Episode109 – Christina Whitlock

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Quick shout-outs of solidarity re: independent music studio life, with me - your “anytime” piano teacher friend. 🎶🤍🎼

☀️ NEW SUMMER SERIES ALERT! ☀️ I am begin

☀️ NEW SUMMER SERIES ALERT! ☀️

I am beginning a week-long sabbatical from all things social media/work… but I also wanted to let you know about something FUN I’ve planned in my stead.

Coming your way Monday morning: the first stop on the Beyond Measure Podcast Summer Bookshelf Tour! 🤩

I get asked about my favorite reads all. the. time.

Truthfully, there is no way I can pick favorites, but I thought I’d spend June/July highlighting some books that I consider to be highly influential in the way I approach my teaching.

Rather than offering a summary you could find anywhere, I’m spending each episode on three key Teacher Takeaways from each book.

First up: the instant-classic, Atomic Habits (which, I realize has been talked about elsewhere 9.2 billion times, but I’m hoping I have something new to bring to your life about it). 😇

This series includes no spoilers, and is written with the intention of providing value for all studio music teachers, whether they have read the featured material or not.

CHEERS TO SUMMER READING, friends! I’ll see you on the airwaves bright and early Monday morning! 🥂

(Leave me some love to come back to after my break 😉)

Hey, teacher friends! 👋🏻 We all know studyi

Hey, teacher friends! 👋🏻

We all know studying music is a long-term game. Always growing, always striving for bigger and better things…

…but stopping to take note of the accomplishments we’ve ALREADY earned?

Well, we’re not so good at that. 🫣

I am on a mission in my studio to make sure my students keep their eye on the (future) prize 🤩, but ALSO acknowledge the musicians they are TODAY.

(Oh yeah, and I’m trying to do the same for myself).

…because ALL OF US - that means you, too - are capable of some pretty amazing things RIGHT THIS MOMENT.

That’s why my studio mantra for the 2022-2023 year was: Celebrate the Musician You Are Today🤩

➡️There’s an episode on Celebrating the Musician You Are Today; it’s episode 23.

➡️More on Studio Mantras can be found in episode 43

I’ve always wondered if I should start a blog…

I’ve always wondered if I should start a blog…

I mean, writing has ALWAYS been my heart; it’s how I process just about a n y t h i n g.

…the podcast came about because I felt like the content NEEDED to be spoken. Since I talk so much about the human condition and the emotional work we do as teachers, I needed my audience to know I was genuine in my tone.

A few weeks ago, I began sending out a new version of my email newsletter, naming it One Thought Thursday… as I seek to bring one useful ponder to your life each week.

(I’ll give you one guess which day that email goes out each week 😉)

After a few weeks of sending these OTT emails, it’s dawned on me: I’m actually writing a blog. It’s just going to your inbox. 🤯

In light of this revelation, I made a quick little link-up on my website, in case you’re curious.

Linked posts include:

🎓 Budget-Friendly Graduation Gifts
✌️ The Case for Enough
👯‍♀️ Who’s in Your Life Right Now?
📌 Are You Being a Good Boss to Yourself?

If you’re interested, simply head to christinawhitlock.com/blog

Be sure and subscribe to make sure One Thought Thursdays land right in your inbox each week!

Cheers to THURSDAYS, friends! 🥂

Summer is a time for investing in what lights us u

Summer is a time for investing in what lights us up….

Right?

If you’re looking for a low-commitment opportunity to further develop your own approach to teaching, I’ve got your back this summer! 👋🏻

Maybe you’re thinking… “gross, Christina…I don’t want any more work this summer…”

But THIS isn’t work. The Studio Foundations Course is an investment in YOURSELF and how you can find even more SATISFACTION and effectiveness in your work.

As far as things that light us up are concerned - TEACHING DOES THAT!

…we all know it’s the people we work with that sometimes drain the joy from the work. And guess what?! They’re not here. 🤣

(Plus; I’m going to help you with them in this course…)

The Studio Foundations Course strips away narratives that have kept you stuck in your work. It empowers you to use what you know to be true, and level up your game from wherever you are.

I’ll be honest: I hate sounding sale-y. I don’t want you to cringe when you see me coming your way. (I mean, THAT’S WHY I’M A PODCASTER. FREE CONTENT!) 🤣

BUT - after many years of working closely with other teachers, I know where the “traps” of the profession are… and I want to help you avoid them (or, in some cases, I want to give you a big boost out of the pit). 🚀

I believe in this material, and I am willing to tread through the uncomfortable sales junk to get it in your hands.

SO!

Who has ONE HOUR/week this summer to work through these self-guided video lessons?

(Don’t worry if you fall behind. You’ll have access to the material for a full calendar year)

The 6-week session begins on June 12th.

I’ll be opening the doors to the private Facebook group soon, so don’t miss out. Register today at christinawhitlock.com/foundations

If you missed the bonus episode of the podcast that launched this morning, you can hear more about the course there.

Cheers, friends!! 🥂

It’s no secret I’m OBSESSED with legacy in our

It’s no secret I’m OBSESSED with legacy in our profession…

My very first episode of the Beyond Measure Podcast focused on the legacies we come from, and those we leave behind. The episode included a reference to Menahem Pressler’s (impressive!) musical genealogy.

As news of Pressler’s death spread in early May, I couldn’t help but think - once again - about this legacy we leave our students.

…Not just those who end up with careers big enough to land on their own musical pedigrees, but ALL of the students whose lives we touch.

What a privilege to hold such influence over so many.

Cheers to you, friends… and a quick BONUS episode today! 🥂

The ultimate challenge of Creative living. 🤍

The ultimate challenge of Creative living. 🤍

🔁 It’s a three-way Podcast takeover! @colou

🔁 It’s a three-way Podcast takeover!

@colourfulkeys @topmusic.co and I decided it would be fun to swap shows for a week… and here we are!

We’re all talking about 3️⃣ things we would change about our work right now if we could…

(and - no surprise - we all came up with VERY different responses!)

All three episodes are guaranteed to get you thinking.

👉🏻 Find ME over on the Integrated Music Teaching podcast with Tim

👉🏻 Find NICOLA on the Beyond Measure Podcast with Me

👉🏻 Find TIM on the Vibrant Music Teaching podcast with Nicola

FUN, right?! Go catch all three of us wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CHEERS, friends! 🥂

Let me explain… As discussed in this week’s e

Let me explain…

As discussed in this week’s episode, there is a famous quote, often (mis?)attributed to Albert Einstein:

Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its entire life believing it is stupid.

To better illustrate my point, I’ve taken the liberty of changing a few words:

Everyone is a musician. But if you judge all pianists by their ability to (fill in the blank with any skill), they will spend their entire life misunderstanding what it means to be a musician.

As we communicate the idea of “progress” with our students (and their parents), let’s be cautious to use more than one or two standards of measure.

Curious for more? Be sure to check out episode 127 of the Beyond Measure Podcast.

🙋🏼‍♀️What’s giving you life right no

🙋🏼‍♀️What’s giving you life right now?

I’m a big fan of the Life Energy List (thanks, @emilypfreeman ). I regularly track the things that bring me life, and - consequently - the things that drain it right out of me.

Lately, a HUGE life-giver to me is working outside. Any writing/emailing/planning/communicating I need to do has been happening on my deck and I just can’t get enough.

Fortunately for me, my teaching hours are pretty much wrapped up and my days have been spent catching up on copious amounts of this kind of work. The weather has been amazing - and it’s just been such a pleasure to my mind, spirit, and body.

GET THEE TO THE OUTDOORS, friends! We musicians tend to spend WAY too much time inside.🤍

(I’m sure this bliss is extra-sweet because my kids finish school this week and I will soon return to a life of full-time refereeing, beverage-fetching, and activity-directing 🙈)

BUT TELL ME: What is life-giving to YOU right now? I need to know! 😂

We think a lot about progress this time of year...

We think a lot about progress this time of year...

I just finished my latest round of student evaluations (and parent meetings, thanks to inspo from @amychaplinpiano !), and it's left me pondering what systems we use to measure progress.

Progress is measured in more than how many multicolor books a student has completed. It's more than how many scales they've learned. It's more than how many practice hours they've logged.

(All those things are healthy CONTRIBUTORS to progress, of course!)

Today I'm curious how YOU note progress in your students. Listen in! 🥂

It’s that time again! ⏰ High school pianists

It’s that time again! ⏰

High school pianists who play at the Intermediate+ level are encouraged to apply for this very-unique opportunity.

Many teachers get a rocky start in this profession and learn everything by trial and error (I know I sure did!).

This 6-week study requires 1-2 hours of work a week for high schoolers, and will equip participants with:

🌟a better understanding of the studio teaching profession, as a whole
🌟effective teaching strategies
🌟basic principles of running a business (at an age-appropriate level)
🌟materials to help them on their journey

Applications are due on Tuesday - May 23rd. Selected participants will be notified by Saturday, May 27th.

Please share with any interested families.

…looking forward to working with some incredible young musicians this summer! 🌟

Say it with me now… You can show compassion to

Say it with me now…

You can show compassion to studio families in p l e n t y of ways that do NOT result in your own financial hardship.

Check out episode 126 for more details. 🥂

How about a little accountability today? 🙃 Wha

How about a little accountability today? 🙃

What is something YOU want to accomplish in the next 7 days?

Tell me here and I’ll circle back next week and see how you’re doing!

Did anyone begin teaching as a teen? 🙋🏼‍♀️

There are quite a few of us who got an early start to this profession and - while I am proud of my initiative - I also know I would have appreciated some structured guidance in those early days. 😅

In my attempt to serve a role I *wish* was there for me 28 years ago, I offer Summer Pedagogy Studies for High School pianists.

High Schoolers (or recent graduates) who play piano at the Intermediate Level or above are welcome to apply for this summer’s program.

The virtual option runs for 6-weeks, and is largely asynchronous. Students receive a video on Monday mornings and have the week to complete the work. Approximate commitment is 1-2 hours/week.

We also meet three times on Zoom during that time period.

To protect the intended care of this program, spots are incredibly limited. The application window closes on Saturday - May 20th.

If you have students who might be interested in dipping their toes in PianoTeacherWorld, please direct them to:

https://christinawhitlock.com/virtualsummer2023/

(I also run an in-person version for anyone more local to me. DM for those details) ☺️

CHEERS to helping future generations have it better! 🥂

Here’s something that bothers me… Studio musi

Here’s something that bothers me…

Studio music teachers often tell me they feel torn between their own financial needs and their desire to show compassion to Studio families.

Friends.

There are MANY ways to show compassion that are not going to have a negative impact on your income.

For instance: I roll my eyes every time a teacher says no-makeup policy means you are not a compassionate teacher.🙄

Showing your students and their families compassion comes in many forms. Sometimes that CAN involve money, but it does not have to.

Listen in to episode 126 for more on mixing Business with Compassion.

Cheers to Monday, my friends! 🥂

Rarely will any advice I offer in a lesson be more

Rarely will any advice I offer in a lesson be more helpful than teaching a student to connect with music in times of trouble. 🤍

🛑 Stop Talking 🟢 Start Playing This is pr

🛑 Stop Talking
🟢 Start Playing

This is pretty solid advice for teachers in a multitude of sticky situations.

As I discussed in this week’s episode (no. 125), oftentimes the best thing we can do for a struggling student is to give them a moment to speak some words, but then get them PLAYING.

Also:

Have a student who is being disrespectful? Get them playing.

A student who is full of excuses?
Get them playing.

A student who’s trying to avoid the task at hand?
Don’t fall for it: get them playing!

THAT SAID: I am ALL FOR the importance of conversation in the lesson (casual and otherwise)… see episodes 32, 74, and 83…

…but for those of us who fall easily into the over-explaining/over-processing category 🙋🏼‍♀️, I think it’s incredibly wise to remember: when in doubt, PLAY THE INSTRUMENT.

🥂

Do you ever feel more like a therapist than a teac

Do you ever feel more like a therapist than a teacher?

Of course you do. We’ve all joked about it… but it’s REALLY important to recognize we are not, indeed, counselors.

Today’s episode offers the reminder that we ARE uniquely-equipped to offer our students something others cannot: developing a relationship with their instrument that will see them through the trials of life. 🤍

I think this is a special one, friends. Please share with someone who could use this reminder today. 🥂

Studio music teachers often get left out of Teache

Studio music teachers often get left out of Teacher Appreciation festivities…

…but NOT AROUND HERE! 🤍

I’m on a mission to make sure ALL educators feel the love this week, as it’s Teacher Appreciation Week in the US!

Stay tuned for more encouragement, acknowledging all the good you bring the world around you.

PS: I’ve re-opened/re-named my private Facebook Group for this week. Search up “Teacher Friends of the Beyond Measure Podcast” if you want an extra boost of solidarity this week! 🥳

I define TeacherMagic as this: The ability to su

I define TeacherMagic as this:

The ability to summon consistently positive energy and endless confidence in your students’ abilities.

To view each student as capable of more than they could ever imagine.

Connections forged instantly, forever.

I talked a lot about TeacherMagic in Episode 124 this week. It’s something to be protected and examined.

YOU are TeacherMagic, my friend. Even if it feels like the sparkle is waning this time of year, take heart.

It’s still there. ❤️‍🩹

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