TC188: Inspiring Students with Interest-Based Learning with Tony Parlapiano

interest-based learning instructor Tony Parlapiano

What if you created a studio experience where instead of lesson books, students study based on their preferences? In this episode, I chat with Tony Parlapiano, who focuses on interest-based learning. 

Tony is definitely doing something right because his student retention is off the charts with most families staying until the end of high school. Amazing right? This is probably an approach that not many teachers are practising. That’s why it’s really interesting to dive deep into the set-up and structure of these lessons. 

We talk about the way he teaches, incorporating basic and theoretical topics in lessons, not having recitals, dealing with learning plateaus, and so much more. Whether you’re teaching classical or pop, there’s so much to learn from Tony’s experience.

And, P.S. I know you’re wondering too – YES, that is his real last name! 🙂

Transcript of the show

If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

In this episode, you’ll learn more about teaching students through interest-based learning

  • [06:30] Tony’s current studio and students.
  • [08:38] His experience with lessons when he was a kid.
  • [11:01] Learning to play the piano at a later stage.
  • [13:13] The story of how he started teaching music.
  • [14:53] His approach to teaching students.
  • [19:13] Incorporating basic and theoretical topics while teaching students.
  • [24:46] Recitals, performances, and concluding studies.
  • [26:02] Teaching students based on their interests.
  • [30:11] Dealing with students who experience plateaus in learning.
  • [32:39] Having good student retention.
  • [34:54] Tony talks about popMATICS.
  • [39:26] His way of teaching students to compose or play pop music.

Links mentioned

About our guest

interest-based learning course author Tony Parlapiano

Tony Parlapiano is a piano instructor and the creator of popMATICS, a concept-based music curriculum that approaches learning by listening and reading through writing. Tony resides in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and carries a copy of his birth certificate for anyone who questions the authenticity of his last name.

Thank you for tuning in!

In conclusion, there are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

 

Your ultimate teaching resource

subscribe to the
Integrated music teaching podcast

Are you ready to upgrade your teaching?

Join the world's largest
creative music teaching membership

30 day money back guarantee

We understand that confirming your membership is a significant decision, so if you purchase a subscription and, within the first month, realise that this is not the right fit for you, simply send a message and we will refund your money immediately.

contact us

Reach out to learn more about our multi-teacher memberships