We would like to thank Alexa Stier, Derek Hartman, and Xiaoya Gao for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s Postgraduate Teaching Program. Want to learn more about the Postgraduate Teaching Program? Learn more and apply by clicking here.
Alexa Stier (2023-2024)
The NSMS Postgraduate Teaching Program prepared me for professional life by guiding how I observe, teach, and think as an educator. One of the most meaningful aspects of my time in the New School for Music Study’s Postgraduate Teaching Program was the opportunity to observe teaching at the highest level. Watching Amy Glennon work with students of all ages and stages fundamentally reshaped how I think about teaching. I became acutely aware of the power of words: how precise vocabulary, well-timed directions, and the choice not to overexplain can create confidence and momentum in a lesson. Those observations taught me that great teaching is often less about saying more, and more about saying the right thing at the right time.
Frances Clark’s legacy lives on at the New School in countless ways, including the simple but powerful phrases passed down through generations of her students. One sentence, in particular, has stayed with me and continues to guide my teaching philosophy: “meet the student where they are.” This principle sounds simple, yet it is profoundly transformative. It fosters a truly student-centered approach in my teaching practice, prioritizing flexibility and respect for each student’s musical development.
The NSMS Postgraduate Teaching Program gave me both a pedagogical foundation and a sense of professional identity. Now that I am “out of the nest,” I recognize just how much I owe to this program. It prepared me for professional life by guiding how I teach, observe, reflect, and grow alongside my students.
Alexa currently resides in Nashville, where she serves as adjunct collaborative pianist at Lipscomb University, and teaches at the Lipscomb Academy.
Derek Hartman (2023-2024)
The NSMS Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship gave me exactly what I needed to launch my career. As a pianist fresh out of eight years of music school, I felt uncertain about my place in the music field and lacked confidence in my teaching abilities. The Fellowship facilitated my transition into the professional world wonderfully: the NSMS community welcomed me warmly, and the Fellowship offered a myriad of tools and experiences to help me build my teaching skills. The immersive format of the program encouraged me to apply new teaching concepts and strategies as I learned them, and the comprehensive nature of the school allowed me to experience a wide spectrum of teaching environments every week.
In the Time to Begin class, Amy Glennon taught me how to inspire young beginners to enjoy music-making and how group instruction can enhance the learning process. Through working with the PEPS program, I gained confidence coaching advanced repertoire and fulfilling my role as a leader for older students. Through seminar discussions and fabulous online courses at The Frances Clark Center, I strengthened my sense of purpose and identity as a teacher and gained tools and inspiration from top pedagogues in the field.
During my interview for my current position, Lecturer of Piano at Vanderbilt University, I was asked to give masterclasses for advanced and intermediate students and lead a beginner group class; I remain so grateful to the NSMS Fellowship for giving me the tools and experiences to step into all of those roles confidently from day one. As my career progresses, I will always carry the wisdom and inspiration I received from my mentors at the NSMS.
Derek currently serves as Lecturer of Piano at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University.
Xiaoya Gao (2024-2025)
My time in the NSMS Postgraduate Teaching Program was truly formative, shaping not only my professional skills but also my identity as a piano teacher. Long before I arrived at the New School, I dreamed of joining the fellowship, and experiencing it firsthand exceeded everything I had hoped for. The program offered an immersive, hands-on environment that prepared me for the realities and joys of professional teaching.
Teaching weekly lessons to students of all ages, assisting in classes such as Time to Begin and Piano Detectives Club, and observing master teachers like Marvin Blickenstaff, Amy Glennon, and Rebecca Pennington gave me a deep, practical understanding of thoughtful piano pedagogy. Through these experiences, I learned how to balance structure with creativity, how to remain flexible and responsive, and how to keep student engagement at the center of every lesson. These skills continue to guide my teaching today.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the program was the weekly seminar and mentorships. The warmth, passion, and depth of knowledge from NSMS faculties left a lasting impression on me. I consistently left our meetings feeling energized and inspired, reminded of the power teachers have to shape not only musicians but people. That sense of purpose is something I now strive to pass on to my own students.
What truly sets NSMS apart is its culture of collaboration and care. The support from faculty and staff, along with opportunities such as recitals, visiting artists, and group projects for The Piano Conference: NCKP, reinforced the idea that growth is a shared journey. The Postgraduate Teaching Program didn’t just prepare me for professional life, it gave me a teaching home that continues to inform and inspire my work every day.
Xiaoya Gao is currently a full-time faculty member at The New School for Music Study. She also serves as the pianist at Living Waters Lutheran Church.
Learn more about teaching and professional development opportunities at The New School for Music Study by clicking here.
MORE ON THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC STUDY
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- DISCOVERY PAGE: Reflections on the Postgraduate Teaching Program by Allison Shinnick Keep
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- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Then and Now: A Retrospective of the New School for Music Study’s Sixty Years by Rebecca Mergen Pennington
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Celebrating Fifty Years at the New School for Music Study: A Three-Generation Review by Judith Jain
- DISCOVERY PAGE: Six Reasons You Should Apply to the Postgraduate Teaching Program at The New School for Music Study by Trevor Thornton
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