Feeling stuck in your piano lessons?
Helping Piano Teachers Unlock Musical Creativity
I help piano teachers bring creativity into their lessons with practical, ready-to-use ideas that go beyond the page.
If you’ve ever thought my students…
Can play, but they don’t create.
Don’t know what to play without sheet music.
Struggle to improvise or create their own music.
Freeze when I ask them to improvise or create their own music.
Practice (sometimes!) but it isn’t sticking and neither is motivation.
You’re not alone, and creativity is the way to get unstuck.
Teach beyond the page and grow creative lifetime musicians.
I help piano teachers create engaging, creative lessons that go beyond method books.
It’s great when students thrive
and stay with you for years
Through improvisation, chord-based playing, and composition strategies, you’ll learn how to:
Teach piano students to improvise with confidence.
Introduce chord progressions in a way that grows chord fluency into inspiration.
Guide students in composing their own music.
Build practice habits that lead to progress.
It’s a fine balance of structure and freedom so your students don’t just play music, they understand it, explore it, and make it their own.
Follow these principles to grow creative freedom at the keys
① Permission
Permit yourself and your students the luxury of moving away from the page.
② Boundaries
Boundaries: Set clear limitations to avoid overwhelm.
③ Choices
Within the limitations, provide ample opportunities for decision-making.
④ Curiosity
Cultivate a culture of curiosity in your studio. Remain curious and lean into uncertainty.
New here? Start with one of these…
Confession: I’m a recovering classical pianist
and striving for genuine over perfect
I was once new to improvisation myself.
Now I consider myself a recovering classical pianist and am open to possibilities instead of perfection.
You, too, can learn how to teach improvisation
You’ll find simple and practical ideas you can use in your very next lesson.
Explore piano improvisation lesson plans and creative piano activities that spark curiosity and build skills.
Join composition workshops for piano students and teachers that reboot mindsets and provide step-by-step instruction. Gain ongoing support, training, and connect with a like-minded community.
Tools to help you teach creatively right away
Explore studio-licensed resources, hands-on workshops, and ongoing support designed to help you confidently teach improvisation, composition, and creative skills in your piano lessons.
Let’s connect
Cultivating
curiosity one lesson at a time
Hi, I’m Leila.
I’m a pianist, composer, and educator passionate about helping teachers and students experience music beyond the page.
After years of teaching, I realized…
Students need opportunities to think, explore, get curious, and create music, not just play other people’s music.
Now I help piano teachers design lessons that inspire curiosity and develop lifelong musical skills, so that students keep coming back for more.
Practicing
myself helps me coach rookie practicers
Creativity and progress go hand in hand
When students improvise, compose, and make musical choices, they need skills and skills require practice.
Purposeful practice leads to visible progress, which leads to natural motivation.
Purposeful practice begins with relevant strategies that help students experience success in every lesson.
Sharing ideas
that equip and inspire
Need a speaker who brings energy, insight, and inspiration?
Sharing ideas with teachers is my happy place, whether in a packed conference hall or a cozy Zoom room.
I love to connect with teachers and spark innovative ideas that make piano pedagogy more creative, playful, and effective.
With years of experience and a wealth of workshops and webinars under my belt, I deliver dynamic, practical sessions full of “aha!” moments.
If you're looking for a speaker who can engage a room and inspire teachers to try something new, I’d be honored to join your group, online or in person.
Making music
is a priority
Creating at the keys gives my emotions a safe place to land—and sometimes, I capture those landings in arrangements and original compositions.
One of the best ways to connect with my heart and creative voice is through my piano works I share here.
As a longtime church musician, many of my pieces offer fresh takes on sacred tunes—familiar melodies reimagined with thoughtful twists. You’ll also find recent original works that reflect life’s profound moments of lament and joy.
Listen to my music here. I’d love for my music to become part of your story, too.
Eliana
“I do feel that I have ideas and resources, and I just loved everything I learned and plan to keep on going.
I feel that I have grown and made progress, which, at the end of the day, makes me so happy! “
-Space to Create Composium Attendee
Whitney
“I use so much of your material and couldn’t imagine teaching without your creativity!”
-Space to Create Subscriber
I’m here for you
and your creativity
Looking for new ideas for your piano lessons?
Whether you’re here to teach, improvise, or compose, you’ve found the right space to nurture your musical imagination at the keys.
Start with simple, creative strategies you can use this week and watch your students blossom at the keys.
You’ll find help if you’ve ever searched for:
how to teach piano students to improvise
piano improvisation activities for beginners
how to teach piano students to compose
creative piano lesson ideas beyond method books
Explore my creative resources
Join Space to Create
Let’s stay in touch!
