A marker-on-the-keys piano method went viral on 60 Minutes this year, and it sparked this month’s theme on playing-based teaching. Today, I’m joined by my first-ever TopCast co-host, Ian Belloso, and by returning guest Neil Moore, founder of the Simply Music Method. It’s almost ten years since Neil first joined me on the show back in 2016. We revisit that original chat, unpack playing-based versus play-based learning, and dig into Neil’s new book series.
Neil Moore is the Founder of the Simply Music Institute of Learning & Education. He is also the creator of the Simply Music Method. Neil was born in 1957 in Melbourne, Australia, and began studying piano at the age of 7. He has spent most of his life actively involved in ‘playing-based’ music learning.
Neil composes and arranges much of the music used throughout the Simply Music Program. In addition to curriculum development, Neil’s most extensive field of focus has been the training and coaching of piano teachers. Currently, Neil guides the direction of the organization and advises on its executive operations.
Ian Belloso is a pianist, composer, music producer, and educator based in Bethlehem, PA. He’s the founder of Piano Belloso Music, a playing-based piano studio serving students of all ages, and Techier Teacher, a coaching platform helping online music educators simplify their tech and build confident, connected virtual studios. His work lives at the intersection of structure and creativity — building systems that remove barriers so people can focus on what matters: expression, learning, and human connection.
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