episode134 – Christina Whitlock

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🎙️ Beyond Measure Podcast
🙋🏼‍♀️ Friend+Philosopher to the Piano Teaching Profession
🎶 Nurturing others to a lifelong love of music teaching

Did you know… I’ve been quietly building a b

Did you know…

I’ve been quietly building a blog over the last year 👩‍💻

Most posts are from my One Thought Thursday e-letter, but there are some additional articles there as well.

These writings are separate from the podcast. I hear from teachers EVERY week how much value this series brings to their studio lives.

If you’re in the mood to do some reading (and some thinking!) head to ChristinaWhitlock.com/blog and check it out!

Cheers to professional development on your own time! 🥂

File this under “things we know, but forget to d

File this under “things we know, but forget to do…”

Episode 165 tells a story of a student habit I recently failed to catch (until her performance🤦🏼‍♀️) largely because I had neglected the importance of changing my perspective - literally - during her lessons.

…so, teacher friends, consider this YOUR reminder to change your location from time to time.

If you typically stand 🙋🏼‍♀️, watch students play while seated…

If you are usually to their right 🙋🏼‍♀️, move to their left…

Observe from behind, from further away, and on video.

All of these perspective changes afford you a different view; which can be surprisingly informative.

Check out ChristinaWhitlock/Episode165 to hear the full story.

Is this something YOU do on the regular? Tell me in the comments below! 🥂

We don’t have to do this work alone 🤍 My pub

We don’t have to do this work alone 🤍

My public school teacher friends always tell me they could not do their job without the support and inspiration from their colleagues.

…Even something as simple as being able to exchange knowing looks at someone you pass in the hallway is a source of comfort.

Most studio teachers do not get that experience. 👎🏻

That’s exactly why I host TTT once a month. It’s the perfect combination of camaraderie AND learning together.

I’ve come to depend on these monthly meetings to keep the wind in my teacher sails, and I know others have, too.

Here’s the best news: you can get in on the action! Simply join the Patreon Community for $6 and come check it out for yourself.

(Replays are always available for those who cannot make it live).

Oh - and speaking of replays - once you join for $6, you get access to ALL the TTT archives. That’s a lot of benefit for a few dollars, friends. 🤍

Check it all out at ChristinaWhitlock.com/patreon

Have you ever been SO focused on details, you miss

Have you ever been SO focused on details, you missed something basic?

In Episode 165, I’m sharing a recent story of missing something that should have been obvious while preparing a student for performance.

Since so many of us are in the throes of preparing for studio events, I thought I would share THREE important ways to change perspective in lessons leading up to performances.

It’s an ultra-practical one today, friends. Don’t miss it! 🥂

Find a transcript, related links, and more at ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode165.

A QUESTION FOR YOU: Do you believe in the missio

A QUESTION FOR YOU:

Do you believe in the mission of the Beyond Measure Podcast?

Everything I do in this space is designed to support teachers as we nurture lifelong lovers and appreciators of music. 🎶

I aim to shine a light on the emotional intelligence necessary to do work like ours….

…to prioritize the student-teacher relationship above all things…

…and to do so in a spirit of humility, experience, and mutual respect.

If you appreciate the work I do through the podcast (and beyond), I’d like to invite you to support my work for as little as $3 through the Patreon Community.

My Patreon Crew has proven to be one of best surprises of my career. We have such a good thing going. 🤍

…and we have room for more.

If you’re anything like me, this is a time of year where you start envisioning what we want life to look like next fall.

We reevaluate all the things that take our attention, right?

Well, friends, to determine future directions of the podcast, I really need to know who is “with me”.

The more listeners/readers/followers who support for $3 or $6 through Patreon, the more priority I can assign to this work.

…and I do my best to make it worth your while! 🤓

So, in the spirit of Episode 163 (Cheers to Spending Like an Artist), if you see importance in the work I do, please consider coming alongside me in this work.

Christinawhitlock.com/patreon

(PS: thanks for allowing me be somewhat salesy; it’s not my favorite 😘.) LET’S DO THIS THING TOGETHER!

FIXED IT! 🤓 This week I released episode 164;

FIXED IT! 🤓

This week I released episode 164; a glimpse into the REAL reason students don’t practice (and, ultimately, give up their instruments).

These three negative emotions - Confusion, Intimidation, and Embarrassment - are at the heart of all student struggles.

(TBH, we avoid them, too🤷🏼‍♀️)

None of us intentionally allow these elements in our instruction, but I promise; they creep in.

Check out ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode164 for all the details. 🥂

What if you’re NOT, actually, behind? Have you

What if you’re NOT, actually, behind?

Have you ever stopped to think about HOW MUCH of MusicTeacherLife is focused on “improvements”?

We are wired to scrutinize progress over 30/45/60 minute lessons, 7 day practice weeks, etc.

…it’s inevitable this fixation on improvement seeps into our approach to life, in general.🤨

Today, I’m wondering what it would be like to acknowledge my desire for growth, WITHOUT it stemming from feelings of inadequacy.

This is the thought I’m pondering in today’s One Thought Thursday. If you’re not subscribed to the e-letter, head to ChristinaWhitlock.com/blog (or DM me for the link!) to read more.

Cheers to EXHALING, my friends! 🥂

Understanding ➡️ Passion ➡️ Growth As mat

Understanding ➡️ Passion ➡️ Growth

As mathematician Larry Martinek once wrote: “With understanding comes passion, and with passion comes growth”.

Growth, friends, is the name of the game. We want students to continue growing, just as we want to continue growing ourselves.

It’s just such a pleasure to be along for the ride with you.🥂

Visit ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode164 for more encouragement

We are the ones who made it. We are the music st

We are the ones who made it.

We are the music students who pushed through all the uncomfortable feelings and played anyway.

We are the ones who continue to put ourselves in vulnerable positions, despite nerves and fear.

We can’t expect ALL of our students to do what we did.

If we *truly* care about creating studios full of lifelong musicians, we have to approach our teaching differently.

We must think about all those who stop short of our own journey.

How do we save these students?

I’ve made it my mission to figure that out. Episode 164 is a good start.

Check it out (and share it with your teacher friends!) at ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode164

Cheers to making the world a better place, friends! 🥂

The REAL reason students don’t practice… As

The REAL reason students don’t practice…

As teachers, we blame lots of things: busy schedules, parenting styles, the solitary nature of learning an instrument, society’s obsession with instant gratification…

…but today, I propose the REAL struggle often boils down to one or more of these emotions:

- Confusion
- Intimidation
- Embarrassment

Episode 164 is inspired by a well-known quote by mathematician, Larry Martinek, who once wrote, “Children do not hate math. They hate being confused, intimidated, and embarrassed by math.”

Recognizing the strong influence of these emotions is ESSENTIAL to keeping students at their instruments.

I hope you’ll check this one out, and I hope you’ll share it with *your* teacher friends. I am convinced this is THE MESSAGE our profession needs to hear this week.

Check out all the details at ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode164

YOWCH! This one stings, I know… This week’s

YOWCH! This one stings, I know…

This week’s episode included a cautionary tale to PianoTeacherWorld:

We get spoiled by the generosity of free offerings by our colleagues, and it can make us reluctant to spend money…even when it’s well worth it.

On the flip-side, sometimes we collect SO much free “stuff”, we end up overwhelmed and don’t use any of it.

I’ve come to believe this: if it’s worth using, it’s worth paying for.

Remembering this mantra has helped me joyfully support my Creator colleagues AND kept me from collecting files, etc. I don’t need.

It’s a win-win for me, and I hope you’ll give it some consideration this week.

Check out ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode163 for a full transcript, links, and more. 🥂

“Ideal clients” are great and all… …but,

“Ideal clients” are great and all…

…but, at the end of the day, the ticket to REAL satisfaction in teaching is to approach every student as brilliant and full of infinite creative potential.

It may sound too good to be true, but I’m here to tell you: it works 98.72% of the time. 😉

(After all, nothing is ever guaranteed in teaching…)

Two summers ago I released an episode of 40 lessons learned in teaching… and this remains one of my very favorites.

Check out episode 81 if you’re interested in the other 39!

HOW DO ARTISTS SPEND THEIR MONEY? Answer: Very C

HOW DO ARTISTS SPEND THEIR MONEY?

Answer: Very Carefully. 🤣

But seriously… today’s episode is inspired by the fact that we all make financial decisions based on what matters most to us.

It’s easy for frugal music teachers (ahem!🙋🏼‍♀️) to fall into the trap of wanting everything for a steep discount (or, for free)… but as Artists Who Support Artists, it’s important to remember it is GOOD and RIGHT to support fellow Creatives when the opportunity avails itself.

Check out my musings at ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode163

Thanks, friends!

We’re talking MONEY 💰in tomorrow’s episode…

I wanted to prime the pump by offering this reminder from Episode 126: COMPASSION and FINANCIAL SACRIFICE are not the same thing.

They *can* be related in proper circumstances, but the idea that teachers should compromise their own security at the slightest inconvenience of a client really gets me worked up. 😅

Be ready for tomorrow’s episode by catching my Encore Replay of Episode 126: Cheers to Mixing Business with Compassion.

Transcript and more at ChristinaWhitlock.com/replay126🥂

Hello and Goodbye: the Art of Building Relationshi

Hello and Goodbye: the Art of Building Relationships at the Start and Finish

I had such a great time presenting for the (incredible!) Central East District of OhioMTA this morning. Thanks to @suzannenewcomb for the invitation.

As much as I love being in person with fellow teachers, the ability to accept speaking invitations all over the world (sandwiched between lesson blocks!) brings a wealth of possibilities I am grateful for. 🤍

If you have a local/state organization and are booking speakers for the 2024-2025 year, I’d love for you to check out ChristinaWhitlock.com/speaking for current sessions.

🥂 cheers to growing and learning together in the coming year, friends!

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 financial hardship for you.

Check out ChristinaWhitlock.com/replay126 for more. 🥂

Compassion ≠ Financial Compromise Sure, there

Compassion ≠ Financial Compromise

Sure, there are times when it *can* have financial implications, but today I’m offering a 15-minute reminder that being a COMPASSIONATE teacher does not have to threaten your financial stability.

As I prepare to release a money-related episode next week, I felt a compelling need to share this episode with you again.

There are many ways to show compassion that do NOT involve financial compromise.

Check out all the details (including a written transcript) at ChristinaWhitlock.com/replay126.

Cheers to Monday, friends! 🥂

Tale as old as time… We think our businesses wi

Tale as old as time…

We think our businesses will thrive when we bend over backwards for those we serve, when really, that just leads to resentment and burnout.

If you want a few good listens this weekend, check out the podcast archives: specially episodes 53 and 126.

Both are linked at ChristinaWhitlock.com/episode126. 🥂

Calling all Teacher Friends! 📣 Could you use s

Calling all Teacher Friends! 📣

Could you use some camaraderie + problem-solving + new tricks for your Teacher Toolbox?

If you have the 11am (eastern) hour free on FRIDAY, 03.29, I hope you’ll join us for a very special TTT. 🤓

And even if you aren’t free… I have it on good authority our replays are a great watch!

Get access to all 13 (and counting) of these sessions when you join the “Let’s Party” tier of my Patreon Community for just $6.

Come be part of the best Teacher Chat this side of the internet! 🥂

We cover THE BEST TOPICS in Teachers Teaching Teac

We cover THE BEST TOPICS in Teachers Teaching Teachers! 🔥

TTT is a monthly bonus for members in the “Let’s Party” tier of my Patreon Community.

We problem-solve student concerns as a group for the first half of the hour, and then we dive into a specific piece of supplemental repertoire and sharpen our TeacherSkills together.

Up this week? The Rite of Fall by Wendy Stevens @composecreate .

SO: if you are part of the Patreon community, I’ll see you FRIDAY!

If you’re not, $6 buys your admission (as well as the replay, if you can’t be there live).

…PS: you’ll also get access to the TTT archives; which is a treasure trove of goodness! 😍

See you FRIDAY, friends! I am counting the seconds. 🥂

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