whether you're looking to launch your own online course or seeking inspiration to follow your passion, Jacques has the strategies and motivation you need to get started. Tune in to learn how to create a course that stands out and sustains success.

• Jacques shared a brief overview of his background and his unique journey as a piano teacher.
• The development of his Piano in 21 Days Course.
• His expansion to coaching business and online course creation.
• Key lessons and advice for aspiring course creators.
• His personal achievements and how his business success has enabled him to achieve his goal of time freedom, flexibility, and personal fulfillment.
• Importance of knowing when to persist with a business idea and when to move on.
• Jacques special sauce for his piano course.
• Finding the right audience and marketing strategy.
• What is an evergreen funnel approach?
• How to overcome overwhelm in course creation.
• Tips on launching a course and the importance of focusing on traffic, including growing your email list/audience.
• General advice for piano teachers creating online courses.

• Music Teacher Startup Course
• Piano in 21 Days Course
• The Online Course Guy Website
• The Online Course Guy Instagram
• The Online Course Guy YouTube Channel

Jacques Hopkins spent eight years as an electrical engineer before quitting to turn his passion for music into a highly successful online piano course. PianoIn21Days.com has generated over $4 million in revenue and has taught over 10,000 students worldwide. Today, Jacques supports his family with the passive income from his course, while also teaching others how to replicate his success through The Online Course Show podcast.

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop at