Discover practical teaching solutions that remove barriers, inspire growth, and help every student rise.
Grab early-bird registration with convenient payment plans before it expires on
July 6, 2026
Schedule
Wednesday, July 29th
“The Pedals’ Role in Artistic Performance”
Is the damper pedal really the soul of the piano? “It can be,” says Scott McBride Smith. “But I hear far too many young pianists swamping their performance with pedal like pouring ketchup over French fries—thick and heavy.” Join Scott for a fun and creative session that will have your students using all three pedals like pros. Effective teaching tips will be given for all levels.
“Start Strong: Teaching Reading, Technique & Musicality from Day One”
As teachers, we want that meeting with our students on “Day One” to set the stage for a musical adventure at the piano. During this session, we will explore methods and materials for teachers to use that help guide beginning students in acquiring the comfort and skills needed to integrate technique, reading and musicality.
Thursday, July 30th
“Notion: The ‘Everything App’ You Didn't Know You Needed”
Feeling scattered across too many apps and systems? Notion, an incredibly flexible "everything app," helps centralize notes, tasks, plans, and workflows in one digital hub. This session will explore practical ways music professionals can use this free tool to organize lesson inquiries, maintain repertoire lists, plan studio events, manage registrations, coordinate travel, and more—bringing greater simplicity, clarity, and organization to everyday life.
“Canva for Piano Teachers”
Canva, a free and beginner-friendly design platform, offers piano teachers an accessible way to create consistent, professional studio materials, worksheets, social media graphics, and more—all from one intuitive creative workspace. This session explores design fundamentals, organizational strategies, and time-saving tools to simplify the creation of recital programs, practice charts, and certificates.
Friday, July 31st
“Effective Communication: The Key to Successful Learning”
The student, teacher, and parent can form a magic triangle, so long as they feel comfortable and are willing to be open with each other. It takes courage to be honest, but better communication equals better learning. We will explore why it is important to identify each student's learning style, and how that information can help you guide them to equally integrate their eye, ear, body, and mind in the musical process. Special emphasis will be placed on how best to work with adult students in a productive and enjoyable way. Tips will be shared on how to successfully bridge the gap between the conceptual and the musical for all students, as well as demonstrating how effective communication is a key component for successful learning.
“Practice with Purpose, Play with Expression”
Have you ever struggled to guide a student to perform with artistic refinement? One way to address common teaching hurdles is to identify physical gestures that effectively convey musical intent, as related to details in the score. How can teachers and students identify which gestures that bring the sounds and characters to life? The goal of this session is to provide teachers with practical examples for practicing more effectively and artistically, laying the groundwork for effective practice habits and thoughtful, polished performances. Selected excerpts from beginner to late intermediate repertoire will demonstrate various “tools” for teachers to take to lessons with their students.
Presenters
Amy Chaplin shares practical, sustainable rhythms for teacher life through her Piano Pantry blog, podcast, and digital organization coaching. Passionate about helping studio teachers simplify systems, strengthen business practices, and build fulfilling careers, she offers encouragement and actionable ideas rooted in real-life experience. Amy holds a master's degree in piano pedagogy and runs an independent piano studio in Northeast Indiana, where she continues to teach, create, and refine the systems and strategies she shares with others.
Phyllis Alpert Lehrer is known internationally as teacher, performer, clinician, author and adjudicator. She has enjoyed an active career as a soloist and collaborative artist and lecturer in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. Ms. Lehrer is Professor Emerita of Westminster Choir College of Rider University. A member of the artist faculty of the Westminster Conservatory, she is also senior advisor at the New School for Music Study and a trustee of the Frances Clark Center. Recent publications include Classics for the Developing Pianist, co-edited with Ingrid Clarfield, Debussy: An Album, and Personal Trainer, co-edited with Paul Sheftel.
Catharine Lysinger, DMA, NCTM, is Professor of Practice in applied piano and piano pedagogy at Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts where she is Chair of Piano Studies. A frequent performer, lecturer, and adjudicator, she has been teaching pre-college and college level students for a combined 35 years, the last 21 years at SMU. As a graduate student, she was awarded first prize in the MTNA Collegiate Young Artist Competition and was later awarded Outstanding Pre-Collegiate Teaching Achievement by her colleagues in Texas MTA. Lysinger is Director-Elect of the South Central Division of MTNA and serves on the faculty of the Mosaic Music Festival in Pesaro, Italy.
Joy Morin is a pianist, composer, and piano pedagogue — and the writer behind ColorInMyPiano.com, a blog for piano teachers. She teaches at her independent piano studio near Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a scholarly focus on piano pedagogy and music learning theory, particularly the research of Edwin E. Gordon. A frequent presenter at national and state conferences, her writing has appeared in Piano Magazine, Clavier Companion, and American Music Teacher. As a composer, she publishes with Alfred Music and at keysatplay.com. Joy holds a Master of Music degree from Central Michigan University.
An accomplished pianist, clinician and teacher, Mona Rejino is co-author of the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library and Adult Piano Method. Her numerous published works in the Hal Leonard Piano catalogue include solos, collections of original compositions, arrangements, chamber music, and Essential Elements Piano Theory. She was commissioned by MTNA to write a trio for the 2019 National Conference and was named the 2021 TMTA Commissioned Composer. Mona was on the piano faculty at the Hockaday School in Dallas from 2000-2023 and she continues to teach in her home studio.
Scott McBride Smith is a recognized leader in worldwide music education and one of the foremost global experts in the field of piano pedagogy. As President of the International Piano Professionals Association, he focuses on international issues of teacher training and piano pedagogy. As Artistic Director of the Conero International Piano Festival (Italy), he guides the preparation of young artists from around the world. Dr. Smith is co-author of the university-level piano pedagogy text The Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher, the groundbreaking educational series American Popular Piano and Contributing Editor to Piano Magazine. He is a teacher of prizewinning students and chamber groups.
Leila Viss helps pianists and piano teachers move beyond the page by turning creativity into a practical, teachable skill. Through imaginative resources, engaging presentations, and her Space to Create community, she empowers musicians to improvise, compose, arrange, and discover their unique musical voice. A longtime church musician and independent teacher in Colorado, Leila believes creativity is not a gift reserved for a few but a skill that can be cultivated through curiosity, confidence, and connection. She is the co-author of Found in the Wake, a memoir of loss and resilience, and has been recognized nationally for her contributions to music education.
Your Host
Elizabeth Gutierrez, NCTM, founded Piano Camp for Piano Teachers in 2009 as an extension of her instructional blog of the same name. What began as an in-person workshop evolved in 2016 into a biennial virtual conference serving piano teachers worldwide. A sought-after presenter, Elizabeth has led workshops and master classes for independent piano teachers across the globe through live events, her popular Webinar Workshops series, and as a national clinician for Faber Piano Adventures. Since 2016, she has supported teachers through online courses, tutorials, and webinars at Piano Teacher Academy, and now offers a growing library of downloadable sheet music, teaching resources, and study tools through Piano Passport (pianopassport.com). Through all her work, Elizabeth is dedicated to equipping teachers with practical, creative teaching strategies while fostering commmunity among piano teachers worldwide.
How can I help students practice with greater purpose, take ownership of their learning, and make faster progress between lessons?
What teaching strategies can help students move beyond simply playing notes to performing with confidence, imagination, and artistic expression?
How can I save time, stay organized, and create polished studio materials without adding more work to my schedule?
This summit of webinars will address these questions and more!
What teachers are saying
After attending previous conferences presented by Elizabeth and top-notch clinicians, I am very excited about this summer's conference! I've always found the sessions 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
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
It's always fun to attend and gets me excited for fall lessons. I always come away with something new!
- Deidre Savino, New York
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 info@pianoteachercamp.com. 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.
Whom do I contact with additional questions?
Contact James, PCPT Coordinator, with any questions at info@pianoteachercamp.com
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.