Episodes
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Saying YES to NO and So-Long Freebie
Episode #71 is the last episode of season three and MAYBE the LAST episode of Key Ideas as you know it. Tune in to hear how I came to that decision. The process I share could be just the nudge you need to stop saying YES when you really mean NO! As a token of my appreciation for your lovely...
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Prepping Group Students for Festivals and Exams with Marie Lee
Episode #70 spotlights the brilliance of Marie Lee. You get to learn her secrets about how she prepares students for festivals in a group setting. She has honed a system that sets students up for success and who frequently receive high marks and even honors. Marie's strategies can also be applied...
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Essential Business Tips and Tools for Piano Teachers with Andrea Miller
Episode #69 features my conversation with the brilliant Andrea Miller. Perhaps you’ve already been an avid fan of her podcast, Music Studio Startup, enrolled in her courses, or heard one of her many timely presentations at national conferences. In this episode, Andrea shares how she developed her...
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Tips for Teaching Online with Carly Walton
In episode #68, you eavesdrop on my conversation with piano teacher and pioneer Carly Walton. If you aren’t familiar with Carly and her story, you’ll be blown away by her incredible timing back in 2019. When most of us were comfortable teaching in our brick-and-mortar studios, she was among the...
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How the Taubman Approach Leads to Effortless Technique with Brenna Berman
This is Episode #67 in which you are privileged to learn from Brenna Berman. Already an avid performer at the age of seven, Brenna’s promising career as a pianist was almost shut down by the pain and injuries she sustained from playing the piano. In fact, one of her college professors suggested...
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How Music is Wired for Healing with Adriana Barton
Episode #66 is my conversation with Canadian journalist Adriana Barton. Adriana just released her new book called Wired For Music in which she shares her search for health and joy through music. Due to unfortunate circumstances and extraordinary connections, I am privileged to have connected with...
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How to Approach Kids Who Learn Differently in Private AND Group Lessons
This is episode #65 which is part two of my conversation with good friend and colleague. Have you observed behavior in students who indicate that they may learn differently or are neurodivergent, but you can’t target how to guide them? Are you looking for tips and resources on how to help…
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How to Approach Neurodiversity in the Piano Studio with Dr. Emily McGree
Episode # 64 is part one of my conversation with Dr. Emily McGree. If you’ve heard the term neurodivergent but aren’t sure what it means, or if you have observed behavior in students that indicate that they may learn differently, but you can’t target how to guide them, or if you are in need of...
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Forte Lessons: Filling the World with Music
This is episode #63 in which I talk with innovators Mark Murtagh and Hunter McGranahan. Together they founded ForteLessons.com. After years of settling on Zoom, I tried Forte and noticed an immediate difference and improved sound quality. You hear about the vision and work behind the scenes in…
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The Life-Changing Benefits of Off-Bench Time with Andrea Zimmerman
This first episode of 2023 features a conversation based on something rockstar piano teacher Andrea Zimmerman revealed to me in an email. Have I sparked your curiosity? Hint, Andrea shares why she and her husband can afford to take ten weeks off every summer to travel. No spoiler alert here…
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These are a Few of My Favorite Things
In episode #61, the last one to drop in 2022, I share a few of my favorite things that have gotten me through this postpandemic world. If you know me well, I don’t prefer the phrase silver linings but some of the favorite things I share today come close to silver linings. The list bundles…
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Navigating a Postpandemic World with Vanessa Cornett, Part 2
Episode #60 features part two of my interview with Vanessa Cornett. It picks up where we left off so it’s important to head back to episode #59 if you haven’t taken in all of Dr. Cornett’s insight and advice about healthy disengagement. Make sure to catch her descriptions of disidentification...
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Navigating a Postpandemic World with Vanessa Cornett, Part 1
Episode #59 features my one-on-one discussion with the enlightening Dr. Vanessa Cornett. You’ll want to eavesdrop on every second! From the start, it was clear that I’d have to split our conversation into two episodes because Vanessa has countless insights to share about our collective journey...
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How to Reap the Benefits of Teaching Group Piano
Episode #58 is a SOLO spotlight episode with special guest host Dorla Aparicio. Dorla shares her unique and tried and true approach to group teaching. I use the phrase tried and true because Dorla is a pioneer in the field of group teaching. She is always so generous with her expertise based on…
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The Joy of Playing the Piano All your Life with Emile Pandolfi
As a child, Emile Pandolfi was passionate about playing and creating at the piano. His passion turned into a life-long career. His story is an inspiration and he serves as a role model to us as well as our students. Emile proves that you CAN carve out a career as a performing artist even if it...
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Using Your Website to Explode the Limits of Your Studio
Episode #56 is the second SOLO spotlight episode with special guest host Janna Carlson. If you missed her first one you MUST Head to #54 to hear her first spotlight episode. You’ll learn the two reasons why Key Ideas now includes spotlight episodes and it sheds light on why Janna speaks with such...
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How to Talk with Our Students
Notice the title does not say how to talk TO students. It uses the word WITH instead. The word WITH seems more appropriate because learning an instrument requires instruction but also an exchange of words, an interaction between the teacher and the student. In this episode, I sift through top...
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My Expat Piano Teacher Journey: The Music Teacher’s Toolbox for Big Life Changes
This episode is a FIRST for Key Ideas! It's because I made a pact with myself to work smarter and not harder. You can hear this proclamation back in my season opener, episode #48. So instead of a conversation that can often become cluttered with "extras", this episode lets website guru Janna...
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Repertoire Round Up with Charlene: Ensembles
Episode #50 is part two of my chat with one of my most popular guests, rock star piano teacher, and innovative pedagogue Charlene Shelzi Jarvis. Tune in as we continue our round up our favorite ensemble pieces from a variety of composers –not just one publisher--and we even play portions of them....
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Repertoire Roundup with Charlene: Halloween
Here's another episode where we don't hold back! Charlene and I provide a list of THE TOP Halloween music for piano solos and ensembles, too. Head to the show notes to grab the downloadable list of all the music featured. The list is organized according to level and includes links to videos and...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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What’s the Big Deal about Off the Bench when On the Bench is what Really Matters?
Off Bench time is a label for three types or parts of a lesson: #1 A designated time before, during, or after a lesson where students complete assignments off the bench #2 Any time spent doing a purposeful activity that engages the body beyond the fingers on the keys #3 Any time spent completing...
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Lock into a Loop of Learning On & Off the Bench
In this episode, get a reminder of what Off Bench time is--a label for three types or parts of a lesson: #1 A designated time before, during or after a lesson where students complete assignments off the bench #2 Any time spent doing a purposeful activity that engages the body beyond the fingers…
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Off Bench Matters
For the new year, here's a new format that shares potent ideas in 10 minutes or less. Learn how to engage piano students off the bench to reinforce what they play on the bench. Off-bench time matters and you'll get a list of reasons why and ways you can incorporate these activities in your…
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Dennis Alexander, Pt. 3
In this final episode of Leila's three-part conversation with Dennis Alexander, he shares the smartest thing anyone can do as an aspiring composer, a teaching tip that is fall-out-of-your-seat funny, and the best thing any teacher can do for their student. For all the resources mentioned in this...
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Dennis Alexander, Pt. 2
In part 2 of 3, Leila and Dennis talk about his unexpected journey into composition as well as his transition from Alfred Music to Hal Leonard. For more info, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.
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Dennis Alexander, Pt. 1
Leila has an inspiring conversation with Dennis Alexander. Dennis is a living legend as a composer, performer, and pedagogue. In Part 1, Dennis talks about the chance opportunity that led to his composing career, why adult students are his favorite, and what app he requires all of his students to...
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Whole Body Learning with Paul Myatt
Leila chats with guest Paul Myatt about Whole Body Learning and fun off-bench activities. Paul Myatt is a passionate music teacher, performer, author, composer and workshop facilitator. Paul, along with his colleague and best friend, Gillian Erskine, created Forte School of Music, a 27-year-old...
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A Piano Teacher‘s Tale in a Land Far Away with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson, Part 2
Enjoy Part 2 of Leila's inspiring conversation with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson! For more information, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.
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A Piano Teacher‘s Tale in a Land Far Away with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson, Part 1
In this first part of a two-episode conversation with Lynda Lybeck-Robinson, Leila finds out how Lynda wound up in Unalaska, Alaska! Lynda also talks about how she carved out a career in a rugged and beautiful setting. To find out more about Lynda, and to get more info about this episode, visit...
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Feedback Repair
Using Joe Hirsch's R.E.P.A.I.R. acronym, Leila shares insights on how to provide valuable in-lesson feedback that leads to "feedforward" and growth with our students. As always, for more info, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.
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Repertoire worth Recycling with Charlene Jarvis, pt.3
In this final installment of Repertoire worth Recycling, Leila and Charlene share even more great solo pieces and collections. Be sure to follow Key Ideas wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! For the full list of Repertoire worth Recycling, and for more info, go to leilaviss.com/keyideas.
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Repertoire worth Recycling with Charlene Jarvis, pt.2
This is part two of Leila's three-part series with Charlene Jarvis where they talk about more great titles worth recycling in the studio. For more info on Leila's 8+8 Composium and for show notes, visit leilaviss.com/keyideas.
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Repertoire worth Recycling with Charlene Jarvis, pt.1
Take the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" inside Leila's and Charlene Jarvis' studios. In this first of three episodes devoted to repertoire worth recycling find out their perennial favorites! Find out more about Whole Body Learning at www.pianoteachingsuccess.com/Kickstarter. For show notes...
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Behind the Scenes at ComposeCreate.com with Wendy Stevens
Join Leila for a pithy, honest, and really fun conversation with the one and only Wendy Stevens. Here are links to Wendy's webinars: New Music Abuzz With Adventure - Teachers can pick from times happening on August 17th and 25th https://event.webinarjam.com/register/88/2z925iyv Exciting New...
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Episode 27: Transforming from survival to revival
Last year we embarked on a pandemic journey that required us to live in Survival Mode. Leila talks about the troubling symptoms of Survival Mode, and shares her insights along the way to Revival Mode. In this episode she also shares her "talk of a lifetime" called "Keeping it Together When Life...
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Episode 26: Is it time to switch from survival to revival mode?
Leila shares perspectives and pointers on how to go from survival to revival during this new season. She also shares a studio-ready teaching tip! Click here to register for Using Rote Repertoire to Teach Composition, a webinar hosted by the always clever Samantha Coates on August 27. To learn…
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Episode 25: The Give and Take of Covid
In the final episode of Season 1, Leila reflects on the highs and lows of life and work over the course of the last year. Thank you for supporting Key Ideas. Your follows and feedback, ratings and reviews have encouraged and inspired us. For more info on this and other episodes, visit...
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Episode 24: Yoga in the Music Studio with Lesley McAllister Pt. 2
Part Two is Leila's conversation about yoga in the studio centers on pre-performance routines, overcoming fear at the bench, and so much more! For resources and links from this episode, go to www.leilaviss.com/keyideas/yoga-in-the-music-studio-lesley-mcallister-cemmy. For more info on Leila and...
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Episode 23: Yoga in the Music Studio with Dr. Lesley McAllister Pt. 1
Leila and Lesley begin a conversation on the benefits of using yoga in the piano studio as well as lessons Lesley has learned about the connections between mind, body, and soul. Stay tuned for Part Two! For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit...
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Episode 22: How to Play Piano in a Band with Drew Collins
Leila chats with her good friend and producer Drew Collins about their course and curriculum, How to Play Piano in a Band. For more info, visit leilaviss.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Key Ideas have?
Key Ideas currently has 72 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Key Ideas about?
Podcast for piano teachers
How often does Key Ideas release new episodes?
Key Ideas has 72 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Key Ideas?
You can listen to Key Ideas on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Key Ideas?
Key Ideas is created and hosted by Leila Viss.
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