TopMusic Piano Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

113: The CEO Mindset for Music Teachers with Nathalie Simper May 08, 2026

Show notes

So many music teachers are incredibly skilled at what they do, but feel unprepared for everything that comes with running a studio. In this episode, w’re talking with Nathalie Simper about developing a CEO mindset as a music teacher, and how confidence, systems, and entrepreneurship can help you build a studio that truly supports your life.

Nathalie shared how musicians follow a traditional path but feel unprepared for real-world careers.
How shifting from “musician” to “music entrepreneur” changed her perspective.
She introduced the CEO mindset framework: confidence, entrepreneurship, and opportunity.
The importance of confidence in both teaching skills and personal identity.
How entrepreneurship skills are essential for running a studio.
Nathalie explained how viewing your studio as a business supports long-term success.
She encouraged teachers to seek out business skills even if they feel unfamiliar.
How opportunity comes from staying open to growth and new directions.
Nathalie shared how early teaching setups often lack structure and systems.
Why systems should be implemented even with just a few students.
How disorganized systems can lead to burnout as studios grow.
She described how automation and recurring payments simplify studio management.
Nathalie emphasized that saving time on admin creates more space for teaching.
She encouraged teachers to set boundaries that support their energy and wellbeing.
How rates should reflect both income needs and value provided.
She encouraged teachers to design studios that align with their desired lifestyle.

Links Mentioned

Guest Links

Nathalie's podcast:The Limitless Musician Podcast
Nathalie's Instagram page:@thelimitlessmusician
Freebies for Music Teachers:www.kecreative.com/freebies
The Musician’s Real-World Survival Guide (Free Resource)

Today's Guest

Nathalie Simper is a flutist, private studio owner, and music entrepreneur in North Georgia. She got the music performance degrees and did all the “right things” to build a music career, but still struggled to fill in what wasn’t taught in music school. After learning things through trial and error, she finally decided to invest in the perspective of being a music entrepreneur instead of “just a musician.” Fast forward a few years, and Nathalie has embraced the non-musical things about being a classical musician, using her own failures and successes to support her fellow music entrepreneurs through The Limitless Musician!

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

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112: Preschool Teaching and TopMusicLive with Laura Kahar May 01, 2026

Show notes

Teaching preschool students can feel both magical and intimidating, especially if you’re used to more structured, one-on-one lessons. In this episode, we're chatting with Laura Kahar to talk about teaching under fives, creating playful learning environments, and what it really looks like to build strong musical foundations from the very beginning. We also dive into the energy and impact of TopMusicLive and why events like this matter so much for teachers.

Laura shared how teaching young children transformed her understanding of music learning.
She explained how small group learning helps preschoolers learn from each other.
The importance of creating a playful and pressure-free learning environment.
How young children respond naturally to music as a first language.
Laura emphasized that teaching under fives is about immersion rather than instruction.
Why teachers should follow the child’s lead instead of rigid lesson plans.
Laura encouraged teachers to embrace flexibility and improvisation in lessons.
She introduced her HEPO framework: hear it, experience it, play it, own it.
How movement and rhythm should come before playing the piano.
She described how short, varied activities support young learners’ attention spans.
Laura explained how progress with young children happens gradually and unexpectedly.
She emphasized focusing on growth moments rather than measurable outcomes.
Laura reflected on the energy and connection experienced at TopMusicLive.
How the event provided reassurance and reduced feelings of isolation.
She highlighted the value of community and collaboration for piano teachers.
She encouraged teachers to attend conferences for inspiration, learning, and connection.

Links Mentioned

Laura's Instagram page:@pocketmusicmama
Laura's website:www.musicnme.com.au
Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.

Today's Guest

Laura Kahar doesn’t just teach music. She redefines how it’s experienced. Founder of 'Music N Me' in Sydney, Australia, she brings over 20 years of music education to designing creative, connected music learning ecosystems. She trains educators globally and consults across studios and early childhood centres, shifting how music is taught and creating learning that truly connects. When not immersed in music education, you’ll find her chasing waves around the world and adventuring through life with her son.

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

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111: Empowering Piano Parents with Leslie Merritt Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

What if supporting your students didn’t rely on more practice—but on what happens at home? In this episode, Leslie Merritt shares how parents can play a powerful role in their child’s musical development through simple, consistent listening habits. Her approach removes pressure, builds confidence, and helps students connect more deeply with music in a natural and enjoyable way.

Leslie explains that consistent listening at home builds a child’s musical foundation.
She introduces “music immersion” as a simple alternative to theory-heavy learning.
Parents are encouraged to use daily listening instead of structured teaching at home.
Leslie highlights that familiarity with music improves lesson engagement and confidence.
She explains that children learn music naturally through repeated exposure.
The “press play” habit is presented as an easy, low-pressure routine for families.
Leslie emphasizes that parents do not need musical training to support their child.
She discusses how music can help regulate emotions and create calm at home.
Exposure to a wide variety of composers strengthens musical awareness.
Leslie reinforces that empowering parents leads to more consistent student progress.

Links Mentioned

Leslie's Instagram page:@composerstudyclub
Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.

Today's Guest

Leslie Merritt is a dedicated music educator and the founder of the Composer Study Club, a program designed to help parents integrate classical music into their children's daily lives with ease. With over 20 years of teaching experience and as a mother of three, Merritt developed her "easy music at home" method to bridge the gap between academic music theory and joyful, low-stress family learning. Her philosophy centers on the belief that music is a foundational tool for developmental readiness—helping children build critical listening skills and emotional regulation through consistent exposure rather than memorization. Through her digital community, she advocates for a balanced approach to music history, frequently highlighting the contributions of often-overlooked women composers alongside historical masters to show that "music is for everyone". Her mission is to empower parents, regardless of their own musical background, to create calmer, more connected homes through curated playlists and simple "press-play" habits.

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

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110: How I’m Simplifying With Systems Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

As the school year starts to wrap up and recital season approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about the systems that keep everything running behind the scenes. In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the tools, processes, and small tweaks that help me simplify my workload, reduce stress, and keep our conservatory running as smoothly as possible.

Rachel shared how she rebuilt her conservatory systems from scratch after COVID.
She explained how using a studio management platform simplified scheduling and billing.
How automated payments reduced admin work and avoided awkward payment conversations.
Rachel described how she uses a simple interest form as her main website call to action.
Why a low-commitment form helped increase inquiries and new student signups.
How a Google registration form streamlines onboarding for new students.
How linking a welcome packet ensures families understand policies before registering.
Rachel explained how requiring policy agreement avoids confusion later.
She outlined how she organizes multiple recitals to manage a large studio.
Why simple recital systems help create a positive and low-stress experience for families.

Links Mentioned

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

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109: Policies to Support the Life You Want with Victoria Clark Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

So many piano teachers start out with policies that feel flexible and generous, only to realize later that those same policies can lead to stress, burnout, and constant decision fatigue. In this episode, we're chatting with Victoria Clark to talk about monthly tuition, makeup lessons, and the kinds of studio policies that actually support the life you want to live. This conversation is practical, honest, and full of ideas that may just shift how you think about running your studio.

Victoria shared how she moved from pharmaceutical market research into full-time piano teaching.
Why losing her mother pushed her to build a career around what she truly loved.
The importance of running a studio like a business, not just a passion project.
She explained how clear policies protect a teacher’s time, energy, and income.
Why monthly tuition creates more stability for both teachers and families.
How monthly billing helps smooth income across school breaks and summer holidays.
How automated monthly payments reduce admin and mental load.
The value of presenting tuition as a yearly commitment rather than a per-lesson transaction.
Victoria shared why she no longer offers makeup lessons in her studio.
She explained how makeup lessons become unsustainable as a studio grows.
The importance of applying policies consistently and fairly across all families.
Why studio policies only work when teachers confidently uphold them.
Victoria encouraged teachers to create policies that support both their teaching and personal life.

Links Mentioned

Get your LAST MINUTE ticket for TopMusicLive 2026 here.
Victoria's website:www.victoriaclarkpiano.com
Victoria's Instagram page:@victoriaclarkpiano
Victoria's Facebook page:Victoria Clark Piano
Download your Free Studio Policy Template here
Checkout the Monthly Billing Transition Toolkit here

Today's Guest

Victoria Clark is a piano teacher based on the south coast of England, where she runs a thriving private studio from her home, teaching students of all ages from beginner to intermediate level. Having started teaching piano part time in 2007 alongside a career in pharmaceutical market research, she switched to teaching full time in 2019 and hasn't looked back since. Her studio has been full for a number of years, with a waiting list of students eager to join. Alongside her teaching, Victoria is passionate about helping other music teachers build studios that work properly for their lives: with clear policies, confident billing, and healthy boundaries. She creates practical resources for teachers, including digital resources, student piano planners with dedicated designs for both adults and children , and supports teachers directly through one-to-one mentoring.

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

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108: Solo or Collaborative… Which Would You Choose? Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

As I wrap up this series on performance anxiety, I wanted to spend one more episode talking about something that has shaped my own performing life in a big way: collaborative piano. In this episode, I'm reflecting on the differences between solo and collaborative performing, what accompanying has taught me as a musician and teacher, and why it might be worth exploring if you’ve never considered it before.

Rachel compared the unique challenges of solo and collaborative performing.
Why collaborative performing feels less intimidating than solo playing.
How accompanying has strengthened her listening and musical flexibility.
Rachel how collaborative work helps pianists become more responsive musicians.
How accompanying young students builds both musical and teaching skills.
The importance of adjusting quickly when students lose their place.
How collaborative work can create valuable paid opportunities for pianists.
Common gig options such as choirs, soloists, weddings, and theater.
Rachel encouraged teachers to explore low-pressure ways to start accompanying.
She introduced her new collaborative pianist rate calculator to help teachers price gigs confidently.

Links Mentioned

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

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107: Ensemble Playing from Lesson One with Kay Lowry Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Making music with others can transform how students experience learning the piano. Today, we're chatting with Kay Lowry about why ensemble playing should start from the very first lesson, and how collaborative music-making helps students build rhythm, listening skills, confidence, and a deeper sense of joy in their musical journey.

Kay shared how she has spent more than 40 years teaching music to children.
Why ensemble playing can begin from a student’s very first lesson.
How playing with others builds listening and coordination skills.
She described how ensemble activities help students develop steady rhythm.
Why ensemble playing encourages students to stay engaged and motivated.
How duets can make early lessons more interactive and fun.
She explained how ensemble work strengthens students’ confidence.
The importance of making music a shared experience.
How ensemble playing helps students feel part of a musical community.
Kay shared that ensemble playing reduces the pressure of performing alone.
Why playing together helps students develop stronger musical awareness.
She encouraged teachers to model collaborative music-making in lessons.
Kay reminded teachers that joy and connection are central to music learning.

Links Mentioned

Get your EARLY BIRD tickets for TopMusicLive 2026 here.
Kay's website:www.pianomusicforkids.com
Kay's Instagram page:@pianomusicforkids
Kay's Facebook page:Piano Music for Kids
Kay's YouTube page:www.youtube.com/@pianomusicforkids
Download Kay's free, multi-level ensemble with a training video.

Today's Guest

Kay Lowry is a piano teacher dedicated to helping people learn and love music! For over 40 years, Kay has been teaching children through her studio, classroom, or choir room. She hopes to help parents, kids, and teachers have joy and fun as they continue in the journey of music making. When not teaching or creating, Kay is busy with her grandchildren, her miniature dachshund, and going on hiking adventures with her energetic husband!

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

106: Overcoming Performing Anxiety with Anastasia Cunningham Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Performance anxiety is something many musicians quietly struggle with, even teachers who spend their days guiding students through music. In this episode, I'm chatting with Anastasia Cunningham about her journey from analytical chemist to piano teacher, and how she gradually worked through years of performance anxiety to become a more confident and resilient musician.

Anastasia shared how she began her career in analytical chemistry before becoming a piano teacher.
How she discovered the Kodály approach through her daughter’s music classes.
How the Kodály method helped deepen her understanding of musicianship and music learning.
The importance of teaching musicianship alongside piano technique.
Her transition from Kodály teaching into running her own piano studio.
How performance anxiety had affected her since childhood.
Why even demonstrating pieces for students once felt very intimidating.
How perfectionism made her performance anxiety worse over time.
Returning to piano lessons as an adult helped rebuild her confidence.
She emphasized the importance of teachers continuing their own musical growth.
Why she began intentionally seeking performance opportunities to build resilience.
How regular performing helped strengthen her confidence as a musician.
Anastasia encouraged teachers to embrace mistakes and focus on progress.

Links Mentioned

Get your EARLY BIRD tickets for TopMusicLive 2026 here.
The TopMusic Teacher Guide to Fearless Performing
Anastasia's Facebook page:Piano with Anastasia
Anastasia's Instagram page:@pianowithanastasia
Practice Hacks for Musicians Course by Noa Kageyama

Today's Guest

Anastasia Cunningham is a UK-based piano teacher who has been teaching from her home studio in Hampshire since 2015. Her professional background began far from the music room, with earlier careers in analytical chemistry, training and management, making her return to music less linear, but deeply intentional. Musical throughout childhood, Anastasia rediscovered her love of music as an adult after encountering the Kodály approach through her daughter’s classes. What started as a parent’s curiosity grew into a twelve-year commitment to a local Kodály music school, where she became senior teacher and mentored and trained many new members of the teaching team. During this time, she also challenged herself to complete her Grade 8 piano exam before eventually transitioning into piano teaching. Yet alongside her teaching journey ran a quieter personal battle with performance anxiety. It had been an issue since she was a child and as an adult returner, even playing in front of her own students felt daunting. Four and a half years ago, she made the deliberate decision to return to piano lessons herself, determined not just to improve technically, but also to become genuinely confident at the instrument. In summer 2025, she was awarded her Performance ARSM - a significant milestone in that journey. But rather than a finishing line, it marked the beginning of a new chapter: one where she intentionally seeks out performance opportunities, embracing every chance to step in front of an audience and continue strengthening her resilience and confidence at the piano.

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

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105: Creating the Life You Want as a Musician with Sarah Whitney Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

So many of us were trained to follow a very specific path as musicians, but what happens when that path doesn’t quite lead to the life we imagined? Today, we’re chatting with violinist and Career & Leadership Coach for Musicians Sarah Whitney to talk about designing a career with clarity, confidence, and creative fulfillment. We explore mindset, leadership, burnout, and what it really takes to create the life you want as a musician.

Sarah shared how her traditional performance career evolved into a multi-dimensional musical life.
The importance of intentionally designing a career rather than drifting into one was emphasized.
Sarah described the transition from performing full-time to adding leadership and coaching.
She highlighted how musicians often operate in survival mode instead of long-term strategy.
The value of mindset work alongside practical business skills.
Sarah explained why musicians must define success on their own terms.
How burnout can signal the need for realignment rather than failure.
The importance of building confidence through small, aligned actions was emphasized.
Sarah described how clarity reduces overwhelm in creative careers.
She highlighted the role of leadership skills in modern music careers.
The value of diversifying income streams while staying artistically authentic was discussed.
Sarah explained how coaching helps musicians move from reaction to intention.
She encouraged musicians to identify what energizes rather than drains them.
The importance of community and mentorship in career growth was reinforced.
She emphasized that career pivots are natural and often necessary.

Links Mentioned

Sarah's website:www.sarahwhitney.com
Sarah's Instagram page:@theproductivemusician
Sarah's Facebook page:Sarah Whitney
Booka free discovery callwith Sarah to learn more about her coaching programs.
Sign up for herweekly newsletterto get inspiration and actionable tools for musicians.
Sign up for herfree community eventsfor musicians.

Today's Guest

Praised by The Washington Post for her “marvelous violin acrobatics,” Sarah Whitney is a widely recognized performer, teacher, speaker and Career & Leadership Coach for Musicians. During her tenure as violinist and founding member of her acclaimed string quintet, she performed concerts worldwide, received the Concert Artists Guild Grand Prize and had 3 albums reach the top ten on the Billboard charts. She is also founder and artistic director of the interactive concert series, Beyond the Notes and her diverse career has included everything from performing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to sharing the stage with NAS, Adele and Ed Sheeran. As a Career & Leadership Coach for Musicians, Sarah uses her unique mix of mindset strategy and business savvy to help busy, professional musicians stop surviving and start thriving - building careers filled with clarity, confidence, and creative fulfillment. She is currently on the faculty of the Longy School of Music & New England Conservatory and has given lectures and masterclasses around the world, including at the Curtis Institute, The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Rice University and Oberlin Conservatory, among others.

About Rachel Ehring

Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

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104: Laying Strong Foundations at the Beginning of Your Career with Emma Fernandez Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

It’s easy to think you need decades of experience before you have something meaningful to offer as a piano teacher, but today’s guest proves otherwise. In this episode, I’m chatting with Emma Fernandez, an undergraduate piano major who is already running a thriving studio and building strong professional foundations. We talk about networking, professional organizations, social media growth, and what it looks like to lay intentional groundwork at the very beginning of your career.

Emma shared how she began her piano lessons and discovered her love for music through choir.
She explained how her teaching journey began during her final year of high school.
The importance of pushing past feelings of being “too young” or “not qualified enough”.
Emma described how her studio has grown to nearly 30 students in just three years.
She highlighted the value of surrounding herself with supportive mentors and professors.
She emphasized stepping outside her comfort zone to network and grow professionally.
How attending an MTNA Collegiate Symposium sparked inspiration early on.
The benefits of joining local music teacher organizations were discussed.
How festivals, recitals, and examinations provide growth opportunities for students.
The importance of prioritizing professional opportunities based on goals and finances.
Practical tips for making conferences more affordable.
How attending student events creates natural networking opportunities.
Emma reflected on how consistent posting fueled her rapid Instagram growth.
She emphasized authenticity and not overthinking social media content creation.
She encouraged young teachers to start building experience now rather than waiting for more credentials.

Links Mentioned

Emma's Website:www.efernandezpianostudio.com
Emma's Instagram Page:@emma_fernandez_piano
Emma's Instagram Studio Page:@efernandez_piano_studio
Emma's Facebook Page:Emma Fernandez Piano
Emma's YouTube Page:www.youtube.com/@emmafernandezpiano

Today's Guest

Emma Marie Fernandez is a pianist based in Fort Worth, Texas, where she runs a private piano studio from her home, teaching students of all ages and levels. As a teacher, Emma is passionate about fostering growth and creativity in her studio, and greatly enjoys sharing her love of music with her students, finding it an incredible privilege to have a small part in a student's musical journey. She continually seeks to grow as a musician, and is actively involved in pedagogical research as an undergraduate piano major at Texas Woman's University, where she plans to pursue an M.M. in Piano Pedagogy beginning this fall.

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