Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
    • Christina Whitlock Bio
    • Studio Philosophy
    • Studio Policy
    • 2022-2023 Studio Calendar
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Current Students
  • For My Teacher Friends
    • Beyond Measure Podcast
    • Consulting
    • Speaking Engagements
    • Conference Notes
  • Summer 2023
Positive Piano Instruction for Students of Every Age – Located in Muncie, Indiana

Positive Piano Instruction for Students of Every Age – Located in Muncie, Indiana

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • About
    • Christina Whitlock Bio
    • Studio Philosophy
    • Studio Policy
    • 2022-2023 Studio Calendar
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Current Students
  • For My Teacher Friends
    • Beyond Measure Podcast
    • Consulting
    • Speaking Engagements
    • Conference Notes
  • Summer 2023

MTNA 2019: National Conference Summary

August 24, 2015November 11, 2020 christinaw

Thanks for finding me here!  While I’ve never intended to maintain a proper Blog on this site, I did see this as an opportunity to keep track of some of my favorite conference experiences over the years.   With MTNA 2019 Read More …

4 Comments

beyondmeasurepodcast
…Coming to your inbox bright and early tomorrow …Coming to your inbox bright and early tomorrow morning ☀️ Right in step with this past week’s episode on being a good boss to yourself (episode 117), I’ve created an “employee” satisfaction survey (for the self-employed) 😉 It’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but really, it’s a chance for you to think objectively about the expectations you hold for yourself and where your best areas for improvement can be found. Subscribers to my Insider’s Report email will be greeted with this fun exercise tomorrow morning. If you are not on the email list (or if you’re not sure!🤷🏼‍♀️) take 10 seconds and head to christinawhitlock.com/subscribe to get signed up! In return for signing up, you have my word that I will not take advantage of your inbox by sending you ANYTHING I haven’t obsessively-questioned the merit of. 🤣 See you in your inboxes, friends! 🥂
I stumbled upon this 💎 in Episode 2 of the podc I stumbled upon this 💎 in Episode 2 of the podcast… (Fun fact: in the early days, I ad-libbed a lot more of the show than I do now) I was riffing the closing toast for the episode and said something to this effect: Successful students feel: ✅ Capable ✅ Accountable ✅ Invested in …and I stopped and thought to myself, “that really IS the trifecta!” 👏🏻 (Don’t we love when we find ourselves saying something smart?!) 😂 This reall is my recipe for success with pretty much any music student. It’s hard NOT to be successful if these three factors are in place. Which one do you find to be the most difficult? Anything you would add to my list?
Apparently, Monday’s coming early. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I swore I’d scheduled this week’s episode to drop tomorrow morning, but it looks like this chicken was ready to hatch and published itself early. 🤣 I started to hit “un-publish” just now, but was impressed with how many people had already listened and figured it’s best to just let it roll. 🎲 YOU GUYS ARE THE ACTUAL BEST AUDIENCE. Thanks for catching me on a random Sunday afternoon. To the rest of you: this week’s episode examines what kind of boss we, the self-employed, are dealing with. Spoiler alert: sometimes our bosses are mean. 🫣 I’d love to know your thoughts on this one! Be sure to join my email list to receive the satisfaction survey later this week: christinawhitlock.com/subscribe Cheers to the Mondayest-Sunday ever! 😂 (I blame DST)
It’s been a L O N G day…. Among other thin It’s been a L O N G day…. Among other things, I was adjudicating our local music festival (which is one of my favorite things. I love hearing young musicians SO MUCH). 🥰 And - since I’m 40 now - I think it’s pretty much required that I wear some kind of musical accessory right? Starting small, with a necklace… I’m curious: Are you team music apparel or team NO WAY 🤷🏼‍♀️
Satisfied Frantic. I teach this little guy who i Satisfied Frantic. I teach this little guy who is one of those DREAM students. He is eager, enthusiastic, curious, and… oh yeah… he practices A LOT. 😇 As we were discussing his upcoming Festival event, he described his pre-performance energy as “Satisfied Frantic”. I had to write that one down. 🤣 I asked him to explain it further, and he said, “You know… you are really nervous and your brain is spinning around everywhere, but you also love what you are doing so much, it makes it all worth it. Satisfied frantic.” So, there you have it friends; my wish for you. May you find satisfaction in all the frantic moments life hands you. 🥂 I think the kid’s onto something…
A quick tip for you today! ✍️ Episode 116 is A quick tip for you today! ✍️ Episode 116 is an itty-bitty (9 minute!) overview of a teacher trick I’ve been using ALL. THE. TIME. lately. It’s something that works for students of basically every age and every level… so be sure to listen in! 🥂 ALSO - I’m thinking it might be fun to share more of YOUR teacher tips and tricks on the podcast. If you have an idea YOU’D like to share with the internet (😂) be sure to send it to me for a chance to be our featured Teacher Friend of the Week! (Ideas can be submitted via DM, left in comments, or emailed to beyondmeasurepodcast (at) gmail (dot) com). Thanks friends! Happy Monday!
About those 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟’s…. I’m a About those 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟’s…. I’m a big believer in artists supporting artists, and have only become moreso after entering this arena myself. Did you know one of the easiest ways to make a podcaster’s day is to leave a 5-star, written review? It is free to do, and SERIOUSLY puts wind in their sails (ask me how I know 🙃). (It also plays a major role in helping others find the show). Mind you, this is not intended as a self-serving post… Sure, I’d love you to check out my podcast and leave me a review… but more than that, consider this a friendly reminder to take a few minutes and leave a review for ANY show you love. The same goes for books, businesses, etc. If you love something, let your people know! 🤍 Write the review. Share with your friends. Make the post. Send the DM. No one is going to do it for you. 😉 Your recommendation is a powerful (MUCH appreciated!) way of supporting the work you love without spending a dime. …now, I’m off to follow my own advice and leave a few new reviews! 🤓
I’m not going to lie… This is not always the I’m not going to lie… This is not always the easy choice. It can also leave you emotionally vulnerable. But, a staple in my contentment as an independent music teacher is this: once I onboard a new studio family, I am automatically, wholeheartedly a fan of their family. I admire how hard the parents work - at whatever they do. I find joy and delight in the uniqueness of their children - whoever they are. I call out potential where I see it. I choose to believe the best in everyone involved. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been burned by this approach (believe me…been there, done that!🫠)… but with 27 years of teaching under my belt, I’d say the average score is pretty great. When it comes to people, you tend to find what you are looking for. Look for the annoyances and the shortcomings? You’ll find them. But - look for the sincerity? The goodness? They’re there, too. 🤍🤍🤍
A practical episode for you today… 23 minutes o A practical episode for you today… 23 minutes of my thoughts regarding New Student Interviews. 🌟 These introductory sessions are often the beginning of lifelong relationships, so it’s important to approach them with the healthiest mindset. Cheers to a successful Monday! 🥂
Things that keep me happy as a piano teacher: ✅ Working with families I respect (and who respect ME!) ✅ Maintaining a culture of open, honest communication ✅ Being a good patron of the arts and making sure my composer/publisher/creator friends GET PAID for their work 💰 …these are values I work HARD to maintain in every possible aspect of my business, and - as we all know - one bad apple can spoil the whole batch. Every family I bring onto my studio roster is a contributor to the culture around here, so I am serious about who I say YES to, and who I don’t. I’m sure you’re the same way. SO - now I’m curious: What are YOUR red flags? 🚩
TEACHERS TEACHING TEACHERS (TTT) TTT is a new seg TEACHERS TEACHING TEACHERS (TTT) TTT is a new segment I’ve adding to our monthly Patreon Zoom… the next of which will take place on Friday, March 31st! Beginning at 11am eastern time, Patreon community members in the “Let’s Party” tier gather together for our monthly Q+A. Along with our general chat (which, this month, involved questions like “do you charge adult students differently than other students?”)… we also workshop different ways of introducing/trouble-shooting a piece of elementary piano repertoire. If you are interested in joining, head to Patreon.com/beyondmeasurepodcast to get access! See you on the inside! 🥳
An underrated consideration for you today…. Whe An underrated consideration for you today…. When considering taking on a potential transfer student, it’s important to find out the REAL reason they are interested in joining your studio. What are they hoping to receive from you they were previously missing? And - if their transfer is the result of circumstances beyond their control - exactly what gap are you being expected to fill? Funny, but true: Accepting student families with expectations that are aligned with mine is a strong contributing factor to my sunny disposition ☀️ Pay close attention as a potential transfer family talks about their previous experience. That information hides a lot of insight if you know what you’re looking for! Be sure to catch Episode 114 for more ideas related to transfer students! You can listen at christinawhitlock.com/episode114 (And stay tuned for next Monday’s episode; where we’re talking about New Student Interviews) Cheers to a great week, studio teacher friends! 🥂
Transfer Students: Do you love them or …well… Transfer Students: Do you love them or …well… not? I’m in the first camp, and today I’m sharing my take on PRECISELY what you need to consider when bringing new transfer students onto your roster. So, TELL ME: do you enjoy teaching transfer students? Or do just find yourself wishing you’d started them from scratch? 🙃
🌟 thoughts from episode 113 🌟 Now I need yo 🌟 thoughts from episode 113 🌟 Now I need your thoughts: How do YOU determine when a piece is ready to “pass”?
🤣 No, it doesn't rhyme... ...but I'm too busy 🤣 No, it doesn't rhyme... ...but I'm too busy conserving my mental strength for the onslaught of sugared-up kiddos this afternoon... Be careful out there, teacher friends.💘 Oh, and on a SERIOUS note, I adore you. 🥰
🌟 New week, new episode! 🌟 Today I’m addr 🌟 New week, new episode! 🌟 Today I’m addressing a listener question about my thoughts on “passing” repertoire. When is enough enough? Listen in for some helpful thoughts (plus, one gigantic permission slip to teach YOUR way). Monday, LET’S DO THIS! 💪🏻
A thought to ponder this weekend… What is one c A thought to ponder this weekend… What is one concept or skill you could teach next week, regardless of what kind of time your student spent with their instrument this week? I’d love to start a collection of ideas in the comments below 🌟 A favorite go-to of mine is the Blues Scale. Iterations of it can be taught at basically any level, and it’s almost always a fun departure from the norm. …your turn! ☺️
This one stopped me in my tracks… I listened t This one stopped me in my tracks… I listened to Stephen King read his memoir, On Writing, last month (fantastic, of course!)… and it’s full of terrific nuggets like this. It’s only been in recent years that I discovered how trivial I *used* to feel as a music teacher. I used to feel almost apologetic about the fact that my full time job revolved around something people viewed as “recreational”. In college, it was all the people who said, “oh, it must be so nice to sit around and play music all day” when I told them my major… 🙄 …then it was the choruses of people telling me, “oh you have the FUN job”…🤪 Over the last several years, however, I’ve learned that our art/music/dance/writing/whatever isn’t just the “extra stuff” of life. It’s what makes us who we are. It’s what connects us to our emotions and gives us the opportunity to express ourselves. Our passions are what drive our connections with others. And devoting my life to teaching people how to do that? It’s a brilliant calling. Not trivial in the slightest. THAT is why I love helping other teachers. Our influence has a profound impact on others. By the time a student graduates our studios, we’ve often accumulated HUNDREDS of hours of direct one-on-one time with them. It’s a responsibility and an honor. So, studio teacher friends: Don’t “play small” for anyone. Your job as a studio music teacher is very important work. 🥂
🌟 The Case for Routine 🌟 As much as I love 🌟 The Case for Routine 🌟 As much as I love a good departure from the norm… …you can only make exceptions to your routine when there IS - indeed - a routine to begin with. 😉 Today’s episode asks two big questions: (1) What routines are working for you in the lesson and (2) How can you utilize strategic breaks in those routines to show your students how much you care? Cheers to Monday, my friends! 🥂
It took 111 episodes… …but my kids finally tw It took 111 episodes… …but my kids finally twisted my arm into letting them be on the podcast. (PS: they are totally hooked and are now begging to have their own show). In case you missed it, yesterday’s release features my girls on the intro and outro. I happen to think they did a pretty great job. 🥰 SO - if you want to listen to something that will give you a chuckle today, hit up the 1st minute of episode 111. Don’t sleep on the last 30 seconds of the episode, either: it’s my favorite. 🤍 Thanks to all who sent DMs yesterday to cheer the girls on! They said they feel like celebrities. 🤣 Sigh. Piano teacher life truly is a family affair. Consider this your friendly reminder to let your loved ones in on this passion of ours. 🤍
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Contact Now

Contact me to schedule your first lesson!

Contact Now
© 2015 Christina Whitlock. All Rights Reserved. Created and Managed by Skitterbug LLC.
Powered by WordPress | WEN Associate by WEN Themes