Piano Parent Podcast: helping teachers, parents, and students get the most of their piano lessons.

Episode 380 continues the Piano Parent Podcast tradition of celebrating every "zero" episode with a list of 10 things. This time, Shelly shares 10 Life Rules for Young Musicians from Robert Schumann. These simple but powerful ideas encourage piano students and parents to keep learning, stay humble, care for their instruments, sing more, work well with others, and focus on musical expression instea...

Even though this is the Piano Parent Podcast, Shelly realizes she hasn't featured nearly enough actual piano parents on the show! In this episode, Shelly talks with Kristen Pennington, a homeschool mom and parent of one of Shelly's piano students. Kristen shares the challenges and victories of helping her son Barrett learn piano—especially when frustration and negative self-talk begin to creep in....

In this episode, Dr. Michael Clark joins me to share the fascinating story of composer Florence Price and the rediscovery of her music. We also talk about supporting young pianists, meaningful practice habits, and why exploring a wider range of composers can enrich your child's musical journey. Learn more at www. PianoParentPodcast.com/378

Preparing for a spring piano recital? Memorizing music can feel overwhelming for many students— but it doesn't have to be! In this episode of the Piano Parent Podcast, Shelly shares three fun and effective strategies she uses in her studio to help piano kids memorize music with confidence. You'll learn how to help your child: Identify patterns in their music Practice starting in different places U...

What makes piano lessons finally click for a child? In Episode 376, composer and teacher Susan Staples Bell shares how jazz, improvisation, and storytelling transformed her own musical journey — and how those same tools can help your child fall in love with piano. If your student feels bored, stuck, or unmotivated, this conversation offers practical encouragement and creative ideas to reignite the...

In this episode of the Piano Parent Podcast, we're talking about practical ways to help your child grow in responsibility, confidence, and problem-solving—both at the piano and in everyday life. You'll learn: • How teachers encourage independence during lessons • Simple daily habits that build responsibility • Why natural consequences are powerful teachers • How to support practice without doing e...

In this episode, piano teacher and curriculum creator Dorla Aparicio joins the podcast to share her passion for group piano teaching and the Piano Pyramid method. We discuss how parents and teachers can help students thrive in a musical environment that's doable, structured, and encouraging , no matter the age or level. Whether you're curious about group lessons, struggling with practice battles a...

As part of my New Year's goal to read more classic literature, I've been listening to Black Beauty by Anna Sewell—and I was surprised by how much this 19th-century horse story teaches us about 21st-century parenting. Learn more at www. PianoParentPodcast.com/373

We all know and love Joy to the World as a classic Christmas carol — but did you know it wasn't originally written for Christmas? And it's not in Handel's Messiah either! In this episode, I share the fascinating history behind one of our most familiar hymns, how it's connected (and not connected) to Handel, and how its message points forward to something in the future, not just back to the past.

We did it! The PIANOVEMBER 2025 Practice Challenge is complete with over 51,000 practice tallies! 🏆🎉 In this week's episode, Shelly celebrates the top participants, gives shoutouts to amazing teachers, and wraps things up with a fun holiday music mystery replay: Down in History . Learn more at www. pianoparentpodcast.com/371

Episode 370: 10 Finger Activities for Young Pianists – Shelly Davis brings you ten creative, screen‑free, fun activities to build fine motor strength and coordination in young piano students. Perfect for preschoolers or beginners, these ideas support your child's readiness and growth at the piano. Visit pianoparentpodcast.com/370 for links, downloads, and bonus resources.

Teens and tweens may act like they don't need us—but deep down, they do . In this episode, we talk about why big kids still crave attention, how to reconnect through meaningful conversation, and why monitoring our own screen time is just as important as managing theirs.  🎧 Full episode at: www.pianoparentpodcast.com/369

In this episode, Shelly discusses three open-ended questions she regularly asks her piano students to enhance their learning experience. These questions are designed to empower students to analyze their performances, take ownership of their practice strategies, and decide the progression of their pieces.  Learn more at www. PianoParentPodcast.com/368

Getting your kid to the piano to practice and them knowing what to practice are two very different things. On today's show we'll talk about.... • How to build a strong habit of practice • The "practice sandwich" technique: fun → challenge → fun • Interleaved / goal‑oriented practice strategies • Why ugly practice is still practice • Motivation tools: incentives, "eat the frog," and more • The PIAN...

Human Nature Delays (and How Piano Parents & Students Can Overcome Them) Join me as I explore why we often intend to practice or start something important—but delay instead. We'll talk about the intention‑action gap , share stories of what that feels like, and give you concrete, doable strategies for piano students and their parents. Learn more at www. PianoParentPodcast.com/366

In this episode of the Piano Parent Podcast, host Shelly Davis chats with Michael Hemsworth, author, educator, and founder of New Songs Music School in California. Michael shares his journey from piano kid to leading a music school with over 1,300 students, and reveals the heart behind his new book, "Mr. Michael's Music Maker Manual: A Guide for Growing Creative Children." They discuss the power o...

Screens are convenient, but they don't build relationships. In this episode, we explore the overlooked value of playing physical games with your piano kid—games that boost memory, spark laughter, and strengthen your connection (without feeling like practice). In this episode, Shelly explores the power of playing physical games with your piano kid—and why face-to-face interaction beats screen time...

Today, I spent some time in the TMTA exhibit hall where I got to meet Liz Boyd with www. SusanParadis.com and bought some music stickers and piano manipulatives to use in my lessons. I also won an item in the silent auction, which raises funds for the Texas Music Teachers Education Foundation. I won a box of wooden cutouts from www. DenneheyDesigns.com . Last night, we heard a wonderful concert fo...

Today I attended a session by Wendy Stevens with www.composecreate.com. She spoke on the topic. "Have you forgotten what it's like to be a child??" I also attended some meetings which highlighted the fact that we don't have to do all the things. We can focus on the things we do well and give other people opportunities to do the things they do well. Connect with me on Instagram @pianoparentpodcast

Today was a day filled with music. It started with music with my elementary piano ensemble and their piece called "Ice Cream Scoops written by composer Susan Staples Bell. I think Mrs. Bell was as excited to hear the students as the students were to play for her. The day ended with an eclectic collection of musical pieces; some of them were to my tastes and some of them were not... and that's okay...

In today's video, I share some of the highlights from the second day of our conference. Today was a lot of business meetings and chatting with fellow teachers from across Texas. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player at piano parent podcast. Connect with me on Instagram @pianoparentpodcast and send me a direct message if there's something you'd like for me to talk about on the ne...

In this short video, I share the value of professional development for your piano teacher and how that has a direct influence on your piano kids' development as a musician. This is day one of a 7-day mini series.

There are ways that we intentionally speak positive encouragement into our piano kids' musical journey, but we must also be aware of the ways our unintentional conversation communicates with them. On today's show, learn some of the ways my parents impacted my musical journey, both intentionally and unintentionally. Learn more at www. PianoParentPodcast.com/363

The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and... chaos. With all the festive frenzy, it can be challenging to maintain a consistent piano practice routine. In this episode, we'll explore practical strategies to keep your child's piano practice on track during the holiday season. We'll delve into three key tips: setting realistic goals, creating a dedicated practice space, and incorporating holi...

"Practice only on days that end in Y." It's playful, it's catchy, and it makes you laugh at first. But when we dig deeper, this phrase offers a profound truth about growth, mastery, and commitment. It's a reminder that the journey to excellence doesn't happen just on the days we feel motivated, or only when things are convenient. It happens every day. Learn more at www. PianoParentPodcast.com/361...