Most years, the beginning of the new school year feels fresh and exciting. Everything is new and bright and full of possibility.This year, in the midst of a global pandemic, things feel a little different.Some of you are starting new jobs or preparing for your first year of teaching. Others of you are trying to decide if you want to return for another year or take this opportunity to do something else.Some are preparing to return to the classroom after four months of being home (and trying to get a handle on all the new rules and precautions that go with that). Others are navigating the ever-evolving world of online teaching.That’s why today, I’m not here to talk about how to set the right goals or plan out your entire year in one sitting (because who knows what the year may hold!). Instead, I want to share with you a few unconventional ways to prepare for the new school year ahead.For show notes, click here.Related resources:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!The Choir Year in Review: Free WorkbookChasing Slow by Erin LoechnerPresent Over Perfect by Shauna NiequistWork-Life Balance — Is There Such a Thing?How to Build and Run a Successful Piano StudioThe French Chef in America: Julia Child’s Second Act by Alex Prud’hommeDigital Minimalism by Cal Newport

Field Notes on Music Teaching and Learning

016 - 7 Unconventional Approaches to Starting the New School Year

In March of this year, teachers all over the world were thrown a curveball when schools were closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Suddenly, we found ourselves signing up for Zoom accounts, setting up home studios, purchasing webcams and external microphones, and trying to figure out how to do what we do in this new virtual space. For many of us, we spent the first few weeks in survival mode — doing whatever we could to get through and provide a somewhat consistent and positive experience for our students. But once it became clear that we were in this for the long haul, that schools were not going to reopen this academic year, something started to shift. Instead of looking at this as a temporary substitute for in-person teaching and learning, I started settling into a new teaching rhythm and uncovering some surprising benefits that I wouldn’t have recognized were it not for this unusual and unexpected experience. It’s been 12 weeks now of teaching solely online. Twelve weeks of innovating and adapting and learning new technologies. Twelve weeks of meeting my students in their homes, navigating this new virtual world together, and finding ways to keep making music through it all.Today, I want to share a few of my observations and reflections on this season, this new paradigm in music education, and the benefits to music teaching and learning that I’ve discovered.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!My best external microphone recommendationsEpisode 009 - Six Things I’ve Learned About Teaching Online (So Far)The New School for Music StudyFour Reasons Why Playing Your Instrument for Fun is Vital to Your Music CareerAfternoon Ti podcast (Episode 100)

015 - The Unexpected Benefits of Teaching Online

In summer, I usually find myself reading about the creative process, catching up on online courses and webinars, and organizing content and teaching materials; I spend time researching new music and collections for my students, finding ways to develop my musicianship skills, and creating art (whatever it is that's inspiring me).What about you? Do you find yourself drawn to being a learner again in the summer months? Do you read more or study a topic that’s interesting to you, learn a new skill, take a class, or try something creative?This summer already looks a little different than normal: events have been canceled, trips have been postponed, and most of us find ourselves (still) staying home. But there’s a gift in that if we’re willing to receive it.How have the events of the past few months changed us as teachers, as musicians? What will we do differently going forward?One of the things I love about summer is the slower pace: the invitation to create a new routine, a new rhythm, the opportunity to learn and work and rest at my own pace. And that hasn’t changed.Looking for a few ideas for how to spend your time this summer? Here are a few things to explore:For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!Creative Confidence by Tom Kelley and David KelleyZig-Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith SawyerEpisode 011 - Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater CreativityQuestions and Answers by Frances ClarkA Piano Teacher’s Legacy by Richard ChronisterThe Success Factor in Piano Teaching by Elvina PearceAmerican Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) virtual professional development opportunitiesThe Kodály Music Institute online summer coursesSummer@Eastman Session online courses and workshopsThe Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy virtual Summer Intensive SeminarsChoristers Guild webinars and virtual forums for choir directorsThe Presbyterian Association of Musicians online summer conferenceNAfME Academy professional development webinarsEvernote: an app for note-taking, planning, organizing, and archivingMilanote: a web-based tool for organizing creative projects into beautiful visual boardsGoogle Drive: home to all my online lesson recordings, recordings from students, and virtual studio class gamesEpisode 010 - Hosting a Virtual Studio Class: 7 Tips for Success

014 - What Will You Learn This Summer?

Today, we’re talking about curriculum. And more specifically, how to write your own.For some people, the word “curriculum” may denote academic rigor, standardized tests, detailed lesson plans, and lack of freedom and flexibility. Do you really need this level of planning and detail in your private studio, community group, or church choir?To a certain extent, yes. Here’s why:A curriculum can be defined in a few different ways. My favorite definition comes from A.V. Kelly’s (2009) book, The Curriculum: Theory and Practice: “[Curriculum is] the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process.”Think of a curriculum like a guide: a plan to help you do your best teaching and help promote meaningful learning experiences. Like I tell my students in Directing a Church Children's Choir 101 and The Art of Music Teaching & Learning, a curriculum is your basic framework for all the teaching and learning you hope will take place this year.Today, I’m going to show you how to create your very own curriculum, something tailor-made to fit your students. This is the same process I teach in my online courses, so grab a notebook and a pencil and let's get started!For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!The Curriculum: Theory and Practice by A. V. Kelly (2009)Directing a Church Children's Choir 101 - a 4-week online course for children’s choir directors (enrollment opens June 3, 2020)The Art of Music Teaching & Learning - a comprehensive 8-week online course for music educators in all types of settings. It's like getting a mini-music education degree in only 8 weeks.National Coalition for Core Arts Standards - a guiding framework for arts educationAround the World: Music & Prayers for Children’s Choir"Around the World" Piano ThemeJ.W. Pepper and Sheet Music PlusEpisode 012 - How to Develop Musicianship Skills in Those You TeachWhat to Teach When in Children’s Choir: Preschool, Younger Elementary, Older Elementary (+ a free eBook!)12 Practical Transition Songs to Teach to Your Children’s ChoirThe Ultimate Guide to Children’s Choir Warm-Ups (+ a free eBook!)15 More Singing Games for Children’s Choir (+ a free eBook!)How to Create a Children’s Choir Rehearsal Plan (+ a free template!)Adult Choir Rehearsal Template - a free printable planning tool for a 60-90 minute rehearsal

013 - The Nuts and Bolts of Writing Your Own Curriculum

Let’s talk about musicianship.Musicianship is the skills you have as a musician: things like listening, singing, playing, creating, performing. It’s also the ability to “think in sound,” or audiate (source). This means hearing music in your head without any sound being present. Think of this as the ability to read a book silently — hearing the words in your head as you read them but not actually saying them out loud.There are two things that help us develop this skill: exposure and experience.Today, we’re going to talk about some practical, intentional ways to develop musicianship in those you teach. There are many different facets of musicianship, all things you can touch on in your lessons, classes, and rehearsals throughout the year. Here are a few examples:Listening (including pitch recognition, intervals, phrasing, dynamics, listening to each other, and form)Singing (including breathing, vowels, and tone production)Improvising and Composing (making music spontaneously in the moment and the ability to write those ideas down)Expression (including phrasing, dynamics, and movement)Tonality (including singing with solfege and understanding the difference between a melody, bass line, and harmony part)Rhythm and Steady Beat (including counting, chanting, and moving)Reading (including music notation, symbols, and intervals)Are you starting to get a sense of how big this topic is?Obviously, there are lots of things you can include in your lesson plans throughout the year to cultivate various aspects of musicianship in your students.Which brings me to the main part of today’s episode: 10 practical things you can do to develop musicianship in those you teach, week by week, all throughout the year.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!The Ultimate Guide to Children’s Choir Warm-Ups (+ a free eBook!)The Value of Teaching Vowels to Your Children’s ChoirTonal & Rhythm Pattern Cards (Younger Elementary) - a printable set of 152 cards (88 tonal patterns + 64 rhythm patterns) designed for younger elementary (K-2nd grade) studentsTonal & Rhythm Pattern Cards (Older Elementary) - a printable set of 216 cards (88 tonal patterns + 128 rhythm patterns) designed for older elementary (3rd-5th grade) students10 Movement Activities for Children’s Choir16 Clapping Games for Children’s ChoirHow to Use Color to Teach Music LiteracyHow We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and How It Happens - a fascinating look at the learning process by Benedict Carey7 Fun Games for Children’s Choir (+ a free eBook!)Fun, Easy Gathering Activities for Children’s Choir

012 - How to Develop Musicianship Skills in Those You Teach

Last summer, I discovered a book one day that piqued my curiosity while browsing in the OverDrive app: Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith Sawyer.I’m always interested in learning more about the creative process and gleaning insight into our creative processes as musicians, thinkers, educators, and creators, and when I found out that Keith Sawyer was not only a scientific expert on creativity but also a jazz pianist, I couldn’t wait to start reading.In the book, Sawyer outlines 8 stages of the creative process but explains that there are multiple ways of entering and engaging in creativity. Rather than following a clear and direct path forward, starting here and ending there, the path to greater creativity has more zigs and zags; it’s unpredictable, erratic, and yes, surprising.To comprehend this, it’s important to understand how Sawyer defines creativity. He writes, “Creativity is not a trait or a property or a gift. It’s a set of behaviors.”And the thing about behaviors is that they can be learned. Creativity isn’t some elusive natural gift that some people have and some people don’t have. It’s a mindset and a lifelong practice.Creativity is experimenting and evaluating and repurposing. It’s curiosity and wonder. It’s dedication and deliberate practice. It’s observing and reflecting and acting.As Sawyer summarized, “The wonderful beauty of the creative life is that no authentic, thoughtful experience, no new glimmer of knowledge, is ever wasted.”There’s so much I could say about Keith Sawyer’s book, but today, I want to give you a big picture of what this book is about by sharing three of my three biggest takeaways.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!OverDrive app for checking out free eBooks and audiobooks from your local libraryZig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith SawyerThe Art of Short Story - a writing masterclass by Joyce Carol Oates

011 - Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity

A few years ago, I started teaching monthly group classes in my studio.The idea was to include more opportunities for informal performance, observation, musical discussion, and developing musicianship skills in a supportive group environment. All students are invited and encouraged to play something each time, even just part of a piece.This gives us an opportunity to:show works in progresstalk about practicing, learning processes, challenges, and rewardsgive feedback (positive + constructive)I also plan a few musical games and activities related to listening, movement, creative musicianship, and composition — things we can’t really do in our one-on-one lessons.This year, I planned to teach five studio classes specifically for 3rd-6th graders, two studio classes for 7th-12th graders, and monthly buddy lessons for my K-2nd grade students.But what to do when the world shuts down and everything moves online?Host a Zoom studio class, of course.Earlier this month, I taught two studio classes (3rd-6th grade and 7th-12th grade) and two buddy lessons (K-2nd grade). Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I set these up, how I structured our time together, and what activities I created to play virtually.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!Zoom - free video-chat software (40-minute limit for groups of three or more on the Basic plan, waived right now for K-12 educators)Google Meet - free video-chat software (the business version of Google Hangouts)DecideNow - a free spinner app that’s great for games, reviewing scales, performances challenges, improv activities, and moreBlue Yeti Microphone - my all-time favorite microphone for recording directly into my MacBook. I use it for recording spoken directions as well as playing demonstrations.Frances Clark Center - hosting free webinars multiple times a week for piano teachers who are navigating teaching onlineGoogle Slides - a free, cloud-based tool for creating presentations, slide decks, and other visualsVictoria Boler - an elementary music educator who shares lesson plans, planning resources, game ideas, virtual teaching tutorials, and folk song materialsflat.io - an easy-to-use, free browser-based music notation software with a Google Chrome extension

010 - Hosting a Virtual Studio Class: 7 Tips for Success

What a crazy few weeks in the world, right?Who would have thought that we’d be facing widespread school closures and the sudden need to move everything online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s all happened fairly quickly — we had just a few days notice here — so I think I speak for all of us when I say we’re still figuring this thing out.If you’re technologically savvy and have been using technology in your teaching already, it may not feel like that big a jump, but for those who are new to all this, there’s quite a lot to learn and figure out to ensure a smooth, effective learning experience for your students. What platform is best? What kind of activities lend themselves to online learning? What equipment do you need? How do you make it interactive?These are all questions I’ve seen in Facebook groups the past few weeks and questions I’ve asked myself as I’ve set up a home studio. This is my third week of teaching solely online and I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it, so I thought I’d share the top six things I’ve learned so far.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!Zoom - free video-chat software (40-minute limit for groups of three or more on the Basic plan, waived right now for K-12 educators)Blue Yeti Microphone - my all-time favorite microphone for recording directly into my MacBook. I use it for recording spoken directions as well as playing demonstrations.Google Drive - free digital file-storage system (documents, spreadsheets, video files, images, audio files, forms, slides) for anyone with a Google accountGoogle Slides - a free, cloud-based tool for creating presentations, slide decks, and other visualsBrit & Co. - free art, lettering, photography, business, and design courses with code “selfcare” (through 3/31)Marco Polo app - a free video-messaging mobile app

009 - Six Things I've Learned About Teaching Online (So Far)

Rhythm pattern cards are a great way to teach new rhythmic concepts, reinforce familiar patterns, and build that all-important musical vocabulary (the ability to understand and create your own musical patterns and sequences).I’ve found that having a few sets of rhythm pattern cards on hand can be so helpful in teaching to capture the attention of young learners and help them grasp new concepts (and have fun while doing it!).Today, I’m sharing 10 fun ways you can use rhythm pattern cards in your teaching. Whether you’re looking for ideas for your children’s choir rehearsal or your piano studio, games to play at VBS or music camp or activities to break up a band or orchestra rehearsal, I hope you find a few new ideas on this list.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Free Rhythm Pattern Card Set - a printable set of 16 rhythm patterns cards in 4/4 timeRhythm Pattern Card Set - a printable set of six rhythm pattern card sets in duple and triple meters (192 patterns total)Decide Now! app + how I use it in my teachingRhythm Train Cards by Color in My PianoRhythm Clock game demonstration by Fun Music CompanyRollin’ Rhythms game board by Teach Piano TodayRhythm Go Fish on Teachers Pay TeachersBody Percussion Rhythm by Let’s Play Music

008 - 10 Creative Ways to Use Rhythm Pattern Cards in Your Teaching

Last week, in Episode 6, I talked about four things I’m doing differently in my piano studio this year. Today, I want to take a step back and reflect on what it was like to be a student.Do you remember your first lesson on your instrument?Most of us probably don’t remember all the details—perhaps we remember the cover of our first lesson book or the feeling of playing our first piece or developing a practice routine at home (sticker charts, anyone?).Today, I want to tell you a story about one of my teachers. She wasn’t my first teacher—in fact, she was one of my last teachers—but she was the woman who taught me how to overcome my fears, play with power and control, develop my own interpretation, and understand music and artistry at the piano in a whole new way.And in some ways, that meant starting at the very beginning…For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!Italian Concerto by J.S. Bach

007 - Let's Start at the Very Beginning (What I Learned from My Piano Teacher)

No matter how many years I teach, I always feel the same excitement around a fresh start and trying new things. There are certain parts of my routine that I like coming back to—things I like to keep the same—but there are always a few things I’m ready to change in my teaching when the new year rolls around. I've learned a few things over the past few years and asking the questions, “What’s working?” and “What’s not working?” always provides a sense of clarity on what I can change and how I can improve things in the year ahead. I’m trying a few new things in my studio this year and today, I want to share them with you.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Wave Invoicing - a free online tool for sending invoices, receiving payments, and keeping up with basic bookkeeping12 Supplemental Piano Books for Elementary StudentsThe Piano Syllabus (2015 Edition) by Royal Conservatory of Music / Music Development Program

006 - Four Things I'm Doing Differently in My Studio This Year

You know the feeling:Lackluster.Laborious.Boring.Same old, same old.It’s easy to slip into a rut in rehearsals from time to time, but I think we can all agree: it’s not a great feeling.You don’t want to feel like you're just going through the motions each week; you want to feel excited and energized to sing and learn and make music together. You don’t want to keep doing things the same old way; you want to expand our creativity and mental engagement and continue developing our musicianship in the process.Can you relate?Feel like your rehearsals have gotten a bit monotonous lately? Here are a few reasons why this may be happening, plus some helpful strategies for getting out of that rut and back to making music with creativity and enthusiasm.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:50 Awesome Choral Warm-Ups for Church Choirs - free eBookMy Step-By-Step Process for Rehearsing a New Anthem

005 - Escape the Monotony and Reinvigorate Your Teaching with These Quick Tips

Think about some of the great teachers you’ve observed or had the pleasure of working with throughout your life. What made them great? What separates them in your mind from other teachers you’ve had?One thing that I’ve noticed is that exceptional teachers have an innate ability to inspire and motivate those they teach. Their focus is not on the content, curriculum, or goals that they’ve set for the year, but rather on the individual learner—where they are, what’s important to them. Finding a way to connect on that kind of a personal level and inspire them to work hard and do their best, foster a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn and grow and improve.I believe anyone can learn to do this and be this kind of teacher. We can all learn new ways to inspire and motivate those we teach.Today, I’m sharing three helpful strategies—three ways to help your students or choir members grow and reach their full potential.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Ways to Praise: Words That Inspire, Encourage, and Motivate

004 - 3 Ways to Inspire and Motivate Those You Teach

A few years ago, I finally got around to reading a book that was on my to-read list for a few years: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink. The book is based on scientific research by people like Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, Carol Dweck, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, among others, and provides insight into the role of motivation in our lives.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink*Please note: this link is an affiliate link, which means if you decide to purchase, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!

003 - The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Julia Child once said, "You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love."So true, right? The world is constantly changing and evolving and we need to be constantly changing, adapting, learning, and evolving along with it to be the best teachers we can be.What do you want to learn this year? How will you change, adapt, learn, and evolve as a teacher this year?Looking for some inspiration and ideas? Here are eight things you can do to continue developing your teaching skills this year.For show notes, click here.Resources mentioned:Teaching reflection checklist from a Growing in Grace session at the Alleluia ConferenceChoristers GuildFour Reasons Why Playing Your Instrument for Fun is Vital to Your Music CareerThe Art of Music Teaching & Learning - an online course for music educators (enrollment opens 1/24!)Spruce Up Your Teaching Routine With This Fun App (+ Creative Ways to Use It!)An Inside Look at My Creative ProcessToggl - a free time-tracking toolMargin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded LivesThe 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New RichManage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind*Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!

002 - How to Continue Developing Your Teaching Skills This Year

This audio blog is a collection of creative ideas, practical strategies, and thoughtful observations from the field of music teaching and learning. Music educator Ashley Danyew will dive into topics like how we learn, developing musicianship, time management, teaching sequences, planning tools and strategies, the art of teaching, practicing, and the creative process, and share personal stories from her own experiences and observations from master teachers. You’ll find creative and pedagogically-sound teaching tips; fresh, new approaches you can use in your ministry and teaching; and insight into a few tried-and-true systems and creative processes designed to help you do your best work.

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Field Notes on Music Teaching and Learning

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