The Piano Pantry Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amy Chaplin
Welcome to the Piano Pantry Podcast where together we live life as independent music teachers. Listen in with Amy Chaplin, your host, as we talk about everything from running and organizing a studio business to getting dinner on the table and all that comes between.
In the 3rd ICYMI episode of 2024, you’ll hear about a one-stop superstore for printable assignment sheets. With more than 20 sheets, you can try a variety!
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Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode133
Hear from Amy and seven other teacher friends on what their lesson assignment life has been like after the shutdown of Tonara one year ago.
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Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode132
Lessons on learning after hitting a 365-day streak on Duolingo - a popular gamified language-learning app.
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Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode131
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Freezer meal prep with Michelle Kallod - a piano teacher from North Dakota who has run a freezer meal prep workshop for more than twenty years.
Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode130
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A process that creates a streamlined approach to onboarding new students so you won’t miss a step. This simple checklist will save you time and sanity.
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Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode129
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3-ring binders are a great tool for keeping student materials organized. Here are some purchase considerations and ways to use them.
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Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode128
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4 things for the 4th that will help elevate your holiday week and the month ahead. Two are teaching-related, one just for fun, and one will help bring attention to the reason for the season.
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Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode127Send Amy a Voice Message
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The second ICYMI episode is here! - A Piano Safari stuffed animal shopping guide to help you build your own collection to support this method.
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Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode126
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In this episode, Amy chats with six teachers who attended the 2024 Piano Pantry Retreat. You’ll hear the best of what they took away from the retreat. Guest include Michelle Miller, a teacher from Ohio; Jeanine Skinner, a teacher from North Carolina; Trudi Norman, Mary Majerus, and Becky Barber, all from Georgia; and Krysta Hawkley, from Amy’s home state of Indiana.
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Items Mentioned and Other Related Content
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode125
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When was the last time you cleaned out your digital contacts? Have you ever cleaned it out? Whether you use Google or Apple’s iCloud Contacts, the process is the same. In this episode, you’ll get some tips on how to switch contacts managers including how to use Google Contacts on an iPhone, and steps for cleaning out your contacts.
Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode124
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Gear up for your summertime listening and learn how to utilize more Spotify features. Here are five things that you likely didn’t know you could do with Spotify playlists. I’ve been using Spotify for as long as I can remember, and these things took a while for me to discover. Some are features I stumbled upon randomly, and some were functions I desired and realized were possible after a bit of research.
Full Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes here (including screenshots of items from the episode)https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode123
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Items Mentioned and Other Related Content
See Amy’s public playlists on Spotify
Building a Lending Library of Piano-Themed Children’s Books
Listening Playlists to Accompany Music-Themed Children’s Books
Music-Themed Comic Books for Your Studio Lending Library
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Three questions to ask yourself when going through your annual studio website update. Whether you’re just making small tweaks to keep it fresh or doing a complete overhaul, these three items are always important to consider.
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Items Mentioned and Other Related Content
Read Friday Finds #275
3 Ways to Look at Your Studio Website with Fresh Eyes (Plus, My Studio Website Overhaul!)
Keep Your Studio Marketing Fresh with New Branding
Transcript
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode122
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It’s time to purge one aspect of your digital life, and that’s “idea” clutter. Idea clutter is all of those cool ideas you’ve seen or heard about on the internet that you’ve saved here and there and everywhere!
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode121
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In this episode, Amy chats with Gretchen Steffen, a stay-at-home-mom who teaches 15 students two nights a week.
Gretchen shares her journey through her first three years of piano teaching. She has some great advice for anyone who is interested in getting started teaching but perhaps feeling inadequate in their own skills or unsure of whether it’s the right move.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode120
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Seven ways you can connect with and tap into your local community to promote awareness and, in turn, grow your business.Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode119
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While it could be easy to just layer students into a recital program based on the order of age or repertoire difficulty, it may not result in a pleasing experience. Crafting a program that is positive for students, the audience, and yourself as a teacher (a.k.a. recital stage manager) requires a lot more thought, attention, and careful consideration.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode118
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Your business is a living, breathing thing with the beautiful ability to be flexible and evolve with culture, client needs, and/or personal life. Sometimes, changes and adjustments are needed at the micro level and sometimes at the macro level. In this episode, we’ll explore what that could be like for your studio and also hear about some of the adjustments Amy’s making to her own.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode117
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If you’ve ever experienced emotional labor determining makeup lesson policies in your studio, today’s episode will provide a little therapy. Australian-based piano teacher Samantha Coates invites a perspective that paints a vivid picture of why a no-makeup policy is absolutely reasonable.
(This episode is a replay of Episode 066 - Samantha Coates on How to NOT Give Makeup Lessons.)
Samantha Coates is the creator of BlitzBooks, a popular music education series focusing on theory, rote repertoire and sight reading for piano. Her 35+ years of teaching experience combined with her entertaining presentation style has made Samantha a sought-after lecturer on a wide range of pedagogical topics.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode116
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Putting together formal student evaluations can be very time-consuming. If you like the idea of evaluations or progress reports but struggle with the time required to craft them, I’m here to offer an alternative solution!
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode115
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Welcome to the first-ever “ICYMI: In Case You Missed It” episode of The Piano Pantry Podcast! ICYMI episodes will feature anything from opportunities and resources I feel those in our profession should know about to items from the archives of the Piano Pantry blog that - if you’ve not been following me since 2016 - you might not know about! Today’s episode features three free student “awards” made available to members of Music Teachers National Association.Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode114
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Regularly scheduled downtime from teaching is important not only for us but also for our students and for maintaining a well-run business. Time off isn’t just about having unending hours to read, deep clean your freezer, or go for two-hour walks; it can also mean releasing ourselves from our normal routine to make room for other things.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode113
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Ponderings on how we use the term “friend” within the context of our relationships with each other in the piano teacher community
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode112
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Opportunities for independent teachers to get conference-type professional development in both large and small-scale formats, including the pros and cons of each setting.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode111
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You will surely be delighted by Amy’s conversation with Seattle-based pianist, teacher, and clinician Peter Mack, current President of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)!
They chat on a variety of topics, including teaching specialties, Peter’s natural knack for using visual descriptors, what it’s like to be on a conference planning committee, tips on the proposal submission process, and much, much more.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode110
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Amy and her friend Joy Morin of the Color in My Piano blog share six ways they’ve used Notion (a productivity and note-taking app) this week as independent piano teachers.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode109
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Canva is an online graphic design tool that can be used for anything from social media content to presentation slides, resource creation, and more. Here are nine special features that you’ll want to know about - many of which Amy wishes she had known about sooner!
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode108
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How to run a note-naming challenge in your studio. We’ll cover things like objectives, leveling, scheduling, rewards, frequently asked questions and more. (The main content of this episode is a replay of episode 061.)
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode107
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Amy hands out “Valentines” to 9 items that she loves. More specifically, she’s featuring things she has found enhancing her life through beauty and simplicity.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode106
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A comparison of two task-management note-taking apps: Evernote and Notion. Learn the differences between the two apps and hear why Amy has moved most of what she does from Evernote into Notion. More importantly, she’ll share one big reason why Evernote has remained part of her workflow but in a more focused way.Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode105--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/piano-pantry-podcast/message
Would you like to have a more streamlined approach to your group classes or have a few more tried and true activities in your back pocket? Listen in as Amy shares some of her favorite go-to activities to conduct during group class weeks.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode104
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In what order do you teach technical patterns? Have you ever considered going outside the exact order your method books suggest and laying out the order YOU feel would best suit your students? In this episode, Amy challenges some of our thinking around the order in which technical patterns are taught and encourages us to design a progression that works for us and our students.Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode103--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/piano-pantry-podcast/message
While Amy’s not big on what you might know as traditional “Freezer Meals,” she has some time-saving tips on setting up your freezer to cover you when your dinner prep hours are teaching-filled hours.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode102
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Take time to rethink, readjust, and thus renew yourself for the upcoming season. We’re not talking about setting goals - that comes later. First, let’s pause and consider what’s working and what’s not. Hear the story of Amy’s biggest pain point in recent months and how the reflection and evaluation process she went through can help you.
Find the full transcript and show notes (including any links mentioned) here:https://pianopantry.com/podcast/episode101
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Amy takes time to look back at some of the big events and happenings in the world of independent piano teachers in 2022 and 2023.
For the rest of the show notes, including the links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Amy had a little fun playing around with Chat GPT to write you a song as you head into Christmas break. Hear a little about the process she went through guiding Chat GPT, receive the special holiday wish, and get a holiday-themed tiny tip (also AI-style!)
For the rest of the show notes, including the full transcript and links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Episode 2 in a two-part series on best utilizing the forScore app. Check out some of these need-to-know features that Amy wishes she had known about sooner.For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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A few basics on utilizing the forScore digital sheet music app, including how to digitize and import sheet music, a little on the benefits of the Apple Pencil, how to edit and maintain consistency with metadata information, organizing setlists, and more.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Organizing, keeping, and maintaining a waiting list: I hope my hard lessons will be ones you can avoid! (this episode is a replay of episode 22)
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at all that goes on in the background with Wendy Stevens and ComposeCreate.com. Listen in as Amy and Wendy chat about everything from what it means to do deep work to tools they use for daily workflow and more.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE: https://PianoPantry.com/podcast/episode-095].
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A random handful of some of Amy’s favorite things.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Canadian composer, piano teacher, and blogger Rebekah Maxner shares insight for piano teachers of all levels - from beginner to advanced - on what it can mean to teach a neurodiverse student. She touches on nearly 15 indicators and how certain characteristics can be signs of neurodiversity.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Do you struggle with finding suitable venues for holding recitals, or do you just feel like shaking things up a little in your studio this upcoming holiday season? In today’s episode, I hope to save you a little energy and brain power with a little more than a half dozen recital ideas, from large in-person events to small-scale, intimate recitals, online-type digital events, and more.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Four basic and progressive ways to prepare your students for those spontaneous holiday singalongs.For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Amy chats with Sally Eppert, an Indiana friend and colleague who was recently named the 2023 Indiana Music Teacher Association Teacher of the Year. Sally manages a large studio and four teachers - offering both group and private piano lessons, voice, and percussion.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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In this episode, Sally and Sharon from The Curious Piano Teachers share eight types of questions we can utilize in our lessons, from what they call “skinny” or easy, closed questions to meta-cognitive, emotional, and more.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Do you enjoy including Halloween-themed activities in your music studio during the month of October? Amy has tried all kinds of stuff over the years, and in this episode, you’ll hear ten items that have made the cut and continue to be staple activities this time of year in her studio.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Are you a sucker for top tools, recommended resources, and favorites lists? Here are nine items that I regret not investing in sooner that will be helpful in both your business and everyday life.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE]
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In today’s episode, we’re talking assignments and lesson planning - two elements in our work that are in and of themselves separate entities, and yet, I think it’s hard to talk about one without the other because they can be intertwined. The whole situation with the upheaval of the Tonara practice app was enough to propel this conversation into the airwaves today. [CLICK HERE].
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In reaction to the Tonara shutdown announcement, this is a special teacher talk episode. After briefly covering a list of Tonara alternatives, Amy shares a step-by-step process for easing the pain in your Tonara transition. Interspersed with Amy’s advice, you’ll also hear short audio snippets from eight of her teacher friends sharing their own thought processes, feelings, and ideas for moving forward. Even non-Tonara users who are interested in different ideas on how to give assignments to students will benefit from this episode.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Why do we often find ourselves struggling on the whole to give or not to give questions in regards to gifts for students, whether that be Christmas gifts, birthday, or even recital gifts? In this episode, we talk about the decision-making process, the emotions behind it, and some practical gift ideas as you plan your year.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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All the students want to play them! But did you know that lead sheets and chord charts teach many important and practical piano skills? In this episode, Davis and Olivia will hit the highlights of why and how you should teach lead sheets and chord charts to all your piano students… even the beginners.For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, and the transcript, [CLICK HERE].
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While it’s important we as teachers support our composers and publishers, sometimes it’s nice to know a few ways to save a little here and there (because we buy a LOT of music)! Here are 12 ways to save.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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While getting meals on the table is a daily life task many in this world understandably struggle to execute, the schedule of an independent music teacher seems to make it even harder. It’s easy for meal-planning efforts to often focus on dinner - leaving the midday meal a little in the lurch. In this episode, I’ll share six ways you can help your lunchtime meal plans.
For the rest of the show notes, including the transcript and links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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As we shift into fall-scheduling mode, find inspiration for setting your own daily work-life schedule by hearing highlights and snippets from seven previous teacher-talk guests.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Four teachers chat up all the good stuff from the NCKP: The Piano Conference in Chicago, Illinois. As you can imagine, it was an extra special time as it was the first in-person NCKP since the pandemic.
Whether you attended the conference, lived vicariously watching the happenings online, or have never been part of an event like this and are curious to hear more, I think you’ll enjoy hearing our stories and experiences today.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Are you tired of the struggle when it comes to fall scheduling? Today I have seven things I want to arm you with that might be the easy answer you need to make things work for all involved. A lot of this has come from experiences of my own over the years as well as things I see others doing. I’ll also share a little look into how I handle my own scheduling because I know you all love logistics!
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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7 extensions (plus 3 bonus ones!) that you might find useful to use on Chrome. We’ll also talk about why Chrome is the browser of choice for many, what an extension is, and how you can get them.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Being productive doesn’t always have to be about freeing up time to get more things done. Think about it as a means of creating margin and space in life. Here are five of Amy’s best hacks for setting up a more productive digital workspace.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Amy chats with attendees from the 4th Piano Pantry Retreat - Florence Phillips, Laurie Bender, Shelley Pritt, and Laurel Carroll - from her home in Northeast Indiana.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Sometimes changes we make result from weeks - if not months - of ruminating and pondering, and sometimes they occur on the fly when something suddenly doesn’t feel right. Here are seven things that Amy is rethinking in her own studio.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Are you curious about travel teaching? In this episode, piano teacher and composer Chrissy Ricker shares her experiences as a traveling piano teacher: the advantages, disadvantages, and lessons learned from over a decade of teaching piano in students' homes.
Chrissy Ricker, NCTM, is a pianist, composer, and arranger from North Carolina. She enjoys sharing her ideas with other piano teachers and writing motivating music for pianists of all ages. Learn more about Chrissy at her website,chrissyricker.com.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Amy chats with attendees from the 3rd Piano Pantry Retreat - Lou Ann (Pope) Knight, Jennifer Kurtz, and Gabrielle Tee - from her home in Northeast Indiana.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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How many shelves, tubs, or binders do you have full of old class notes and professional magazine subscriptions? In this episode, we consider why we hold onto so much old information we rarely, if ever use and how we can sort through and save it in a more useful way for the future.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Amy chats with Jason Sifford, a freelance pianist, teacher, and composer from Iowa.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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How we manage to accumulate sheet music exponentially; steps for purging and maintaining a more intentional music library.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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In this episode, we talk about why we have so many tools and resources we never use and how five little questions can help us easily decide what should stay or go. Let’s start purging!
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Adding a video element to your end-of-year evaluations can be a simple, effective, and wow-inducing approach to displaying student progress.
This episode is a replay of episode 021 - A Simple, Effective, and Magical Element for Student Evaluations.
For the rest of the show notes, including the links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Samantha Coates is the creator of BlitzBooks, a popular music education series focusing on theory, rote repertoire and sight reading for piano. Her 35+ years of teaching experience combined with her entertaining presentation style has made Samantha a sought-after lecturer on a wide range of pedagogical topics.For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/piano-pantry-podcast/message
Ashley Danyew, Ph.D., is a musician, educator, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder and Editor of Musician & Co., a website for self-employed musicians and entrepreneurs; writes a blog and teaches online courses for church musicians and music educators; hosts the podcast Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning; and maintains a private piano studio in Rochester, NY.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Eight YouTube channels piano teachers could benefit from following. Included in this list are those with high-quality theory videos, reliable performances of student repertoire, “how-to-teach” repertoire advice, and more. You’ll even get two bonus highlights with my go-to tech guru and favorite exercise channel.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Amy chats with Carly Walton about some of their favorite “digital tech tools,” from browser extensions to cloud storage, website builders, social media scheduling, and more.For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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In this episode, we are going to chat about one of my favorite business practices for piano teachers: Reflecting on your piano teaching business so you can determine the specific strategic goals you need to set for the coming quarter. This will help you run your piano studio with relevance, action, and efficiency so you can make decisions on how to operate your studio with your strategic goals in mind!
Dr. Melody Payne, NCTM, is a piano teacher and educational resource author who believes that all students deserve the best musical experiences possible. She publishes pedagogical teaching materials and articles for piano teachers at melodypayne.com. Melody and her husband, Greg live in Marion, Virginia, where she teaches children and adults of all ages.
For the rest of the show notes, [CLICK HERE].
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How to run a note-naming challenge in your studio. We’ll cover things like objectives, leveling, scheduling, rewards, frequently asked questions, and more.For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Anna Haugen began teaching piano lessons at the early age of 16 and has continued teaching for the past 28 years. Anna is married and has four children. She lives in St Paul, MN. This year, Anna took a sabbatical from teaching to travel the United States with her husband and two younger daughters for six months. They have visited over 20 states. Anna has loved the travel experience but is looking forward to returning home to resume teaching in May after six months of living out of a suitcase.
Find Anna on Instagram @midlifecreativetravels
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Attending conferences requires a large output of time and money. No wonder we often try to take in as much as possible to get the most bang for our buck.
Unfortunately, what happens is we go home with lots of great intentions and ideas but struggle to implement all we may have wanted as we go back into the rhythms of daily life.
In this episode, we talk about four strategies to help us absorb as much as possible from our conference experience but in a useful way.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Four ways to motivate students with ASD and ADHD in music lessons.
With a BM in Piano Pedagogy and 7 years of teaching experience, Abigail runs a private studio near Dallas, Texas. She specializes in preschool and neurodivergent students, using a play-based approach for classical piano lessons.
In 2021, Abigail launched Whole Foundation Method: an online shop with fun and comprehensive tools for beginner-intermediate piano students. She loves learning, teaching, and equipping teachers with helpful resources!
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Four ways studio teachers can develop and nurture friendships with other teachers. Through each avenue, I’ll also share the stories of how I met three of my piano teacher friends. (This is a replay of episode #013 How to Make Music Teacher Friends”.)
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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10 ways we can turn a potentially frustrating lesson into a positive musical experience.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Daniel Light is a pianist and piano teacher based in Louisville, Kentucky. He also enjoys composing and arranging and shares his music at daniel-light.com. Lots of piano teachers follow Daniel on Facebook to enjoy the posts he shares of funny things his students have said during lessons. Look for the hashtag #ThingsPianoStudentsSay.
Daniel Light PIano Studio
https://www.facebook.com/daniellightpianostudio
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/thingspianostudentssay
https://daniel-light.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf9zR9HsXgyuNEZ8nxBZ4Vw
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Ten tips to help you organize and streamline the process of tackling tax prep work.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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There is an email tool that exists inside every type of inbox that is incredibly useful yet somehow confusing to many. In this episode, Amy will clear things up so you can finally utilize this tool and make it part of your daily email workflow.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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Being organized is not a one-off activity. It’s about maintaining a mindset and desire to be intentional about finding systems that work well for you. More importantly, it’s about being willing to think again and regularly reconsider whether those systems are still serving you well.
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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In true new-years fashion, we’re going to have a brief chat about taking time to look back and notice what all life has brought in the past year before looking forward to the year ahead. You’ll also get a sneak-peak into what you can look forward to here on the podcast in 2023!
For the rest of the show notes, including links mentioned, [CLICK HERE].
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A special Teacher Talk episode for this final episode of the year! A has conversations with THREE of her piano teachers.
Barb Grube is Amy’s first piano teacher. She has been teaching piano lessons in Fort Recovery, Ohio since 1984. She recently retired from her job playing organ in church after 50 years but continues to teach a small handful of piano students from her home.
Kathryn Grile was Amy’s high school piano teacher. She has a BA and MA in Piano/Organ Performance from Ball State University. Kathryn recently retired from two roles: 29 years teaching Piano Pedagogy, Piano and Theory at Taylor University where she coordinated the Center for Musical Development and 44 years as the Director of Music at Eden Church in Muncie, Indiana. She currently teaches piano in her home studio in Royerton, Indiana and is Director of Music at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Muncie, Indiana.
Amy studied with Lori Rhoden when working on her Master’s Degree at Ball State University. Dr. Rhoden is Professor of Piano and Coordinator of Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy at Ball State University. She holds a DMA in Piano Pedagogy /Performance from the University of South Carolina. Her research interests include sight-reading and performance pedagogy.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Teaching Piano: The Synthesis of Mind, Ear, and Body by Max W. Camp
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Resist the urge to run out the door and into holiday break. Take the time to reset by clearing three spaces and do a little planning to create a smooth transition into the new year.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
023 A Little Desktop Dive (The Piano Pantry Podcast)
Blog Post - Tidy Tips: End of Semester Reset (The Piano Pantry BLOG)
Email Madness: Three Tips for Managing Your Inbox (The Piano Pantry BLOG)
How to Free Up Space in Gmail (The Piano Pantry BLOG)
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A look at little (or even big ways) we can improve the way we keep our recipes organized. I’ll walk you through some things to think about when considering a recipe management tool and will also share about my favorite recipe app.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Episode #004 Dinner Hour Meets Teaching Hour
Episode #032 What Your Refrigerator and Stacks of Music Have in Common
Paprika app
Paprika browser Bookmarket
Paprika desktop client
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Ten holiday-themed activities to use during your December group classes.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
(1) Solo Performances (add instruments to make it an ensemble)
(2) Jingle Bells arrangement with Rhythm Instruments from Susan Paradis
(3) Piano Ensembles
Christmas Piano Ensembles from Hal Leonard (equal-level parts)
Christmas Piano Ensembles from Piano with Lauren (equal-level parts)
Christmas Piano Ensembles from Dorla Aparicio (multi-level parts)
(4) Harmonic Audiation Activities to Christmas Tunes
Christmas By Ear Chord Charts and Leads Sheets from Amy Chaplin
(5) Holiday Rhythm Cups from Wendy Stevens
(6) The 12 Days of Christmas Video Project from Joy Morin
(7) Hallelujah Chorus Listening Map from MakingMusicFun.net
(8) Thank You Cards to Parents for the Gift of Music
(9) Christmas Music Videos
(10) Expressive Movement Activity for “Trepak” from the Nutcracker
VIDEO EXAMPLES FROM AMY’S STUDIO
- Christmas Piano Ensemble from Hal Leonard’s books
- 12 Days of Christmas video project 2021
- Christmas rhythm cups
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The one tune it seems like every single piano student wants to play in the Christmas season. Here’s how you can help them play it by ear.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Free Download: Jingle Bells By Ear
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Rebekah Maxner is a Canadian composer, piano teacher and blogger with an international following. Her piano solos are published by the Royal Conservatory, RCM, London College, LCM, and listed in the NFMC. Visit: https://rebekah.maxner.ca
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Popular article’s on Rebekah’s blog:
Understanding piano parents: What Minor League Baseball Taught Me
Heath-proof your piano studio: Doctor-recommended steps
RCM Piano 2022 Celebration Series, 6th Edition [Syllabus Printables]
Three foods from Nova Scotia:
Hodge Podge
Garlic Fingers
Donair
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Giving updates to studio parents regarding their student is something that we often avoid because it feels like it has to be a formal report. It doesn’t have to be that way! Sending updates is about the little things. Here’s one tool that can help simplify the process and make it more enjoyable.
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Little irritations can add up. Whether it’s coming from a student, a studio family, a colleague, or a friend, allowing ourselves to build up mental frustrations for too long is unhealthy. Here’s one easy action step you can take to put humanity back into the situation.
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A little life-share moment as Amy gives listeners an overview of her recent month-long European trip, including background planning, travel insights and reflections, piano books she took as gifts for friends, food experiences, a crazy story, and more.
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ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Blog Post: Random Observations from Our European Travels
Fairview Wheeled Travel Pack Carry-ON (36L)
The Sebastian Sessions by Trevor and Andrea Dow (Amazon affiliate link)
Let’s Quest! Video Game Inspired Solos by Chrissy Ricker
Impressions of Indiana suite by Melody Bober
Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels
Liege Waffles recipe
London’s Salt Beef Beigel
Canneles de Bordeaux
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Five things we can do (outside of time off or vacation) to help us feel grounded and reset. That is, an extra breath of fresh air when down, a boost of energy when worn out, or a shot of inspiration when creatively dry.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MTNA’s Music Achievement Program
Join the Piano Pantry Retreat FIRST notification email list
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Amy chats with teacher Valerie Merrell on their shared experience returning to grad school later in life.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
A Halloween-Themed Listening Activity
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Dr. Kate Boyd, NCTM, is professor of piano at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she has served on the faculty for 18 years. Her YouTube channel, The Piano Prof, is a resource designed to be a library of instructional videos about piano-related topics, including piano technique, collegiate piano study, and musicianship. In addition to her teaching and performing career, Kate loves to hike, travel, and enjoy gatherings with friends and family.
Follow Dr. Boyd on Instagram @kateboydpianist
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Free PDF - College Audition Timeline
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Show Notes Pianist Janna Williamson runs an independent studio in the suburbs of Chicago where she teaches pre-college students of all levels. She is a Content Creator for TopMusicPro and coaches teachers through her online consultation service and YouTube channel. Janna holds bachelors and masters degrees in piano performance and is an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Episode #15 - Teacher Talk with Janna, Joy, and Christina
Happy Birthday By Ear
Christmas By Ear
Janna's Resources:
- My Guide to Evaluating Intermediate Repertoire Series https://www.jannawilliamson.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-intermediate-repertoire-series
- Illinois Achievement in Music Syllabus https://ismta.org/product/aim-piano-syllabus-latest-edition-2014/
- Forrest Kinney's books about arranging: https://forrestkinney.com/arranging
- Janna’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/c/jannawilliamson
- Janna’s website: www.jannawilliamson.com
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Sara Campbell is a Business Strategist, Marketing, and Mindset Coach for music studio owners and online experts. She’s helped hundreds of teachers create branding, business, marketing, and social media strategies. Follow her for weekly advice and inspiration at @savvymusicstudio and savvymusicstudio.com
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Natalie Weber, NCTM, has operated a piano studio in Kansas since 1998. She teaches all ages in private and group lessons and runs the popular MusicMattersBlog.com, which is devoted to inspiring creativity in music education. When she’s not teaching, Natalie loves spending time with her family, including her first granddaughter!
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Episode #12: Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First
Natlie’s 7 Teaching Inspirations
- Invest your whole heart in teaching
- Inspire students to do their best
- Cultivate personal relationships with students
- Promote camaraderie among students
- Challenge students with difficult assignments
- Try out-of-the-box ideas
- Love your students for who they are
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Amy chats with piano teacher Anna Fagan who teaches online full time from her RV home.
CONNECT WITH ANNA ONLINE:
Facebook @FaganPianoStudio
Website Faganpiano.com
Instagram @afagan and @rvpianoteacher
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Give your students the gift of being able to play “Happy Birthday” by ear anywhere and at any time. Someday they’ll thank you!!
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Happy Birthday By Ear: The Ultimate Teaching Resource [Discount Code for 10% off: 34TAKE10 - good through September 30, 2022]
Christmas By Ear
147 Tunes to Harmonize
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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3-ring binders are a great tool for keeping student materials organized. Here are some purchase considerations and ways to use them.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
2022 RCM Technical Skills sheets (ColorinMyPiano.com)
Music Moves for Piano Keyboard Games
The Varsity Musician’s Playbook Part 2: Studio “Locker Room”
Christmas By Ear
Happy Birthday By Ear
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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A “use what you have” approach to intentional meal planning and sheet music mania.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Amy’s favorite Supplemental Music
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The week leading up to the first lesson of the school year can feel a bit frantic - like we have to have everything ready to go for all of us students on day one. In truth, the first lesson can be quite chill and we don’t have to have everything in absolute order. Amy will share a few things we can do on the first lesson day that will help us “ease in.”
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Welcome Post for Piano Students (Color in My Piano)
Welcoming Students - Amy’s studio entrance (Piano Pantry)
Cheers to a Less Conventional August (Beyond Measure Podcast)
I Have Who Has (Melody Payne)
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Amy chats with teachers Laura Harding, Emily Suszko, and Laurie Bender - attendees of the 2nd Piano Pantry Retreat.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Join the Piano Pantry Retreat FIRST notification email list
Online Power-Hour sign-up (Free)
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“I love Amy and The Piano Pantry Podcast!”
←- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! Here’s how:
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- Click “Ratings and Reviews” then tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Be sure and let me know what you love most!
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Good written communication takes thought, intention, and practice. Let’s consider ways we can simplify our written communication with studio families. They will notice (and appreciate) when you make things easy!
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Studio Communication: Printouts, Emails, Newsletters, Oh, My! (Joy Morin, ColorinMyPiano.com)
Join Amy’s FREE Power-Hour Session
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“I love Amy and The Piano Pantry Podcast!”
←- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! Here’s how:
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- Click “Ratings and Reviews” then tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Be sure and let me know what you love most!
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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The benefit of having a flexible studio calendar and how rethinking what we’ve always done can often reap unexpected and positive results.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Episode #38 of the Beyond Measure Podcast: Cheers to a less Conventional August
Episode #003 of the Piano Pantry Podcast: Group Class Experiences and Ideas
Scheduling Piano Lessons: 3 New Kick-Offs to Start the Lesson Year by Rebekah Maxner
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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10 apps I use on a daily basis as an independent music teacher, working professional, and human being.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
8-Session Power-Hours with Amy
Assignment Sheet Central on PianoPantry.com
- Overcast (podcast app)
- Dark Sky (weather app)
- Tonara (lesson assignment app)
- Duolingo (language app)
- Paprika (recipe app)
- Google Calendar
- Google Photos
- Gmail
- Evernote (daily capture and save)
- Notion (daily capture and save)
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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12 summertime favorites.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Wendy Steven’s American the Beautiful Rhythm Cups
Herbal Iced Tea
Sanuk Yoga Joy Metallic Flip-Flop
Ruth Ware - Psychological Thriller Books
Deviled Ham Salad
Sriracha Egg Salad
Helen Corbitt’s Chicken Salad
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Amy chats with piano teachers Abby Maser and Nicole Douglas during the first-ever Piano Pantry Retreat.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Join the Piano Pantry Retreat FIRST notification email list
Online Power-Hour sign-up
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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In today's world, ideas come to us more frequently than we go searching for them. How can we avoid letting ourselves go down a rabbit hole every time we come across the latest and greatest?
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sign up for the Power-Hours
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Organization tips for cleaning up your computer’s desktop space and a free download of 12 desktop backgrounds.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Free set of 12 Desktop Backgrounds
- Sign up for the Digital Organization Power-Hours with Amy
- How to leave a review on Apple podcasts
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Organizing, keeping, and maintaining, a waiting list; I hope my hard lessons will be ones you can avoid!
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
How to Set Up an Automated Piano Studio Waiting List (Colourful Keys)
Amy’s studio website contact form
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Adding a video element to your end-of-year evaluations can be a simple, effective and wow-inducing approach to displaying student progress.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Crafting Year-End Parent/Student Questionnaires (PianoPantry.com) Writing Student Evaluations Using Evernote (PianoPantry.com)
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Teacher Jonathan Roberts, director of the South Shore Piano School in Boston shares his experiences with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) as an examiner, mentor, and US representative. We also discuss the impact of the RCM’s Music Lights the Way campaign, which gifted over 400,000 books to 20,000 teachers in the US and Canada from the new 6th edition of the series. The campaign includes an incredible new festival and competition as well.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Jonathan Roberts - South Shore Piano School
- Music Lights the Way broadcast
- Royal Conservatory of Music Mentorship Program
- The Creeks by Jason Sifford
- Join The Piano Pantry Retreat FIRST notification email list
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Spring is a season of rejuvenation and renewal so why not re-energize by giving your studio a good spring cleaning and physical overhaul? We’re not talking about your everyday dusting and sweeping here, people. It’s time to go deep. Deep cleaning, that is.
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Five things we can do (outside of time off or vacation) to help us feel grounded and reset. That is, an extra breath of fresh air when down, a boost of energy when worn out, or a shot of inspiration when creatively dry.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- MTNA’s Music Achievement Program
- Join the Piano Pantry Retreat FIRST notification email list
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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In this episode, we look at three different formats we can use for our studio recital programs: print, digital, and verbal. We’ll talk through some of the pros and cons of each format and consider some good resources to help you through.
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Crafting a recital preparation timeline and checklist is a simple and effective way to make your annual event run smoothly from year to year.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Recital Preparation Timeline and Checklist
Studio Awards Policies and Procedures
Recital Signs
The Best Chicken Soup You’ll Ever Eat
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Listen in on a fun “teacher talk” group chat with three of my very own piano teacher friends: Joy Morin of ColorinMyPiano.com, Janna Williamson of JannaWilliamson.com, and Christina Whitlock of the Beyond Measure Podcast.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Post-It Note Reflection Printable (Christina Whitlock)
Episode #67 Cheers to the Best Advice I’ve Ever Received (Beyond Measure Podcast)
Determining Tuition Rates for Piano Teachers (Color in my Piano)
Flat Tuition Payments for Private Music Lessons (Chad Twedt)
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Life lessons taken from my brief time in the sales industry more than 20 years ago that have stayed with me to this day.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Cutco 4“ Trimmer knife (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Episode #11 - Practice What You Preach...Literally (The Piano Pantry Podcast)
Webinar: Connect and Engage: Professional Development Resources for the Independent Music Teacher
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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In this episode, we’ll look at four ways we as studio teachers can develop and nurture friendships with other teachers. Through each avenue, I’ll also share the stories of how I met three of my own piano teacher friends.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
2022 Music Teacher’s National Conference
Joy Morin - Color in My Piano
Christina Whitlock - Beyond Measure Podcast
Janna Williamson
8 Tips for Making the Most of a Virtual Conference (Natalie Weber)
Quote from The Lazy Genius Podcast #250 How I Make This Podcast
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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A brief history tour of the development and evolution of the world of piano teacher blogs and websites. Through this view from my perspective, I’ll interlace my own story of Piano Pantry, highlighting some of the resources available to you. Lastly, we’ll wrap up with a look into how you too can “share your stuff.”
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
BOOK: Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine
Hot Air Balloon Ride with Natalie Weber of Music Matters Blog
Piano Pantry - celebrating 6 years with a discount in the shop.
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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While practice is one of the biggest lines we tow with students, the truth is, as teachers, we aren’t always practicing what we preach. In today’s episode, we’ll look at reasons we may not practice enough ourselves and find ways we can enable a regular routine because practice...it’s not just for students!
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Atomic Habits by James Clear (Amazon) Book Review - Atomic Habits by James Clear (PianoPantry.com) 5 Reasons to Perform Alongside Your Students at Studio Recitals (ColorinMyPiano.com) Amy’s Spotify Playlists Listening Playlists To Accompany Music-Themed Children’s Books
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CONNECT PianoPantry.com/podcast/ Facebook @PianoPantry Instagram @amychaplinpiano (Please note that Piano Pantry is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Simply put, being an associate allows me to make a small percentage from Amazon on items to which I link at no extra cost to you.)
TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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A casual teacher-friend chat with Karen Thickstun, President of Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA), 2021-2023.
Karen Thickstun, NCTM, teaches piano pedagogy at Butler University, operates an independent studio, and recently retired as founding director of the Butler Community Arts School. She holds degrees in music, economics and business administration. Thickstun is currently serving as national president of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Contact Karen: kthickstun@butler.edu
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE’S CONVERSATION
(1) Karen’s background including a business degree in economics
(2) Butler University pedagogy position
(3) Her path to MTNA President
(4) Begin engaged in the profession - Say YES!
(5) Attending Conferences / MTNA 2022
(6) An organizational tip - she says it’s “old school” but I think it’s great!
(7) The non-teacher side of Karen - including auto racing!
(8) Silly/Fun Fact about Karen (involves March Madness!)
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ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Podcast Episode: 001 Organizing Student Files (The Piano Pantry Podcast)
Blog Post: File Fever: Organizing Student Files (PianoPantry.com)
Blog Post: Tips for Presenting: Tools, Resources, and a Pep-Talk
OTHER RELATED RESOURCES
Blog Post: Organizing Your Hard Copy Music Books (labeling file folders)
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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A few ways we can give small offerings in our lives and studios when we feel a world away but hold current events in our hearts. We’ll wrap up the episode with a moment of silence as a collective community to offer thoughts and prayers for all those in Russia and Ukraine but even more specifically for our colleagues affected there and elsewhere.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE National Anthem of Ukraine (sheet music by Daniel Light) RSS Reader
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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No matter how long we’ve been teaching or what level of education we have, giving written feedback and ratings to an unknown student in a one-off event is a completely different setting and format than working directly with a student you know in person on a weekly basis. In this episode, we’re going to look at four ways we can conscientiously prepare ourselves as adjudicators leading up to a festival or competition.
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ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Episode 24: Cheers to Adjudication Success (Beyond Measure Podcast)
Judging Cheat Sheet - Free Printable (4D Piano Teaching)
Preparing for Fall: Useful Adjectives for Teaching (Compose Create)
4 Ways Judging Can Make You a Better Teacher (Compose Create)
7 Qualities of a Great Piano Judge (Compose Create)
10 of the Best Judging Comments for Piano Judging (Compose Create)
OTHER RELATED RESOURCES
The Language of Teaching (Piano Pantry)
Adjudicating: 5 Tips for Preparing Ahead of Time (Piano Pantry)
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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Track tasks with your photo app. Shockingly simple? Yes, but there’s an important kicker you won’t want to miss. After taking a brief look back at the evolution of photo management in our lives, I’ll share how my photo app has become both a way of tracking tasks as well as a daily recurring task in and of itself.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Blog post: Digital Photo Organization (2017)
Blog post: 5 Reasons Why Google Photos Might Be the Perfect Solution for Your Studio
Blog post: Build A Lending Library of Piano-Themed Children’s Books
Blog post: Music-Themed Comic Books for Your Studio Lending Library
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Is your task list stressing you out? Does it feel like your task list is never-ending? In this episode, we’ll talk about how we can identify three different types of tasks and separate them out in a useful, practical, and sustainable way because it’s true - they’re not all created equal!
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ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Keep.Google.com
Calendar.Google.com
Evernote.com
Christmas By Ear Book
Amy’s available speaking sessions
OTHER RELATED RESOURCES
Book: Getting Things Done by David Allen
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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A casual teacher-friend chat with Ben Kapilow, host of the podcast “All Keyed Up.”
Ben Kapilow is the Resident Music Director at the Media Theatre for the Performing Arts in Media, PA, where he teaches a private studio of 60 students and music directs musicals for the Broadway and Children's Series. He is the host of "All Keyed Up," an interview podcast aimed at piano teachers.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
benkapilow.com
All Keyed Up Podcast Episode with Nicola Cantan: Teaching Composition
focusmate.com/ (Productivity accountability website)
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TRANSCRIPT: There is no transcript available for this episode.
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The conflict between prime teaching hours and the evening meal can make getting dinner on the table tricky. In this episode, we’ll look at 6 different ways or tools, if you will, that you can keep in your back pocket to help make dinner happen despite our schedules. My hope is that you might consider there’s more than one way to juggle a teacher’s dinner struggle.
AMY’S FAVORITE SLOW-COOKER RECIPES
Get your download here.
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Key Ideas podcast - Episode 11: Organizing Tips for Piano Teachers with Amy Chaplin
Blog post: Food Prep and the Studio Schedule
RELATED RESOURCES
Facebook group: Cookin’ Piano Teachers
CONNECT
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Today is all about incorporating group classes into your studio offerings. After experimenting with a variety of formats over the years, I’ll share my experiences with each. We’ll also touch on how fees come into play as well as times of year that seem to be the sweet spot for holding these enrichment classes. For the cherry on top, stay tuned to hear about the big group class revelation that took me 10 years to figure out.
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Charlene Shelzi (Three Cranky Women)
Blog Post: Group Lesson Planning Made Easy
Beyond Measure Podcast with Christina Whitlock - Episode 38: Cheers to a Less-Conventional August
Amy’s available speaking sessions
Babbel language program
OTHER RELATED RESOURCES
A Visual Listening Guide for Group Class Performances
Manipulatives and Games for Private and Group Lessons: A Master List
December Fun: Christmas Games and Activities for Your Studio
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Before this new podcast gets too far in, we’re going to address the elephant in the room: the fact that I’m not the first piano teacher podcast vying for your attention!
In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to manage our own personal intake of podcasts in a healthy way that’s manageable and enjoyable without feeling overwhelmed by all the content or like it’s another task on our to-do list.
DOWNLOAD A QUICK REFERENCE SHEET OF THESE 10 TIPS:
Get your download here.
QUOTE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
How Podcasts Can Cheer You On to New Heights of Success (The Curious Piano Teachers)
MY FAVORITE COOKIE RECIPES:
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Pinch of Yum)
Milk Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies (King Arthur Baking)
Spiced Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies (Giada de Laurentiis)
Soft and Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies (Cook’s Illustrated)
Sweet Potato Snickerdoodles (The Kitchn)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Favorite Podcasts Under 20 Minutes (PianoPantry.com)
12 Podcasts for Piano Teachers in 2021 (ColorinMyPiano.com)
My Favorite Podcasts for Music Teachers (ColoufulKeys.ie)
CONNECT:
PianoPantry.com/podcast/
Facebook @PianoPantry
Instagram @amychaplinpiano
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As this podcast kicks off, it's the first week of January. Lesson schedules are re-launching as students return to our studios. The start of the new semester means a lot of new materials are being organized and distributed. Let's discuss how we can keep all of our student materials orderly and easily accessible including labeling and using two different levels and types of storage.
ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Perfect Teaching Table
RELATED POSTS:
File Fever: Organizing Student Files
CONNECT:
PianoPantry.com/podcast/
Facebook @PianoPantry
Instagram @amychaplinpiano
SUBSCRIBE:
Click here to subscribe to Piano Pantry's email list to keep up-to-date on all things new on Piano Pantry!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/piano-pantry-podcast/message
Welcome to the Piano Pantry podcast we’re together, we live life is independent music teachers. I’m your host, Amy Chaplin. If we’ve not met before, this podcast is an extension on my website pianopantry.com. Here’s a quick peek at what’s to come!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/piano-pantry-podcast/message