Hello again, teacher friends! Y’all, over 10 years of teaching and trying to juggle the studio with responsibilities as a homeschool mom, I’ve learned one thing the hard way: setting goals for piano students is the secret sauce that turns good lessons into great ones. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels – teaching the same concepts, wondering if students (or parents) are really on the same page, or watching dip mid-year – this post is for you. Today, in part 1 of our goal-setting series, I’m sharing why setting goals for piano students matters so much. (Spoiler: it’s not just about progress – it’s about joy, connection,…
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(Plus 4 Foolproof Practice Tips So You Sound Like a Pro!) Y’all, it is a great day because I am knee-deep in piano Christmas music! Nothing makes me happier than playing through Christmas music for the first time each season – except maybe hearing my students play it all month long. Christmas music brings people together like singing a nostalgic Christmas tune with the piano in the background and so I made something for you this year. I took the three easiest, happiest, most sing-along-able Christmas songs and turned them into super simple, melody-only sheet music that even my 6-year-old students are already playing after one lesson! No chords. No…
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Get ready to transform your studio with a burst of inspiration! As a busy mom and passionate piano educator, I’m excited to jump into the top piano teaching resources for 2026 that will spark joy and efficiency in every lesson. This year is all about making lessons fun, efficient, and tailored to every student – especially our neurodivergent learners and busy families. As we plan for 2026, remember these must-haves will save you time and bring joy to your teaching. Let’s dive in, and don’t forget to check out my previous posts for in-depth method book reviews to round out your toolkit! 6 Must-Have Apps for Piano Teaching Essential Tools…
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I’m back today with more love for our neurodivergent learners with ADHD and ASD! Recently, I shared my best practices for teaching these wonderful students, and today I’m thrilled to follow up with my top piano method series recommendation based on my 10 years (and counting!) of teaching. As a busy mom and piano teacher, I’ve tested this method with my own students, and it’s been a game-changer. Let’s dive into why. In this blog post… A Quick Look Back: Review Our Best Practices In my last post, we explored six key strategies to support neurodivergent piano students: Those tips have been a lifeline for me, and they set the…
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As a busy mom who’s taught piano for years, I’ve learned that every student bring a unique sparkly to the keys – especially our neurodivergent learners. Teaching students with ADHD or ASD can feel like a beautiful challenge, but with the right approach, it’s incredibly rewarding! Whether you’re new to this or looking to refine your skills, I’m sharing my top best practices to help you connect, engage, and inspire piano students with ADHD or ASD. Plus, stay tuned for my next post where I’ll reveal the best method book I’ve found for those learners! In this blog post… 1. Create a Predictable Routine Students with ADHD and ASD thrive…
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Do you have a piano recital scheduled for October but you don’t want spooky music? Perhaps, like me, you have students that don’t even celebrate Halloween! Each year my studio holds a virtual piano recital the last week of October. It is a wonderful time to do a recital because they can showcase all of the wonderful things they’ve been working on before we get out our Christmas music for our December recital. But a few years ago I started teaching piano students who do not celebrate Halloween. I didn’t want them to be left out of the recital fun but I also did not want them to be the…
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If you’re anything like me – a busy mom juggling lesson planning, family life, and a passion for teaching music – you know how precious time is. That’s why I’m so excited to share the magic of virtual workshops, especially through my Piano Teachers’ Studio Summit series! As the heart behind The Joyful Music Teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how these online sessions can transform your teaching game, all from the comfort of home. Whether you’re new to the piano world or a seasoned pro, here are 5 joyful reasons to join a virtual workshop – and trust me, your studio (and sanity!) will thank you. 1. Boost Your Skills with…
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One of the trickiest parts of starting to teach piano is figuring out which method books to use. There seem to be so many options out there. How can we possibly decide? In my 10 years of teaching piano, I have used a few different method books and I’d love to share my experience with each of these books. Today, we’ll be going down a list of 5 method series (3 are my favorites, plus two bonus opinions at the end). (This article contains some affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.) 1. Wunderkeys Piano Books First on my list is my current favorite…
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Y’all, I love my job. I love teaching music online and all the flexibility it offers my family. Now that the holidays are over, lessons are back in session. I am ready for a productive and exciting semester. There is quite a bit to be excited about this semester – several students are starting new piano books (some supplemental, some in the next level), everyone is set to start a new theory book, we are preparing for the Indiana Arts Festival. Most exciting of all, I am preparing for yet another maternity leave! Although I have been teaching music in some form or another for ten years now (I can’t…
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Do your students have trouble keeping a steady beat? Do they need some extra help playing rhythms? In this article, discover creative rhythm activities to add to your studio this December. I have one piano student in my studio who does an excellent job of remembering information. She can tell you everything there is to know about different notes, time signatures, and the theory of rhythm. But her parents and I had a conversation one day where we both noticed that even though she knew the information, she absolutely could not feel a steady beat or play the rhythms on the page correctly. During this conversation, we discussed many different…
