Professional development for piano teachers is a topic that gets overlooked. People assume you already know how to play and teach the piano – is there any room for improvement?
Professional development for piano teachers is a topic that gets overlooked. People assume you already know how to play and teach the piano – is there any room for improvement?
You see your friends and family members going on training days and attending training courses to further their position in their careers, and it gets you thinking.
Is professional development important for piano teachers? Or should you keep going how you’ve always been going?
Table Of Contents:
The short answer to the question, “Is professional development important for piano teachers,” is yes.
As music education evolves, you face the challenge of staying relevant and effective in your teaching methods.
Professional development will:
The world of music education is constantly developing. There are new pedagogical approaches, method books, and technological advancements.
Students’ needs and interests are constantly changing. Whether you’ve been teaching for one year, five years, or 20 years, you’ll have seen a change in the attitude and interests of children and teenagers.
By attending webinars or conferences (like this one that Tim will be a keynote speaker at in 2024), you’ll discover the latest research and innovative techniques that will help you meet the needs of modern learners.
You can find a goldmine of piano teaching courses online, covering topics from teaching chords to how to integrate group lessons into your studio.
Teaching music is an art.
Just like an artist needs inspiration to create new works, teachers need inspiration to keep their lessons fresh and engaging.
Professional development opportunities such as attending:
can reignite your passion for music and bring renewed enthusiasm to your piano studio.
Professional development goes beyond individual growth – it fosters a sense of community among piano teachers.
Joining local teacher associations provides a platform for collaboration and exchanging ideas.
Through networking with colleagues, you can:
TopMusicPro community is a bustling forum of like-minded piano teachers discussing ideas, sharing problems and advice, and celebrating each other’s successes.
For just $10 a month for a Lite membership, you can join a community of like-minded and supportive teachers worldwide. Learn about the other perks of Lite membership here.
Technology is becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives. If you have a question, you can ask Alexa or Siri. You don’t have to worry about missing your favorite program – you can stream it.
Incorporating digital tools into your piano lessons can enhance the learning experience for your students. From Garageband enabling your students to create backing tracks to Boom Cards reinforcing theory, technology can revolutionize your teaching. If you want to tell your student about a piece by a composer, you can go the extra step and find a YouTube video of an orchestra performing it. You can even get a metronome app!
Nowadays, prospective students will Google piano lessons to find a teacher, making an online presence vital if you want to be seen.
Professional development opportunities focused on technology in music education can empower you to integrate all these apps, software, and online resources into your teaching.
This keeps your lessons engaging for tech-savvy students and ensures that you remain proficient in the tools of the digital age.
There are many different technology-based courses in the TopMusicPro academy, including “Technology 2.0,” where eight expert teachers demonstrate how to incorporate technology in your studio, group lessons, and even how to teach online.
Professional development encourages reflective practice, prompting you to examine your teaching methods and philosophies critically.
As I write this blog, my mind races with new ideas and inspiration!
Continuous learning through workshops, courses, and self-directed studies allows you to refine your approaches, address your weaknesses, and build on your strengths.
If you’re looking for a way to assess your current teaching style and reflect on changes or improvements you could make, click here.
At TopMusicPro, we’re all about helping teachers develop their pedagogy and business skills – if you explore the site, listen to our podcast, or follow us on socials you’ll notice this!
We have numerous courses, webinars, and resources devoted to professional development, but in 2023, we added a new way for teachers to “up” their teaching game: TopMusic Certification.
Whether you’re a new teacher wanting to gain more confidence and banish imposter syndrome by getting accredited, or you’ve been teaching for decades and want to refresh your methods and ideas, TopMusic Certification is for everyone.
After running our first cohort, we were inundated with positive feedback, including a comment from Anita:
This was quite an adventure for me. I loved the way you covered a little bit of everything and spread each topic out – it works really well. I am still learning, but can already see the difference this is making and I feel it will change things for me and my studnets in the long run. It’s lovely working live with other teachers – unplanned communication and conversations are always a challenge, so cohort-based learning is a very good experience for me.
Anita, TopMusic Certification Cohort Member
When did you last work on your professional development as a piano teacher? Let us know your recommendations in the comments!
