The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

Tim Topham

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. 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

  2. 13 jul

    470: Lab Time: Where Independent Learning Happens

    If you've ever wondered what students can do independently while you're teaching another lesson, this episode is for you. I'm sharing a training from one of our TopMusicPro group teaching courses, where Nicola Cantan introduces the concept of "lab time"— a simple but powerful way to keep students engaged in meaningful, independent learning. Whether you're already experimenting with overlapping lessons or just curious about group teaching, this episode will give you plenty of practical ideas to explore. Tim introduces lab time as a key strategy for successful overlapping lessons.Nicola Cantan explains how lab time supports purposeful independent learning.Lab stations can include iPads, digital pianos, games, theory books, or computers.Students use lab time while another student receives individual instruction.Lab activities reinforce lesson concepts through additional guided practice.Independent work is best suited to students who can read and follow directions.Nicola recommends using headphones, MIDI-enabled apps, and durable equipment.Teachers can charge a small additional fee to cover equipment and software costs.Lab time helps build student independence while increasing studio efficiency.Tim encourages teachers to start small by adding a short lab session to one lesson. Links MentionedLearn more about Make More, Teach Less with Pairs, Buddies and Labs CourseCheck out TopMusic Courses here 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 TrialHeard 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. 6 jul

    469: Group Teaching’s Best-Kept Secret

    When people think about group teaching, they often focus on the financial benefits. While teaching more students at once can certainly increase income and reduce burnout, I've discovered an even greater advantage. In this episode, I'm share why building a strong community in your studio is the real secret behind successful group teaching, and how it can improve student engagement, retention, and the overall learning experience. Why community is the greatest benefit of group teaching.How making music together helps students build friendships and feel a sense of belonging.How strong social connections improve student retention and encourage regular attendance.Why group teaching does not always require teaching many students at the same time.Fflexible group teaching models, including rotating sessions and monthly group classes.How group teaching can help teachers reach more students while reducing burnout.He encouraged teachers to explore group teaching gradually Links Mentioned Find out more about the Spotlight Session with Marie Lee here. 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

  4. 29 jun

    468: Why Automated Tuition is a No-Brainer for Music Teachers

    This month, we’ve been focusing on studio transformation, and sometimes the biggest improvements come from solving the simplest problems. In this episode, I’m sharing a replay of a conversation from the TopMusic Piano Podcast hosted by Dr. Rachel Ehring. Rachel dives into one of the most common frustrations music teachers face, billing and invoicing, and explains why moving to automated tuition can save time, reduce stress, and help create a more sustainable studio business. Rachel explores common studio pain points that create unnecessary stress for teachers.How systems and procedures can make studio management significantly easier.Why creating SOPs helps reduce repetitive work and save valuable time.Rachel discusses using videos to clearly communicate studio policies to parents.She highlights why make-up lesson requests often become a recurring challenge.How automated billing systems eliminate the need for manual invoicing and payment chasing.Examples of teachers losing income because of weak payment systems.How studio management software helps separate business processes from personal relationships.Why automatic payments improve cash flow and reduce administrative workload.Rachel explains why software costs are often outweighed by time savings and efficiency gains.Tim encourages teachers to explore monthly billing and automated tuition systems. Links Mentioned Blog: How to Change to Monthly Billing for Piano LessonsTopMusic Piano Podcast with Rachel Ehring Today's Guest 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. Visit her website at RachelEhring.comVisit her Instagram page: @rachelehringVisit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music 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

  5. 22 jun

    467: Find Your #1 Studio Fix in 10 Minutes (The New Studio Audit)

    Most teachers know there’s something in their studio that could be improved, but figuring out where to start is often the hardest part. In this episode, I’m introducing the new TopMusic Studio Audit, a quick self-assessment designed to help you identify your biggest opportunity for growth and give you a practical 30-day plan to tackle it. Whether you want to streamline your systems, refresh your teaching, or grow your business, this tool is designed to help you focus on what matters most. Tim introduces the new TopMusic Studio Audit designed to help teachers identify their biggest growth opportunity.He explains why trying to fix everything at once often leads to overwhelm and burnout.How the audit helps teachers focus on the one area that will create the biggest impact first.Three key areas are assessed: studio systems, teaching practice, and business growth.The Streamline My Studio pathway focuses on admin, policies, billing, and automation.The Refresh My Teaching pathway helps teachers reignite creativity and student engagement.The Grow My Business pathway focuses on marketing, visibility, and attracting new students.Tim explains that the audit includes a personalized 30-day action plan based on results.How each action plan includes small weekly tasks designed to create steady progress.Tim highlights the importance of understanding your effective hourly rate as a studio owner.The audit is designed to provide clarity, accountability, and a practical path for studio improvement. Links Mentioned Find out more about the 12-Week Studio Transformation (12WST) here. 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

  6. 15 jun

    466: From “Pretend Job” to Pro: How Jill King Transformed Her Piano Studio

    Making the leap from classroom teaching to a full-time piano studio can feel daunting, especially when you're juggling family commitments, self-doubt, and the realities of running a business. In this episode, I'm chatting with TopMusic member Jill King, who recently completed our 12-Week Studio Transformation program and successfully grew her studio from 35 to 50 students. We talk about the mindset shifts, business systems, teaching strategies, and confidence boosts that helped her turn piano teaching from what she once considered a "pretend job" into a thriving professional career. Jill shared a brief overview of her teaching background and her music studio.Why teaching advanced AMEB students initially triggered significant imposter syndrome.How Jill grew her studio from 35 to 50 students after implementing ideas from 12WST.She highlighted how online teaching opened opportunities to reach students outside her local area.Why learning to ask more questions helped students become independent learners.How integrating classical and contemporary music created stronger learning connections.Piano Safari and rote repertoire became important additions to her teaching toolkit.Why clear studio policies helped reduce stress around make-up lessons and parent communication.How online systems and automation improved her studio administration and efficiency.How creating a website and marketing plan helped future-proof her business.Jill explained that the biggest transformation was gaining confidence in piano teaching as a professional career. Links MentionedFind out more about the 12-Week Studio Transformation (12WST) here.Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.Find out more about Advancing Pianists Course Today's Guest Jill King trained as a K–12 classroom music teacher and spent more than 25 years working in schools, thriving on the creativity and energy of busy Performing Arts departments. Throughout that time, piano teaching remained a rewarding side pursuit, alongside her classroom career. A change in family circumstances prompted Jill to seek greater flexibility and sparked an important question: could private piano teaching become her primary profession? Drawing on the support, inspiration, and practical strategies she found through the TopMusic community, she successfully made that transition. Today, Jill works as an onsite piano teacher at a Sydney school and has expanded her studio to include online students as well. She is passionate about helping students develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music, and is proud to say that piano teaching is now her full-time career. 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 TrialHeard 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. 8 jun

    465: Introducing Studio Transformation Month with David Cutler

    Running a successful music studio takes more than great teaching. In this episode, I’m introducing Studio Transformation Month at TopMusic and sharing why I believe the business side of teaching deserves just as much attention as pedagogy. I’ll also give you a preview of our upcoming Spotlight session with David Cutler, where we’ll explore practical ways to transform your studio, stand out from the competition, and create more value for your students and families. Tim introduces June as Studio Transformation Month at TopMusic.He highlights the importance of improving the business side of a music studio.A recent teacher webinar revealed that invoicing and billing remain major frustrations.Tim explains how automated tuition systems can eliminate billing headaches.He encourages teachers to move away from manual invoicing processes.Monthly recurring tuition is presented as a proven solution for studio sustainability.Tim introduces David Cutler as the featured Spotlight guest for the month.The Spotlight session will focus on developing a powerful studio value proposition.Tim previews practical business strategies for standing out in a competitive market. Links Mentioned Blog: How to Change to Monthly Billing for Piano LessonsJoin the Spotlight Session with David Cutler here 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. 25 may

    464: Watch Tim Teach an Online Piano Lesson

    One of the best ways to understand a teaching framework is to actually see it in action. Today, I’m sharing part of a real online lesson with my student Phoenix, where we dive into four-chord composing, theory integration, and creative exploration. You’ll hear how simple chord progressions can open the door to teaching cadences, harmony, listening skills, and creativity all at the same time. Tim shares a real online lesson excerpt with his student Phoenix from California.Four-chord composing is introduced as a practical framework for teaching theory through creativity.Phoenix creates original chord progressions using the circle of fifths.Tim demonstrates how pop chord progressions reinforce theoretical concepts naturally.Cadences are taught through active music-making instead of worksheets or drills.The lesson explores perfect and plagal cadences within real chord progressions.Tim explains how integrated music teaching connects theory directly to playing.Phoenix experiments with emotional colors and textures in different chord sequences.Common tones are highlighted to help students hear harmonic connections.Tim encourages creative exploration and experimentation rather than perfection.Online teaching tools like multiple camera views and Classroom Maestro support the lesson.Phoenix is encouraged to continue composing and experimenting between lessons. Links Mentioned Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.Watch thevideo of this episodeon YouTube.Find out more aboutFour Chord Composing Course here. 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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