About the author

Nicola Cantan

Nicola Cantan is a piano teacher, author, blogger and creator of imaginative and engaging teaching resources. Nicola's Vibrant Music Teaching Library is helping teachers all over the world to include more games and off-bench activities in their lessons, so that their students giggle their way through music theory and make faster progress. She also runs a popular blog, Colourful Keys, where she shares creative ideas and teaching strategies.

Top 7 Hidden Benefits of Teaching Pop Piano Music in Your Studio

by Nicola Cantan

Teaching pop piano music to your piano students isn’t just about appeasing the kids. Pop isn’t simply the cookie that they get for doing their “proper” piano practice. At least, it shouldn’t be. Including some songs from the radio in your piano teaching curriculum can do so much more for you and your students than ... Top 7 Hidden Benefits of Teaching Pop Piano Music in Your Studio

05/22/2017 Read more

Stop Stressing about Business – It’s Bad for Business!

by Nicola Cantan

Most piano teachers don’t become teachers because they love invoicing, scheduling and writing policies. We teach because we love music, love working with kids, and because we love being able to share our knowledge. The reality for most though is that running your own studio is the only viable way to be a piano teacher. ... Stop Stressing about Business – It’s Bad for Business!

06/20/2016 Read more

The age old question…how do we make piano scales fun and relevant?

by Nicola Cantan

Introduction “Ok, let’s start with some scales.” *Cue student’s eyelid’s drooping*. We all know we’re supposed to teach our piano students their scales, but it can quickly turn into a battle of wills. I never want to tell my students to “eat their vegetables”, so how do I make those vegetables look like candy? It’s not ... The age old question…how do we make piano scales fun and relevant?

04/28/2015 Read more

How to WAKE UP a sleepy piano student!

by Nicola Cantan

I’m super excited to share this guest post with you by Nicola Cantan. Nicola runs a thriving piano studio in Dublin, Ireland and blogs at Colourful Keys. Nicola’s blog is all about effective practice, teaching ideas and motivating students and it’s great that she’s taken the time to write this article about firing-up those sleepy, over-scheduled piano ... How to WAKE UP a sleepy piano student!

03/04/2015 Read more