Keys to Music Learning

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning , Krista and Hannah chat about students who do not practice, have not yet been inspired to practice, or who practice sporadically because of busy schedules and life.  They talk about ways Edwin Gordon's Music Learning Theory can help alleviate frustrations that may come up when students do not practice.  Support Keys to Music Learning...

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning , Krista and Hannah chat about module ideas, including a studio folk song project and recital, using modules for teacher brain breaks, and more!  Mentioned in this episode, is Sarah Boyd's Boogie and Blues webinar . For more information and to register for a PDLC, visit the Gordon Institute for Music Learning . Support Keys to Music Le...

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning , Krista and Hannah chat about summer Professional Development Levels Courses through the Gordon Institute for Music Learning. There are a variety of offerings for Summer 2026, including piano courses taught by Krista and Hannah!  For more information and to register for a PDLC, visit the Gordon Institute for Music Learning . Support Keys t...

In this special archival episode, we're honored to share a thoughtful 2021 Q&A with Marilyn Lowe, founder of Music Moves for Piano. Marilyn reflects on her early teaching successes and the moment she realized something deeper was missing in her students’ musicianship. Through her discovery of Edwin E. Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, she found a new path forward. In this conversation, she...

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning , Krista and Hannah dive into one of their favorite topics: props! From rhythm sticks and bean bags to pom poms and stretchy bands, they explore how simple materials can transform early childhood classes and beginning piano lessons. You’ll hear practical, creative ways to use props to strengthen macrobeat and microbeat awareness, support bo...

In this first “Between Lessons” quick chat, Krista and Hannah dive into the world of early childhood music education, sharing fresh experiments, big questions, and joyful discoveries from their classrooms. Krista returns to teaching early childhood at a Montessori school and reflects on the power of immersion, play, and patience. Hannah shares how a summer seminar reshaped her thinking about music...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Amy Chaplin, we go deeper into the messy middle of learning and teaching through Music Learning Theory (MLT). Amy reflects honestly on feeling overwhelmed early in her MLT journey, how those experiences shaped her empathy for teachers, and why “micro progressions” have become central to both her teaching and her professional work. We talk about tonalities, singin...

In this episode of Keys to Music Learning , we sit down with pianist, teacher, blogger, and podcaster Amy Chaplin for an honest and thoughtful conversation about her journey as a music educator. Amy shares how her background in choral education shaped her teaching, the moments that left her wanting more for her students, and how she eventually found her way to Music Learning Theory. We talk about...

In Part Two of our conversation with musician and educator James Kessler , we dive deeper into what it really looks like to teach through audiation—across instruments, ages, and experience levels. James shares candid reflections on his early discomfort with singing and movement, how vulnerability became a powerful teaching tool, and why mentorship is essential when learning to teach through Music...

In this episode of Keys to Music Learning , Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo welcome music educator James Kessler for a wide-ranging conversation about his musical journey and the experiences that shaped his audiation-centered teaching philosophy. James shares his early immersion in classical music, his love of jazz and improvisation, and his winding path through performance, composition, and music ed...

Hosts Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo welcome back Gregory Chase for part two of an in-depth discussion on Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—what it is, how it manifests in children and adults, and the surprising ways it can impact learning in and out of the piano studio. Greg shares his personal journey of discovery through his son’s experience, the diagnostic process, and how music, especially whe...

In this eye-opening episode of Keys to Music Learning , hosts Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo welcome back Gregory Chase for an in-depth discussion on Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—what it is, how it manifests in children and adults, and the surprising ways it can impact learning in and out of the piano studio. Greg shares his personal journey of discovery through his son’s experience, the diagn...

In Part 2 of our chat with Gary Pederson, we discuss his journey with Marilyn Lowe. He recounts meeting Marilyn at Missouri State University after a horseback riding accident, where she took over his classes, and how they collaborated on creating a preparatory department with music classes for young children. He also discusses the evolution of his teaching methods and the importance of audiation-b...

Gary Pederson, a Steinway artist and former professor at Eastern Michigan University, shares his journey into music learning theory (MLT) and emphasizes the importance of audiation in teaching. He recounts his early musical experiences, including informal learning and formal lessons. Pederson also discusses the practical application of MLT with advanced students, focusing on memory and memorizatio...

Sarah Boyd joins Keys to Music Learning to discuss emergent music literacy, notational audiation, and effective strategies for teaching reading and writing with an audiation-based approach. In this episode, we discuss: Sarah’s journey into researching music literacy How emergent music literacy prepares students for notation Key research findings on notational audiation and its cognitive processes...

Eric Bluestine returns to discuss the concept of partial synthesis and its crucial role in Music Learning Theory. He breaks down common misconceptions, explains how patterns connect to real music, and offers insights into fostering creativity and generalization in students. This conversation dives deep into the philosophy behind MLT and provides practical applications for piano teachers. • Underst...

Eric Bluestine shares his journey from vibrant public school music educator to private piano instructor, delving into the lessons learned along the way. The conversation focuses on adaptability in teaching methods, the importance of Music Learning Theory, and Eric's experiences writing a foundational book for music educators. • Eric’s transition from public education to private lessons • Refl...

In the third and final deep dive into keyboard technique, Scarlette Kerr and Celeste Watson share heartwarming stories about their experiences with Marilyn Lowe, the creator of Music Moves for Piano . They also emphasize the benefits of incorporating group musicianship and choir into piano lessons, helping students progress faster and more holistically. By combining private lessons with group sess...

Hannah and Krista continue their discussion with Celeste Watson and Scarlette Kerr, highlighting the significance of blending audiation, biomechanics, and research-based methods in piano teaching, emphasizing a growth mindset and the patience needed to see long-term benefits. Scarlette's Webinars The Embodiment of Rhythmic Audiation at the Piano Technique and Young Beginners : Development of...

After a summer off, we're back with a technical development deep dive. This episode, part 1 of 3, features a discussion centered around piano pedagogy, injury-preventative techniques, and Music Learning Theory (MLT). Hannah and Krista were delighted to speak with piano educators Scarlette Kerr and Celeste Watson, who share insights from their experiences and training in the Gordon Institute o...

In this last episode with Janna Olson, she discusses the amazing skills developed in Books 4 and 5 of Marilyn Lowe's Music Moves for Piano curriculum. Use the code AUDIATE for 25% off Janna's webinars Learning through Play: Games and resources for activities to reinforce skills and build audiation and Beyond the Notes: An enriched aural approach to piano repertoire . Links: Janna's...

In this episode, Hannah and Krista continue their chat with Janna Olson, finishing their conversation about the Music Moves for Piano Christmas books and moving on to a deep dive of Book 3. Support Keys to Music Learning through the Keys to Music Learning Community ! Join us on Facebook! Introduction to Audiation-based Piano Instruction and Music Moves for Piano Ready to learn more about audiation...

In this deep dive into the Music Moves for Piano curriculum, Krista and Hannah talk with Janna Olson, a veteran Music Moves teacher, about Marilyn Lowe's understanding of the skills needed to play repertoire and develop a love for music making, what exactly is high level music making, broadening the perspective of the piano teaching journey and the possibilities for students, and separating o...

In Part 2 of our episode with Gregory Chase, we dive into the neuroscience research that validates audiation based-music lessons. Everything from the science of BAH and BUM, the importance of rhythm in the first months of life, why it's important to sing songs many times in the same keyality and in various tonalities and meters, and why students make the same mistakes over and over and how we...

In part 1 of this deep dive, Gregory Chase joins Krista and Hannah  to discuss how neuroscience can help us understand how children learn music, including structuring lesson time, the importance of first three years, and the impact of hormones on learning. How the Brain Learns - David Sousa Bright from the Start - Jill Stamm Boy Smarts - Barry McDonald Support Keys to Music Learning through the Ke...