In this issue
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Summer 2026: Editor’s Letter
When young children first find their way to a piano, they relish in the sounds they are making. While often random and without musical meaning, the…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
The Culturally Responsive Piano Teacher: Building an Inclusive Studio through Cultural Competence
The Culturally Responsive Piano Teacher:EDITORIAL PREFACE Due to the increased discussion surrounding diversity in the piano studio and how to effectively meet the needs of students…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Seamless Transitions: Welcoming and Nurturing Piano Transfer Students
I LOVE MY STUDENTS! I love being in a groove with them. I love knowing them well and watching them grow, change, discover, and mature. Some…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
More Than Just Playing The Notes: How Musical Informances Deepen Student Learning
Today’s musical audiences are curious, seeking depth and greater understanding of the music they hear. In The Oxford Handbook of Public Music Theory, Dave Headlam noted…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Unlocking Musicianship—One Key at a Time
Incentives—I used to think that was a dirty word. My teaching, my encouragement, and the beautiful music I assigned should have been enough motivation for my…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Microlearning with Videos: Boost Studio Retention by Addressing Parental Challenges
Today’s piano teachers walk a tightrope: educational theory demonstrates how students thrive, yet the realities of modern family life often pull in the opposite direction. Parents…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Rediscovering Copland’s Piano Works for Teaching and Performance
In Maurice Hinson’s seminal Guide to the Pianist’s Repertoire, the author states the following about Igor Stravinsky: “Stravinsky’s piano works, while varied and interesting, are not…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Pupil Saver: “A Spring in My Step” from Totally Fun! Book 3 by Jeanine Yeager
This delightful piece has something for everyone. Written entirely for the white keys on the piano, the cheeky subtitle contends that “black keys are so over-rated.”…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Summer 2026: New Music & Materials
BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Book Review: The Savvy Musician 2.0: Amplifying Impact, Income, & Inspiration by David Cutler
For music professionals looking to elevate their career, this book serves as a comprehensive guide. Readers will learn to think like an entrepreneur, discover a unique…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Summer 2026: Recording Reviews
“They are a diary, they are presents, messages—messages of the heart.” These are the words of extraordinary artist Pierre-Laurent Aimard describing the works on his two…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Fostering Resilience In Music Students
In recent decades, psychologists, educators, and physicians have observed a decrease in resiliency among many students. Additionally, according to social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, diagnoses of mental…
Summer 2026; Vol. 18, No. 2
Summer 2026: Questions & Answers
Question: I’ve heard about the positive impacts of students learning with peers. I’d like to offer partner lessons for some of my students this fall. What…