TopMusic Piano Podcast

Dr. Stephanie Archer brings a thoughtful and experience-driven perspective to piano technique and pedagogy. Drawing from her work as a university professor, private teacher, and researcher in injury prevention, she shares practical strategies for teaching healthy movement from the very first lesson. In this episode, Stephanie explores beginner technique, arm weight, warmups, and how thoughtful tea...

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...

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 with...

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 th...

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...

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 simpli...

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 ever...

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 stu...

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 resul...

Sarah Molenaar has built a teaching career that blends tradition with innovation. Based in Ottawa, she balances a thriving studio, published resources, and a passion for helping both students and teachers succeed. In this episode, Sarah shares her top piano apps, from Note Rush to ForScore, and explains how technology, games, and organization strategies can transform lessons into engaging, effecti...

Omar Roy brings a thoughtful and balanced perspective to the intersection of piano pedagogy and artificial intelligence. As a professor, clinician, and leader in music education, Omar has been helping teachers navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI. In this episode, he shares practical ways piano teachers can use AI for scheduling and communication, principles for ethical use, and why hum...

Eric Branner’s story bridges music, entrepreneurship, and education with lessons every teacher can learn from. As a guitarist, founder of Fons, and now host of The Four 40 podcast, Eric shares how doubling his rates transformed his studio, why professionalism matters, and how mindset shapes success. In this episode, he encourages teachers to embrace curiosity, charge their worth, and create thrivi...

Busy seasons can quickly push us to the edge, especially when teaching, scheduling, and family responsibilities collide. In this solo episode, I'm going to share five simple but powerful practices that are helping me stay grounded, from leaning on ChatGPT for tricky tasks to creating calming rituals in my workspace. These ideas may inspire you to find your own ways of keeping balance when life fee...

Grant Kondo believes in saying “yes” to every student’s musical journey. From his early experiences in Hawaii to his current studio in San Jose, Grant has combined classical foundations with modern creativity to inspire well-rounded musicians. In this episode, he shares how improvisation, arranging, and flexible teaching approaches can help students of all ages connect deeply with music, while his...

Jeremy Siskind’s journey bridges the worlds of jazz performance, education, and digital innovation. As a pianist, author, and educator, Jeremy has developed groundbreaking resources for students while inspiring thousands through his books, teaching, and YouTube channel. In this episode, he shares how improvisation can be taught step by step, why ensemble playing is crucial, and how his work contin...

Linda Gould has spent decades proving that small hands don’t have to limit big musical dreams. From overcoming a hand injury to co-founding Narrow Key Pianos, Linda has championed the design and launch of Athena, the first portable digital narrow keys piano. In this episode, she shares how this groundbreaking instrument helps pianists of all ages play with greater freedom, confidence, and joy. Lin...

Lydia Tomita’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. From her early days as a pianist in northern England to becoming the founder of a thriving teaching network in the Cotswolds, Lydia has combined her love of music with an entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, she shares how she built a multi-teacher studio, balances gigs with teaching, and inspires students of all ages to emb...

Kenneth Thompson brings a wealth of insight into what makes music lessons truly transformative. Drawing from his experiences as a performer, educator, and founder of Musical Arts Centers of San Antonio, Inc. (MACSA), Ken shares how lesson atmosphere shapes the student experience. In this episode, he unpacks the five pillars of effective teaching, the balance between trust and intensity, and the po...

After attending the NCKP conference, I’m excited to share some of my favorite takeaways from this fantastic week. From one-question interviews with fellow teachers to insightful conference sessions, I learned so much that I’m eager to share with you. In this episode, you’ll hear short clips of teachers from around the world sharing their advice, favorite method books, and thoughts on practicing. P...

Bridey Gibson from Pianosaurus Rex is on a mission to make music lessons more fun through creative practice incentives and engaging resources. Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, she has grown her small studio into a thriving business by blending play-based learning with structured practice challenges. Bridey explains how incentives like the musical Monster Mania and simple practice charts keep st...

Building a solid practice routine and involving parents in the process are key to student success, as Holly Hornyan, founder of Clever Keys Music Lessons, knows all too well. In this episode, Holly shares her insights on how to help students develop good practice habits and how to communicate effectively with parents to support their child's musical growth. Whether it's through setting realistic g...

Leading a business and teaching from a place of authenticity can be challenging, but it’s exactly what Kristina Lee embraces in her work. As the founder of Live Love Piano, Kristina combines her background in performance, intercultural studies, and decades of teaching experience to create an online space for adult learners. In this episode, she shares how authenticity plays a crucial role in both...

Elaina Burns, founder of Resonance: Mind-Body-Music, blends yoga and piano to help students build awareness and overcome performance anxiety. With a focus on mindfulness and body alignment, she shares how she empowers students to become independent learners while fostering a love for music. Elaina’s approach goes beyond technique, encouraging creativity and emotional expression in every lesson, cr...

Growing up playing in church services gave me much of my early performance experience, and it’s a topic I’ve never explored on the podcast until now. In this solo episode, I’m sharing my journey with sacred music, from childhood church performances to my studies in Sacred Music. I’ll be talking about my favorite hymn arrangers, like Lloyd Larson and Mark Hayes, and will offer suggestions for piani...

From dueling pianist to studio owner, Whitney Maxwell shares her remarkable journey of pivoting during the pandemic to open Bloom Music Studio in 2021. In this episode, she talks about how her studio grew rapidly after being featured in the Des Moines Register and how she’s created a welcoming, community-driven environment for students. Whitney also explains her unique lab-based teaching model, wh...