Key Ideas

Episode #71 is the last episode of season three and MAYBE the LAST episode of Key Ideas as you know it. Tune in to hear how I came to that decision. The process I share could be just the nudge you need to stop saying YES when you really mean NO! As a token of my appreciation for your lovely support, grab the FREE download HERE and make your own Freedom Compass I mention in the episode.  Thank you SO much for listening to Key Ideas! I am grateful for your time, your ears, and your lovely support over the past three seasons. Leila

Episode #70 spotlights the brilliance of Marie Lee. You get to learn her secrets about how she prepares students for festivals in a group setting. She has honed a system that sets students up for success and who frequently receive high marks and even honors. Marie's strategies can also be applied in private lessons and will help your students repeatedly earn superiors at local performance events. Listen to the end, as some freebies and coupons tie in with Marie’s advice. Head to the show notes HERE  to sign up for the Group IlluminatED conference and to get a free Emoji rating chart with instructions on how to use this in early-level group lessons.  

Episode #69 features my conversation with the brilliant Andrea Miller. Perhaps you’ve already been an avid fan of her podcast, Music Studio Startup, enrolled in her courses, or heard one of her many timely presentations at national conferences. In this episode, Andrea shares how she developed her career straddling music and business–in my days, those never came as a package deal. You’ll learn about the tools she’s designed to help music teachers who resist the business side of their profession to manage their studios. We cover some common mistakes teachers make when it comes to running their studios, and you’ll appreciate her wisdom on how she balances her life as an entrepreneur, wife, and mom. Head to the show notes to get links to Andrea's site and course and to save your spot at the Composium.

In episode #68, you eavesdrop on my conversation with piano teacher and pioneer Carly Walton. If you aren’t familiar with Carly and her story, you’ll be blown away by her incredible timing back in 2019. When most of us were comfortable teaching in our brick-and-mortar studios, she was among the first to explore the possibilities of teaching piano online. When March 2020 hit, Carly had no idea that her expertise would become a beacon for teachers forced to pivot and face the vast frontier of online teaching. Today she encourages teachers to build their online studios at her membership site, Teach Music Online. Listen in as Carly recommends her favorite tools for teaching online, simple activities to engage students, and tips for getting new students online or in person. I gained some significant tips from Carly, and I know you will, too. Head to the show notes to learn more about Carly HERE. Save your spot at the COMPOSIUM HERE.

This is Episode #67 in which you are privileged to learn from Brenna Berman. Already an avid performer at the age of seven, Brenna’s promising career as a pianist was almost shut down by the pain and injuries she sustained from playing the piano. In fact, one of her college professors suggested Brenna find another career path. In our conversation, you learn how Brenna overcame her injuries and why she is now a leading expert in the Taubman approach. Weaved through the interview, Brenna touches on topics like enhancing our intuition, transcending the traditions of playing from a score, the six main things that cause injuries in pianists, and the foundational technique tools we can implement in our lessons even with our beginning students. Head to the show notes so that you can learn more about Brenna's upcoming workshop. Also, make sure to get your free sheet music from Wendy Stevens and set up your free account at Fortelessons. Go to SHOWNOTES!

Episode #66 is my conversation with Canadian journalist Adriana Barton. Adriana just released her new book called Wired For Music in which she shares her search for health and joy through music. Due to unfortunate circumstances and extraordinary connections, I am privileged to have connected with Adriana and now share our conversation with you. It’s a significant honor that Adriana includes our family’s story in her book! In this episode, you hear the story of how Adriana and I connected. Next, Adriana discusses her quest to establish a healthy relationship with music after a childhood of relentless practice toward perfection left her injured and joyless. “Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology and evolutionary biology, my book argues that music is much more than entertainment or a rarefied artform: It’s an age-old system to boost human health, connect us to each other (even at a chemical level) and add meaning, resilience and joy.” -Adriana Barton Follow THIS LINK for the show notes to get your free FORTE account and your free sheet music from WENDY STEVENS.      

This is episode #65 which is part two of my conversation with good friend and colleague.  Have you observed behavior in students who indicate that they may learn differently or are neurodivergent, but you can’t target how to guide them? Are you looking for tips and resources on how to help students with anxiety? Then start listening now! In this episode, Dr. Emily McGree and I continue our discussion on how to respond to a child who’s disrupting the class and how to talk with parents about their child who is showing behaviors that may indicate unique patterns in learning. We discuss the sensitivity required when approaching neurodivergent behaviors in group situations and focus on how to approach students who exhibit anxiety.  Make sure to back up to episode #64 for part one of this conversation so you don’t miss a thing. And...head to the show notes HERE for FREE sheet music from Wendy Stevens of ComposeCreate.com. Remember to use "keyideas" to get your free sheet music!  

Episode # 64 is part one of my conversation with Dr. Emily McGree. If you’ve heard the term neurodivergent but aren’t sure what it means, or if you have observed behavior in students that indicate that they may learn differently, but you can’t target how to guide them, or if you are in need of resources for how to help students with anxiety, then stay tuned! Emily has so much to share and you will find her insight and advice incredibly valuable as you teach privately or in groups. Thank you to Wendy Stevens for her generous support of Key Ideas. I know that if you try just one piece you'll see why Wendy Steven’s music is known as Music Kids Love.® I'm thrilled that Wendy is offering to give any Key Ideas listener a popular, big-sounding elementary piece called "The Bold Escape" for free! I think you and your students will love it! Use coupon code keyideas to download your free sheet music of "The Bold Escape" from Wendy Stevens HERE.

This is episode #63 in which I talk with innovators Mark Murtagh and Hunter McGranahan. Together they founded ForteLessons.com. After years of settling on Zoom, I tried Forte and noticed an immediate difference and improved sound quality. You hear about the vision and work behind the scenes in our conversation. It's clear that the intentions of this small company are not only to be a free alternative to Zoom, but much more.  Curious how they intend to keep Forte free? They have BIG plans so listen in... Head to the show notes to set up YOUR FREE account HERE.

This first episode of 2023 features a conversation based on something rockstar piano teacher Andrea Zimmerman revealed to me in an email.  Have I sparked your curiosity? Hint, Andrea shares why she and her husband can afford to take ten weeks off every summer to travel.  No spoiler alert here, you’ll have to listen to learn her story. Stay tuned for fantastic ideas to keep your studio relevant in the 21st century. And make sure to listen to the end when you get to hear Andrea sing for us. You’ll be swooning!   Grab the show notes HERE.   Episode #62 is sponsored by Forte, a free alternative to Zoom built for teaching music. Follow this link to learn more.