Creative Musical Musings
New Lessons: Let It Be & Summertime 🎹
Hey there, piano friends! Have you ever sat down at your piano, opened a book of sheet music, and felt your heart sink just a little bit? You see a wall of black dots, complex rhythms, and fingerings that look more like a game of Twister than a song. We’ve all been...
Why Adult Piano Lessons Online are the Secret to Actually Sticking with Music
Have you ever looked at a piano and thought, “Someday, I’ll finally learn to play that”? Maybe you took lessons as a kid and quit because the scales were boring, or maybe life just got in the way. Whatever the reason, that "someday" often feels like it's drifting...
A Violin’s Legacy: Helping Every Student Feel at Home Through Music
Have you ever received an email that didn’t just brighten your day, but actually warmed your entire soul? I had one of those moments recently, and I simply couldn't wait to share it with you. It’s a story about a violin, a legacy, and the incredible power of a...
Piano Improvisation for Adults 101: Mastering Your First Solo
Ever sat down at your piano, looked at the 88 black and white keys, and felt... stuck? You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, mastering a specific classical piece. You’ve got the notes down. You’ve followed every crescendo and staccato mark to the letter. But the moment...
Fresh from ASTA: Turning Classrooms into Jam Sessions
ASTA was such a good time. Like, “I lost my voice from talking shop with orchestra teachers” good. If you couldn’t make it (or you just want the highlights without the conference coffee), here are the big takeaways from my session on Flexible Fiddling—aka, how to turn...
Why Improvisation is the Ultimate Tool for Young Musicians (and How it Beats “Mindless Scrolling”)
I am sitting here with a massive smile on my face, a warm cup of coffee in my hand, and a heart full of pride. Today is one of those "full circle" days that makes every year of teaching feel like a gift. In just a little while, I’m headed out to have lunch with one of...
Beyond “Just Playing the Song”: The Magic of Flexible Fiddling Building Blocks
Most string orchestra arrangements follow a predictable path: the students open the music, learn their specific notes, and "play the song." While that builds reading skills, it often misses the most exciting part of being a musician—creativity. When I designed...
Bringing Creativity to the String Orchestra: Join Me at ASTA 2026!
Do you want happy, engaged students who can’t wait to get to orchestra rehearsal? We all know the challenge: in a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation, how do we prepare our students to think on their feet? The answer lies in creativity. Encouraging creative...
Why Returning Pianists Feel Stuck (Hint: It’s Not Your Fault)
You decided to sit back down at the keys. You remembered the basics. You can still read the treble clef, and you might even remember that big "showpiece" you played for a recital when you were twelve. But then you hit a wall. You can "decode" the notes, but you can't...
Unlock the Soulful Simplicity of “Wayfaring Stranger”
🎶 ChordWise Piano Lesson: Unlock the Soulful Simplicity of “Wayfaring Stranger” “Wayfaring Stranger” is one of the most hauntingly beautiful American folk spirituals ever written. Its minor key melancholy and simple, repetitive chord structure make it an absolute...