Monthly Schedule

("Teacher Take Note" and Monthly Presentation Topics)

Presenter Bios

Monthly Presentation (10:15-11:30)

Teacher Take Note (9:30-10:00)

New this year! We want you to help

lead a discussion this year! Choose from a

topic below or come up with your own.

Click here to sign up!

September 5:

  • Pamela Jones: The Evolution of Keyboard Instruments from 3000 BC to the 20th Century

    This lecture demonstration will show the evolution of the earliest keyboard

    instruments, from organs to harpsichords, clavichords, fortepianos, modern pianos & electronic

    (digital) keyboards. By special request, there will also be a short presentation about the School

    of Music at the University of Utah with regard to student recruitment, educational &

    performing opportunities, etc. as well as a virtual tour of its growing collection of historical and

    modern keyboard instruments (organs, clavichords, harpsichords, and Steinway pianos) that

    enhance student's learning experiences and understanding of 16th-21st century keyboard

    repertoire.


Possible Discussion Topics:

  •   Duets

    What are the best duets you've taught, played and/or plan to teach your students? Please bring those pieces to share with the group and discuss why they attract you and your students. Christmas duets too!


  • Preparing for the Monster Concert
    Are you prepping your students for the Monster Concert? When do you start students on their pieces? What are some of the pieces you have used in the past? What is your schedule and structure for practicing and preparing for the concert?



October 3rd:

  • Juliet Preston: Sight Reading Skills That Books Don’t Teach

    This presentation highlights and demonstrates important facets of real-life sight reading that are often neglected in our many books of repertoire. This will help develop strong reading instincts in students and teachers alike. 

  •  Lesson structure

    Time is tight in all lessons. How do you structure your lesson time? With the need to fit in technique, sight reading and theory along with prepping for performances, what do you ask students to do at a lesson and what can you leave to them at home? 



November 7:

  •  10:00 Mandatory AIM meeting for all teachers participating in the AIM program.

     Are you interested in the A.I.M. (Achievement In Music) Program? Whether you are "a seasoned veteren" or "a curious bystander", come and join us for our annual A.I.M. Training Meeting to become better informed and to get "on target" answers to all of your questions.

  •  Studio organization

    Most of us are teaching out of our homes, which is shared with other activities and family members. How do you have your studio space organized? Do you have all of your music visible? Do you have a storage space? What is important to you to have right at your fingertips and why? Share how you work

    with limited space or what you have decided

    you don't need in your studio in 2024.

     

Dec 5:

  • Viktor Valkov: Master Class and Performance


    We will be looking for 3 students to perform in this master class with Viktor Valkov. In addition to giving each some feedback on their performances, Viktor will also be performing a number for us as well!

  • Tech in your studio

    Technology is everywhere in our daily lives. How do you use it in your studio? Do you use it to track your music library? Do you use it for student assignments? Do you have an electronic payment system for your parents? What are ways you use it for practice? Come prepared

    to tell the group how you are using technology in your studio today. 

January 2:           

  • Jason Tonioli: Things I Wish My Piano Teacher Had Taught Me

    Things I wished that my piano teacher had taught me that would have helped me learn to improvise and write music.


  • Parent Communication

    One of the many challenges we face as music educators is the necessity to communicate to students and their parents.  Have you learned ways to communicate that work well for you? Are there best practices that you try to follow when working with your students' parents? Please come prepared to share what has worked best for you with the group.


February 6:

  • Anita King: Going the Distance: Strategies for Avoiding Fatigue and Injury During Practice and Performance.

    Many pianists complain of fatigue, soreness, and tension that limits the time they are able to comfortably spend in practice and performance. In this 90-minute presentation-workshop, Dr. Anita King, will address some of the most common causes of practice-related fatigue and other insights, strategies and solutions that will enable teachers and students to play with freedom, energy, and joy for as long as they desire.

    Dr. King is Professor of Piano Emerita (Willamette University), a licensed Body Mapping Educator (2001) and a licensed teacher of the Alexander Technique (2002). Dr. King has given presentations and workshops internationally on the subject of how healthy movement contributes to technical security and artistic freedom for musicians.

  • Staying relevant and motivated as an educator

    What do you do, as a teacher, to stay motivated and to continue your education throughout the year? How do you stay relevant and up to speed with new technologies, pieces and trends in the music education world? 

March 5:

  • Jessica Allen: Make It Stick

    Make it Stick From the phenomenal book: research based tips and hacks for better retention and memorization; or how anyone can learn to practice smarter, not harder.

  • Students Savers

    Students get bored of their pieces and so do we, as teachers! What songs have you found that save your sanity? Please share the pieces that your students love time and time again. What pieces do you fall back

    on when you're feeling like motivation has hit a wall? 

April 9:             

  • Barbara Bryner Gill: Debunking the Creativity Myth

    Using Kevin Ashton’s book, “ How to Fly a Horse”, discover the four elements of creation as applied to the music studio, from atmosphere to awesome awards, composition to performance cards. We’ll explore little things that make a big difference for your enjoyment and your students’ as you help them along their musical journey. (Applicable to the study of all musical instruments with some examples from Barbara’s own piano studio for student motivation")

  •  Sight reading Ideas

    Sight reading is an important skill, but how do you encourage your students to tackle sight reading on their own? How do you incorporate it into your teaching and how much time do you spend on it each month?


May 7:

  • Piano Teacher Recital- Location TBD

    All performances are welcome! Share a personal project! Or a student saver! Or put together an ensemble with friends! Let’s celebrate music together!


  • Recital ideas

    Have you become more creative with your recitals? How do you do this? What steps do you take to plan a recital like this? Please come prepared to share what you have done for your student recitals

    and what has been received well. 

  • Summer camp ideas

    Do you host a summer camp? What do you focus on? How long is summer camp? How do you prepare for a summer camp? Do you create your own curriculum or do you purchase it from another teacher? Share your success stories and your lessons learned.

  • Studio Setup

    How do you set up your studio? Do you have posters or motivational items that your students see when they walk in? What are the favorite things about your studio setup? Are there requirements for Certification? How do you incorporate those requirements