I hit a BIG piano teacher milestone last weekend...

I played a wedding for a longtime student, and it was precious beyond words.

When I arrived to the rehearsal on Friday evening, I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm from everyone in the groom's family: the three siblings I taught for 13+ years, their parents, and their grandparents.

Someone in the bridal party looked at me and said, "Are you some kind of celebrity or something?"

I smiled and said, "Nope. I'm the family piano teacher."

I may have tried to downplay it, but I'll be honest: I felt like an A-lister for sure.

This is a particularly musical family. I'm sure the kids would have found music and flourished in it without me. But, when the groom surprised his bride with a song he wrote for her in lieu of spoken vows... taking his place at the piano and bringing THE ENTIRE SANCTUARY to tears, I couldn't help but feel a great sense of personal accomplishment. Look what I helped do!

The teacher life brings blessings upon blessings, friends.

I'm sharing this story for two reasons. First, I just knew you would appreciate this moment in a way others can't.

Second - and more importantly - I want you to remember THIS is the goal. The relationship I have with this family is exactly what I'm aiming for with all studio members: Symbiotic relationships; beneficial for all parties involved.

As mentioned, I taught members of this family for more than 13 consecutive years. I love these kids and their parents with my whole heart. We've always been mutually appreciative of one another, but don't think there hasn't been conflict.

This is a family that some teachers would argue, "should know better". They often prioritized sports over piano. They missed more recitals than they attended. The kids were ulta-musical, but also overscheduled and did not prepare consistently-enough to achieve what my piano teacher self hoped for them in the end.

There were some tense conversations about money over the years. I often worried whether or not the parents thought I was good enough for their children.

(granted, that last one was entirely in my own head; perhaps you can relate?)

But - in the end - here's the thing: I always assumed the best intentions. I tried to take every opportunity to communicate the respect and admiration I had for their family, for a host of (well-deserved) reasons.

Parenting is HARD. Schedules are HARD. Budgeting is HARD.

It's challenging NOT to take things personally when you feel like your perspective is being overlooked. But keeping the humanity of your studio families top of mind WILL help you forge beautiful, borderline-celebratory status relationships.

The things we know our students to be capable of are not necessarily the things they are going to feel compelled to achieve. The musical experience we dream up for them is merely a suggested path. Ultimately, students will decide for themselves how they're using these skillsets you've given them.

So...did this young man once raise his piano teacher's blood pressure by giving a largely-improvised performance of Suite Bergamasque because he attempted to memorize it in 48 hours? Yes, he did.

But... did he also bring an entire crowd to tears, singing an original song from the piano to his new bride? Yes, he did that, too.

And - despite a few awkward conversations years ago - did his family make me feel like Taylor Swift taking stage at the Eras Tour when I walked in that church Friday night? Well, maybe that's an exaggeration...😉

...But I sure did feel loved, honored, and appreciated. What a gift.

May you keep humanity first in your studio, friends. Cheers to THAT. 🥂

NOW - click REPLY and tell me about a fun Teacher Milestone YOU have achieved!

Thanks for reading, teacher friends! 👏

Other Ways I Can Help You:

Can't-Live-Without Repertoire: I was a guest on the Dynamic Piano Teaching Podcast this week, talking about SUPPLEMENTAL REPERTOIRE! My favorite thing! I mentioned Mary Leaf as being a fail-proof composer for me. Night Songs is a collection of two pre-reading pieces, available for digital download. The teacher duets are beautiful and not-to-be-missed. Get Yours Here

A Favorite Thing I don't have it yet: but I will! ​ I've done the research. This is THE hydraulic piano bench to get. I promise to try not to be jealous if you get yours before I get mine. 🙃 Find it on my Favorites List

Support the Podcast on Patreon! For $3 or $6 a month, you can help me prioritize making this content. There are also some pretty great benefits of membership to say thanks. Join the Patreon Community

On the Podcast The Summer Bookshelf Tour continued this week, with our sixth stop: Burnout, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. Other Summer Bookshelf Tour recs are available on my Favorites page. Listen In for my Three Takeaways

Studio Foundations: 6-week session We'll be starting up a new 6-week session of the Studio Foundations Course in September. If you want to get started early, jump on in! Set yourself up for your most satisfying - and effective - teaching year yet! Check it out!

Piano Pedagogy for High Schoolers I'm considering running the online version of my 6-week pedagogy course this fall. If you have high school students who play at the intermediate level or above and are interested in piano teaching, please have them sign up at this link to receive more information. High School Pedagogy Course

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Hit that REPLY Button and talk to me about music teacher milestones!

Cheers to believing the best. Always. 🥂

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