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. 4D AGO

    24- Preparing Students for Recitals and Adjudicated Events (without losing the joy)

    Send us Fan Mail Recital season can bring out the best in a studio and the most stress in our students. We’re taking a fresh, practical look at performances, festivals, and adjudications with one guiding question: does this experience help a student leave feeling joy, momentum, and pride in their music, or does it pile on fear that makes them want to quit? I share how I decide when an adjudicated event is a great fit and when it is simply not worth the anxiety, and you’ll also hear my perspective after more than two decades of adjudicating. We wrap up with an encouragement for end-of-year lessons and how to keep the joy in music making. From today's episode: Last chance to join the Spring Piano Teachers Book Club- there's room for you! The Repertoire List we love (with ratings/motivation) Join our Free Membership to access free resources! Carnegie Hall Kids- great music games/quizzes! Support the show Find the full transcript here of this episode and all past episodes! 📚 Join the waitlist for the next Piano Teachers Book Club Session! Subscribe to Elizabeth's email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more.  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!

    34 min
  2. MAR 9

    23- Boundaries with Heart: Using Proactive Teaching to Create a Positive Lesson Environment

    Send us Fan Mail What if the real breakthroughs in your piano studio have less to do with scales and more to do with the space between the notes—how we set boundaries, model calm, teach appropriate social skills and communication, and design lessons that students can actually navigate?  We start with the gap most teachers feel but rarely name: students arrive with different developmental ages than their birthdates suggest. That mismatch can make a brilliant nine-year-old look like a distracted preschooler unless we plan for social-emotional learning. You’ll hear how a simple routine (paired with clear gestures) builds delayed gratification, listening, and respect. Along the way, we share stories—from the unforgettable iPad-in-the-microwave moment to quiet wins where consistency and kindness changed the arc of a lesson. We also announce fresh resources to support your growth: -a free member portal with a growing library of digital tools (click "Join Now" at the top menu) -spring book club of "Bright Not Broken" to better understand twice-exceptional students -a summer cohort of Adaptive Piano Pedagogy 101 -new St. Patrick's Day themed activities for lessons -brand new sacred sheet music by Elizabeth for Lent If you’re ready to move from firefighting to foresight, this is your roadmap to proactive teaching that protects creativity, honors neurodiversity, and gets more music made. Support the show Find the full transcript here of this episode and all past episodes! 📚 Join the waitlist for the next Piano Teachers Book Club Session! Subscribe to Elizabeth's email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more.  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!

    32 min
  3. FEB 23

    22- Decoding Dyslexia with Dr. Olivia Colomaio, part 2

    Send us Fan Mail In this second episode on dyslexia with Dr. Olivia Colomaio, we explore how dyslexia shows up in piano study and share tools that replace quick fixes with sound-first learning and real transfer. Practical strategies, honest self-assessment, and effort-based awards help students grow skills and confidence without gimmicks. If you’ve wondered how to support dyslexic pianists with compassion and precision, this conversation gives you a map you can use today! Don’t forget to share this with a teacher friend that you think might enjoy it!  Check out The Dyslexic Advantage recommended by Dr. Olivia 📚The Spring session of the Piano Teachers Book Club starts soon- Join us! Don't miss the new freebies and teaching resources on the CPP shop or Etsy Support the show Find the full transcript here of this episode and all past episodes! 📚 Join the waitlist for the next Piano Teachers Book Club Session! Subscribe to Elizabeth's email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more.  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!

    22 min
  4. FEB 9

    21- Decoding Dyslexia with Dr. Olivia Colomaio, part 1

    Send us Fan Mail In part 1 of the conversation with Dr. Olivia Colomaio, we dive into what dyslexia actually is, why it’s often misunderstood, and how those myths affect piano teaching and our students. Olivia shares research, lived experience, and practical ways teachers can adapt without waiting for a diagnosis, while we urge more empathy for families navigating dyslexia and neurodiversity. We also talk openly about why parents may not disclose diagnoses, the emotional journey of seeking answers, and how music teachers can approach families with respect, curiosity, and care. Most importantly, we offer practical, compassionate strategies you can use right away with your own students. ✨ Subscribe and share with a friend ✨ Leave a quick review/rating to let us know you're enjoying the podcast ✨ Don't forget to follow on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook --> And don't miss out on the new teaching resources [and freebies] on the online store! 📚 The spring session of the Piano Teachers Book Club starts soon- Join the waitlist! Questions about piano teaching? Feel free to contact us: Dr. Olivia- ocolomaio@sc.edu Dr. Elizabeth- elizabeth@creativepianopedagogy.com ☕️ Enjoying the podcast? Buy us a cup of coffee as a way to show support. Support the show Find the full transcript here of this episode and all past episodes! 📚 Join the waitlist for the next Piano Teachers Book Club Session! Subscribe to Elizabeth's email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more.  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!

    32 min
  5. 12/01/2025

    19- Teacher Questions: Grace over Grind and Neurodiversity in Music Lessons

    Send us Fan Mail Teaching doesn’t require superhero energy; it requires humane rhythms, clear anchors, and courage to pivot. We sit down to unpack the real weight of lesson planning during a busy season, how we manage exhaustion without guilt, and why lowering the pressure can raise the music. From the “sacred 45” minutes that protect our focus to the 15-minute pauses that keep us present, we share small rituals that sustain big care. We also tackle neurodivergent-friendly strategies with honesty and warmth. When plans flop, we don’t panic—we adapt.  Along the way, we invite your questions for a crowd-sourced Q&A in January and share details about our upcoming teacher chat on Zoom. If you’re craving practical ideas for piano pedagogy, neurodiversity-aware teaching, and low-stress recital planning, you’ll feel right at home here. Press play, save your favorite tips, and tell us what you’ll try next. If this conversation helped, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more teachers can find it. Support the show Find the full transcript here of this episode and all past episodes! 📚 Join the waitlist for the next Piano Teachers Book Club Session! Subscribe to Elizabeth's email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more.  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!

    18 min
  6. 11/17/2025

    17- Practical Strategies For Navigating the Holidays in a Neurodivergent Studio

    Send us Fan Mail The holidays can be magical—and completely overwhelming. Between school concerts, studio plans, nonstop decorations, and family expectations, our students’ senses get flooded and their routines get disrupted. We talk frankly about what actually helps neurodivergent learners during this season and how we, as teachers, can be the steady, calm center when everything else speeds up. If you’re craving a simple, humane approach to the holidays, this conversation gives you the scripts, structures, and small tips that make a big difference. Subscribe, share with a teacher friend who needs a calmer December, and leave a review to tell us which strategy you’ll try first! Subscribe to the new blog! Looking for some new holiday fidgets, no-prep activities or Elizabeth's students' favorite Scratch Ornaments? Check them out here! Check out our favorite Christmas/holiday repertoire (including the music mentioned in today's episode) Support the show Find the full transcript here of this episode and all past episodes! 📚 Join the waitlist for the next Piano Teachers Book Club Session! Subscribe to Elizabeth's email list here so you won’t miss future courses, freebies, teacher events and more.  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!

    33 min
5
out of 5
7 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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