TopMusic Piano Podcast Tim Topham

Hello, my piano teacher friends! Today’s episode is all about keeping your students engaged through the summer with whole body activities. This month’s theme at TopMusic focuses on full-body learning, and I’m excited to share some creative, easy-to-implement ideas that require no extra training or planning. These activities, inspired by my experiences and wonderful suggestions from Instagram followers, will not only keep your wiggly students focused but also make learning musical concepts memorable and fun. Let’s dive into these practical strategies and keep our lessons lively all summer long!

Rachel shares creative, no-extra-training-needed ideas for incorporating full-body learning into piano lessons.
Understanding full-body learning, which is beneficial for students with short attention spans and reinforcing musical concepts.
Steady beat examples by having students walk or tap the beat without distractions that improve rhythm understanding.
Rachel provides rhythm activities, including using rhythm sticks and egg shakers.
Ideas from other teachers, such as interpretive dance, hopping to learn stem directions, dynamic movements, and animal dances.
Some activities involving moving like animals and improvising music based on those movements.
Simon Says Game - A simple game for teaching right and left hand finger numbers is explained.
Red Light Green Light Game - A rhythm game where students follow a metronome beat and freeze when the "cop" turns around.
Rachel introduces her new sound effects story "If Dinosaurs Came to Your Piano Lesson," designed to include whole-body activities.


Podcast Exclusive Freebie:

“A Whale of an Excuse” Sound Effect Story 


Register for Rachel’s Live Webinar

How to Earn Extra Income by Playing the Piano Webinar (Monday, June 24th, 7:00 AM PST)


Links Mentioned

TopCast 370: How to Add Piano Accompanying to Your Income Portfolio with Dr Rachel Ehring
Download the latest TopMusic Magazine here.
Rachels' Etsy Store for new sound effect story - If Dinosaurs Came to Your Piano Lesson


Resources Mentioned

Musikgarten Rhythm Sticks
Max Found Two Sticks (Reading Rainbow Book)
Jess Homewood (Not Your Mother's Studio)


About Rachel Ehring
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....

In this episode, we dive into the intersection of piano and yoga with Tiffany Pinhorn Smith and explore the innovative fusion of music and yoga practices. Tiffany, a passionate yoga and music teacher based in Newfoundland, Canada, shares her unique approach to creating a balancing, calming, and nourishing ecosystem through her private music lessons, music-yoga hybrid sessions, and group classes. We discuss Tiffany's journey from a hesitant yoga beginner to a certified instructor, her integration of breathing techniques and mindfulness into piano teaching, and the profound benefits her students experience. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how these two disciplines can harmoniously enhance well-being and musical expression.

Tiffany shares a brief overview of her piano teaching studio and being a certified yoga teacher.
Combining piano and yoga and how music can be a whole-body experience.
She shares how her yoga journey began with a transformative first class, leading her to integrate yoga and music.
How she started to incorporate breathing techniques and anatomy knowledge from yoga into her piano teaching.
Tiffany describes what a typical music and yoga session looks like, emphasizing that it’s more about guidance and experience than traditional teaching.
She highlights her students’ positive experiences.
The benefits of combining yoga ang piano, including increased body awareness, reduced comparison and competition, and being more present and relaxed while playing.
The importance of breath in piano playing, noting how it helps in grounding and dynamic expression.
The simplicity and lifelong benefits of incorporating breathing techniques into piano teaching.
Tiffany explains yoga's broader practice, highlighting mindfulness and meditation as key components.
Rachel shares her own experiences with meditation, finding it beneficial despite wandering thoughts.
The importance of taking time to be with oneself, advocating even a minute of practice.
Discussion about Yoga Nidra, a practice combining guided meditation and restorative yoga, designed to bring deep rest and mindfulness.


Links Mentioned

Tiffany Pinhorn Smith Website
Tiffany Pinhorn Smith Music and Yoga Facebook
Tiffany Pinhorn Smith Instagram: @tiffanypinhornsmith
Rachel's Instagram: @rachelehring


Today’s Guest


Tiffany Pinhorn Smith is a yoga and music teacher based in Newfoundland, Canada. She is passionate about creating an ecosystem of service that is balancing, calming, and nourishing using the modalities of music and yogic practices. She offers private music lessons, music + yoga hybrid sessions, private and group yoga classes, and workshops in the St. John's area and online. When not teaching, Tiffany can be found spending time with her family, reading, writing, or daydreaming.
About Rachel Ehring
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...

Our guest today, Jaclyn Mrozek, owner of Piano Kats in Cincinnati, Ohio, shares her remarkable journey of transforming her studio and building a thriving community of piano teachers. With a solid background in project management, Jaclyn has honed her skills in organizing and facilitating masterminds and peer advisory councils, specifically tailored for piano educators. In this episode, we delve into Jaclyn's insights on the importance of teacher connections, her active involvement in local and online communities, and her innovative approach to running masterminds. Join us as we explore how Jaclyn's passion for collaboration and her dedication to the piano teaching community have created a supportive and enriching environment for educators everywhere.

Jaclyn shared a brief overview of her teaching background.
The importance of teacher connections.
She shares her personal journey from being a painfully shy student to actively engaging in teacher communities.
Rachel shared her experience on how she met Jaclyn at a conference, emphasizing how reaching out to others can lead to meaningful connections.
The benefits of participating in online events and groups.
The role of podcasts and social media in connecting teachers and sharing diverse teaching methods and experiences.
Both Rachel and Jaclyn encourage teachers to overcome their hesitations and reach out to fellow educators for support and collaboration.
How she started on Instagram and created masterminds.
Jaclyn's future plans on facilitating more masterminds in the future with a structured format to maximize participant benefit.
Advice for starting masterminds.
Her future activities and personal focus.


Guest Links Mentioned

Jaclyn Mrozek Website
Jaclyn Mrozek Instagram Page: @pianokatsmastermind


Today’s Guest


Jaclyn Mrozek owns and teaches in her home studio, Piano Kats in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she teaches both individual and group piano lessons. She's learned how to make her studio run smoothly, giving credit to her education background in project management. Jaclyn stays active in different clubs and groups, online and offline, where she enjoys helping other teachers connect and learn what works best for their own piano studios. As a certified facilitator of masterminds, Jaclyn also takes pleasure in organizing peer advisory councils and masterminds specifically tailored for piano teachers. She believes in the power of collaboration and enjoys sharing her own experiences while learning from others, both online and in person.
About Rachel Ehring
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.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
Thank you for tuning in!
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple...

In this episode, we delve into the world of integrated piano teaching with Dr. May Tsao-Lim, a distinguished Professor of Piano at Henderson State University. With nearly four decades of experience teaching students of all ages, Dr. Lim brings a wealth of knowledge in piano pedagogy, adaptive teaching, and efficient practicing. Join us as we explore Dr. Lim's philosophy of fostering independent learners through a comprehensive approach that intertwines theory, aural skills, and practical application. From discussing concept-based and repertoire-based teaching strategies to providing hands-on examples and advice, this episode offers invaluable insights for piano teachers aiming to enhance their instructional methods and student engagement.

Dr. May Lim shares a brief overview of her background and her extensive teaching experience.
She explains integrated piano teaching as correlating theory and aural skills with piano lessons.
The two approaches of integrated piano teaching: concept-based and repertoire-based teaching.
Examples and activities of concept-based teaching.
Incorporating composition projects and how this test students' understanding of concepts and skills.
The importance of active learning through writing and creating music, enhancing overall musical understanding.
Some examples of the repertoire-based approach.
May highlights some key concepts to reinforce.
She demonstrates how to integrate theory, technique, and improvisation into teaching.
Teaching tips for teachers to develop their own techniques to expand their teaching repertoire.
Advice for teachers feeling overwhelmed by the repertoire-based approach.


Links Mentioned

MusicTheory.net
TMPP Episode 17: 17: 3 Steps to Teaching an Integrated Music Teaching


Today’s Guest


May Tsao-Lim, Professor of Piano at Henderson State University in Arkansas, coordinates the group piano curriculum as well as teaches applied piano and piano pedagogy. Prior to joining Henderson State University, Dr. Lim taught at Iowa State University and University College Sedaya International in Malaysia.) Besides college-level instruction, she has taught students of all ages for almost 40 years. Her primary pedagogical foci include integrated teaching, adaptive teaching, effective learning, and efficient practicing.

As an active chamber pianist, Dr. Lim often collaborates with faculty, guest artists, and principal members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Lim earned her B.M. in Piano Performance with highest honors and two Master’s degrees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma.
About Rachel Ehring
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.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
Thank you for

In this episode, we welcome Ashlee Young, a talented pianist and entrepreneur dedicated to helping others practice and conduct business smarter, not harder. Ashlee shares her journey from classical piano performance to establishing her own online teaching business and YouTube channel. She discusses the importance of consistent and intentional content creation, setting long-term goals, and effectively using call-to-actions to engage and build a community. Ashlee also provides insights on balancing personal and business content, the power of authenticity, and strategies for success on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Join us as we dive into Ashlee's valuable advice for teachers and service-based entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and connect with their audiences.

Ashlee shares a brief overview of her background and her piano teaching business.
How she shifted to online teaching during the pandemic and ultimately ceasing in 2023 to focus on her online business.
Content creation as a modern storefront for businesses.
Setting long-term goals to guide current actions that should align on your business' vision and lifestyle.
Advice for teachers in creating effective content with authenticity, patience and consistency.
Value of understanding personal beliefs and goals in content creation for effective engagement.
Common mistakes in digital content creation.
The importance of call to actions (CTAs) in every post.
Ashlee shares the different platforms that she uses and some strategies that she implements.
Instagram success tips from Ashlee.
What are hooks in content and why is this crucial.
Her personal strategies and upcoming plans.


Guest Links Mentioned

Ashlee Young Website
Ashlee Young Instagram: @ashleeyoungmusicstudio
Ashlee Young YouTube: Ashlee Young Piano Studio


Today's Guest


Ashlee Young is a pianist and entrepreneur that is all about practicing and doing business smarter, not harder. She educates adult piano players about effective and efficient piano practice through her YouTube channel as well as courses and her program, Casual to Confident Piano Player, and works with service based entrepreneurs to help them scale and streamline their businesses through her podcast and private coaching.
About Rachel Ehring
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.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
Thank you for tuning in!
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by a href="https://feeds.captivate.fm/topmusic-piano-podcast/" target="_blank"...

In this special replay episode from Tim Topham's Integrated Music Teaching podcast, we revisit an insightful discussion on the integrated music teaching model. We explore a three-step super simple process that any teacher can adopt to seamlessly integrate music teaching into their lessons. From analyzing repertoire to finding connections within the piece and planning creative integration activities, this episode offers practical insights to deepen students' connection to music. Stay tuned as we highlight the importance of creative activities and preview upcoming resources designed to empower teachers in implementing these strategies effectively with their students.

The 3-step process for using the IMT learning model in your studio.
Step 1: Analysing the repertoire for musical elements.
Step 2: Finding the connections and make music learning meaningful.
Some examples of connecting elements.
Step 3: Planning the integration activities.
Importance of creative and integration activities.
Two resources to help you implement this in your teaching.


Links Mentioned

The Age Old Question – How Do We Make Piano Scales Fun and Relevant?
Scaling the Chords by Bradley Sowash
The Ultimate Guide to Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns


About Rachel Ehring
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.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
Thank you for tuning in!
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.