Episodios

  • 086: What Happens When You Double Your Rates with Eric Branner

    086: What Happens When You Double Your Rates with Eric Branner
    Oct 3 2025
    Eric Branner’s story bridges music, entrepreneurship, and education with lessons every teacher can learn from. As a guitarist, founder of Fons, and now host of The Four 40 podcast, Eric shares how doubling his rates transformed his studio, why professionalism matters, and how mindset shapes success. In this episode, he encourages teachers to embrace curiosity, charge their worth, and create thriving communities that honor the value of music teaching.
    • Eric shared his journey as a third-generation music teacher, guitarist, and entrepreneur.
    • How his first guitar teacher created a joyful learning atmosphere in a car battery warehouse.
    • Why teachers should embrace optimism and the privilege of introducing students to music.
    • He explained how teaching skills prepared him to found and run a successful tech company.
    • The value of music lessons in shaping problem-solving skills for careers beyond the arts.
    • Eric highlighted how group classes create community and enrich the student experience.
    • Why charging fair rates elevates both a teacher’s livelihood and professional respect.
    • He shared his own story of doubling his rates, which increased demand rather than decreasing it.
    • Eric emphasized that charging more allows teachers to also give freely to those in need.
    • How founding Fons automated payments, streamlined billing, and removed awkward money conversations.
    • The importance of treating teaching as a respected profession with clear systems.
    • Why building community, equity, and professionalism strengthens studios long-term.
    • He shared insights from his new podcast, The Fourforty (440).
    • He emphasized that developing as an expressive human gives artists an advantage in any career, even in the age of AI.

    Links Mentioned
    • Fons.com
    • Fons Family Facebook Group
    • Eric's Instagram page: @ebranner
    • Eric's Podcast: The Fourforty (440) with Eric Branner

    Today's Guest Eric Branner is a third-generation music teacher, classical guitarist, and entrepreneur. He founded the studio management platform Fons and now serves as Vice President of Business Development at Peaksware. His career bridges performing, teaching, and building technology, and he is known for practical workshops, inspiring talks, and a deep commitment to helping educators build thriving careers. Passionate about blending great teaching with smart business practices, Eric empowers musicians to earn more, streamline their businesses, and expand their impact. 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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    46 m
  • 085: 5 Things Saving My Sanity in a Busy Season

    085: 5 Things Saving My Sanity in a Busy Season
    Sep 26 2025
    Busy seasons can quickly push us to the edge, especially when teaching, scheduling, and family responsibilities collide. In this solo episode, I'm going to share five simple but powerful practices that are helping me stay grounded, from leaning on ChatGPT for tricky tasks to creating calming rituals in my workspace. These ideas may inspire you to find your own ways of keeping balance when life feels overwhelming.
    • Rachel shared that fall scheduling at her conservatory creates a hectic workload with 100+ students and new teachers.
    • How taking on extra accompanying duties adds joy but also reduces administrative time.
    • The importance of ChatGPT for unsticking tasks and writing professional messages quickly.
    • Using ChatGPT to solve technical issues like creating a Google Form grid.
    • How sending voice memos instead of long texts saves time and feels more personal.
    • How creating training videos in Canva systematized teacher onboarding.
    • The benefits of keeping physical copies of important forms at her desk for quick access.
    • She highlighted how Fons simplifies billing and scheduling, reducing daily stress.
    • Rachel explained the value of easy go-to meals, like baked potatoes, for busy weeks.
    • Importance of small rituals, like diffusing essential oils and playing soft jazz, for reducing stress.
    • Rachel encouraged teachers to identify their own “sanity savers” during stressful seasons.

    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 teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

    TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
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    18 m
  • 084: Creating Well-Rounded Piano Students with Grant Kondo

    084: Creating Well-Rounded Piano Students with Grant Kondo
    Sep 19 2025
    Grant Kondo believes in saying “yes” to every student’s musical journey. From his early experiences in Hawaii to his current studio in San Jose, Grant has combined classical foundations with modern creativity to inspire well-rounded musicians. In this episode, he shares how improvisation, arranging, and flexible teaching approaches can help students of all ages connect deeply with music, while his new book series Skills for the Modern Pianist equips teachers and learners with practical tools for artistry and growth.
    • Grant shared a brief overview of his background and his music studio in San Jose, California.
    • How his early teachers gave him strong sight-reading and classical training.
    • He described the moment in high school when he realized he could not play from a lead sheet.
    • The influence of Forrest Kinney in helping him learn improvisation and arranging.
    • The importance of teaching students all four arts of music: interpretation, improvisation, arranging, and composition.
    • Why his teaching philosophy centers on being a “yes man” who meets students where they are.
    • The value of allowing students to explore different genres like pop, K-pop, classical, and anime.
    • How he tailors method books to fit each student rather than using one program for all.
    • Why he loves teaching adult students who bring diverse goals and musical interests.
    • Why he believes all students should learn both classical and non-classical repertoire.
    • Grant highlighted his new book series Skills for the Modern Pianist.
    • How the books use familiar pieces in multiple variations to teach arranging, improvisation, and theory.

    Links Mentioned
    • Grant Kondo's Website
    • Grant's Books: LifeOffThePage.com
    • Grant's Books "Skills for the Modern Pianist" (US Amazon Link)
    • Grant's Books "Skills for the Modern Pianist" (AU Amazon Link)
    • TopMusic Composition Competition 2025

    Today’s Guest Grant Kondo, is a pianist, educator, and author of Skills for the Modern Pianist, a three-level series designed to bridge classical foundations with improvisation, arranging, and modern genres. Inspired by Forrest Kinney, his innovative approach empowers students and teachers alike to move beyond the page, cultivating creativity, artistry, and a connection to the music they make. Grant runs a private studio in San Jose, CA, USA, and is a trip planning and transportation nerd as he loves anything from planes to trains to cruises! He has served on local, state, and national levels in leadership for Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). 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...
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    38 m
  • 083: The Joy of Jazz Piano with Jeremy Siskind

    083: The Joy of Jazz Piano with Jeremy Siskind
    Sep 12 2025
    Jeremy Siskind’s journey bridges the worlds of jazz performance, education, and digital innovation. As a pianist, author, and educator, Jeremy has developed groundbreaking resources for students while inspiring thousands through his books, teaching, and YouTube channel. In this episode, he shares how improvisation can be taught step by step, why ensemble playing is crucial, and how his work continues to expand access to jazz piano for learners everywhere.
    • Jeremy shared about his background and how his piano journey began at a Yamaha Music School.
    • How Yamaha’s holistic training in improvisation and harmony set the stage for his jazz career.
    • The importance of planning routines like improv weeks or warmups to integrate improvisation.
    • The value of treating jazz like learning a language.
    • Why adults struggle with unlearning habits and wanting quick results.
    • How students can start with drone improvisations and clear phrasing.
    • The benefits of practicing blues as a foundation for jazz.
    • Jeremy emphasized why playing in ensembles is essential for growth.
    • He discussed the value of his Jazz Piano Fundamentals series for beginners.
    • How his Solo Standards books provide professional arrangements.
    • He highlighted the benefits of arrangements but stressed improvisation is key.
    • How YouTube expanded Jeremy's teaching reach worldwide.
    • Jeremy outlined upcoming projects including an album, TEDx talk, and songwriting book.

    Links Mentioned
    • Jeremy's website: www.jeremysiskind.com
    • Jeremy's Jazz Piano Class: jeremysiskind.com/jazzclass
    • Jeremy's Instagram Page: @jsiskind2
    • Jeremy's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/jeremysiskind

    Today’s Guest Jeremy Siskind is the rare musician whose imaginative albums land on “best of” lists while his ground-breaking instructional books populate “best-seller” lists. A top finisher in national and international jazz piano competitions, Siskind is a two-time laureate of the American Pianists Association and the winner of the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition. A sought-after educator, Siskind has published more than 20 instructional books, including Playing Solo Jazz Piano, with an introduction by Fred Hersch, and the ground-breaking Jazz Piano Fundamentals series. As a busy LA-based musician, his piano playing can be heard on Arturo Sandoval’s most recent recording, My Foolish Heart, his arrangements can be heard on Julia Bullock’s Grammy-winning album, Walking in the Dark, and his compositions appear on nationally recognized repertoire lists, like the famed publication of the National Federation of Music Clubs. Besides Siskind’s own YouTube channel, which boasts over 25,000 subscribers, Siskind is frequently seen teaching on digital platforms like Tonebase, Open Studio, and Piano with Jonny, as well as presenting webinars and in-person lectures for the Frances Clark Institute, the Music Teachers National Association, and the Imagine Solutions Conference. Siskind helps to guide education and pedagogy surrounding improvisation and composition. Siskind spreads peace through music in places like Lebanon, Tunisia, and Thailand with the non-profit organization, Jazz Education Abroad. Jeremy Siskind is a Yamaha Artist. 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...
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    41 m
  • 082: Introducing the Athena Narrow Keys Piano with Linda Gould

    082: Introducing the Athena Narrow Keys Piano with Linda Gould
    Sep 5 2025
    Linda Gould has spent decades proving that small hands don’t have to limit big musical dreams. From overcoming a hand injury to co-founding Narrow Key Pianos, Linda has championed the design and launch of Athena, the first portable digital narrow keys piano. In this episode, she shares how this groundbreaking instrument helps pianists of all ages play with greater freedom, confidence, and joy.
    • Linda shared her journey from early success as a performer to facing a career-stopping hand injury.
    • How learning left-hand repertoire kept her connected to piano during recovery.
    • How meeting David Steinbuhler, inventor of the narrow key action, transformed her playing.
    • The importance of narrow keys in making once-impossible repertoire accessible for small-handed pianists.
    • The benefits of the first retrofit narrow key action, which reignited her performing career.
    • Why portability became essential after years of moving her acoustic grand piano to concerts.
    • Linda introduced Athena, the first portable digital narrow keys piano, as a milestone for accessibility.
    • How Athena’s narrower octave allows pianists to play large chords and stretches with ease.
    • The value of Athena’s professional features, including weighted action and string resonance.
    • She highlighted how narrow keys reduce fatigue and promote healthier technique for students.
    • Linda explained why students adapt quickly between narrow and standard keys without losing skill.
    • The benefits for teachers who want to offer instruments that fit their students’ hands.
    • Her success stories of both children and professionals who expanded their repertoire on Athena.
    • The long-term vision of narrow keys becoming a standard option for pianists worldwide.

    Links Mentioned
    • Linda's Website: NarrowKeys.com
    • YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@narrowkeys

    Today’s Guest Linda Gould is the author of Play Piano Chords Today and has been teaching and performing for 5 decades, debuting at age 11 when she performed a Bach Piano Concerto with the Mount Royal College Orchestra. Linda has B Mus in performance with distinction, and a minor in Math. She is a competition and exam award winner and recently won Tech Teacher of the year. In her late 30s, she met David Steinbuhler, the inventor of the narrow keys piano action. Within two years, Linda was back performing big works with orchestras. This spring she completed a two-piano concert tour with her sister, Sue Gould, performing 11 concerts in 6 days on her new narrow digital piano keys. 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:
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    37 m
  • 081: Catching Up With the Cotswold Pianist Lydia Tomita

    081: Catching Up With the Cotswold Pianist Lydia Tomita
    Aug 29 2025
    Lydia Tomita’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. From her early days as a pianist in northern England to becoming the founder of a thriving teaching network in the Cotswolds, Lydia has combined her love of music with an entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, she shares how she built a multi-teacher studio, balances gigs with teaching, and inspires students of all ages to embrace piano learning at every stage of life.
    • Lydia shared how her musical journey began in a musically rich home with supportive parents.
    • She described how playing for fun as a child built her strong sight-reading skills.
    • How moving to the Cotswolds reignited her teaching career and led to new opportunities.
    • How she built her studio gradually and expanding into multiple schools.
    • Managing a team of five teachers across six schools with more than 100 pupils.
    • The benefits and challenges of 20-minute lessons in UK schools.
    • Lydia discussed the transition from solo teacher to studio owner, balancing admin with teaching.
    • How Instagram and her website bring steady inquiries for wedding and event gigs.
    • How her gig playing began with word-of-mouth and has grown into regular weddings and choir accompaniment.
    • She encouraged teachers to step outside their comfort zones and say yes to opportunities.
    • Technology she used like iPads with ForScore and apps like Note Rush to enhance teaching.

    Links Mentioned
    • Lydia's website: CotswoldPianist.com
    • Lydia's Instagram: @cotswoldpianist and @cotswoldpianostudio
    • Lydia's Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@cotswoldpianist
    • TopCast 429: Piano Method Navigator with Anna Beth Rucker

    Today’s Guest Lydia Tomita is a pianist, teacher and piano studio owner based in the beautiful Cotswolds, UK. Lydia graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with a BMus, where she specialised in piano performance. In the 20 plus years since then she has had a portfolio career consisting of a mixture of teaching, performing and accompanying. Since moving to The Cotswolds 11 years ago Lydia has become more and more in demand as a teacher. As a result she now runs a team of 5 teachers, teaching over 100 pupils across the Cotswolds, with more to come! She also loves teaching adults and is passionate about the idea that it is never too late to do the things you love, whether you are the pupil or the teacher! She enjoys playing for weddings and events at stunning locations nearby, and regularly accompanies choirs. When she isn't teaching Lydia loves walking in the surrounding countryside with her two not-so-little-anymore children. 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.
    • ...
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    39 m
  • 080: Creating a Safe Space for Students with Kenneth Thompson

    080: Creating a Safe Space for Students with Kenneth Thompson
    Aug 22 2025
    Kenneth Thompson brings a wealth of insight into what makes music lessons truly transformative. Drawing from his experiences as a performer, educator, and founder of Musical Arts Centers of San Antonio, Inc. (MACSA), Ken shares how lesson atmosphere shapes the student experience. In this episode, he unpacks the five pillars of effective teaching, the balance between trust and intensity, and the powerful role teachers play as guides and leaders in their students’ journeys.
    • Kenneth shared his journey from pianist to founder of Maxa Musical Art Center in San Antonio.
    • The importance of lesson atmosphere—the environment between teacher and student.
    • Why building connection is essential?
    • Kenneth introduced his Five Pillars of Effective Teaching.
      • Pillar 1: Teachers create masterpieces inside of other people.
      • Pillar 2: Responsiveness builds trust—being reliable and listening to students.
      • Pillar 3: Teachers are guides, not heroes—the student is the hero of their story.
      • Pillar 4: Great teachers are leaders who inspire and hold a vision for their students.
      • Pillar 5: Understand the spectrum of demander vs. teacher and balance both roles.

    • He warned against negative atmospheres: undervaluing teaching and “teaching at” rather than “teaching with.”
    • Kenneth highlighted how a school’s “vibe” shapes teaching and learning.
    • Helping teachers transition from a university-level demander mindset to private teaching.
    • Why parents play a big role and sometimes conflict with parents prevents student progress.
    • He encouraged patience, trust, and responsiveness to open up closed-off students.

    Links Mentioned
    • Musical Arts Centers of San Antonio, Inc. (MACSA)
    • Ken's Instagram Page: @ken.creativecoach

    Today's Guest Kenneth Thompson is a recipient of the Texas Music Teachers Association’s (TMTA) Pre-Collegiate Teacher of the Year Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award and MACSAthe Leadership in Education Award from Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW). He received a BM in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music where his teachers were Nelita True and Anton Nel. He has been featured in articles about music business and the study of music in USA Today and on MSN.com. Kenneth has performed extensively as a chamber musician and soloist. Feeling a calling to teach, Mr. Thompson turned his attention to the development of pre-college advanced pianists. His piano students have performed more than 120 complete solo recital programs and performed more than 40 times as soloists with orchestra including many performances with the San Antonio Symphony. He has had several students perform in New York at Carnegie Hall and has had two students perform on National Public Radio’s hit show “From the Top”. 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
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    46 m
  • 079: My Favorite Things From the NCKP Conference

    079: My Favorite Things From the NCKP Conference
    Aug 15 2025
    After attending the NCKP conference, I’m excited to share some of my favorite takeaways from this fantastic week. From one-question interviews with fellow teachers to insightful conference sessions, I learned so much that I’m eager to share with you. In this episode, you’ll hear short clips of teachers from around the world sharing their advice, favorite method books, and thoughts on practicing. Plus, I’ll dive into the new resources I picked up, including a Piano Safari decorating kit, and reflect on some memorable moments that will help shape my teaching moving forward.
    • Rachel shared clips of teachers discussing their practice habits and favorite method books.
    • Some valuable insights she gained from the exhibit hall.
    • Rachel highlighted the conference sessions she attended in NCKP.
    • The networking opportunities at the conference.
    • Best advice for piano teachers and their favorite supplemental repertoire.
    • Importance of attending conferences to stay inspired and connected to a piano teaching community.
    • She encouraged teachers to attend conferences like NCKP to deepen their knowledge and foster valuable connections.

    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 teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

    TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL
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    18 m