It has been my honor to present workshops throughout the northwest on piano teaching and the use of technology in solving common piano teacher problems. I have found that many teachers shy away from computers and digital keyboards because they feel it diminishes the importance of classical music. My experience has been quite different. My students are all classically trained pianists and have won all the major competitions in this area. Technology frees me from the repetitive tasks of theory drilling thus allowing me to devote the entire lesson to music. Allowing my students to use computer drills and games to learn theory while in my studio enables me to oversee their theory study instead of sending them home with workbooks that get lost or ‘forgotten’ lesson after lesson. My student retention is between 95% and 98% any given year because of the way my studio is structured.

I have also adjudicated Spring Festivals around the northwest over the past 10 years. Working with students and teachers, I focus on helping the student while supporting their teachers. When adjudicating, I feel it is important to be positive and uplifting and to use humor to put the student at ease. I have never heard a performance that didn’t have something positive that I could comment on – even if it is to congratulate the student for dressing nicely that day. Festivals should never be feared or dreaded.

Workshop and Adjudication Availability

If your music store or teachers association is interested in having me as an adjudicator or workshop presenter, please contact me at carol@pipergirl.com. I try to limit my absence from the studio as I am “in the trenches” as much as the other teachers, but can usually find the time to travel several times every year.

Some workshop topics I’ve presented in the past include:

• More Gain, Less Pain: Using technology as the second teacher in your studio
• Riding the Technology Wave: What’s new in software and MIDI programs
• Traditional versus Trendy: Can students learn the classics and still have fun?
• Bach, Beethoven and Boogie: Is there room for both?
• The ‘Ears’ have it: Using improvisation to improve musicality
• High Octane Piano Studio: Organizing your studio for optimum performance