Key Ideas

Catching Up with Chrissy Ricker

It’s puzzling why it’s taken three seasons for me to schedule Chrissy Ricker as a guest. Her pieces are played in just about every one of my lessons. Students beg me to play her music–I’m not kidding!

In our conversation, you’ll learn how Chrissy naturally fell into composing and the three standards that each of her pieces must pass before they find their way into our studios and into our student’s delighted hands.

You’ll adore her teaching tips, too. I promise you are in for a treat!

Head to the show notes (CLICK HERE)

Find links to ALL of Chrissy's music.

Look for a link to Kay Lowry's store at LeilaViss.com and make sure to use the DISCOUNT CODE!

See you in the trenches,

Leila

 

How to Harness the Power of Checklists in the Piano Studio

Inspired by the book The Checklist Manifesto by Dr. Atul Gawande, this episode takes a deep dive into the power of checklists and how many professions use them to overcome complex common problems. 

Learn how piano teachers can harness the power of checklists to overcome the complex problem of practicing!

The show notes include a download of three checklists--one for teachers, students and their parents--that initiate a powerful yet simple team approach to practice.

Follow this link for all the checklists and show notes.

Repertoire Round Up with Charlene: Ensembles

Episode #49 is part one of two and features the first of several chats with one of my most popular guests, rock star piano teacher and innovative pedagogue Charlene Shelzi Jarvis.

Tune in as we round up our favorite ensemble pieces from a variety of composers –not just one publisher--and we even play portions of them. The episode comes paired with a carefully organized list of pieces that features the titles and composers with links to videos and where to purchase the music.

The list alone is worth its weight in gold so make sure to head to the show notes AFTER you listen in.

Our conversation begins with tips from Charlene for prepping a successful ensemble concert and I’ve got 4 parameters to follow when choosing a piece for any special occasion.

 

Follow THIS LINK to download your list!

 

From sponsor Tim Topham!

Join the TopMusicPro community, on a 14 day all-access FREE trial by heading to https://topmusicpro.com and using code TEAMLEILA. You'll also get ongoing discount access after your trial for as long as you remain a member. Find out more about the TopMusic blog, podcast and videos over at topmusic.co.

Why It’s Time to Realign

Season 3 of Key Ideas begins with a train of thought around the theme of realignment.

Next, it travels to the idea that establishing certain habits are better than setting goals.

And then it connects these insights on realignment and habits to how we as music teachers can nudge our students back into the habit of practice.

Wondering how it all ties together? Then you better listen up! ;-)

Links to the teachers, podcasts, and products mentioned in the episode are in the show notes.

OH and...don't forget to grab the FREE Practice Rating Chart!

Follow THIS LINK.

Tips for Summer Lesson Planning and a Few Freebies

This last episode covers a wide range of topics including

• The “termination” of a book I wrote ten years ago.

• Apps that withstood the test of time.

• Letter to parents about Off Bench Time.

• BRAND new digital course on all things CHORDS.

• Dynamic professional development opportunities.

• FREE! Group lesson planner template—sheesh, what took me so long!

• Why I’m compelled to write another book.

For all the links and freebies I mention follow THIS LINK!

 

Preparing Students to Perform Their Best with Samantha Coates

Thank you for showing up at Key Ideas wherever you find your podcasts like Apple and Spotify.

A couple of weeks ago, my Aussie friend Sam Coates of Blitz Books invited me to be part of a webinar she held called “Preparing Your Best Performance.” I was honored to be one of four adjudicators she interviewed and our conversation went longer than the allotted ten minutes she reserved for me.

Yeah, we got a little carried away!

Since Sam could only use part of our talk in her webinar, I’m pleased to share our entire conversation here on the podcast. 

Sam asks questions about what I look for when evaluating a performance and she asked me if I had any tips on how to prepare performers..I couldn’t stop at just a few as I’ve got ten.

If you have students performing soon, I think you’ll find the interview enlightening and packed with actionable steps.

 

Links from Sam

Sam has generously offered the link to the entire webinar and two blogs she references in our conversation.

Replay of the whole webinar!  One More Time: Preparing Your BEST Live or Recorded Performance - YouTube

Blog: How Should We Assess Performance? - BlitzBooks

Blog: The Seven Deadly Performance Sins - BlitzBooks

 

Links from Leila

Blog and downloadable Infographic: The Five Ps of Performing and Ten Tips for a Top Performance

Ideas for summer themes and group lessons: Summer Camp Headquarters

Find Bucket Drumming for Piano Teachers, Camp curriculums, Flip-its, and more innovative resources to supplement your lessons.

 

And…make sure to sign up for the FREE webinar on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM MST (yes, there will be a replay!)

Register HERE

 

Lisa Spector: Piano Ninja and Pet Calming Maestro

After stumbling upon Andrea Miller's podcast interview with Lisa Spector I had to immediately listen to it again.

In this episode, learn why I couldn't help but reach out to Andrea at the Music Startup Podcast and why I felt compelled to share Lisa's story with you.

In our conversation, Lisa tells her gripping story of how a fall led to the demise of a concert career and shifted to a work-life that combines her passion for music-making and dog calming. 

Grab your walking shoes (AND a leash tethered to your favorite furry friend) and listen in.

BTW...my apologies for mentioning but not giving the details about our son Carter's injuries after he was struck by a boat. I've included a brief recap in the show notes.

Find the show notes with all the links Here.

Off Bench Matters: Top Tools for Your Workbench

In this episode, I get back to the "Off Bench Matters" theme with a slight twist because I veer pretty far from the teaching bench and don't really touch on off bench activities either.

Instead, I share my WORK bench tools.

I understand that not everyone may know about or know how to make the tech tools work for them. And so, I’ve scripted this episode in a way to help you come to terms with where you’re at and where you want to be with technology in the future. 

For ALL the links for the tech tools, the summer camp headquarters, the composium, the consultation sign up and the Play Score 2 Instagram giveaway....

CLICK HERE

Jim Litzelman and Aging Backwards

Leila has a wonderful conversation with Jim Litzelman about his journey with focal dystonia. Listen in as Jim shares about his performance and teaching career, and his focus on releasing tension, stretching, and injury prevention.

In 2020, Leila was privileged to meet and get to know Jim Litzelman when she began serving as a member of the AMT or American Music Magazine editorial committee.

If you are a member of the Music Teachers National Association, then you receive the AMT and perhaps you’ve read Jim’s article published in the October/November 2021 issue?

The article is called “My Personal Journey to Aging Backwards.”

 

In the article, Jim shares his experience with focal dystonia first diagnosed over 30 years ago when he was a doctoral student.

In addition, Jim reveals the discovery he made that improved this neurological condition.

 

Grab your earbuds and sneakers and listen in as you hear how Jim’s expected career path was derailed and what he’s learned about the importance of technique. His valuable insight and approach can be easily implemented in your next lesson with students of all levels.

 

A Few of Jim’s Tips

Law of Three Rs of Muscular Tension

• Right Amount: based on the sound we want to produce

• Right Place: always in the fingertips

• Right Time: when the finger plays

"If it doesn’t feel good, you aren’t doing it right."

"The human body can take an enormous amount of use and misuse before it says “mm-mm!” If you do this again, you’re going to feel pain."

"We need to educate the teacher of the beginning pianists."

"Practice Asymmetrical Inversion."

"Stretch with Essentrics by Miranda Esmonde-White"

 

Find Leila at LeilaViss.com

 

Is My Insurance Policy the Best It Can Be in the Worst of Times?

This episode was NOT part of my plans for 2022 and the topic is not in my comfort zone.

And yet, catastrophic events keep coming–-from the destructive wildfires in California and Colorado to Kentucky tornadoes and Tennessee Floods. None of us are immune to the fury of planet earth.

I’m sure I speak for you, too when I say that our hearts are heavy for any teachers who have lost their studios, their instruments, and their daily teaching routine because of an unforeseen disaster.

What if your studio burst into flames or was soaked in floodwaters or blown to smithereens and scattered across state lines?

Would your insurance policy be enough to cover gut-wrenching losses?

Would your savings be wiped out? 

As I pondered these questions myself, it got me curious about my insurance and what kind of policy is the best in the worst of times? 

This episode is NOT an insurance pitch but it is a poke. When is the last time you went to a piano conference or webinar to learn about insurance?

Never?

It’s the massive elephant in the room that we all conveniently ignore. 

I've done some digging. After a good deal of research and talks with experts, here's what I dug up. It's offered in a straightforward question-and-answer format.

BTW...If you think your home policy is enough...this episode may make you think again.

Remember, I am NOT an insurance agent OR expert. I'm someone who usually ignores stuff like this but is now compelled to get the facts straight. 

Please use the information I've gathered and then meet with your insurance agent to tailor a policy that suits your needs. I am NOT an expert.

After I list the types of insurance you need to consider as a piano studio owner, the episode ends with

• Advice from a piano teacher who lost her home in the 2018 The Camp Fire
• Questions to bring to the next meeting with your insurance agent.

Links

An article featuring the best home inventory apps: HERE

Tomilee's sister's Emergency Binder: HERE

"Repertoire Keepers and How to Improvise with Them": HERE

Learn more and sign up for the Composium: HERE

 

How to connect with me

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Website: https://www.leilaviss.com/