Living Voices: Freshening Your Teaching Repertoire with Contemporary Composers
“Standard composers” such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin are indispensable components of a pianist’s repertoire, but what about recent additions to the literature? This workshop explores intermediate-level repertoire by living contemporary composers, including Valerie Capers, Alexina Louie, Libby Larsen, Lowell Liebermann, Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee, Karen Tanaka and more. Explore innovative voices in the literature and freshen up your teaching with new, colorful repertoire!
Beyond Debussy: Repertoire Gems by Forgotten French Women
A French aristocrat who hosted Benjamin Franklin at her Parisian soirees? A young composer who shattered over 100 years of tradition by becoming the first woman to win the Prix de Rome? This workshop explores pedagogical and concert repertoire by Madame Brillon de Jouy, Hélène de Montgeroult, Cécile Chaminade, Mel Bonis, Lili Boulanger, and more.
Setup for Success: Creative Strategies for Introducing New Repertoire
First experiences with a new piece are foundational in setting a student up for success. This workshop explores a scaffolded process for introducing new repertoire to elementary and intermediate students, from the planning and preparation stages to lesson activities and post-lesson practice.
A Pedagogical Exploration of Helen Hopekirk’s Piano Repertoire
Scottish-American pianist Helen Hopekirk was among the first generation of prominent American female composers. This workshop presents Hopekirk’s repertoire for the lower-advanced pianist and offers suggestions for including her music in the teaching studio.
Teaching with “Heart and Soul”: Engaging Older Beginners Through Rote Teaching
Rote teaching is an effective tool for motivating beginning pianists. This workshop explores the benefits of incorporating rote teaching into a curriculum for older beginners and presents rote repertoire suggestions appropriate for these students.
Fix It Before It’s Broken: A Practical Piano Teacher’s Guide to Injury Prevention
Developed in collaboration with an orthopaedic surgeon, this workshop equips piano teachers with practical steps for promoting healthy habits in the studio. Topics addressed include the body’s musculoskeletal structure, common injuries among pianists, and strategies for preventing playing-related injuries.
Student Showpieces: Successful Teaching Literature by Tcherepnin, Prokofiev, and Muczynski
This workshop presents highlights from the intermediate piano teaching literature of Alexander Tcherepnin, Sergei Prokofiev, and Robert Muczynski. It examines the relationships between these composers and offers leveled guides to four significant pedagogical collections.