TopMusic Piano Podcast Podcast Por Tim Topham arte de portada

TopMusic Piano Podcast

TopMusic Piano Podcast

De: Tim Topham
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 The TopMusic Piano Podcast is a weekly show that provides piano teachers with inspiration and ideas for teaching piano in a way that engages and motivates students. Your host, Dr. Rachel Ehring, is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano-teaching gadgets. Rachel holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. Join Rachel as she interviews guests from the music education industry and shares tips and advice to help you run your dream piano studio.2023 Economía Música
Episodios
  • 074: What Should I Play for Church?

    074: What Should I Play for Church?
    Jul 11 2025
    Growing up playing in church services gave me much of my early performance experience, and it’s a topic I’ve never explored on the podcast until now. In this solo episode, I’m sharing my journey with sacred music, from childhood church performances to my studies in Sacred Music. I’ll be talking about my favorite hymn arrangers, like Lloyd Larson and Mark Hayes, and will offer suggestions for pianists of all levels looking to incorporate sacred music into their repertoire. Whether you're teaching students to play in church or looking to expand your own playing, I hope you’ll find some useful resources in this episode.
    • Rachel shared her experience playing sacred music in church from a young age.
    • She explained how her Sacred Music degree shaped her understanding of church music and performance.
    • Her early experiences playing hymns and offertories during church services.
    • She shared her favorite hymn arrangers, like Marilynn Ham, Dino, and Mark Hayes.
    • Rachel highlighted Lloyd Larson as her favorite arranger for accessible yet beautiful hymns.
    • She recommended Dennis Alexander’s sacred music for intermediate students.
    • She mentioned Roger House’s pieces as accessible yet technical arrangements.
    • She introduced Larry Shackley’s Sacred Rhapsody for advanced pianists.
    • Rachel shared Michael Larkin’s All Creatures of Our God and King with hymns and original pieces.
    • She encouraged listeners to share their favorite sacred music suggestions.

    Links Mentioned
    • Rachel's Favorite Sacred Piano Books
    • Amanda Tero Music
    • Susan Staples Bell Music for Worship
    • Mark Hayes' Hymn Harmonizations
    • Michael Larkin's All Creatures of Our God and King
    • Marilynn Ham Books
    • TopMusic Piano Podcast 010: From Concept to Composition with Susan Staples Bell
    • Download the latest TopMusic Magazine edition here.

    About Rachel Ehring Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
    • Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
    • Visit her Instagram page:
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    18 m
  • 073: From Dueling Pianist to Studio Owner with Whitney Maxwell

    073: From Dueling Pianist to Studio Owner with Whitney Maxwell
    Jul 4 2025
    From dueling pianist to studio owner, Whitney Maxwell shares her remarkable journey of pivoting during the pandemic to open Bloom Music Studio in 2021. In this episode, she talks about how her studio grew rapidly after being featured in the Des Moines Register and how she’s created a welcoming, community-driven environment for students. Whitney also explains her unique lab-based teaching model, which fosters independent learning and helps students progress faster than in traditional private lessons.
    • Whitney shared how she opened Bloom Music Studio in 2021 during the pandemic.
    • Her transition from a corporate job to full-time teaching after growing her piano studio.
    • She discussed her experience of being featured in the Des Moines Register, which led to a dramatic increase in students.
    • How her studio offers piano lessons for all ages and is considering expanding to other instruments.
    • The importance of infusing personality into her studio's website to attract the right families.
    • The benefits of a lab-based teaching structure, encouraging independent learning for students.
    • How group lessons allow students to progress faster than in private lessons.
    • Advice on managing a teaching team and the benefits of co-teaching in creating community.
    • Her passion for creating a strong teacher-student bond through activities and worksheets.
    • She recommended that teachers find the pulse of their local community to align their studio’s offerings with what students truly want.

    Links Mentioned
    • Whitney's website: Bloom Music Studio
    • Whitney's Instagram page: @bloommusicstudio
    • Whitney's TikTok page: bloommusicstudio

    Today’s Guest Whitney Maxwell grew up reading beautiful classical music, studying for 10 years under a Juilliard and Harvard trained teacher and concert pianist. She loved her piano teacher and she loved her lessons. But after some time in corporate America, Whitney somehow ended up traveling the world as a full time dueling piano player. She has been teaching since 2001, and has extensive experience in a variety of curriculums, teaching methods and lesson styles. About Rachel Ehring Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
    • Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
    • Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
    • Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
    • Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

    Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your...
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    38 m
  • 072: A Classical Pianist Learns about Jazz with Quentin Walston

    072: A Classical Pianist Learns about Jazz with Quentin Walston
    Jun 27 2025
    As a classical pianist, I’ve always felt a bit intimidated by jazz. But in this conversation with jazz pianist and educator Quentin Walston, I step out of my comfort zone and dive into the world of jazz improvisation. Quentin shares his journey from self-taught pianist to the founder of This Is Jazz, a company dedicated to making jazz more accessible to teachers and students. He also discusses his book How to Teach Jazz and Improvisation, offering valuable insights on how educators can confidently introduce jazz concepts and improvisation to students, even beginners.
    • Quentin shared his journey from self-taught pianist to jazz educator to promote jazz education.
    • His early classical piano lessons and how his love for improvisation led him to jazz.
    • Discussion of his book, How to Teach Jazz and Improvisation, designed for teachers to confidently teach jazz.
    • How the book includes simple compositions for students to improvise and play jazz right away.
    • Tips for teaching swing, articulation, and improvisation to beginners.
    • He stressed that starting with easy exercises helps students build confidence in improvisation.
    • Advice for classical pianists looking to explore jazz, focusing on rhythm and swing feel.
    • He explained that improvisation is a skill that can be learned gradually over time.
    • Quentin mentioned that even adult learners can start improvising within a few months.
    • He recommended his courses on jazz theory and history, along with his album Retro Future for inspiration.

    Links Mentioned
    • Quentin's website: This Is Jazz
    • Quentin's Instagram page: @quentinwalston
    • Quentin's YouTube channel: This Is Jazz

    Today's Guest Quentin Walston is an active pianist, educator, and founder of This Is Jazz, a company dedicated to jazz education and appreciation. He brings jazz into classrooms and lessons nationwide by equipping educators through his book How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation. A Virginia Commission for the Arts "Teaching Artist" and Maryland State Arts Council "Touring Artist," he draws on over a decade of professional teaching and performing experience to his work. He performs with his jazz trio and as a solo pianist, blending memorable melodies and striking rhythms with adventurous improvisations. His album Retro Future features original works inspired by masters from Thelonious Monk to Jason Moran. Through workshops and seminars for all ages covering jazz, composition, and music history, Quentin brings passionate expertise to jazz performance and education in any setting, classroom or concert hall. About Rachel Ehring Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
    • Visit her website at
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    30 m
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