TopMusic Piano Podcast Tim Topham

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.
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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
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Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

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In today's episode, we delve into the art of teaching beginners with our guest, Rebecca Stewart. With a rich background in music education, Rebecca's journey began with the Yamaha method and later evolved into her own unique approach, filled with creativity and innovation. From her farm life in Australia to her recent speaking engagement at the Autumn Piano School, Rebecca shares valuable insights gained from years of experience. We explore her transition from established curricula to personalized lessons, her favorite method books, and her creative teaching techniques, including improvisation and composition. Join us as we uncover Rebecca's passion for teaching, her role as Head of Certification at TopMusic, and her dedication to making music education fun, engaging, and accessible for students of all ages.

Rebecca shares a brief overview of her music studio and shares about her farm life in Australia.
Her recent speaking engagement at the Autumn Piano School in Armidale, Australia.
She shares highlights from the conference, including observing other teachers and assessing student needs.
Her transition from teaching with the Yamaha curriculum to creating her own lessons.
Her approach to beginner lessons, emphasizing creativity, improvisation, and individualized instruction.
Favorite method books for her students, including Piano Safari, Encore on Keys, and Piano Adventures.
Creative activities that she incorporates into lessons, such as rote pieces, improvisation, composition, chord playing, and transposition.
Advice on improvisation for teachers who may struggle with it.
Examples of using animal stories and dragon imagery to inspire improvisation in students.
Discussion about her sight-reading series called "Sight Reading Secrets."
She highlights the community aspect of TopMusic, offering professional development and support for isolated piano teachers.
TopMusic certification program and how it provides practical professional development opportunities for piano teachers to improve their skills in teaching, business, and marketing.
She shared about some upcoming events with her students and working with new teachers in the certification program.


Guest Links Mentioned:

Rebecca Stewart's Website - Sight Reading Secrets


Links Mentioned:

TopMusic Certification
TopMusicGames
Rachel Ehring's Instagram Page


Today’s Guest


Rebecca Stewart grew up listening to her three older sisters practice their musical instruments. She delighted in her childhood music lessons and wanted to teach young children in a fun and creative way. Her piano teacher at Melbourne University recommended the Yamaha method, and Rebecca taught with Yamaha Music Education Centres from 1998 to 2018. She loved being a national teacher trainer with Yamaha, and enjoyed opportunities to travel to Toronto and Tokyo for Yamaha teacher development events. In 2016 Rebecca went to Jakarta where her 8-year-old Yamaha student performed his original composition at the Asia Pacific Junior Original Concert. Her first book "Sight Reading Secrets Grade One" was published in 2004, and there are now nine books in the series. In 2023, Rebecca worked with Tim Topham in developing the TopMusic Certification program and continues in the role of Head of Certification for TopMusic.
About Rachel Ehring
Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music...

In this episode, we're taking a break from the hustle and bustle of planning recitals and enrolling students to delve into a topic close to my heart, preschoolers learning piano. Contrary to the prodigy videos circulating online, I advocate for a more nuanced approach, drawing on my evolving perspective and experiences teaching young students. Today, we're going to explore the benefits, challenges, and resources available for teaching piano to preschoolers. From method books to creative supplements, I'm going to share some insights and strategies for making piano lessons engaging and effective for the little ones and the importance of play-based activities and meeting students where they are developmentally. Whether you're seasoned or considering expanding your student base, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice for teaching piano to preschoolers.

Rachel introduces the topic of whether preschoolers can learn to play the piano and why it's worth considering.
She shares her evolving perspective on teaching piano to preschoolers.
Various resources available for teaching preschooler.
The benefits and challenges of each approach and her personal experiences using different curriculums.
The numerous benefits of early piano education.
Rachel acknowledges the need for adjusting expectations when teaching preschoolers.
Practical tips for managing expectations and facilitating effective practice at home.
The importance of play-based activities in preschool piano lessons and various creative teaching strategies.
She encourages teachers to embrace the joy and excitement of teaching young students and highlights the reciprocal learning experience between teacher and student.


Resources Mentioned

“A Whale of an Excuse” Sound Effect Story 
Beginner Piano Improv PowerPack
Preschool No Book Beginners available only inside TopMusicPro Academy
WunderKeys Piano Books and Resources
Piano Safari Friends
KiddyKeys
The Music Tree
Faber's My First Piano Adventure


Links Mentioned

Register for the Chart Toppers and Chord Progressions Webinar here.
TopMusic Piano Podcast Ep 001: Using Stories in Beginner Piano Lessons
Amy Elmore Instagram Page


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...

In today's episode, we're joined by Michelle Sisler, founder of Keys to Imagination and a nationally recognized figure known for her creative use of technology and dynamic presentations. Michelle takes us on a journey through her teaching studio and shares how she revolutionized piano education by integrating technology and engaging games through Keys to Imagination. From the importance of incorporating games into lessons to practical advice on game selection and seamless integration into teaching, Michelle offers invaluable insights into enhancing learning outcomes in both individual and group settings. Join us as we explore the transformative power of technology and creativity in music education.
Michelle shares a brief overview of her background and her music teaching studio.How she started Keys to Imagination to incorporate technology and games into piano teaching.The importance of incorporating games into lessons, even within the confines of 30-minute sessions.Her favorite beginner games from Keys to Imagination, including Noteworthy and Rhythm Riot.She addresses the concern of time constraints in lessons and how games can be seamlessly integrated to enhance learning outcomes.Advice on choosing appropriate games for teaching.How Keys to Imagination games can be used both in individual lessons and group settings.She highlights the success of her summer group lesson program aimed at reinforcing fundamental skills in a fun and engaging way.The value of technology in piano studios, offering lab time for students to work independently on rhythm, ear training, and more.
Links Mentioned:Keys to Imagination WebsiteRegister for the Chart Toppers and Chord Progressions Webinar here.
Today’s Guest

Michelle Sisler's use of technology, creativity and presentations have gained her national recognition. Along with teaching 30 students per week, Michelle is the founder of Keys to Imagination LLC and MusicEdConnect.com. She is a favorite presenter and is frequently sought after for presentations across the nation. Michelle serves on the technology committee for NCKP and has served on the technology committee for MTNA and the Minnesota Music Teachers Association Foundation Board of Directors. She has written articles for Clavier Companion and American Music Teacher and is an active author of technology curriculum, engaging theory games, and motivation programs. In 2023, Michelle was honored with the Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Award.
About Rachel EhringDr. 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 TRIALThank 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.
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In today's episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Jennifer Eklund, a seasoned musician, educator, and the creative mind behind the Piano Pronto method books series. With a rich background in music performance, pedagogy, and historical musicology, Jennifer offers invaluable insights into piano education and composition. Join us as she shares her journey from teaching piano in Sweden to becoming a renowned composer and author, and how her passion for music led to the development of the Piano Pronto method book series. From discussing the importance of composition as a teaching tool to offering practical advice for beginner teachers, Jennifer's expertise shines through as she navigates the world of piano education with wisdom and enthusiasm. Tune in as we delve into the innovative methods and resources that make the Piano Pronto series a staple in piano classrooms worldwide.

Jennifer shares a brief overview of her background.
How she started teaching piano at a young age and eventually retired from teaching in 2014 to focus on her publishing business, Piano Pronto.
The Piano Pronto method books, songbooks, and sheet music.
She discusses her journey to becoming a composer, starting with teaching piano in Sweden and creating materials out of necessity.
Importance of composition as a teaching tool, providing practical tips and resources for teachers.
She encourages flexibility in teaching and acknowledges that composition may not be for every student.
How she sees improvisation and composition as intertwined in her teaching approach.
Why she developed the Piano Pronto method books.
Jennifer's advice for beginner teachers.


Guest Links:

Piano Pronto Website
Jennifer's Pop Music Catalog site (F.M. Sheet Music)
Piano Pronto Publishing Facebook Group
Piano Pronto Instagram Page


Today’s Guest


Jennifer Eklund holds a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in performance and pedagogy and a master’s degree in historical musicology from California State University, Long Beach. She is an avid arranger, composer, and author of the Piano Pronto® method books series as well as a wide variety of supplemental songbooks for students of all ages and levels. Jennifer is also a Signature Artist arranger with Musicnotes.com providing a large pop music catalog spanning many genres and styles.
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