Creative Piano Pedagogy

Elizabeth Davis-Everhart

This podcast is an enriching resource designed specifically for piano teachers and music educators working with out-of-the-box students: students with disabilities, physical or learning differences, gifted and 2-E learners and neurodivergent students. Each episode delves into innovative teaching strategies, offering insights and practical solutions that promote creativity, inclusivity, and approaches teaching from a positive and student-first environment. Pedagogue, researcher and music educator Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Everhart will demystify topics such as technique, communication, piano methods, understanding behaviors, autism, ADHD, dyslexia and much more- all with a focus on encouraging teachers to meet the diverse needs of their students and inspiring them to embrace new ideas and cultivate the musical potential of every learner.

  1. 6d ago ·  Video

    34- More than Words: Using Varied Communication Methods in Music Lessons

    Send us Fan Mail We've all done it in music lessons...when students are struggling to grasp a concept, we repeat the same question or rephrase it multiple times. Sometimes it works, but what if we could intentionally utilize a variety of communication tools in lessons that go beyond just verbal communication (words?) Host, Dr. Elizabeth is join by friend and colleague, Tara Mock and they share what it looks like to use hand signals, visual aids, singing and other communication tools in music lessons to help keep students engaged, and to keep the students at the center of the learning process. They also share a quick tip about ADHD at the end of the episode for teachers, students and parents.  ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast by leaving a quick review on your podcast streaming app!  Links from this episode: Eyeglass Stickers by Wendy, LH/RH stickers by Liz Elizabeth's favorite Frog/Eyeball stickers Check out the I Need Chart designed by Elizabeth and the Visual Lesson Schedule designed by Tara Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

  2. Oct 12 ·  Video

    33- Visual Processing Disorders and Troubleshooting Music Reading

    Send us Fan Mail Since music reading is a natural part of the piano learning process for most students, it can be frustrating when it's just not clicking or doesn't come easily for students. What if it's not an issue of "My student can't read music" or "My student will not read music" and what might the other factors be that are contributing to the confusion? In this episode, podcast host and renowned piano pedagogue Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Everhart breaks down Visual Processing Orders, sharing factual examples of how VPD may impact students' music learning. Elizabeth also shares practical tools she uses with students in lessons to assist with music reading, and ends the episode with 4 questions for teachers to assess their own students' music reading. ⭐️ If you enjoy the episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe on your podcast app, and leave a quick review! Links from the episode 🎙️ Check out Elizabeth and Scott Price's 2-part interview on the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast- Episode 017 Teaching the Visually Impaired Part 1 and Part 2 🔗 Favorite teaching tools for Neurodivergent Learners 📕 Read more about Visual Processing Disorder, Visual Loss in Children, Visual Processing and Education Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

  3. Sep 28 ·  Video

    32- 3 No-fuss Tips for Including Ear Training in Lessons

    Send us Fan Mail What's the big deal about Ear Training, and what benefit (if any) does it provide to piano students? Music teachers often forget to educate the ear in the same ways we help students develop healthy technique, a sense of rhythm, or reading music.  In this episode, Elizabeth breaks down Ear Training by defining it and giving practical examples of how educating the ear helps students progress in other musical skills. The episode concludes with an encouragement for teachers with 3 practical tips for using Ear Training with their own students, regardless of the teachers' experience with ear training. Whether you're new to exploring Ear Training or have been doing it for decades, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, challenged, and (hopefully) inspired with fresh perspectives and practical tips. Resources from this episode: Piano Teachers Book Club closes Sept. 30- save your spot!  Ear training resources created by Elizabeth: Dogs at Play- Major/minor Ear Training Printable Activity Soccer Fields- Printable Intervals on Staff/Piano Keys Activity Holiday Dogs- Printable Major/minor Ear Training Activity Other activities: Interactive Ear training activities (and more) by Berklee Free Theory, interval, and ear training activities Blob Chorus free game- a favorite! Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

  4. Aug 24 ·  Video

    30- 6 Tips to Refresh Your Mindset for the New School Year

    Send us Fan Mail After a fantastic summer break and the Piano Teacher Reset Virtual Retreat, the podcast is back and packed with realistic, practical tips to take the pressure off yourself and set a warm, supportive tone in your studio for the upcoming school year! Community Updates: Announcing a brand new seasonal format for the Piano Teachers Book Club!Warm Welcomes, No Guilt: How to welcome returning students back without negativity Adapting to Transitions: Navigating back-to-school schedule shifts, changes to students' routines, and growing with our ever-changing students as they grow!Reviewing & Re-Engaging: Fun tactics for setting students up for year-long success at their first lesson back and using the new free Piano Practice Bingo resource!Redefining Your Role: Let's shift away from "manufactured excitement" to embrace your role as a consistent coach, champion, and tone-setter.Book Club Sign Up CPP Membership for Free Member Resources Online Shop & Digital Downloads Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

  5. Jul 13 ·  Video

    29- Building Up Others: A Summer Encouragement & Challenge

    Send us Fan Mail It is common for the independent studio teacher to be quite isolated. We have to be intentional about creating our communities and connecting with our colleagues, and often our colleagues also include our former teachers and past students (or current students!). In our technology-heavy world where we are "connecting" with people behind a screen, it can be easy to tear each other down rather than build each other up, especially in the pursuit of a bigger platform. Join Elizabeth and Tara as they discuss how we can build up our colleagues rather than tear them down. At the end of this brief episode, we present you with a challenge and we would love to hear about the results! Links mentioned in this episode: Piano Teacher Reset Registration Join Creative Piano Pedagogy for free Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

  6. Jun 1

    28- Pachelbel vs. Perfectionism: Finding Joy in Improvising with Dr. Louie Hehman

    Send us Fan Mail Improvisation intimidates a lot of classically trained piano teachers, not because we lack musicianship, but because we assume we need to sound brilliant on day one. Dr. Louie Hehman joins me to break that myth wide open and to show how improvisation can start with the simplest materials: two chords, a familiar bass line, or even five black keys. We talk about why “wrong notes” are not disasters, how recovery is a skill you can teach, and how lowering the pressure actually raises the joy at the piano.  We dig into what it looks like to teach students whose skills grow unevenly, like the child with an off-the-charts ear but slower reading. Instead of forcing a one-track method, we explore how to use a student’s strengths as the pathway to reading, theory, and technique. We talk “Yes And” pedagogy: honoring Bach and Beethoven while also embracing jazz, crossover listening, student interests, and the playful experiments that keep music alive in the 21st century. If you want more confident piano improvisation, stronger musicianship, and a studio where creativity is normal, hit play and then share this with a teacher friend.  Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s one small improv habit you can try this week? Louie's recommended jazz book for piano teachers (affiliate link)- https://amzn.to/3RRJJAK Skills for the Modern PianistJoin the Piano Teacher Reset Waitlist! Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

  7. May 18

    27- Respect, Clarity, Relationships and Teaching Teen/Adult Neurodivergent Students

    Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth and Tara share practical ways to teach older neurodivergent piano students with more respect, less fear, and better results. We focus on clear expectations, collaborative communication, and adult-appropriate materials so teens and adults leave lessons feeling confident instead of overwhelmed. If you want more inclusive teaching strategies for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences, this one will leave you with scripts and next steps you can use immediately. Subscribe, share with a teacher friend, and leave a review so more piano teachers can find these tools! --> If you have a teaching question or topic you'd like us to feature on the podcast, we'd love to hear from you! Send us an email or contact us here.  Links -check out some of our favorite piano books for older teen/adult students -create a free Creative Piano Pedagogy account and check out the freebies -join the waitlist for the virtual summer retreat- The Piano Teacher Reset! If you enjoy the podcast, you can support us with Buy Me A Coffee a monthly or one-time donation to help keep it going. Any amount helps encourage and further our mission of providing practical resources for piano teachers! Support the show Subscribe to our email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more. Love the show? Buy us a coffee and support the podcast. Let's stay in touch! On the website/blog Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on YouTube You can find all of our favorite repertoire and teaching tools on the Amazon Storefront (affiliate link) Questions or suggestions? Send Elizabeth an email: elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com As an Amazon Affiliate, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through our links. Thank you for helping support the podcast!

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

This podcast is an enriching resource designed specifically for piano teachers and music educators working with out-of-the-box students: students with disabilities, physical or learning differences, gifted and 2-E learners and neurodivergent students. Each episode delves into innovative teaching strategies, offering insights and practical solutions that promote creativity, inclusivity, and approaches teaching from a positive and student-first environment. Pedagogue, researcher and music educator Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Everhart will demystify topics such as technique, communication, piano methods, understanding behaviors, autism, ADHD, dyslexia and much more- all with a focus on encouraging teachers to meet the diverse needs of their students and inspiring them to embrace new ideas and cultivate the musical potential of every learner.

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