Teacher Events

This session will introduce strategies from Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, an attachment-based, evidenced-based, trauma-informed, neuroscience researched therapy model for at risk children which focuses on building connections. Would you like to see sustainable, lasting change in your studio? How do you distinguish misbehavior from a fear-based response? How can you regulate the brain, and empower you and your students? Come and discover practical strategies trauma-informed pedagogy has to offer.

A Seat at the Piano was founded in the summer of 2020 in the midst of social and racial reckoning around the world. We are a team of classically trained pianists with varying backgrounds and experiences, who strive to raise the voices of those who are less heard and to inspire more thoughtful, inclusive programming within the performing and pedagogical spheres. Today's presenters are Evan Hines, Brendan Jacklin, Annie Jeng, Clare Longendyke, Susan Yang, and Ashlee Young.

This lecture-recital will give an overview of Connor Chee’s complete piano music including “Sandpaintings” as well as develop an understanding of the Navajo life and culture from which these works arose. Chee is known for combining his classical piano training with his Native American heritage. This presentation aims to change the landscape of classical piano literature by introducing the piano works of Navajo pianist and composer Connor Chee.

GEORGE GERSHWIN
New Arrangements for Two Pianos by Logan Skelton:

The University of Michigan was recently chosen by the Gershwin estate to make new critical editions of George Gershwin’s complete works. It is a mammoth endeavor that will extend for several decades. This lecture-recital includes a discussion and performance of new two piano arrangements by Logan Skelton of Gershwin’s An American in Paris as well as five of Gershwin’s songs. Skelton will be joined by pianists John Boonenberg (Concordia University), and Xiting Yang (State University of New York-Fredonia).

The 2022 MMTA Conference will be a dynamic meeting at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo that will feature diverse and inspiring teaching talent. This conference will once again inspire, and gather us together to collaborate, network and learn from our colleagues.

Public performance is a vulnerable activity that needs just as much nurturing and guidance as learning the music to be performed. Our students must develop a variety of mental and emotional skills to prepare them for the experience of butterflies in their stomach, trembling hands, and jumpy thoughts. In this workshop, we will learn the physiological, mental, and emotional symptoms of performance anxiety and explore practical strategies for helping our budding pianists convert their debilitating fear into powerful excitement.

Members will receive a Zoom link for this program. Non-members are invited and may email elenatsai007@gmail.com for the link.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE by Elinore Morin:

A hands-on lecture-demonstration on the Alexander Technique and its applications to piano teaching, performance, improving posture/technique and addressing issues of physical tension and emotional stress.

Teaching the Way We Learn: Applications of Edwin E. Gordon’s Music Learning Theory (MLT) by Amy Chaplin and Joy Morin:

Learn how Gordon’s groundbreaking Music Learning Theory can help teachers tap into the way our minds naturally learn music. Gain fun, fresh activities and practical strategies for enabling your students to aurally comprehend (“audiate”) the music they are learning. 

Tales of a Musical Journey by Irina Gorin:

Overview of the evolution of main principles of Piano Technique, accessibility for young students, differences between the learning styles of children and adults and how these principles are implemented into "Tales of Musical Journey" and different learning styles between children and adults.

This presentation is on Zoom.  For more information, please email elenatsai007@gmail.com

This talk will explore the role of improvisation in the musical culture of Chopin's time, with a special focus on the expectation that accomplished pianists would improvise preludes as introductions to, or transitions between, pieces ("preluding"). We will consider what traces of this improvisatory practice are audible in the Op. 28 preludes.

Join us for our annual gathering!  A light meal and coffee will be provided.  Feel free to bring a dish to pass around. We welcome all members and any piano […]

APT will be hosting an open sharing time on issues relating to our piano studios. Members and non-members are welcome.

This presentation encompasses research data on pianists’ hand sizes sourced from different studies according to gender and level of professional attainment. More data on gender issues through the history of piano, on competition winners according to gender, and on the keyboard sizes of early pianos will be discussed. The collected hand span data of University of Michigan piano students will be examined with tables showing the injury rates, and scarcity of small-handed pianists in this institution. Lastly, the case study results of five small-handed pianists who practiced on smaller keyboards will be examined. Teachers may try out the pianos in room 1215 immediately following the presentation.

What is Culturally Responsive Teaching? And how can I implement it as a piano teacher? In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the pillars of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) as defined by Dr. Geneva Gay, and will have the opportunity to explore each pillar through both personal reflection and group discussion. Participants will be given real life examples and walk away with resources to help guide their own implementation of CRT concepts in their studios.

What is Culturally Responsive Teaching? And how can I implement it as a piano teacher? In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the pillars of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) as defined by Dr. Geneva Gay, and will have the opportunity to explore each pillar through both personal reflection and group discussion. Participants will be given real life examples and walk away with resources to help guide their own implementation of CRT concepts in their studios.

The 2022 MMTA Conference will be a dynamic meeting at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo that will feature diverse and inspiring teaching talent. This conference will once again inspire, and gather us together to collaborate, network and learn from our colleagues.

This panel discussion will be all about why and how we teach! Join us for an overview of general teaching questions, a panel of different methods (Suzuki, traditional, Music Learning Theory) and then discussions on how to start or renew your own personal teaching statement. This is a MUST event for all teachers!