2011.08.17 02:17:40

Susan Capestro

My colleague, Kathleen Theisen, and I presented a session at The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Lombard, IL, at the end of July, entitled, Instructional Videos - featuring YOU! Then there was the follow up, and the posting of our handout, and the filling out of the survey...Then I rode a long bike ride, to raise money for cancer research and treatment...then there was the writing of all the thank you's...lots to do...I'm finally getting around to blogging now!

At NCKP, I always enjoy seeing other fellow keyboard teachers. My favorite session was David Karp's, on the piano music of Bernstein. In general, I slipped into the back of several sessions. Some sounded promising, yet hashed over the same materials of past conference sessions. I was happy to see George Litterst, Stella Sick, Shana Kirk and Mario Ajero present a session on streaming; though I had already done much of this research myself, it was very interesting to hear other perspectives. There was a session on increasing teaching effectiveness, which presented and reinforced some salient points that I learned in pedagogy class decades ago, that are still relevant now.

The session on writing business plans was particularly valuable for young teachers just starting out. It's alarming how little they learned in music school about how to run a business; they could really benefit from more business sessions addressing marketing, accounting, outreach, professional development, etc. It's so hard for music schools to teach those kind of business skills, however, they are needed, especially for independent studio teachers.

Lastly, Tony Caramia's jazz piano performance of Americana was really fun.

Were you at NCKP this year? What did you like?

conferences | inspiration | teaching

2009.07.10 04:24:25

WML Scoops

I have been a teacher and coordinator with the MusicLink Foundation for 8 years now.  From the first time I heard about this organization and its mission, I was hooked.  The idea is so simple, but the results are profound.  I'm proud to be part of a nation-wide network of teachers willing to share my love of music with children who might never have the opportunity to learn an instrument.

I'm a piano teacher and have been for over 25 years, so it wasn't a hardship to free up one half hour a week to teach a child who was eager to learn to play the piano.  It's always gratifying to see your students progress, but there's something extra there when you know you've helped a child receive something they might not have had otherwise.

I hope many readers and "keyboard enthusiasts" will listen to the interview with the director of MusicLink and be moved to become involved.  It's a great feeling.

 

-Sue Wege

teaching | children | volunteering

2009.07.10 02:59:58

Studio Stories

Rubi, a keyboard teacher with a specialty in groups for young students, describes how she conducted a fun and educational music group activity for her daughter's sixth birthday. Without having to know anything about music, a parent could easily conduct this activity...

groups | teaching | children