Today, we’re chatting with our very own Rebecca Stewart, a talented piano instructor and the Community Manager and Head of Certification at TopMusic. With a professional journey that includes over two decades of teaching with Yamaha Music Education Centres, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. We dive into a nostalgic video from 1984, showcasing Rebecca's childhood piano lessons with Dr. Edward Gifford. This episode highlights their discussion on creative teaching techniques like whole-body learning, solfège, and transposition. We also reflect on how these innovative methods shaped Rebecca's approach to music education and their relevance in today's teaching environment. Tune in to explore the intersection of past memories and modern advancements in music pedagogy.

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• Rebecca shared a brief overview of her work background and her roles at TopMusic.
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• She introduced a video of her childhood piano lessons with Dr. Edward Gifford.
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• Discussion of various teaching techniques seen in the video, including movement and physical interaction and they highlight the novelty and effectiveness of Dr. Gifford’s methods.
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• Tim shares his own music lesson experiences.
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• Rebecca reflects on her accent and undiagnosed ADHD during her childhood.
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• Importance of whole-body learning and physical movement in music education.
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• Discussion on sensory memories contributing to learning experiences, usage of solfège and sneaky repetition in lessons.
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• The importance of teaching transposition to children.
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• Benefits of singing and playing simple melodies for enhancing sight-reading skills.
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• Tim and Rebecca reflect on physical and imaginative engagement in music.
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• Edward’s impact on Rebecca’s teaching methods.
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• How a blended approach to music teaching contributes to long-term appreciation and understanding.
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• Click here to watch the YouTube video of this interview
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• Link to Tim's childhood piano lesson YouTube video
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• TopCast Episode 387: A New Pathway to TopMusic Teacher Certification
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Rebecca grew up listening to her three older sisters practice their musical instruments. She delighted in her childhood music lessons and wanted to teach young children in a fun and creative way. Her piano teacher at Melbourne University recommended the Yamaha method, and Rebecca taught with Yamaha Music Education Centres from 1998 to 2018. She loved being a national teacher trainer with Yamaha, and enjoyed opportunities to travel to Toronto and Tokyo for Yamaha teacher development events. In 2016 Rebecca went to Jakarta where her 8-year-old Yamaha student performed his original composition at the Asia Pacific Junior Original Concert. Her first book "Sight Reading Secrets Grade One" was published in 2004, and there are now nine books in the series. In 2023, Rebecca worked with Tim Topham in developing the TopMusic Certification program.

As a music teacher, have you ever wished for a clear, guided path to professional recognition? In this episode, we're exploring a new pathway to TopMusic Teacher Certification program, exclusively available through our new Studio Plus membership. Today, I'll be sharing my own teaching journey, reflecting on the challenges of navigating the early years without a clear guide, and how this new certification is designed to empower music teachers with confidence and professional credibility. Whether you're looking to refine your pedagogy, improve your business skills, or gain recognition as a certified instructor, this episode is packed with insights into how you can elevate your teaching studio and career.

• Becoming TopMusic Certified and how it can transform your teaching studio.
• Overview of TopMusic Certification, now part of the Studio Plus membership.
• Tim reflects on his struggles and the lack of a clear guide in his early teaching career.
• Why get TopMusic certified and why choose TopMusic Certification?
• The PRESTO Framework.
• 10 key learning objectives, including creative teaching strategies, curriculum design, studio management, and marketing.
• Who is TopMusic Certification for?
• How to join TopMusic Teacher Certicication?
• Assessment process and renewal.

• TopMusic Teacher Certification
• TopMusic 12-Week Studio Transformation
• Join TopMusicPro or Upgrade to Studio Plus now
• TopCast Episode 386: Introducing Our Studio Plus Membership!
• Register for the The 6 Cores of Music Teaching and Studio Business Success Workshop

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 Mondays weekly.

If you would like to leave the Podcast Team a voicemail and have your burning questions answered on a future show or YouTube video, visit this link to leave us a voicemail today. Tim also accepts requests for his Pop Song Solutions videos if you have a pop song you’d like help teaching a student.

Every teacher reaches a moment when they crave deeper connection, personalized guidance, and the tools to truly elevate their craft. Today, we’re unveiling Studio Plus, a membership designed to meet that exact need. In this episode, we’ll explore how this new membership goes beyond the basics, offering one-on-one coaching, advanced courses, and an empowering community to help you take your studio to the next level. Join me as we dive into the transformational impact Studio Plus can have on your music teaching journey.

• Alfred Music Update: New Alfred Music publications now available in Australia through local stores supplied by Encore Music Distributors.
• Tim announces Studio Plus, a brand-new membership level in TopMusicPro.
• Key features of Studio Plus, including 1-on-1 coaching, private messaging channel, twice-monthly group check-ins, exclusive courses, etc.
• Extra perks include teaching video assessments and website audits.
• Who’s Studio Plus for?
• Update on the Evolution tier of TopMusicPro.
• Sneak peek on Multi-Teacher memberships launching in early 2025

• Join TopMusicPro or Upgrade to Studio Plus now
• TopMusicSheets
• TopMusic Certification
• Music Teacher StartUp - Evolution Membership
• TopCast 383: Introducing Fresh New Music from Alfred!
• Encore Music Distributors
• Email us at support@topmusic.co

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 Mondays weekly.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE

If you would like to leave the Podcast Team a voicemail and have your burning questions answered on a future show or YouTube video, visit this link to leave us a voicemail today. Tim also accepts requests for his Pop Song Solutions videos if you have a pop song you’d like help teaching a student.

• Discussion on Will Suit's piece "Dance," aimed at early intermediate level students.
• Will shared a brief overview of his background and his music studio.
• Conversation on pedagogical composition and writing for specific student needs.
• Importance of lyrics in teaching, especially for engagement and memory.
• How he writes methodically for students and improvises to meet student needs.
• Discussion on elementary pieces like "Busy, Buzzy, Fuzzy Bumblebee" and "Night of Halloween," which introduce chromatic scales early on.
• Will's varied musical influences, including bluegrass, southern gospel, and classical.
• His inspiration from historical composers, like Gustav Holst, Samuel Barber, and Verdi.
• Importance of using improv with students using left-hand accompaniments, and connecting songs to different learning paths.

• Learn more about TopMusicSheets here
• Will Suit Website
• Will Suit Music at Music Teacher Resources
• Watch Tim playthrough this TopMusicSheets Collection here!

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE

• Tim and Nicola began an open fireside chat where audience members could ask questions.
• Impact of Tim's first piano teacher, Ms. Mac, who was crucial to his music journey.
• The importance of non-traditional teaching methods.
• How to handle students who express interest in learning pop music but don’t provide specific requests.
• Using improvisation in piano teaching.
• Handling parental concerns on improvisation.
• Musical mashups for beginners and teens.
• Tim shared some business and marketing insights, particularly online marketing strategies and how they apply to music studios.
• Why Tim returned to music after exploring other entrepreneurial ventures.
• How he balance family, piano teaching, blogging, and other ventures.
• His journey from teacher to entrepreneur.
• The launch of his initial online course, which made $30,000 in revenue.
• Tim's most valuable advice for a teacher starting their journey.

• Fireside Chat with Tim and Nicola at Piano Pivot Live

• Tim introduces three composers whose new collections are being released by Alfred Music.
• Discussion with Connor Chee about his new collection, Sand Paintings.
• Connor shared about his background, being a renowned Navajo composer, blending classical music with traditional Navajo elements.
• How "Sand Paintings" was inspired by the healing nature of traditional Navajo sand paintings.
• Angela Marshall shares her journey as a composer, author, and educator, discussing her collection, Take the Stage, designed for young beginner pianists.
• Her creative process and how she integrates creativity and variety into her compositions.
• Goals of Take the Stage: Create an engaging, performance-oriented pieces for young students.
• Elizabeth Swift discusses her new collection "Saga Land," inspired by video game music and aimed at motivating teens to play the piano.
• She shared a brief overview of her background and her transition from classical training to composing engaging, expressive music for students.
• Goals of Saga Land: Immerse students in a storytelling experience through music.
• Using titles and narratives to enhance students' engagement and creativity in learning.
• Importance of providing accessible, diverse, and engaging musical resources for students and teachers alike.

• Connor Chee Website
• Connor Chee Facebook Page
• Connor Chee YouTube Channel
• Angela Marshall Website
• Angela Marshall Facebook Page
• Angela Marshall Instagram Page
• Elizabeth Swift Website
• Elizabeth Swift Facebook Page
• Elizabeth Swift Instagram Page

• Ginny shares a brief overview of her background and her teaching set up.
• Her flexible homeschooling approach to educating her own children, using a variety of methods like homeschool co-ops and group lessons.
• Her family's diverse educational experiences, including homeschooling, micro-schools, co-ops, public schools, and the unique micro-school setup her children attended.
• The legal process of homeschooling in Pennsylvania.
• The growing trend of homeschooling in the U.S. where states offer funding for homeschooling.
• How homeschooling can be outsourced to other educators and doesn't necessarily mean parents are teaching all subjects themselves.
• Ginny explains "unschooling" concept, a method where children's interests lead their learning.
• Similarities between unschooling and Montessori methods.
• Music education in homeschooling.
• What is homeschool co-op?
• Advantages of teaching homeschool students.
• Challenges and considerations of homeschooling.
• Effecting marketing to homeschoolers.

• Ginny's Website
• Ginny Music Facebook Group
• Watch Ginny's Presentation - Working with the Homeschool Community as a Private Music Teacher

• Tim welcomes Susan to the show and expresses excitement about having her as the TopMusicSheets composer for the month.
• Susan shared about her background and her lifelong dream of composing and teaching.
• Her diverse teaching and musical experiences, including being a band director.
• Her improvisational approach in her compositions.
• The importance of being curious and creative in music.
• Her transition to self-publishing.
• How she leveraged social media to connect with music teachers and students globally.
• The process of selecting pieces for her TopMusicSheets collection.
• Susan's approach to encouraging creativity in students through curiosity, improvisation, and personalized compositions.
• Advice for budding composers, encouraging continuous learning and seeking mentorship.

• Susan Staples Bell Music Website
• Susan Staples Bell YouTube
• Susan Staples Bell (old) Facebook Page
• Susan Staples Bell (new) Facebook Page
• Susan Staples Mast Bell SheetMusicPlus

• Learn more about TopMusicSheets here.
• Head to Susan's website and use the coupon code TOPMUSIC upon checkout to get a 20% off discount (minimum spend $30).