The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

Tim Topham
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The original podcast for growth-minded instrumental music and voice teachers since 2015. Our mission at TopMusic is to empower music teachers to find and nurture their innate creativity so they can teach lessons that are innovative, integrated and inspiring, and that will have a positive, life-long impact on their students. Tune in weekly as we interview teachers and creators from around the world and unpack fun and exciting ideas to maximise your teaching and studio business success.

  1. hace 5 días

    478: Suzuki Piano Beyond the Books: Adapting the Method to the Child with Kendra Zimmerman

    Suzuki gets a reputation as either magic or mystery, depending who you ask. Today I'm continuing our month on playing-based teaching with my co-host Ian Belloso, and our guest Kendra Zimmerman, a Suzuki piano teacher and founder of Toccata Music Studios. We talk Twinkle variations, the parent-teacher-student triangle, and how Kendra blends her love of Japanese language learning with the Suzuki philosophy. Tim and Ian continued this month's theme on playing-based teaching with Suzuki.Kendra shared how a childhood teacher first sparked her love of Suzuki piano.Why the teacher-student-parent triangle sits at the heart of her studio.How teaching bodily awareness before reading builds a strong technical foundation.Kendra explained "character first, ability second" as a guiding Suzuki principle.Why familiar tunes like Twinkle Twinkle make ideal starting repertoire.How she adapts lesson pacing for very young or highly dexterous students.Kendra shared how she brings in reading books once Twinkle variations are done.Why she teaches the child first and adapts the method around them.How her time teaching English in Japan shaped her view of "musical language".Ian asked how Kendra supports teens and adults without a parent present.Kendra shared how mentorship and training shaped her path into Suzuki teaching. Links Mentioned Kendra's Website:Toccata Music StudiosKendra's Facebook Page:Toccata Music StudiosKendra's Instagram Page:@toccatamusicstudiosMusic Mind Games by Michiko YurikoSuzuki Association of the AmericasTalent Education Research Institute (TERI) Today’s Sponsor Founded in 1972, The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) is a community of over 6,000 teachers, parents, educators, and learners dedicated to making music and early childhood education available to all young people in the Americas. We work to build a better world, one learner at a time, nurtured through Suzuki music education. We offer several professional development opportunities to teachers and have several tools for supporting parents and students. Learn more about how to get involved with the SAA: suzukiassociation.org/membership Today’s Guest Kendra Zimmerman is a Suzuki piano teacher and the founder of Toccata Music Studios in Greenville, South Carolina. A Suzuki student herself as a child, Kendra has been teaching the Suzuki Method since 2012 and brings both a student’s and teacher’s perspective to its evolution in the United States. She founded Upstate South Carolina’s first Suzuki Early Childhood Education program and later introduced the Royal Conservatory piano examination program to her studio, establishing Greenville’s first RCM exam center. Kendra also has a longtime interest in Japanese language and culture. She lived and taught in Sendai, Japan, and has since attended both the Suzuki Method World Convention and Summer School at the Talent Education Research Institute (TERI) in Matsumoto. She especially enjoys exploring the connections between language learning, musical development, creativity, and the Suzuki philosophy. Today’s Co-Host Ian Belloso is a pianist, composer, music producer, and educator based in Bethlehem, PA. He's the founder of Piano Belloso Music, a playing-based piano studio serving students of all ages, and Techier Teacher, a coaching platform helping online music educators simplify their tech and build confident, connected virtual studios. His work lives at the intersection of structure and creativity — building systems that remove barriers so people can focus on what matters: expression, learning, and human connection. Ian Belloso's studio:Piano Belloso MusicIan's YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/@pianobellosomusic TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  2. 7 sep

    477: Lowering the Bar, Widening the Door: Playing-Based Teaching with Neil Moore

    A marker-on-the-keys piano method went viral on 60 Minutes this year, and it sparked this month's theme on playing-based teaching. Today, I'm joined by my first-ever TopCast co-host, Ian Belloso, and by returning guest Neil Moore, founder of the Simply Music Method. It's almost ten years since Neil first joined me on the show back in 2016. We revisit that original chat, unpack playing-based versus play-based learning, and dig into Neil's new book series. Tim introduced this month's theme on playing-based teaching and his new co-host, Ian Belloso.Ian explained how a viral 60 Minutes segment sparked this month's conversation.Why the marketing behind that segment frustrated many piano teachers.Tim explained how his own approach traces back to that 2016 interview with Neil.Neil shared how his own struggle to read music shaped the Simply Music method.How teaching a blind student became the turning point for Neil's approach.Why Neil sees Simply Music as widening the door, not lowering the bar.He explained the real distinction between playing-based and play-based learning.Revisiting a 2016 clip on what reading music actually requires.Why Neil delays reading until students build a strong playing foundation.He shared why he wrote his new Simply Music Opus book series.How music learning may help prepare our brains for rapid technological change. Exclusive Offer to Podcast Listeners Neil is offering teachers a free copy of two of his books:Music on Mars, and Music and The Art of Playing-Based Education. Feel free to send Neil an email directly,nmoore@simplymusic.com, and he will immediately reply with links for you to download both books. Links Mentioned TTTV049: Simply Music with Neil MooreSimply Music WebsiteNeil Moore's first book: Music on MarsFind out more about Neil's books hereFind out more about Tim's No Book Beginners Book here Today’s Guest Neil Moore is the Founder of the Simply Music Institute of Learning & Education. He is also the creator of the Simply Music Method. Neil was born in 1957 in Melbourne, Australia, and began studying piano at the age of 7. He has spent most of his life actively involved in ‘playing-based’ music learning. Neil composes and arranges much of the music used throughout the Simply Music Program. In addition to curriculum development, Neil’s most extensive field of focus has been the training and coaching of piano teachers. Currently, Neil guides the direction of the organization and advises on its executive operations. Today’s Co-Host Ian Belloso is a pianist, composer, music producer, and educator based in Bethlehem, PA. He's the founder of Piano Belloso Music, a playing-based piano studio serving students of all ages, and Techier Teacher, a coaching platform helping online music educators simplify their tech and build confident, connected virtual studios. His work lives at the intersection of structure and creativity — building systems that remove barriers so people can focus on what matters: expression, learning, and human connection. Ian Belloso's studio:Piano Belloso MusicIan's YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/@pianobellosomusic TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  3. 31 ago

    476: Silent Films, Silly Lyrics and Hungry Hippos: Creative Composing Sparks with Angeline Bell

    There's something incredibly freeing about handing a hesitant improviser a black and white silent film and just watching what happens. Today, I'm chatting with pianist, teacher and composer Angeline Bell to wrap up our month on composition and improvisation, and she's brought a piano's worth of ideas with her. We talk through using silent films, lyrics, duet improvising and pop song rearranging as sparks for composition. Angeline also shares how she balances all of that creativity alongside exam prep and recital season. Angeline shared how catching COVID in 2022 sparked her shift into composing.How Squeezy the Squirrel led to her first publishing deal with Editions Musica Ferrum.She explained how nature walks and travel inspire her collection themes.How silent film clips spark composition by removing the music entirely.Tim highlighted why using percussion instruments beyond piano keeps ideas open-ended.She shared how silly lyrics and rhythm cards turn pets and hobbies into songs.Improvised duet accompaniments make beginner melodies sound full and professional.Why pop song chord progressions are an easy entry point into composing.She explained how students make a borrowed pop song their own.The importance of writing music by hand alongside notation software.Tim highlighted Angeline's advice to play to each student's individual strengths. Links Mentioned Angeline's website:angelinebellmusic.comAngeline's YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/@angelinebellpianomusicTMPP 121: Using Memory Champion Techniques for Note Reading with Rowina SeidlerDownload Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns hereFind out more about TopMusicSheets here Watch the Interview in YouTube https://youtu.be/ExK1Zl9shv4 Today’s Guest Angeline Bell is a Malaysian pianist, teacher and composer based in Crawley, West Sussex. She began composing in 2022 and has since published six collections with Editions Musica Ferrum, each with a companion album on Spotify and Apple Music. Her music now appears on the ABRSM, LCME, ANZCA and AGMS syllabuses, and she teaches from her home studio at Bell Piano School. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  4. 24 ago

    475: Prize-Winning Composition Case Studies with Devi & Mary

    There's no single right way to get students composing, and this episode proves it. Today, I'm sharing a chat I recorded live at TopMusicLive in Sydney this year, where I sat down with two TopMusicPro members, Devi and Mary, whose students' pieces won our members-only composition competition. We unpack Devi's simple chord challenge, a hand-crossing piece born from improvisation, and the surprisingly honest story behind one student's ChatGPT-assisted song. Tim explained the four categories of the members-only TopMusic Composition Competition.How Devi's chord challenge helps young students start composing.Why Harvie built his diminished chord piece Creeping around just four notes.How Juniper composed Clouds one hand at a time before adding lyrics.Devi shared how the music came first and the words were written afterward.Mary explained how Arianna's hand-crossing piece began as an improvisation.Why the piece was written in the middle of studio chaos after a cyclone.How Maya used ChatGPT for a chord progression starting point.Mary shared how she helped Maya reclaim ownership of her own song.Tim explained why repertoire remixing is an easy inroad to creativity.Why notation is part of the learning, not just a competition requirement.Tim highlighted why constraints and improvisation drive composition success. Watch the Interview in YouTube https://youtu.be/JlWVytFC58c Today's Guest TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  5. 17 ago

    474: How to Teach Guided Composition for Music Teachers with Chrissy Ricker

    Most of us grew up being trained to be accurate at the piano, not necessarily inventive, and it's a mindset many teachers are still trying to unlearn. Today, I'm chatting with composer Chrissy Ricker about guided composition, a practical way to lead students through creating their own music using melody, harmony and rhythm as building blocks. We dig into her roll the dice worksheets for reluctant composers, why she starts every student on pencil and paper before notation software, and how repertoire pieces can double as composition models. Tim explained why creativity was rarely a focus of music lessons decades ago.Why Chrissy believes all musicians are inherently creative performers.How guided composition uses templates to ease students into composing.She explained functional music theory as putting concepts into musical context.How guided composition builds on melody, harmony and rhythm as building blocks.Why splitting composition projects across several lessons reduces time pressure.How roll-the-dice worksheets help reluctant composers get started.Tim highlighted Mozart's own musical dice game as the inspiration.Why Chrissy always starts students with pencil and paper before notation software.How composing strengthens students' aural skills and note-reading ability.How repertoire pieces can be reverse engineered into composition models. Watch the Interview in YouTube https://youtu.be/Tgl9LvBaPMM Links Mentioned TopMusic Piano Podcast 055: Catching Up with Composer Chrissy RickerChrissy's Website:www.chrissyricker.comChrissy's Facebook Page:Chrissy Ricker MusicChrissy's Instagram Page:@chrissyrickermusicCreature Features Series (Piano Pronto)Mission: X (Piano Pronto) Today’s Guest Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher and composer from North Carolina, holding a Master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy and certification as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). A prolific composer and arranger, she has published over 40 collections of piano solo and duet music for students through Piano Pronto Publishing and Neil A. Kjos Music Company. As a "Signature Artist" arranger with Musicnotes.com, she also maintains a catalogue of over 1,000 arrangements spanning video game themes to pop songs for pianists at every level. Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. She holds a Master’s degree in music with a concentration in piano performance and pedagogy. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), Chrissy enjoys sharing her ideas with other piano teachers. Her articles on piano teaching have been featured in American Music Teacher magazine, and she blogs regularly about piano teaching and composing at her website, chrissyricker.com. A prolific composer and arranger, Chrissy specializes in creating exciting music for piano students of all ages and skill levels. She has published over 40 collections of piano solo and duet music for students that are available from Piano Pronto Publishing and Neil A. Kjos Music Company. Chrissy is also a “Signature Artist” arranger with Musicnotes.com, where she has a catalog of over 1,000 arrangements, from video game themes to pop songs, for pianists at every level. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  6. 10 ago

    473: Why Boundaries Make Students More Creative with Leila Viss

    Creativity isn't just a nice-to-have for our students, it might be the very thing that eases their anxiety and helps them build a lifetime love of music. Today, I'm chatting with one of my favourite return guests, Leila Viss, who's back to talk about the link between creativity and anxiety, her book Found in the Wake, and the four principles she uses to get even the most hesitant improviser playing beyond the page. We also dig into her composiums for teachers and what's really changed for piano teachers in the ten years since we first talked creativity together. Tim explained why creativity and improvising is this month's show theme.Why "Calm is not the opposite of anxiety, creativity is" resonated deeply with Leila.Tim highlighted stats showing art and writing reduce anxiety and trauma.Why Leila co-wrote Found in the Wake with her family.How creativity has shifted from a soapbox topic to mainstream over ten years.She explained her four principles: permission, choice, boundaries, curiosity.How the "choice architecture" idea uses a spaghetti sauce aisle analogy.How composiums help teachers create and give feedback together.Why boundaries reduce students' anxiety around too many options.How movement and drumming keep students actively engaged in lessons.Why connecting theory to repertoire matters for students. Links Mentioned Find out more about the Spotlight Session with Kevin Olson here.Get sample of Stuart Storer's TopMusicSheets collection here:topmusic.co/tms76472: 3 Super Quick But Super Fun Improv Activities with Susan Staples BellGet sample of Susan’s TopMusicSheets collection here:topmusic.co/tms53Search TopCast podcast episodes here: topmusic.co/podcastsearch Guest Links Leila's website:www.leilaviss.comLeila's Instagram:@leilavissLeila's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/88pianokeys/ Today’s Guest Leila Viss creates imaginative, tech-savvy resources for her in-person and online piano studio and website. She founded Space to Create where she empowers pianists and teachers to connect with their creativity through improvisation, composition, and arranging. A longtime church musician and dynamic speaker, she co-authored Found in the Wake, a memoir of loss and resilience. Leila is Colorado’s 2024 MTNA Foundation Fellow and a 2025 Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Recognition Award recipient. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  7. 3 ago

    472: 3 Super Quick But Super Fun Improv Activities with Susan Staples Bell

    Creativity doesn't have to take over your whole lesson to make a big impact. Today, I'm chatting with Susan Staples Bell about three super quick improvisation activities that you can use with students of any age, even if you've only got a few minutes to spare. We also explore how simple, creative moments can strengthen musicianship, build confidence, and help students become more independent musicians. Tim introduced TopMusic's August theme on improvisation and composition.Susan shared a simple black-key improv activity called Swimming With Koi.She explained how patterns make improvisation feel more natural.Tim highlighted why creativity belongs throughout every lesson.Susan shared ways to encourage reluctant improvisers.She demonstrated how pentascales create quick improvisation success.Tim explained how improvisation reinforces theory and harmony.Susan showed how limiting note choices sparks creativity.She highlighted the importance of connecting improvisation with repertoire.Tim explained how integrated teaching builds stronger musicianship.Susan shared practical resources for teaching composition.The importance of giving students ownership of their music was highlighted. Links Mentioned Get sample of Susan's TopMusicSheets collection here:topmusic.co/tms53Find out more about the Spotlight Session with Kevin Olson here.TopCast 381: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer: Susan Staples BellSearch TopCast podcast episodes here:topmusic.co/podcastsearch Guest Links Susan's Website:susanstaplesbellmusic.comSusan's YouTube Channel:www.youtube.com/@SusanStaplesBellMusicSusan's Facebook page:www.facebook.com/susan.staples.bell.composerSusan's Instagram:@ssmbell.music Today's Guest Susan Staples Bell is a composer, piano educator, and clinician whose creative teaching resources are used by independent teachers worldwide. With over 30 years' experience, she helps students become not just confident readers but expressive, creative musicians, blending solid pedagogy with storytelling, improvisation, and hands-on play. Through her original music and method books like Exploring Improvisation, she gives teachers practical ways to bring creativity into everyday lessons, even when time is tight.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 Mondays weekly. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  8. 20 jul

    471: She Doubled Her Income Without Working More Hours with Lynnette Barney

    Group teaching doesn't have to mean giving up individual attention. Today, I'm sharing a chat I had with Lynnette Barney about how she's refined her overlapping lesson model to give students the best of private instruction, collaborative learning, and independent work in a single visit. Even though we recorded this a little while ago, the ideas are just as relevant today for building stronger communities and more sustainable music studios. Tim explained how Lynnette redesigned her overlapping lesson model.She shared why shorter private lessons improved student focus.She explained how lab time builds independent learners.The benefits of combining private and group learning.Lynnette shared how Tonara extends learning between lessons.She explained why she hired teaching assistants to support her studio.Tim highlighted the value of collaborative lesson planning.Lynnette shared how community improves student retention.She explained why making music together motivates students.Tim highlighted the flexibility of different group teaching models.Lynnette encouraged teachers to experiment and stay focused on their why.The importance of building a sustainable teaching business was highlighted. Links Mentioned Lynnette's website: Creative KeysTopCast Episode 35: Teaching outside the box with Lynnette BarneyDownload the Financial Case Study of Overlapping Group Teaching with Lynette Barney Today's Guest Lynnette Barney has been a music educator in Tucson for over thirty years. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA), and Tucson Music Teachers Association (TMTA) and has served as treasurer, state conference co-chair, committee chair and member, and in other positions. Ms. Barney was chosen as the ASMTA Janice McCurnin-Beatrice Searles Honored Teacher in May, 2025. As a collaborative musician she has accompanied choirs, musical theater productions, voice lessons, and ballet classes. She also serves as a church musician and enjoys presenting at state, national and online music teacher conferences. She has studied with Dr. Rex Woods, Dr. Jeffrey Shumway, and David Glen Hatch. She’s been featured on podcasts and blogs with Nicola Canton, Jennifer Foxx, and Tim Topham. Ms. Barney seeks to preparing students to be lifelong musicians and has enjoyed preparing her students to accompany school, college, and church choirs; earn college piano scholarships; serve as church organists; share music with their families; and play for their own love of the piano. 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 Mondays weekly. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership. TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

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The original podcast for growth-minded instrumental music and voice teachers since 2015. Our mission at TopMusic is to empower music teachers to find and nurture their innate creativity so they can teach lessons that are innovative, integrated and inspiring, and that will have a positive, life-long impact on their students. Tune in weekly as we interview teachers and creators from around the world and unpack fun and exciting ideas to maximise your teaching and studio business success.

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