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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
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  • 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 2022

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August 26, 2015 christinaw

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🌟 Sometimes you need to embrace Plan B 🌟 A 🌟 Sometimes you need to embrace Plan B 🌟 A case of laryngitis threw this week’s episode off-track, but it gave me the opportunity to feature two new voices 👧🏼👧🏼 and revisit a timely topic. I’ll be back next week with our last look (for now) at how we approach our lesson time. Let me know what you think of my new co-hosts! 🤣
🌟 Friendly reminder! 🌟 If you want Festival 🌟 Friendly reminder! 🌟 If you want Festival/Competition/Performance season to go well… your students need their repertoire sooner than you may think. The uncomfortable truth is this: sometimes we don’t hold our students to completion deadlines (or, even ASSIGN their rep🤦🏼‍♀️) early enough. We get frustrated when THEY wait until the last second to be ready, but we also need to look inward and make sure WE haven’t enabled them to do so by being lax in our expectations (or assignments). I talk about an ideal performance timeline in episode 64 of the podcast. It’s definitely worth a listen if you participate in (or host) any kinds of performances. And - lest you think *I* have this all figured out… I still stumble through this all the time. Onward and upward, as I always say! SO - do your students have events later this semester? Get that rep planned and in their hands PRONTO. (Link to episode 64 in stories 😉)
One of my core philosophies of teaching is this: I One of my core philosophies of teaching is this: I believe EVERYONE can find satisfaction making music at the piano. I also believe there is no substitute for time spent at the instrument. This thing we call “talent” - means very little if you don’t have the drive to spend time at your craft. Comment below ⬇️ with one of YOUR core beliefs about teaching! 🤍
🌟 Oh, the mighty power of RE-assigning previous 🌟 Oh, the mighty power of RE-assigning previous repertoire 🌟 In today’s episode, we follow fictitious student, MaryAnne, through three common studio experiences: each of which find benefit in re-visiting pieces from her past studies. I feel confident as ever there is something for YOU in this episode. Love it? Please share the Beyond Measure Podcast with a teacher friend (or 12 😂) today! I’m always on the lookout for new Teacher Friends. Cheers to a terrific Monday, everyone! 🥂
Things that only happen when teaching your own kid Things that only happen when teaching your own kids… I was working with Ava (6) tonight and was preparing to play a duet with her. Her piece used only the right hand, and she kept instinctively reaching over and holding my hand with her left. 🥰 It was just so sweet, I had to share with my internet friends. (Let the record show: Both of my girls have been unusually compliant in our piano studies these days. 🌟 I definitely have conflicting views on spring Festival time, but I *will* say it fuels motivation in my house in a BIG way.)
I’m on a mission, studio teacher friends… Th I’m on a mission, studio teacher friends… The ole’ cycle of “Assign - Practice - Pass - Repeat” is only ONE possible approach to our weekly lesson plans. Sometimes I feel myself donning my best Informercial Voice and pleading, “There has to be a better way!” 🤣 I started the wheels turning in episode 109, and the number of shares this episode has received makes it clear: Teachers WANT options beyond “Here’s a piece. Go home, learn it, and then we’ll start the whole cycle over again next week.” As with most things: this approach has its place. It might even work A LOT of the time. 🤷🏼‍♀️ BUT… what is worse than wanting to beat your head against the wall because your student hasn’t practiced and you aren’t sure what to do with them for the next 30 minutes? Here’s the truth: you know a lot about playing your instrument, and VERY LITTLE of your ability to teach someone something on any given day depends on them having put in X amount of practice hours the previous week. I’m going to continue this conversation in episode 110. Make sure you catch episodes 108-109 before Monday to be all caught up! 🌟 Cheers to re-thinking your place inside that box, friends! 🥂
Calling all studio teacher friends! 🚨 My IG fr Calling all studio teacher friends! 🚨 My IG friend-turned real life friend, @jannaonpiano and I were just messaging and we thought: why not play catch-up on Instagram this week? Jump in at 12:30 central/1:30 eastern TOMORROW (Tuesday) and eaves-drop on our chat about the many brilliant plans we have for 2023. 🤩 (Questions, as always, are welcome!) See you TOMORROW! 💃 (and yes, a replay will be available)
Today’s episode is designed to help you brainsto Today’s episode is designed to help you brainstorm ways to approach your lessons DIFFERENTLY than the “usual” cycle of Assign-Practice-Pass-Repeat. It’s easy to get stuck in that old, tired cycle (and, truly, it DOES have its merits)… but we definitely have more to teach our students about this instrument than how to “pass” their pieces, right? 🧐 If today’s episode gets you thinking, I would REALLY appreciate a review over on Apple Podcasts so more of our teacher friends can find us. Cheers to examining our lesson structures, my friends! 🥂
Happy Launch Day to the Studio Foundations Course! Happy Launch Day to the Studio Foundations Course! 😍 Weighing in at just over 3 hours and 17 videos long, I happen to think this course I birthed IS quite lovely. …Pardon the dramatics, but I am SO PROUD of this collection of guiding principles that have kept me satisfied for the long-haul as a studio teacher. 🎀 If you would like to fall (back?) in love with the art of studio teaching… 🎀 If you’ve stumbled into this profession (no matter how many years ago) and never felt like you got a “solid” start… 🎀 If you are just looking for something to make this profession feel exciting again… The Studio Foundations Course is a great next step. Feel free to message me for more information, or head to the link in my bio. SAVE $30 UNTIL TUESDAY, 01.17 with promo code: launchday30 …this course is self-paced and access does not expire. I’ll hope to see you on the inside! 🤩
On the podcast this week: Among other things, I d On the podcast this week: Among other things, I discuss the shortcomings of stair-step approaches to learning, as opposed to spirals. (My approach is more like a few spirals all spiraling around one another, but I didn’t want the graphic to get messy. I have standards, you know 🤣 ) Nerd out with me and tell me what shape YOUR favorite learning process takes on! 🤓
🔥 Hot take today, friends! 🔥 Episode 108 fo 🔥 Hot take today, friends! 🔥 Episode 108 focuses on why I let my students (especially those ages 5-10) TAKE THEIR TIME as they progress through their material. Listen in to hear more about how the benefits of a repertoire-rich, slow-progressing curriculum, and why I do not see the path to learning music as a stair-step endeavor (even though a lot of methods treat it like one). I’d love to know what you think! Cheers to a new week! 🥂
…a quick THANK YOU to my friends in this communi …a quick THANK YOU to my friends in this community… I am blessed and affirmed through people who engage with the podcast (and all related offerings) nearly every single day. If I had one wish for you, it would be for YOU to experience a similar network of support in the endeavors of your heart. (Which, incidentally, is the exact goal of my podcast 🤣) There is a beautiful reciprocity to be found in supporting one another, friends. Thank you for being a part of this world with me. Cheers to internet friends!! 🥂
SWIPE ➡️ for details The Studio Foundations c SWIPE ➡️ for details The Studio Foundations course is my offering for studio music teachers of ALL instruments/voice types: - Designed to provide a framework for teachers of ALL experience-levels to build sustainable expectations and best-practices for music study - Exploring my 14 Foundational Principles for long-term satisfaction (and success) in the studio teaching profession - Built on the trifecta of my research, experience, and philosophy The self-guided video course becomes available on January 15th. Questions can be sent via DM. See christinawhitlock.com/foundations or the link in my bio for more information. Onward and Upward to 2023, friends! 🥂
IMPROMPTU ZOOM HANGOUT TOMORROW (!) I am a total IMPROMPTU ZOOM HANGOUT TOMORROW (!) I am a total sucker for all things self-reflection, so I thought it might be fun to meet up tomorrow on Zoom for a little co-journaling session! 🤗 If you’re interested in joining at 1:00pm (eastern time) on Tuesday, 01.03, head to the link in my stories and get yourself on the mailing list! I’ll send a link out via email tomorrow morning. Here’s my vision: 🌟 Meet up at 1:00 eastern time on Zoom 🌟 I’ll keep YOUR cameras turned off so you don’t feel any pressure to get “camera ready” 🤣 (some of us are very much still on vacation; I get it!) 🌟The chat will remain open so you can share inspirations (and - knowing my community - a few laughs too). 🌟 I’ll share some of my very favorite Teacher-Related reflection questions and we’ll consider them together 🌟 Attendees should up with some empty journal pages or an open Word Doc to track their thoughts 🌟 We’ll keep it short; I’m thinking 25-30 minutes …I’ll send a replay to anyone who signs up after the fact, but I *do* hope you join live to engage with the group. 🥳 Let’s have some (productive) fun! I’ll see you tomorrow. Join at the link in my stories (or DM me if you have trouble finding it) 🌟
🌟 New year, new episode! 🌟 Today’s (16 mi 🌟 New year, new episode! 🌟 Today’s (16 minute) chat focuses on an important truth of teacher life: You’re still on your way. We are great at looking back on life and noting key events/relationships/decisions that “made us who we are today”… but I don’t think we often recognize the fact that our lives are STILL moving forward. We have not “arrived”. We are still on our way. …and we need to help our students understand the same truth. 🤍 Cheers to a new year, friends! 🥂
We might *think* we know everything about our stud We might *think* we know everything about our students… But we really don’t. This is one of my fundamental truths of piano teaching: our students are often a bigger part of our lives than we are of theirs. …not to say we don’t have profound influence on the lives of our students (of COURSE we do!)… …but in our students’ day-to-day experience, we really are a fairly small fraction of their life. No matter how much of an open-book you think your student is, we must always remember there is SO much more to them than we know. And it’s best if we always err on the side of empathy. 🤍
It’s a lot of work to have this much fun, but I It’s a lot of work to have this much fun, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything 🤍
🌟 Studio Foundations Course 🌟 Are you looki 🌟 Studio Foundations Course 🌟 Are you looking for more focus and direction in your teaching this year? So many times, we sort of stumble into the independent teaching profession and basically just learn-as-we-go. …which is great for awhile, but there comes a point when we realize a more intentional foundation would benefit all involved. The Studio Foundations course is for: 🥱 The Uninspired 😵‍💫 The Exhausted 🤔 The Curious 🥸 The Self-Doubters 🤓 The Lifelong Learners It is: - A self-paced course, made up of 16 videos and accompanying workbook pages - Designed for studio teachers of ALL instruments and voice types - A collection of research, experience, and philosophy from my 27+ years of teaching - Centered around 14 Foundational Principles for long-term satisfaction as studio teachers - Made to be applied to YOUR unique experiences and perspectives - $89 - IF preordered by January 3rd (Course will be available January 15th) If you’re looking for a shot-in-the-arm to make 2023 your most effective teaching year yet, I hope you’ll consider checking out the Studio Foundations Course. See christinawhitlock.com/foundations for more details! (Link is also in bio) Cheers to doing our best, friends! 🥂
…what would you add? 😂 Merry Christmas (and …what would you add? 😂 Merry Christmas (and all other applicable celebrations!) my favorite friends of the internet! 🎄 May we all feel love and light from Heaven and on Earth this season.
Day. Made. 🌟 I was DMing earlier tonight with Day. Made. 🌟 I was DMing earlier tonight with a loyal listener, Becky, when she sent me the message above. “You have inspired me regularly, motivated me when I thought I just needed to STOP, and kept me moving forward through tough times musically and personally. My heart is full of gratitude! 💜” You guys. When I launched this podcast, the desire of my heart was to be an encouragement to at least one person out there. I had this idea that I really hoped would be embraced by the studio music teacher community, but it was often overshadowed by self doubt. Thankfully - since the beginning - my listeners have been overwhelmingly generous with their kind feedback. Experiencing this has helped me recognize the importance of reaching out to my own favorite content creators, when I previously assumed they wouldn’t care about hearing from me. It’s not the case. There is not a person in your sphere of influence who wouldn’t benefit from hearing a kind word from you. Write the message. Send the card. Leave the review (those Apple podcast reviews REALLY are like gold 😉). Pay the compliment. Risk the awkwardness. It will not disappoint. 🤍🤍🤍
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