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...
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, Christmas camp but it can really be called whatever you want. Winter,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Last week we finished our last session of Christmas camp, Mission Santa and officially on our winter break. One of the missions students accomplished was "Power Rhythm" which was rhythm bowling. Rhythm bowling is the perfect cross-curricular activity combining music...
Last week my students and I had a chance to connect online with Jason Lyle Black. From Nashville, TN, Jason is a performer, composer, speaker, and entertainer who is also nicknamed the "Backwards Piano Man". You might be familiar with Jason from this YouTube video he...
