Blog Posts

NFMC Selections for 2020-2024

8/13/2020

I am excited to share that I have 12 selections featured on the newest National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) festival list for 2020-2024!

If you aren't familiar with the NFMC, they are a non-profit organization that holds festivals and competitions across the United States each year. Students from across the country will be choosing music by American composers from the NFMC list to perform in piano festivals over the next four years. I am honored to be among the American composers recognized by the NFMC!

Click "Read More" to see and hear my selections from the list, organized by category!

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A Quick Guide to Notation Software

8/7/2020

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Let’s talk notation software!

If you have students who are interested in composition, you might have wondered about the best software to use to help them create professional-looking scores of their musical creations. Or, maybe you have wondered if there is an easy, inexpensive program that you can use yourself to create sheet music for your students?

With all of the choices available, how do you pick the best notation software for you and your students? Read on for my thoughts about a few of the most popular notation software products on the market today and the pros and cons of each one.

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A Ragtime Freebie!

7/29/2020

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Scott Joplin

Today I am sharing a freebie that is always a hit with my students--Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag!" This late elementary arrangement is a great introduction to the ragtime music of the famous composer.

This freebie is part of my brand new collection, More Easy Classical Favorites: 12 Arrangements for Late Elementary Pianists. Want to learn more? Read on for more about this new collection and to get your free copy of "Maple Leaf Rag!"

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My Top 5 Video Game Arrangements for Beginners

7/19/2020

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Do your students love video game music? Do they want to play the music from their favorite games?

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to find well-written, legally licensed arrangements of video game music--especially for beginning students. So, I've made it my mission to build a catalog of arrangements that both students and teachers will enjoy using!

Today I am sharing my 5 favorite video game arrangements for beginning students. Your students will be thrilled to get to play the music from their favorite games--and you'll love these pedagogically sound, level-appropriate arrangements! Read on for my top 5 video game picks!

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Tips for Teaching Busy Teens

7/11/2020

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Do you have students who seem to “hit a wall” in their piano progress once they reach high school? Often these students enjoy piano and have a desire to learn, but are so overwhelmed with school work, extra-curricular activities, and college-prep that they just don’t have time to practice.

Even when students have limited practice time, I think there are benefits to continuing piano lessons. Playing a musical instrument can provide an important emotional and creative outlet for students during the stressful high school years. In addition to the life-long skills of self-discipline, problem-solving, and creative thinking that learning to play piano provide, the musical skills students learn at the piano can be enjoyed for years to come as well. For example, your students might wish to play for their church or community choir or to help their own children practice piano one day! Finally, participation in piano lessons looks great on those college applications your students are working so hard on.

So, how do we best help these students, who have a desire to play piano and want to continue lessons, but have a limited amount of practice time? Read on for my tips for teaching busy teens!

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NFMC Selections for 2020-2024

A Quick Guide to Notation Software

A Ragtime Freebie!

My Top 5 Video Game Arrangements for Beginners

Tips for Teaching Busy Teens

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