A couple week ago, we kicked off our fall semester! For many years the very first lesson of the semester is what I have called, fall kickoff. In normal circumstances, fall kickoff has been an in person group lesson. But it's 2020 which means our fall kickoff was held...
Behind the Scenes of Organizing My Online Studio Summer Program
In a normal summer my students would choose between attending an in person camp workshop or a practice packet which included recorded video lessons or for an extra fee they could do both. But as you know, with COVID-19, this isn't a normal summer... I knew many of my...
Adapting Music Games and Activities Online (Music Teacher Tip #28)
Who loves playing games with their students? *raises hand* Games are not only fun and a great motivator but they also engage our students and invite learning. When we are teaching online, it can sometimes be a little tricky playing a favorite game that you normally...
Christmas or Winter Camp (Music Teacher Tip #24)
https://musiceducatorresources.com/product/nutcracker-music-escape-room/Over 20 years ago, I started what became one of my big win-wins in my studio. After years of frustration, I decided to replace regular lessons in December with a holiday camp. I call my camp,...
Getting to Know You Activities (Music Teacher Tip #18)
It's back to school time, which means you will want some fun getting to know you activities in your arsenal. Getting to know our students help create a sense of belonging. It can help us when we are trying to figure out what music will motivate them. It also lets them...
ASMTA Conference Sessions: Tradition and Innovation Part 2
Getting Over the Fear of Teaching Online and Video Lessons By Jennifer Foxx I thought the conference theme this year was a perfect one to share my presentation, Getting Over the Fear of Teaching Online and Video Lessons. This is a session where I stress that teaching...
Recital Rehearsal (Music Teacher Tip #14)
Do you hold rehearsals for your recitals? When I first started teaching I didn't. It wasn't until a few years later when I held my recital in a big venue that students were unfamiliar with, that I thought a rehearsal would be a good idea. Fast forward to today and now...
Comic Strip Music Composition
Each year I try to have at least one composition project for my students to work on. Over the years we have enjoyed doing creative story compositions. This year my students and I had a SUPER time with the A.N.T.H.E.M. program. Because of the superhero theme, I wanted...
The Sheet Music Heist
Dissonance has been up to no good. He has caused chaos in the sheet music world causing the notes to crash into each other. He must be stopped before music as we know it is completely destroyed! Luckily the Superhero Apprentices are ready to help! Each challenge will...
Spring Semester Kickoff
A couple of weeks ago when school started back in session we kicked off the spring semester. Spring semester in my studio begins in January and goes through mid-May. This was the first year I implemented a spring semester kickoff. I do a fall semester kickoff each...














