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Empowering Pianists to Connect with their Creativity
 
 

Speakers

Watch the video below to catch a sneak peek of what’s to come in 2025!

 
 
 
 

Tim Topham - Keynote

Tim Topham is an internationally-renowned music educator, piano teacher, writer, podcaster and presenter. Tim's passion is helping teachers maximise student engagement through creativity, technology and innovation whilst building sustainable, thriving studios.

The Six Cores of Music Teaching and Studio Business Success: Discover Where to Focus Your Time and Energy for Maximum Impact.

Are you an independent music teacher seeking to streamline your studio operations and enhance your teaching effectiveness? Join us for our impactful workshop, "The 6 Cores of Music Teaching and Studio Business Success," where we'll explore six fundamental areas that drive studio excellence. Drawing from extensive experience and proven strategies, this session will help you identify your strengths and areas for growth, enabling you to focus your efforts for maximum impact. We'll talk about the importance of vision, your "3 visions" and explore how they can affect all areas of your teaching and business. You'll even get time to dream! Whether you're just starting or have years of experience, this workshop offers valuable insights to elevate your teaching and business practices. Come prepared to engage, reflect, and take actionable steps toward your studio's success.

Marie Lee - Founder and Executive Producer

Owner of Musicality Schools in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marie uses group piano classes to motivate and inspire musicians so they can enjoy a lifetime of creative and beautiful music making. Author of The Group Teaching Blueprint.  Nevada Music Teachers Association past-president.

The Many Faces of Group Piano Teaching: How it Could Look for You

Leila Viss - Producer and Web Design

Leila Viss generates imaginative resources for her piano studio and website. She holds Composiums that coach pianists in composition and arranging. Viss is known for engaging presentations and is Colorado's 2024 MTNA Foundation Fellow.

Does your Feedback need Fixing? How to Find Words that Matter

 

Rebecca Bellelo

Rebecca Bellelo remains current in the technological advancements in the pedagogy field and uses these tools to provide an invaluable opportunity for students in the classroom. She is a member of the MTNA Pedagogy Saturday RMM track planning committee, and hosts regular webinars sponsored by NPF and NAMM.

The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for Neurodiverse Students in Group Piano

Emily Book McGree

Emily Book McGree is currently on the faculty at the Lamont School of Music, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate piano pedagogy, and directs the Piano Preparatory Program. She specializes in the RMM field and has been on the conference planning committee for the RMM track at the Music Teacher’s Nation Conference since 2013.

The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for Neurodiverse Students in Group Piano

Melanie Bowes

Melanie Bowes is a UK-based music teacher who has spent much of her career teaching in schools, but moved into group piano teaching after starting her own family. Having had a childhood full of music-making opportunities, she is determined that every child needs and deserves music in their lives, and has always focused on how to make music learning accessible for more children.

Choice and Challenge: How to Create a Learner-Centered Group Piano Classroom

Nicola Cantan

Nicola is a piano teacher, writer and creator. She teaches through laughter and exploration. Find creative teaching ideas in her membership site, Vibrant Music Teaching and improve your students’ practice with the Vivid Practice app.

Metrics for Music Studios: What You Should Track and Why

Jodie Carter

Jodie Carter is a dedicated piano teacher of over 15 years. With her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education, she combines her love for music and education in creating engaging resources for Piano Teachers (PianoBox.net.)

Composing in a Group Setting

Music Theory Curriculum Plan by PianoBox

Technology: Using Piano Learning Software in Groups

Eliana Corredor

Eliana Corredor (MM) studied at Butler University, and currently runs her own piano studio in Cincinnati, where she teaches students of all ages/abilities. She currently has a particular interest in recreational music-making for adults.

Teaching Demonstration: My First Group Piano Class for Adult Beginners

Marcy Davis

Marcy grew up performing classical & sacred music in a mix of traditional, modern worship and alt-rock band styles. She taught all-ages piano lessons for 20+ years before transitioning to piano for adults. For fun she loves practicing jazz improvisation.

Teaching Piano to Adults

Leah Drake

Leah Drake is the owner of Vibrant Valley Music Studio in San Jose, CA. She offers group piano classes using a mix of Piano Safari and Piano Pyramid materials to students age 4 to adult.

Making Your Website Work For You

You Can Do Anything, But Not Everything: Automation & Delegation

Caroline Fauchet

Caroline Fauchet, French concert pianist, piano teacher, author of teaching methods and composer, is happy to share her passion for group teaching by offering pieces adapted to different class configurations: same level or multi-level.

Free Ensemble Music for Group Illuminated's 2025 Piano Teachers

Jennifer Foxx

Nationally recognized for her blog, MusicEducatorResources.com, Jennifer is passionate about inspiring both students and colleagues, continually innovating with engaging resources, presentations, and curriculum development to stay at the forefront of music education.

Tidying Up! Sparking Joy in the Music Studio

Jessica Homewood

Jessica Homewood, creator of *The Group Conversion Collective*, helps piano teachers earn more while working less through group lessons. With streamlined strategies & games, deliver an experience that everyone loves. Learn more at http://www.notyourmotherspianostudio.com.

Say It Right: Streamline Communication and Turn Parents Into Your Biggest Advocates

Plan Smart: Streamlined Systems for Group Lessons That Deliver Big Results with Less Prep

Maureen Karpan

I teach students in small groups and love teaching ensemble work. I have been playing the diatonic accordion for Creole and Cajun bands professionally since 1996. I recently rediscovered my love for the clarinet. Squeak!

The Power of 12-Bar Blues: Ensemble Fun with Lifelong Benefits

Lou Ann Knight

Lou Ann Knight is a graduate of BGSU in OH, (BM in Piano Performance/Pedagogy).  She holds a Master’s Degree in Piano Ped from S.M.U.  She taught at Harper College, and was the Co-Coordinator for the PPLP at U of M.  She teaches in her newly renovated studio and is one of the only people who has consulted for a Practice App for the past 10 years.

Setting Up Your Studio to Jump on the Group Train!

Grant Kondo

Grant Kondo is an advocate for creative music making, diverse styles, and seeing the bigger pictures in music.  He teaches a wide range of subjects including classical piano repertoire and technique, jazz and improvisation, anime and movie soundtracks, composition, and pop and worship lead sheets.

The Ability to Improvise (Not just music, but in general)

Laura Marr

Laura is from Ayr, Scotland where she has spent over 10 years running a group piano studio with 90+ students aged 3-18. She teaches a mix of same and multi level classes and her passion lies in creating new curriculum and resources for her students.

Improving My Business Systems to Make Admin Feel Easier

Valerie Merrell

Valerie Merrell, MM, NCTM, loves teaching and playing the piano. Her passion is combining those into learning and creativity through ensembles! She lives in Indiana and loves traveling, reading, lifting weights, and connecting with teachers.

The Ultimate Chameleon: Lead Sheets in a Group Lesson!

Group Teaching: Juggling Less, Focusing More!

Paul Myatt

Paul is a passionate music teacher, performer, author, composer and workshop facilitator. Paul, along with his colleague and best friend, Gillian Erskine, created Forte School of Music and developed Whole Body Learning, which is based on the educational ideas and concepts of Orff, Dalcroze and Kodály.

Teaching Advanced Groups

Rosemarie Penner

Rosemarie Penner is an analytical creative … plus online piano teacher and composer at “Must Love Music”!  She loves making learning simple, fun and interactive.  When not teaching, she enjoys reading and playing video games.

The Power of Patterns: Enhancing Musicianship and Creativity in Groups

Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Adapting Group Piano for Diverse Learners

Anna Phelps

Anna Phelps has taught piano for over 30 years, with a passion for music and education. She now teaches group lessons, runs A+ Piano Studio, and enjoys family time with her six children, their spouses, and one beautiful little granddaughter.

Large Group Lessons for Teenagers: Love, Laugh, Learn Together

Glory St. Germain

Glory St. Germain Founder/CEO Ultimate Music Theory, TEDx Speaker, International Bestselling Author 60+ Books & The Power of WHY Musicians Series. Host of Global Music Teachers Summits, Podcaster, creator of the UMTC Elite Educator Program.

Three Keys to Unlock Your Teaching Business for Productivity and Profitability

The Art of Integrating Music Theory into Group Piano Teaching

Bradley Sowash

Bradley Sowash is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator specializing in improvisation. After many years as a touring performer and recording artist, he turned his attention to introducing "recovering classical pianists" to the joys of musical creativity in online jazz piano classes, at teacher conferences, and through his widely acclaimed publications. He also teaches adult pianists all over the world through an online group jazz piano lessons format that he pioneered.

Group Improv by Rote Starters

The Pedagogy of Teaching Creativity

Scaling the Chords

Jammin’ the Classics

Improve Your Groove

Dr. Gloria Tham-Haines

Dr. Gloria Tham-Haines (NCTM), Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner, and South Central Division Certification Commissioner, passionately advocates for trauma-informed education and recovery. As owner of a private studio in Edmond, OK, she empowers students through connection.

When Rewards and Punishments Fail: Connection and Engagement Strategies

The Connected Studio: Changing Cultures

Rebekah Trevelise

Rebekah Trevelise is the founder of Music Game Club and owner of Austin Arts Academy and Aggieland Arts Academy. With over 35 years of teaching experience, she specializes in creating engaging, adaptable music theory games that empower educators and students.

Adapting Music Games for Group Piano Classes