Explore new avenues of music study to inspire and captivate your students!
Grab early-bird registration with convenient payment plans before it expires on
June 1, 2024.
Response from a previous attendee....
After attending the conferences in 2018, 2020, and 2022 presented by Elizabeth and top-notch clinicians, I am very excited to attend this year's conference! I found the lectures to be invigorating and practical. The take home information was quickly integrated into my teaching. It truly helped me breathe new life into my teaching and studio."
Elizabeth Korger
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Schedule
Thursday, June 27th
“The Case of the Potential Drop-out: What To Do When The Magic Stops”
There are numerous reasons why great numbers of students stop their lessons in the early years of instruction. We cannot change many of the familial and societal situations behind those decisions, but we can rethink ways in which our instruction captivates the student to such a degree that they will only wish to continue this exciting discovery: playing the piano.
“How to Prep the Worship Pianist”
Many pianists find themselves playing for church services and discover that it demands a unique skill set. This session describes the required skills and shows how to prepare for the worship piano and even the organ bench. Topics include the basic theory requirements, where to find accessible sacred sheet music, sight reading tips, how to navigate chord charts, and essential apps for the church musician.
Friday, June 28th
“Ready, Set, Compose!”
This interactive workshop will give participants opportunities to stretch their own creative boundaries through various composition starters and other activities. Topics will focus on various musical elements (rhythm, harmony, melody, etc.) that can be used as starting points for the music creation process, necessary tools and strategies, and ideas about developing themes into larger musical structures. Make sure to bring a pencil!
“Scaling the Chords”
One of the biggest challenges beginning improvisers face is understanding how keys, scales and harmony interrelate. Through live demonstration and written music examples, jazz pianist and educator Bradley Sowash shows us how to creatively teach these elements to late elementary through advanced students with the goal of moving from music theory worksheets to practically utilizing 'chord fluency' in generative music making activities.
Saturday, June 29th
“Preparing Your Students to Be Ensemble Pianists”
At some point our students might be asked to play piano with the school chorus (or be the rehearsal accompanist!). They might even be begged to play vocal or instrumental accompaniments for middle and high school soloists who desperately need a pianist for their school competitions. Jumping into the role of an ensemble pianist requires specific skill development and this session will cover a comprehensive approach teachers can take to prepare their students. Topics include technical background, theory and keyboard harmony understanding, knowledge of styles, and of course, sight reading!
“Passing the Torch: My Journey Teaching Pedagogy Classes for High Schoolers”
Ready or not, here they come! Ambitious high school pianists often find themselves agreeing to give lessons before they understand the true depth of the task; presenting a unique opportunity for us to mentor the newest teachers on the block. While sharing stories of her own experience, including leading a successful series of "Piano Pedagogy Courses for High Schoolers” in-person and online, Christina Whitlock will provide attendees with the ultimate list of do’s (and don’ts!) of starting your own mentoring program for budding piano teachers.
Presenters
Jean Barr is Professor Emerita of Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at the Eastman School of Music, where she founded the collaborative piano degree programs in 1988. She has performed throughout the world and has collaborated in concert with many distinguished artists, including Pierre Fournier and Mstislav Rostropovich. At the outset of her career she was accompanist for the master classes of Jascha Heifetz, Gregor Piatigorsky, William Primrose and Martial Singher. The first keyboard artist in the United States to earn a doctoral degree in accompanying, she studied with Gwendolyn Koldofsky at the University of Southern California, where she later joined the faculty. Considered by many to be a pioneer in the field, Jean Barr has sought to develop a broad understanding of and appreciation for the collaborative arts by creating and directing graduate degree programs at a number of prestigious universities. She also worked closely with the Music Teachers National Association and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy to establish a presence for collaborative artists within those organizations.
Marvin Blickenstaff is known among piano teachers throughout the country for his teaching, lecturing, performing, and publishing. Currently he maintains a private studio in the Philadelphia area and teaches piano at The New School for Music Study in Princeton. Blickenstaff is the former Board President of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy and is on the Executive Planning Committee of the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. In 2007 the online journal Piano Pedagogy Forum published tributes to Blickenstaff honoring his contribution to piano teaching in America. Also in 2007 he was named Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He was honored in 2009 with MTNA’s highest award, the MTNA Achievement Award, and was selected in 2013 by the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy for its Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into Steinway & Sons’ Teacher Hall of Fame in 2019, and in 2023 the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue.
Elizabeth Gutierrez, Founder and CEO of pianoteacheracademy.com, enjoys a diverse career as a performer, pedagogue, teacher, editor, composer, and educational consultant. She previously taught on the faculties at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and The University of Texas at San Antonio and also served as a piano editor for major music publishers. She is a national clinician for Faber Piano Adventures and gives numerous workshops and master classes to independent teachers around the globe. Her energies are focused on training piano teachers worldwide with targeted online tutorials and self-study courses at the Piano Teacher Academy.
Kevin Olson is an active pianist, composer, and professor of piano at Utah State University, where he coordinates the keyboard studies program and oversees the USU Youth Conservatory, which provides weekly piano instruction to over 150 pre-college community students. Dr. Olson maintains a large piano studio, teaching students of a variety of ages and abilities. Many of the needs of his own piano students have inspired over 200 published books and solos, written in a variety of levels and styles. For more information, visit kevinolsonmusic.com
Bradley Sowash is a jazz pianist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator specializing in improvisation. After many years as a performing and recording artist, he turned his attention to introducing traditionally trained pianists to the joys of musical creativity in live online classes, at teacher conferences, and through his widely acclaimed books published by Kjos Music. When he's not creating resources for music teachers, you'll find him on his tractor or horse in the Appalachian foothills of his family farm in southern Ohio. Learn more at BradleySowash.com.
Leila Viss generates creative-based resources for her Denver studio and LeilaViss.com. She is the past coordinator of the University of Denver's Piano Preparatory Program and has held 88 Creative Keys events with Bradley Sowash for six years. Leila is an organist and pianist and arranges and composes in her spare time. She serves on the American Music Teachers Magazine editorial committee, is published in most music industry magazines, and is in frequent demand for speaking engagements. Leila offers Composiums where she inspires pianists to nurture their creative voice through composition. Viss is Colorado's 2024 MTNA Foundation Fellow. She lives with her husband, Chuck, and enjoys hanging with their three grown sons, significant others, and precious granddaughter.
Christina Whitlock, MM, NCTM, is a self-appointed friend and philosopher to the piano teaching profession. With 28+ years of private and group teaching experience, Christina is an enthusiastic advocate for building symbiotic studio relationships and community amongst her colleagues. Named 2022 Teacher of the Year by the Indiana MTA, Christina balances a bustling home studio with an ever-expanding collection of offerings for teachers. Her weekly podcast, Beyond Measure, is especially popular amongst studio teachers of all instruments and voice types. More information on Christina’s unique services can be found at ChristinaWhitlock.com.
Your Host
Founder ELIZABETH GUTIERREZ began Piano Camp for Piano Teachers in 2009 as an extension of the instructional blog of the same name - pianoteachercamp.com. In 2016 it evolved into a biennial virtual conference serving piano teachers worldwide. Elizabeth has years of experience teaching piano, piano pedagogy, and piano literature to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has given numerous workshops and master classes to working independent teachers around the globe both in person, through her popular webinar series Webinar Workshops, and also as a national clinician for Faber Piano Adventures. For her workshops and online courses, she draws on her extensive background as an independent teacher, professor, performer, and composer/editor/author.
How can we continually awaken curiosity in our students and revive any waning interest?
How do I help my students develop new creative skills even if I don't excel in those areas?
What if a student wants to become a church musician someday?
This summit of webinars will address these questions and more!
What teachers are saying
Watching this conference (2017 PCPT) right now on replay and finding so many teaching tips. A true gold mine of piano pedagogy wisdom. Such well spent money and time. The info is multi-level and plentiful - am going to have to write notes upon notes!"
- Sarah Arnold, Brussels, Belgium
"Thank you SO much for offering the 2018 piano camp on practice. Absolutely wonderful! All of the teachers were great and helpful in different areas. Bravo! I hope you offer the camp again!
- Carol Kandoll, Petersburg, Alaska
Thank you Elizabeth for another wonderful Piano Camp for Piano Teachers. I'm especially excited that I will be able to watch the videos over the next year. You're a huge blessing to the piano community."
- Ginny Godsey, San Antonio, Texas
Make time to experience the joy of connecting and learning with a global community of like-minded teachers. We provide a space to share ideas and inspiration to keep each other motivated and our community thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a piano teacher to join these sessions?
Certainly not. While the majority of the sessions may pertain mostly to independent teachers who teach piano, some of the presentations would be beneficial for pianists who do not teach.
Am I required to attend the LIVE webinar sessions in order to receive the replays?
You will receive the video replays regardless if you attend the LIVE sessions or not. However, if you attend a LIVE session you'll have the opportunity for exchange with the presenter and other participants. Plus....you'll be eligible for any special bonuses offered to live attendees. We'll be sure to reserve a few for replay viewers as well.
How long will I have access to the video sessions?
When you purchase you may view the 6 sessions at your leisure as many times as you like using your login information. Presenter handouts will be available for download.
How do I log in to the sessions? And what if I forget my log-in information?
You will use the username/password that you create when you make your purchase. Should you forget that combination, please email us at [email protected]. We will then send you a new password which you may re-set later.
What if I change my mind? Can I receive a refund?
Due to the digital nature of this product, refunds are not available. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase, we'd love the opportunity to talk it through. Please send a message to [email protected] after the Conference concludes and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Whom do I contact with additional questions?
Contact James, PCPT Coordinator, with any questions at [email protected]
Approximately how many hours of video are included in this conference?
The conference consists of 6 lectures with approx. 8 hours of video instruction total.