Beyond Measure: A Podcast for Piano Teachers with Christina Whitlock

As teachers and business-owners, we are faced with requests for exceptions ALL THE TIME. As a general rule, I tend to think exceptions lead to strained relationships. For the good of all parties involved, I like to keep boundaries clear and unwavering. However. Few things in music - or life - are rigid enough to maintain without any flexibility whatsoever. So, today, I’m sharing THE MOST IMPORTANT...

This episode serves as a follow-up to last week’s Practice Manifesto. Links mentioned: December Performance Challenge Printable: https://mailchi.mp/8f306955c930/december-performance-challenge Episode No. 9 - Holiday (Re)Considerations Episode Part 1: https://anchor.fm/beyondmeasure/episodes/Episode-9-Cheers-to-Holiday-ReConsiderations---Part-1-en4g8o Episode No. 10 - Part 2: https://anchor.fm/beyo...

Student practice is an undeniable staple of music study success. But - as any seasoned studio teacher knows, some students take this expectation more seriously than others. Today, we consider if there is room for improvement in our mindset when students fall short of our practice expectations.

In our first-ever Q+A episode, Christina tackles listener questions.

Join Christina for an introduction to the Rule of Three: her favorite piece of marital-advice-turned-teaching-strategy.

Responses to last week’s episode on dealing with our inner critics were so strong, I felt it worthy of our time to spend a second week talking about those nagging fears that run through our brains. Today, I’m (over?)sharing a deep-dive of my own experience trying to learn from the critical dialogue inside my mind. I hope it helps you find peace.

In a society that often tells us to ignore/stomp/conquer our inner-critics, I’m offering an alternative perspective today.

The Beyond Measure Podcast turns ONE today (well, technically, tomorrow…)! 🥳 In celebration, I am sharing four big takeaways from this year in the Creative Life. PS: I’m also hosting a giveaway! Follow me on Instagram/Facebook for details (@beyondmeasurepodcast) or send me an email at beyondmeasurepodcast (at) gmail (dot) com. Giveaway is sponsored by yours truly and is not affiliated with any pl...

One of my most beneficial takeaways from graduate school was the importance of naming my objective: in lesson planning, in practice, and pretty much everywhere else. Today, I’m sharing more on this game-changing question with you.

I think most music teachers would agree that Imagination and Creativity rank pretty high on our list of human priorities. BUT - how many times do we unintentionally shut those qualities down with the young people in our lives? Join me for a kick-in-the-pants reminder that we have a responsibility to encourage imagination in our studios.

Keeping with last week’s theme of making our words count, Christina shares a simple yearly practice of selecting a studio mantra to help make lasting change in our students’ mindsets. If you decide on a studio motto for the year, please share it!

The ability to speak succinctly is a strength in many effective educators, but it doesn’t always come naturally to us. Let’s ponder together how we can use our words more effectively in lessons.

With the definite risk of oversharing, today I talk about the importance of being solid, before striving for spectacular. This is a common struggle amongst teachers and students alike, and… Thanks to journalist Phil Ponce… Who gave some great advice to Charles Wheelan… Who wrote a book Emily P. Freeman spoke about in episode 127 of her The Next Right Thing podcast… Which your Anytime Piano Teacher...

Even the most enthusiastic teachers have days that feel hard. Today we’re talking about my favorite tips to get yourself in a better headspace before teaching. Cheers to getting out of the pit, my friends!

Today, we tackle everyone’s least-favorite truth of teaching: Sometimes, students quit. It’s gut-wrenchingly hard not to take it personally, but making peace with student goodbyes is an important part of finding long-term happiness in our profession. Take this episode as a big, collective hug for all teacherkind.

Getting back into the swing of a new academic year can often feel like an uphill battle. Today, Christina shares a few less-conventional approaches to the month of August, just in time to get you thinking of your own way to shake things up! Cheers to thinking outside the box, friends!

Talking about money may be one of the least-loved aspects of running an independent music studio, but (of course!) it’s necessary to do so comfortably. Consider this episode a knowing reminder that - yes - placing monetary value on our abilities IS a challenge…but we can, indeed, do difficult things. Cheers!

Today’s episode features three of my “12 Teacher Truths” I use in pedagogy courses for pre-college and university students. It’s a random sampling of “big picture” lessons I’ve learned in 25 years as a private piano teacher. Feedback and/or requests for more are welcome, and can be sent to beyondmeasurepodcast (at) gmail (dot) com.

How many times do we lose sleep over a looming change, only to realize later the THOUGHT of making change was *so* much harder than actually making the change? If you are prepping for new policies, income streams, or life changes in the upcoming academic year, this is the episode for you today. Cheers to living our best lives!

In this SUPERSIZED episode, Christina shares her Top 10 personal rules for interacting with other teachers online. Brace yourself for LOTS of content, friends! There’s plenty here for everyone.

By necessity, independent music teachers tend to be a fairly rational bunch. BUT - when was the last time you let your imagination go a little “crazy”? Join me as we venture down a frivolous path...for very important reasons.

Today, we’re talking about a game-changing phrase that can make us better educators, as well as better humans. Big claim? You bet. I dare you to give it a try!

Last week was all warm and fuzzy, as we talked about the benefits of befriending our local colleagues...but let’s face it: some people are easier to get along with than others! Today we ponder “those” teachers - the ones who are harder to talk to, or who seem completely uninterested in working with you. Buckle up as we tackle a tricky subject! It’s a good one.

Beyond Measure is BACK after a refreshing 2-week hiatus, and today Christina is offering up her #1 piece of advice for new (or, for that matter, ANY) independent teachers. Take a listen!

Let’s face it: especially this time of year, rest is HARD for ambitious teachers. Rather than making you feel guilty for not incorporating more white space into your spring schedule, this episode encourages us to acknowledge the rest that comes - intentionally or not - and to embrace it for the benefits it brings.