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  • 096: 10 of My Favorite Things from 2025

    096: 10 of My Favorite Things from 2025
    2025/12/12
    As I wrap up 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the moments, conversations, and discoveries that made this year so meaningful. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite things, from standout podcast interviews and inspiring books to teaching resources, conservatory highlights, and the incredible connections I’ve made along the way. It’s a look back at what brought joy, growth, and encouragement to my teaching life this year, and I can’t wait to celebrate it all with you.
    • Rachel shared a look back at her favorite moments and discoveries from 2025.
    • She highlighted episode 68 with Florence Phillips as one of the most inspiring interviews of the year.
    • Connecting with more than 40 podcast guests and learn from their experiences.
    • Rachel shared her admiration for a TopCast episode with David Martin.
    • She highlighted the new podcast The Four 40 with Eric Branner.
    • Her favorite book of the year was Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten.
    • Rachel celebrated Nicola Canton’s new piano method Piano Paint Box.
    • She shared her gratitude for rebuilding a strong, reliable teaching team at her conservatory after a challenging previous year.
    • The value of attending NCKP and connecting with piano teachers from around the world.

    Podcast Links Mentioned
    • TopCast 417: Being a SAVVY Music Teacher with David Cutler
    • TopCast 439: From Bankruptcy to 1000 Students with David Martin
    • TopMusic Piano Podcast 068: Piano Behind Bars with Florence Phillips
    • TopMusic Piano Podcast 086: What Happens When You Double Your Rates with Eric Branner
    • Eric’s Podcast:The Fourforty (440) with Eric Branner

    Book Links Mentioned
    • Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten
    • The Savvy Musician 2.0 by David Cutler
    • 67 Day Year by Shannon Irvine
    • The Piano Paintbox Book Blog Post

    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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    17 分
  • 095: The Intersection of Piano and Organ with Kelsey Berg

    095: The Intersection of Piano and Organ with Kelsey Berg
    2025/12/05
    Kelsey Berg brings a fascinating perspective to the worlds of piano and organ. With roles spanning church music, university teaching, and private instruction, she shares how her unexpected transition from piano to organ opened a new musical path. In this episode, she explores the key differences between the instruments, the challenges of technique and registration, the realities of practicing without an organ at home, and how injury-preventive training shaped her approach to healthy playing.
    • Kelsey shared a brief overview of her background as multifaceted organist and music teacher.
    • How she switched from playing the piano after unexpectedly taking a church organ job.
    • She explained why the myth “piano players can automatically play organ” is false.
    • Kelsey how the organ’s sound production differs from the piano.
    • How organ musicality relies on timing, articulation, phrasing, and managing silence rather than varying touch like on the piano.
    • Why practicing organ music at the piano improves musical shaping.
    • The challenge of accessing instruments, since organists depend on churches for practice time.
    • How to approach churches or universities politely to request practice access.
    • She explained why the organ is not a dying art.
    • Kelsey highlighted that there are more organ jobs than organists.
    • She encouraged pianists to consider the field for stable employment.
    • How studying injury-preventive technique at the Lister-Sink Institute transformed her playing and resolved pain from overuse.
    • Common technique misconceptions, including misunderstanding anatomy and finger independence.

    Links Mentioned
    • Kelsey's Instagram page:@kelseymberg
    • Kelsey's Facebook profile:Kelsey Berg
    • Kelsey's YouTube page:www.youtube.com/@kelseyberg3278

    Today's Guest Praised by Cleveland Classical for her “subtlety, depth, and affect” in performance, Kelsey Berg is a multifaceted organist, music theorist, and teacher. She currently serves as the Assistant Organist-Choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, OH. Kelsey is also a Guest Lecturer in Organ at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), where she teaches secondary organ lessons to both graduate and undergraduate students, as well as applied organ at Case Western Reserve University as part of the Joint Music Program. Kelsey maintains a private piano and organ studio, with students of all levels. Kelsey recently graduated with a Doctor of Musical of Arts in Organ Performance from CIM, studying with Professor Todd Wilson. At CIM, she was the 2023 recipient of the Heinrich Scholarship in organ. Kelsey received both a Master of Music in Organ Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Mercer University. She also attended Salem College, receiving both a Certificate in Injury Preventive Keyboard Technique and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with an Emphasis in Injury Preventive Keyboard Technique. At Salem, Kelsey was awarded the Bright and Annie Lee Fitzgerald Sink Award for Excellence in Piano. She has studied organ with Dr. Jack Mitchener and Dr. John Cummins, and has studied piano with Dr. Ian Altman and Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink. Kelsey is a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Society of Women Organists, and is Sub-Dean of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. 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...
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    38 分
  • 094: From Piano Teacher to Novelist with Jerald Simon

    094: From Piano Teacher to Novelist with Jerald Simon
    2025/11/28
    Jerald Simon’s creativity knows no bounds—from composing hundreds of piano pieces to writing motivational poetry and now fiction. In this episode, he shares how his debut novel The Musical Realm brings music to life through an imaginative fantasy world. Jerald also offers valuable insights into self-publishing, branding, and marketing for teachers and creatives who want to share their work with the world.
    • Jerald shared his journey from piano teacher and composer to author and entrepreneur.
    • How his company, Music Motivation®, helps students learn theory, improvisation, and composition through a practical, creative approach.
    • He shared about his new book, The Musical Realm, as his first full-length fictional novel.
    • He discussed his creative process, explaining how he outlines all five books in advance.
    • The challenges and rewards of self-publishing, including handling editing and cover design.
    • The importance of marketing and retaining rights as an independent author.
    • Jerald discussed his marketing strategies, including sending out 500–1,000 review copies, using press releases, and building grassroots engagement before paid ads.
    • How branding, consistency, and niche focus help authors and teachers stand out.
    • He encouraged teachers and creators to “think like a business”.

    Exclusive Offer for Podcast Listeners
    • Enjoy 15% off any purchase fromMusic Motivation®for life using the discount codeTOPMUSIC, which can be used multiple times on any product.

    Links Mentioned
    • Jerald's website:Music Motivation®
    • Jerald's YouTube channel:YouTube.com/jeraldsimon
    • Jerald's book:The Musical Realm (Amazon link)

    Today's Guest Jerald Simon is the founder of Music Motivation® and focuses on helping piano students and piano teachers learn music theory, improvisation, and composition. He refers to these areas as: Theory Therapy, Innovative Improvisation, and Creative Composition. Simon is an author and composer and has written 29 music books featuring almost 400 original compositions, 14 albums, three motivational poetry books featuring over 400 original poems, and is the creator of the best-selling Cool Songs Series, the best-selling Essential Piano Exercises Series and Essential Piano Lessons for piano students and also Essential Piano Teachers for piano teachers. 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
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    50 分
  • 093: Debunking the Myths About Group Lessons with Jessica Homewood

    093: Debunking the Myths About Group Lessons with Jessica Homewood
    2025/11/21
    Jessica Homewood has transformed how piano teachers think about group lessons. From managing 60 private students to creating efficient, engaging group programs, Jess now helps teachers scale their studios while maintaining quality instruction. In this episode, she shares how group lessons benefit both teachers and students, common myths that hold teachers back, and practical advice for creating a thriving, collaborative learning environment.
    • Jess shared how she rebuilt her piano studio multiple times after moving across the U.S.
    • How burnout from teaching 60 private students led her to explore group lessons.
    • The early challenges of group teaching and how flexibility and patience helped her adapt.
    • How becoming a beginner again as a teacher was key to her success in group instruction.
    • Her group formats, including multi-level classes with headphones and guided rotation models.
    • How teaching in groups helped students develop problem-solving skills and self-directed learning.
    • Jess discussed the financial and time-saving benefits of group lessons for teachers.
    • How she cut her teaching hours by half while doubling her income and improving work-life balance.
    • She highlighted how group lessons made piano lessons more affordable and accessible for families.
    • The costs and setup challenges of transitioning to groups, including sourcing quality keyboards.
    • She advised teachers to keep lesson plans simple to allow space for flexibility and connection.
    • Why students in groups learn effective practice habits and become more confident players.
    • She explained how community and peer interaction improve retention and motivation.
    • Jess emphasized that marketing and communication are vital when introducing group lessons to parents.

    Links Mentioned
    • Jess's website:Not Your Mother's Piano Studio
    • Jess's Instagram page:@notyourmotherspianostudio
    • Related Episode:TopCast 350: Simplify and Streamline with Jess Homewood from Not Your Mother’s Piano Studio

    Today's Guest Jess Homewood is the creator of *The Group Conversion Collective*, a program that guides piano teachers in transitioning from 1:1 lessons to group lessons, scaling income and winning back their time. She has also created *The No Printout Playbook* series, offering easy, low-prep piano games for teachers and students. A mom of two and studio owner, Jess helps teachers balance a growing studio with family life. She has been featured on popular podcasts and blogs. Discover more of her insights at www.notyourmotherspianostudio.com and @notyourmotherspianostudio on social media. 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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    31 分
  • 092: Systems Behind the Scenes with Cheyenne Olson

    092: Systems Behind the Scenes with Cheyenne Olson
    2025/11/14
    Behind every smooth-running music studio are systems that make daily operations effortless. In this episode, Cheyenne Olson of Cheyenne’s Piano Studio in Layton, Utah, shares how she keeps her business organized, from student registration and lesson planning to billing and communication. Cheyenne walks us through the tools and systems she uses, including Google Drive, Canva, and ChatGPT, to simplify studio management and support her students’ progress.
    • Cheyenne shared a brief overview of her background and piano studio in Layton, Utah.
    • How new students typically find her studio through word of mouth, local Facebook mom groups, and her Google Maps business listing.
    • Encouraging parents to leave Google reviews that help her studio appear in local search results.
    • How she uses her website’s registration form to manage new inquiries.
    • The importance of communication during onboarding.
    • How she uses ChatGPT as a digital assistant to record student progress.
    • Her studio follows a tuition-based payment structure with consistent monthly payments.
    • She explained why she no longer offers makeup lessons.
    • She highlighted her teaching philosophy of letting students learn the songs they love.
    • How maintaining clear systems and consistent communication has helped her studio.

    Links Mentioned
    • Cheyenne's website:Cheyenne's Piano Studio
    • Cheyenne's Instagram:@cheyennespianostudio
    • Cheyenne's Facebook page:Cheyenne's Piano Studio

    Today's Guest Cheyenne Olson is the owner of Cheyenne’s Piano Studio in Layton, Utah. She’s been teaching piano for over ten years and specializes in helping kids, teens, and adults learn to play with confidence and joy- focusing on what she’s most passionate about: teaching students how to play the songs they love. 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
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    32 分
  • 091: Teaching Technique and Collaboration with Scarlette Kerr

    091: Teaching Technique and Collaboration with Scarlette Kerr
    2025/11/07
    Scarlette Kerr brings both warmth and wisdom to her piano teaching philosophy. Drawing from her experiences as a collaborative pianist and educator, Scarlette shares how connection, movement, and mindful technique shape her approach. In this episode, she discusses the benefits of group learning, ways to foster healthy technique from the very beginning, and how empathy and flexibility can help every student thrive both musically and personally.
    • Scarlette shared how she built her private studio, Music at 906, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
    • How teaching group lessons gives her and her students mental breaks and shared energy.
    • Her background as a collaborative pianist and how it shaped her teaching approach.
    • She highlighted how collaboration teaches connection, teamwork, and musical unity.
    • How her students perform collaboratively with drums, bass, and even family members in recitals.
    • Why these experiences reduce performance anxiety and make learning more joyful.
    • Her approach to teaching technique through audiation and large body movement.
    • How she uses singing, chanting, and movement to internalize rhythm and phrasing.
    • Why teachers should avoid pushing technical skills too soon and instead focus on body awareness.
    • How to prevent maladaptive habits, such as shoulder tension when playing large intervals.
    • Strategies for retraining transfer students with open dialogue and gentle comparison between old and new techniques.
    • The importance of developing both physical and mental health in piano practice.
    • How flexible expectations and consistent encouragement help students enjoy lifelong playing.

    Links Mentioned
    • Scarlette's website:Musicat906.com
    • Scarlette's Instagram page:@musicat906

    Today's Guest Scarlette Kerr lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she runs her private piano studio, Music at 906, and occasionally works as a collaborative pianist. She has given presentations at state, national, and international levels pertaining to audiation and technical development in piano students. She is the 2025 recipient of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association’s Independent Music Teachers Scholarship and the 2020 recipient of the Music Studio Startup Grant Competition. Scarlette received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with an Emphasis in Accompanying from James Madison University, and her Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with an Emphasis in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique from Salem College and has certifications from the Music Teachers National Association, The Gordon Institute for Music Learning, and The Lister-Sink Institute. 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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    31 分
  • 090: What If You Build It and They Don’t Come? Marketing Tips That Actually Work

    090: What If You Build It and They Don’t Come? Marketing Tips That Actually Work
    2025/10/31
    Marketing can feel uncomfortable for teachers who just want to focus on their craft, but what if sharing your passion was the most effective form of marketing? In this solo episode, we're going to explore what happens when “building it” isn’t enough and how to attract the right students through authenticity, generosity, and human connection. These five practical tips will help you promote your studio, digital resources, or creative projects with confidence and purpose.
    • Rachel shared how consistency and marketing go hand in hand for long-term growth.
    • Why “virality isn’t a strategy—it’s an outcome of consistency.”
    • The importance of focusing on what you can control, like showing up and posting regularly.
    • She encouraged teachers to rethink marketing as sharing value, not just selling.
    • Why marketing isn’t “salesy” when your offer truly helps people.
    • Rachel shared five actionable marketing ideas for piano teachers.
    • Examples of small ways to surprise and delight students, like fun questions, short performances, or quick videos for parents.
    • How good marketing is about helping people feel seen, valued, and inspired.
    • She encouraged teachers to try one new marketing approach that feels authentic and service-oriented.

    Links Mentioned
    • Free Thanksgiving Sound Effect Story

    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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    16 分
  • 089: What Happened on Day 30 of Being Consistent

    089: What Happened on Day 30 of Being Consistent
    2025/10/24
    Consistency is something we preach to our students but often struggle with ourselves. In this solo episode, I'm sharing with you what happened when I challenged myself to post on Instagram every day for 30 days and how the lessons I learned apply far beyond social media. From managing expectations to celebrating small wins, this episode is a reminder that steady effort can lead to surprising results, even when you least expect them.
    • Rachel shared how consistency has been an ongoing struggle in her personal and professional life.
    • The importance of showing up regularly, even when results aren’t immediate.
    • How small, steady actions often produce the biggest impact over time.
    • She explained the value of setting realistic goals to avoid burnout and frustration.
    • How accountability helps motivation, both for teachers and students.
    • How she set a challenge to post daily Instagram reels for 30 days to test consistency.
    • Why batching and scheduling content made the challenge more manageable.
    • Rachel discussed how early results were discouraging, but persistence paid off.
    • She highlighted that success doesn’t always appear in the form we expect.
    • She encouraged teachers to choose one small daily action, professional or personal, and commit for 30 days.

    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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    16 分