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Beyond Measure Podcast

The Beyond Measure Podcast – with Christina Whitlock – is one of the friendliest spaces on the airwaves.

Studio music teachers of all instruments and voice types are welcome here:

where your experience is valued and your time is respected.

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your self-appointed “Anytime” Piano Teacher Friend

when you need to talk to someone who KNOWS.

"I love listening to this podcast while I am walking or cooking. Short, to the point, and encouraging - you don't want to miss an episode!

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188: Cheers to Avoiding Common Teacher Oversights
188: Cheers to Avoiding Common Teacher ...
Today, I'm offering a kind reminder to avoid some of the most common teacher pitfalls. ​ Check out today&...
00:18:21
September 30, 2024
187: Cheers to Fostering REAL Parental Investment in Lessons
187: Cheers to Fostering REAL Parental ...
When parents think about investing in their child's musical education, they can't help but focus on the fi...
00:17:16
September 23, 2024
186: Cheers to What's Working In This Season (Round 3)
186: Cheers to What's Working In This S...
Today's episode re-visits a question I first pondered in Episode 157 (then again in Episode 170): What IS Wor...
00:20:27
September 16, 2024
185: Cheers to Lessons in Lego for Piano Teachers
185: Cheers to Lessons in Lego for Pian...
Today we're making a distinction between teaching *our instrument* and teaching *the repertoire*...all framed ...
00:16:42
September 09, 2024
184: Cheers to Not Teaching in a Vacuum
184: Cheers to Not Teaching in a Vacuum
Today's episode is all about the lifeforce of Teacher Community. It's a defining mission for me, and I'...
00:17:58
September 02, 2024
183: Cheers to Seeing Past the Teacher Perspective
183: Cheers to Seeing Past the Teacher ...
Today we re-frame the importance of seeing the lesson experience from ONE KEY ASPECT of the student/studio parent ...
00:16:56
August 26, 2024
182: Cheers to Re-Thinking
182: Cheers to Re-Thinking "Fair" Studi...
If you've ever struggled with what seems "fair" when building a studio policy, this episode is for y...
00:19:27
August 19, 2024
181: Cheers to
181: Cheers to "Pruning" the Piano Teac...
Every morning this summer, as I plucked dead and dying blooms from my petunia baskets, I thought of you. Well, act...
00:17:01
August 12, 2024
180: Cheers to Confronting Productivity Culture (A Summertime Conversation with Vanessa Cornett)
180: Cheers to Confronting Productivity...
Vanessa Cornett is on a mission to start a revolution against the machine-like expectations of American culture. J...
00:34:48
August 05, 2024
179: Cheers to Setting Expectations for Elementary Piano Students (A Summertime Conversation with Amy Elmore)
179: Cheers to Setting Expectations for...
Today, Christina teams up with everyone's favorite piano teacher Instagrammer, Amy Elmore, for a re-vist of Ep...
00:27:28
July 29, 2024
178: Cheers to Summering Outside the Box (A Summertime Conversation with Melissa Slocum
178: Cheers to Summering Outside the Bo...
Melissa Slocum joins Christina for a conversation about how a little "Crazy Talk" led to a surprisingly ...
00:25:41
July 22, 2024
177: Cheers to Preparing Confident Performers (A Summertime Chat with Janna Williamson)
177: Cheers to Preparing Confident Perf...
Since episodes 064-066 (Preparing Students for Performance) consistently rank in my Top Ten downloads, it made tot...
00:31:34
July 15, 2024
176: Cheers to Taming Overwhelm in the Piano Teacher Brain (A Summertime Conversation with Amy Chaplin)
176: Cheers to Taming Overwhelm in the ...
Today's conversation features a chat between Amy Chaplin and I, revisiting Episode 138: Cheers to The Things W...
00:20:36
July 08, 2024
175: Cheers to Overcoming the Illusion of Competition (A Summertime Conversation with Dr. Kate Boyd)
175: Cheers to Overcoming the Illusion ...
Today, friend/colleague/professor/YouTube Star (@ThePianoProf) Kate Boyd joins me for a conversation, revisiting e...
00:27:30
July 01, 2024
174: Cheers to the Artist's Joy (A Summertime Conversation with Meredith Hite-Estevez)
174: Cheers to the Artist's Joy (A Summ...
Merideth Hite-Estevez joins Christina today for a look into all things Creative Joy. Find links to Merideth'...
00:32:18
June 24, 2024
173: Cheers to the Ups and Downs of Online Teacher Communities (A Summertime Conversation with Benjamin Steinhardt)
173: Cheers to the Ups and Downs of Onl...
Today, renowned pianist-teacher, Benjamin Steinhardt joins me for a peek into Admin World of hearty Facebook Commu...
00:28:52
June 17, 2024
172: Cheers to The Quest for Creativity in Lessons (A Summertime Conversation with Kevin Olson)
172: Cheers to The Quest for Creativity...
Today's thought partner is pianist-composer Kevin Olson, professor of piano at Utah State University. Kevin an...
00:34:43
June 10, 2024
171: Cheers to the Secret Lives of Quiet Students (A Summertime Conversation with Nicola Cantan)
171: Cheers to the Secret Lives of Quie...
Our first-ever guest on the podcast is none other than Powerhouse Creator and Teacher Extraordinaire, Nicola Canta...
00:26:08
June 03, 2024
170: Cheers to What's Working in This Season (Round 2)
170: Cheers to What's Working in This S...
Today's episode re-visits a question I first pondered in Episode 157: What IS Working For Me in this season? ...
00:21:23
May 27, 2024
169: Cheers to Seeing All Sides
169: Cheers to Seeing All Sides
Today's episode is a peek into the popular e-letter, One Thought Thursday. I'm presenting a beefed-up vers...
00:13:42
May 20, 2024
168: Cheers to Double-Duty Advice for Teachers AND Parents
168: Cheers to Double-Duty Advice for T...
Today's episode features four solid pieces of advice that have been given to me as a Parent but have proven to...
00:17:30
May 13, 2024
167: Cheers to PERFECTION is Overrated
167: Cheers to PERFECTION is Overrated
Today I'm sharing a story that illustrates a timeless lesson: Perfection is Overrated. May we all move forward...
00:17:34
May 06, 2024
166: Cheers to Piano Teacher Takeaways from Taylor Swift (No Swiftie-Status Required)
166: Cheers to Piano Teacher Takeaways ...
Love her or... well, otherwise... my primary thesis in life is the fact that we can ALL learn something from one a...
00:20:49
April 29, 2024
165: Cheers to Changing Perspectives Before Performance
165: Cheers to Changing Perspectives Be...
In today's ultra-practical episode, I'm sharing THREE necessary changes of perspective we should all remem...
00:21:24
April 22, 2024
164: Cheers to Reducing Confusion, Intimidation, and Embarrassment in the Lesson
164: Cheers to Reducing Confusion, Inti...
Today's episode riffs on a well-known quote from mathematician, Larry Martinek: “Children don’t hate math....
00:20:17
April 15, 2024
163: Cheers to Spending Like an Artist
163: Cheers to Spending Like an Artist
We all know: financial decisions are incredibly personal. Yet, if we all prioritize that which matters to us, it...
00:22:03
April 08, 2024
ENCORE REPLAY: Cheers to Mixing Business with Compassion
ENCORE REPLAY: Cheers to Mixing Busines...
Today's episode features a replay of one of "those" episodes that we ALL could (or, perhaps, should?...
00:15:34
April 01, 2024
162: Cheers to Stating the
162: Cheers to Stating the "Obvious"
Today I am sharing three (somewhat embarrassing) stories to illustrate the importance of communicating things that...
00:18:48
March 25, 2024
161: Cheers to Calling EGO What it Is
161: Cheers to Calling EGO What it Is
The last several podcast episodes have danced around an important TeacherTruth that is a bit unsavory. Today, we&#...
00:18:07
March 18, 2024
160: Cheers to Fueling Recital Participation with FOMO
160: Cheers to Fueling Recital Particip...
Today we address "those families" (we all have them from time to time!) who just don't make studio e...
00:25:57
March 11, 2024
159: Cheers to Releasing the WEIGHT of
159: Cheers to Releasing the WEIGHT of ...
Teaching sometimes feels synonymous with the idea of identifying "potential", right? AND YET - the noti...
00:19:30
March 04, 2024
ICYMI: Cheers to Being a Piano Teacher
ICYMI: Cheers to Being a Piano Teacher
While on a self-imposed vocal rest, Christina takes the opportunity to share with you an episode of the "What...
00:30:12
February 26, 2024
158: Cheers to Advice for My Younger Teacher Self
158: Cheers to Advice for My Younger Te...
Today, I'm revising the top piece of advice I would give to my early-20's Teacher Self, if I could. I...
00:19:12
February 19, 2024
157: Cheers to What's Working in This Season
157: Cheers to What's Working in This S...
One important practice in my life is regularly listing What's Working for me, and, conversely, What's Not....
00:24:25
February 12, 2024
156: Cheers to Lessons Learned in (Pre-Teen) Counseling
156: Cheers to Lessons Learned in (Pre-...
Today I'm sharing three Piano Teacher Takeaways I learned - of all places - in the counselor's office. ...
00:19:22
February 05, 2024
155: Cheers to Studio Traditions
155: Cheers to Studio Traditions
Today I'm sharing all things TRADITION, including ideas from Instagram friends far and wide. Find all ment...
00:23:24
January 29, 2024
154: Cheers to My No. 1 Practice Hack
154: Cheers to My No. 1 Practice Hack
...it's probably not what you think it is! Find a full transcript, related links, and more in at ChristinaWhi...
00:14:08
January 22, 2024
153: Cheers to One SIMPLE Lesson Activity
153: Cheers to One SIMPLE Lesson Activi...
Today's episode features one easily-actionable lesson activity, as well as some big-picture takeaways from the...
00:14:53
January 16, 2024
152: Cheers to What it Means to PLAY
152: Cheers to What it Means to PLAY
It's easy to SAY we prioritize the role of PLAY in what we do, but how often to we *actually* sit and consider...
00:19:23
January 08, 2024
151: Cheers to Remaining Teachable (My One-Word for 2024)
151: Cheers to Remaining Teachable (My ...
Choosing a Word of the Year is a practice I only take on when I find a word that feels undeniably applicable. This...
00:21:17
January 02, 2024
Encore Replay: Cheers to Finishing
Encore Replay: Cheers to Finishing "Up"...
When this episode originally aired, the amount of "buzz" it created convinced me this was a message we a...
00:17:18
December 18, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Naming Your Studio Vibe (Originally Episode 096)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Naming Your St...
Today's encore replay features an important reminder: People don't always buy services and/or products. Mo...
00:21:26
December 11, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Money Talk (originally Episode 037)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Money Talk (or...
Why is talking about money so difficult? Today's encore replay looks into the why's-and-how's of finan...
00:19:10
December 04, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to the Upcoming GIFT of January (originally Episode 104)
Encore Replay: Cheers to the Upcoming G...
While it may seem premature to be talking about January, today I'm share a key consideration to making sure yo...
00:17:06
November 27, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Solid Before Spectacular (originally Episode 041)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Solid Before S...
Today's Encore Replay features a real "ah-ha" moment in my life, and I hope it has a similar impact ...
00:20:46
November 20, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Experience > Correction (originally Episode 99)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Experience > C...
Today's replay features one of "those" episodes: the ones that end up teaching *me* just as much as ...
00:21:13
November 13, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to My Rule of Three (originally episode 049)
Encore Replay: Cheers to My Rule of Thr...
In the first of the year-end Encore Replays, Christina introduces her Rule of Three (episode 049). Year-End Encor...
00:17:39
November 06, 2023
150: Cheers to Taking Time Away from Teaching
150: Cheers to Taking Time Away from Te...
Today's episode reminds us: Just because you *can* teach without taking a break, it doesn't mean you *shou...
00:20:04
October 30, 2023
149: Cheers to The Best Advice for Studio Parents
149: Cheers to The Best Advice for Stud...
Years ago, I happened upon a piece of parenting advice that really stuck with my Teacher Brain. Today, I'm sha...
00:16:06
October 23, 2023
148: Cheers to The Forgotten Step in Teaching Teenagers
148: Cheers to The Forgotten Step in Te...
If there's one area studio music teachers can find solidarity in, it's navigating the struggles of those b...
00:18:17
October 16, 2023
147: Cheers to Goals as Stepping Stones (Not Destinations)
147: Cheers to Goals as Stepping Stones...
Today's episode makes an thought-provoking parallel between doing the laundry and music study. HINT: Both in...
00:18:15
October 09, 2023
146: Cheers to the Irrevocable Title of Musician
146: Cheers to the Irrevocable Title of...
Musicians are not defined by the number of hours they practice, the kinds of performances they give, or whether or...
00:10:39
October 02, 2023
145: Cheers to
145: Cheers to "Kids These Days"
This one's been brewing for awhile, friends: It's time to take a tough look inward, recognizing how our ex...
00:17:17
September 25, 2023
144: Cheers to Prioritizing Lasting Value
144: Cheers to Prioritizing Lasting Val...
Focus On That Which Will Last: These are words that save me ALL THE TIME in my personal and professional life. But...
00:13:55
September 18, 2023
143: Cheers to Metronome Musings
143: Cheers to Metronome Musings
Today, we're talking about finding success with the most polarizing device in all of music teaching: the metro...
00:21:41
September 11, 2023
142: Cheers to Being Your Own Method
142: Cheers to Being Your Own Method
Inspired by the well-known philosophy of Frances Clark, today I'm sharing a handful of my (many!) thoughts rel...
00:17:17
September 04, 2023
141: Cheers to The Things We Know (and the Things We Don't)
141: Cheers to The Things We Know (and ...
One of the fascinating mind games of MusicTeacherWorld is this: we have to simultaneously accept the fact that (1)...
00:15:03
August 28, 2023
140: Cheers to Identifying Emotional Labor in Teaching
140: Cheers to Identifying Emotional La...
Today, we talk about naming things that may have gone un-named in your studio. Listen in for an important discussi...
00:14:42
August 21, 2023
139: Cheers to BRAVERY in Communication
139: Cheers to BRAVERY in Communication
Today, Christina dishes out a bit of tough love for those of us (ahem) who are conflict-avoidant and prefer to &qu...
00:18:53
August 14, 2023
138: Cheers to The Things We Do *Not* Do
138: Cheers to The Things We Do *Not* D...
Inspired by an enthusiastic response to a particular One Thought Thursday email, today we are BOLDLY naming the ...
00:21:08
August 07, 2023
137: Cheers to Questions and Answers by Frances Clark (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
137: Cheers to Questions and Answers by...
The ninth and FINAL stop on our summer bookshelf tour is here, friends! I am excited to wrap up this series with a...
00:18:03
July 31, 2023
136: Cheers to Under Pressure by Lisa Damour (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
136: Cheers to Under Pressure by Lisa D...
Today's episode covers a (maybe?) unlikely piano-teacher recommendation, exploring the "Epidemic of Stres...
00:21:49
July 24, 2023
135: Cheers to The Ways Children Learn Music by Eric Bluestine (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
135: Cheers to The Ways Children Learn ...
Phew! This is a BIG topic to handle in my usually-bite-sized show. Listen in for ways I utilize MLT-inspired philo...
00:28:13
July 17, 2023
134: Cheers to Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
134: Cheers to Burnout by Emily and Ame...
Today, we look at the real causes of (and preventions for) that nasty thing called Burnout. Check out shownotes ...
00:21:20
July 10, 2023
133: Cheers to Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
133: Cheers to Big Magic by Elizabeth G...
Today, we examine what I consider to be the Anthem of Creative Living for artists in many disciplines: Big Magic, ...
00:14:59
July 03, 2023
132: Cheers to The Mindful Musician by Vanessa Cornett (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
132: Cheers to The Mindful Musician by ...
Our fourth stop on the Summer Bookshelf Tour is a fabulous journey into the world of mindfulness. It comes with an...
00:19:44
June 26, 2023
131: Cheers to The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
131: Cheers to The Gifts of Imperfectio...
Our third stop on the Summer Bookshelf Tour is a work I re-read every January because it's THAT good. The Gift...
00:20:15
June 19, 2023
130: Cheers to Intelligent Music Teaching by Robert Duke (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
130: Cheers to Intelligent Music Teachi...
Our second stop on the Summer Bookshelf Tour is Christina's most-recommended music text: Intelligent Music Tea...
00:17:13
June 12, 2023
129: Cheers to Atomic Habits by James Clear (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
129: Cheers to Atomic Habits by James C...
Cue the party horns! Today, Christina launches her first-ever SUMMER SERIES on the podcast. Each week through June...
00:18:22
June 05, 2023
BONUS EPISODE: Cheers to Continuing Legacies...
BONUS EPISODE: Cheers to Continuing Leg...
SURPRISE, FRIENDS! It's my first-ever BONUS episode, focusing on my continued obsession with the legacies we l...
00:15:13
May 31, 2023
128: Cheers to Contemplating Change
128: Cheers to Contemplating Change
Today's episode is part of a three-way podcast takeover, featuring myself, Nicola Cantan (of Vibrant Music Tea...
00:27:05
May 29, 2023
127: Cheers to Measuring Progress
127: Cheers to Measuring Progress
Research shows standardized tests only measure academic progress for a specific type of student. Let's not be ...
00:21:14
May 22, 2023
126: Cheers to Mixing Business with Compassion
126: Cheers to Mixing Business with Com...
Studio teachers often equate compassion with financial compromise. Today, Christina discusses alternative approach...
00:18:49
May 15, 2023
125: Cheers to Music as the Ultimate Comfort
125: Cheers to Music as the Ultimate Co...
Today, we talk about the serious distinction between music teacher and counselor, all while helping students disco...
00:18:58
May 08, 2023
124: Cheers to Knowing When to Say Goodbye
124: Cheers to Knowing When to Say Good...
There seems to be a lot of chatter in TeacherWorld over dismissing students. Today, Christina explores when this i...
00:20:55
May 01, 2023
123: Cheers to the Surprising Ones
123: Cheers to the Surprising Ones
Today we pay homage to the students who surprise us - in the very best of ways. Check out links to similar epis...
00:15:10
April 24, 2023
122: Cheers to Building a Business that Supports Your Community
122: Cheers to Building a Business that...
We’re really going for it; talking about a rarely-discussed aspect of establishing tuition rates today. Money st...
00:17:26
April 17, 2023
121: Cheers to the Sum of the Whole Experience
121: Cheers to the Sum of the Whole Exp...
Do you ever struggle to move on from a less-than-optimal lesson? Join Christina today as she reminds you of the im...
00:14:37
April 10, 2023
120: Cheers to Improving Your Teaching THIS Week
120: Cheers to Improving Your Teaching ...
Christina is summoning her Bossy Big Sister Energy to encourage you to do ONE specific thing, guaranteed to make y...
00:18:57
April 03, 2023
119: Cheers to Being Equally Human (a storytime episode)
119: Cheers to Being Equally Human (a s...
By listener request, a new "storytime" episode, focusing on a few favorite conference encounters - all b...
00:17:40
March 27, 2023
118: Cheers to Conference Ponderings
118: Cheers to Conference Ponderings
On the brink of the 2023 MTNA National Conference, I am sharing some thoughts and tips related to conference atte...
00:26:42
March 20, 2023
117: Cheers to Being a Good Boss (to Yourself)
117: Cheers to Being a Good Boss (to Yo...
As (largely) self-employed professionals, we don't talk about "bosses" very often.  Maybe we should.... Che...
00:16:39
March 12, 2023
116: Cheers to Question Marks and Exclamation Points
116: Cheers to Question Marks and Excla...
Sometimes, the simplest ideas have the greatest impact. Today, I'm sharing one small phrase that has helped me com...
00:08:57
March 06, 2023
115: Cheers to New Student Interviews
115: Cheers to New Student Interviews
Today we discuss a few highlights related to New Student Interviews.  Before you bring new students into your...
00:23:00
February 27, 2023
114: Cheers to Transfer Students
114: Cheers to Transfer Students
Today we explore transfer students and a handful of important considerations before bringing them into the studio....
00:23:19
February 20, 2023
113: Cheers to Asking,
113: Cheers to Asking, "To Pass or Not ...
Today I tackle a listener's request to examine when it's time to stick it out with student repertoire, and when it...
00:21:19
February 13, 2023
112: Cheers to The Case for Routine in Piano Lessons
112: Cheers to The Case for Routine in ...
Episode 112 ponders the question:  What routines ARE working for us in our lessons? Visit christinawhitlock.co...
00:21:11
February 06, 2023
111: Cheers to an ENCORE replay: Adjudication Success
111: Cheers to an ENCORE replay: Adjudi...
A case of laryngitis may have derailed Christina's plans for this episode, but she hopes you enjoy Plan B, which f...
00:18:28
January 30, 2023
110: Cheers to
110: Cheers to "Replay Strategies" in t...
Episode 110 continues to examine the way we sequence our lessons. Looking for alternatives to the endless cycle of...
00:20:29
January 23, 2023
109: Cheers to Examining Your Lesson Structure
109: Cheers to Examining Your Lesson St...
Episode 109 begs the question: Are you structuring your lesson in an optimal way?  Listen in for some ideas t...
00:16:51
January 16, 2023
108: Cheers to Un-Hurrying Your Elementary-Aged Students
108: Cheers to Un-Hurrying Your Element...
Why are we in such a hurry to get our younger students onto the next big thing? Well, it's time for a confession: ...
00:19:19
January 09, 2023
107: Cheers to Being On Your Way
107: Cheers to Being On Your Way
Join Christina for an important reminder at the start of a new calendar year. Sign up for the FREE Webinar, St...
00:16:43
January 02, 2023
106: Cheers to A Thrill of Hope
106: Cheers to A Thrill of Hope
The phrase "A Thrill of Hope" may come from a classic Christmas song, but it's a sentiment that holds value for me...
00:16:48
December 19, 2022
105: Cheers to Saying It Out Loud
105: Cheers to Saying It Out Loud
I'm sharing a favorite reminder today for managing ALL the teacher feelings and intentions. I hope you enjoy! ...
00:18:50
December 12, 2022
104: Cheers to the Upcoming Gift of January
104: Cheers to the Upcoming Gift of Jan...
Don't roll your eyes at my mention of January just yet...  Today I'm sharing a GAME-CHANGING perspective to k...
00:15:29
December 05, 2022
103: Cheers to The (Often-Debated) Value of University Education
103: Cheers to The (Often-Debated) Valu...
Today, I'm tackling that all-too-often-debated question of the value of collegiate education for studio music teac...
00:21:34
November 21, 2022
102: Cheers to Understanding the Student in Front of You
102: Cheers to Understanding the Studen...
In today's episode, I'm sharing a frequently-missed point of consideration when it comes to understanding why our ...
00:21:51
November 14, 2022
101: Cheers to Reframing
101: Cheers to Reframing "Mistakes"
Today we chat about our important role in helping students see "mistakes" as learning opportunities.   For mo...
00:18:42
November 07, 2022
100: Cheers to Showing Up (and 100 Episodes!)
100: Cheers to Showing Up (and 100 Epis...
Today, we celebrate what happens when you show up - in anything - with consistency.  We also hear from severa...
00:31:13
October 31, 2022
099: Cheers to Experience > Correction
099: Cheers to Experience > Correction
Today, we talk about an easy pitfall of music teaching:  Leaning too heavily on corrections, rather than musi...
00:18:10
October 24, 2022
098: Cheers to the Secret Reason We Overschedule Ourselves
098: Cheers to the Secret Reason We Ove...
Today I make a rather unflattering confession, in hopes it might help you understand a lesser-discussed reason we ...
00:15:49
October 17, 2022
097: Cheers to Unique Creative Ambition
097: Cheers to Unique Creative Ambition
Today, we tackle those desires, ideas, and passions that are uniquely YOURS. Connect with Christina: Suppo...
00:17:55
October 10, 2022
096: Cheers to Naming Your Studio Vibe
096: Cheers to Naming Your Studio Vibe
Today, we take a look at your studio vibe, while also exploring the notion that consumers purchase feelings moreso...
00:22:35
October 03, 2022
095: Cheers to Rethinking Team Sports
095: Cheers to Rethinking Team Sports
Today we talk about one of the most contentious factors in Studio Music Teacher World:  Team Sports (dun dun ...
00:23:30
September 26, 2022
094: An Extended Toast to Fall Transitions
094: An Extended Toast to Fall Transiti...
Today's quick episode features an opportunity to re-focus our efforts as studio music teachers.  I hope you e...
00:08:15
September 12, 2022
093: Cheers to Principles of Written Communication
093: Cheers to Principles of Written Co...
Today, I'm sharing my five guiding principles for written communication.  Whether you choose to use mine or n...
00:18:57
September 05, 2022
092: Cheers to Increasing Parental Communications (AKA: MY Primary Goal for This Academic Year)
092: Cheers to Increasing Parental Comm...
As promised, today I'm unveiling *MY* primary studio goal for the upcoming academic year.   As mentioned ...
00:22:40
August 29, 2022
091: Cheers to Goal-Setting That Works
091: Cheers to Goal-Setting That Works
In a profession constantly unveiling new ideas and materials, musicians rarely need help setting goals.  Inst...
00:21:16
August 22, 2022
090: Cheers to Handling Our Fall Scheduling Grievances
090: Cheers to Handling Our Fall Schedu...
It's no secret that scheduling can be the bane of the studio teacher's existence.  I may not have magical sol...
00:21:01
August 15, 2022
089: Cheers to Thinking Like a Beginner
089: Cheers to Thinking Like a Beginner
Most teachers will claim they know the importance of thinking like a beginner, but putting the beginner mindset in...
00:22:41
August 08, 2022
088: Cheers to Graduating Seniors (and the lessons they teach us)
088: Cheers to Graduating Seniors (and ...
Our students teach us every bit as much as we teach them.  This is especially true of graduating seniors. &nb...
00:22:48
August 01, 2022
087: Cheers to Valuing Your Time
087: Cheers to Valuing Your Time
This episode is in response to the MANY conversations I've had with listeners the past two weeks as we've discusse...
00:19:23
July 25, 2022
086: Cheers to Downsizing Your Studio Roster
086: Cheers to Downsizing Your Studio R...
Today's episode features a hefty discussion of the mindset involved in downsizing your studio - for whatever the r...
00:23:10
July 18, 2022
085: Cheers to Finding More Students
085: Cheers to Finding More Students
Today, we chat about my #1 tip for finding new students (along with a few others).   Mentioned in thi...
00:19:27
July 11, 2022
084: Cheers to a Summer Favorite
084: Cheers to a Summer Favorite
Today, I’m re-sharing a favorite episode from last summer. I hope it gets your creative teacher brains turning i...
00:21:58
July 04, 2022
Episode 83: Cheers to Relationships and Results
Episode 83: Cheers to Relationships and...
Today we talk about the importance of focusing on relationships, rather than results.   Mentioned in this ep...
00:14:57
June 27, 2022
Episode 82: Cheers to the Creative Life
Episode 82: Cheers to the Creative Life...
Today we celebrate (and recommit to) the importance of the Creative Life. Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 4...
00:19:15
June 20, 2022
Episode 81:  Cheers to 40 Lessons Learned
Episode 81: Cheers to 40 Lessons Learn...
As Christina celebrates the big 4-0 this week, she spends this episode reflecting on 40 lessons learned thus far a...
00:17:22
June 13, 2022
Episode 80: Cheers to Mentoring Relationships
Episode 80: Cheers to Mentoring Relatio...
Today we talk about the importance of mentoring relationships in studio teacher life.   Mentioned in th...
00:21:09
June 06, 2022
Episode 79: Cheers to Work AND Heart
Episode 79: Cheers to Work AND Heart
Today, we examine what it looks like to set boundaries in our work, even when our occupation is fueled so mightily...
00:18:21
May 23, 2022
Episode 78:  Cheers to Wrapping Up a School Year
Episode 78: Cheers to Wrapping Up a Sc...
Today, Christina shares four considerations for wrapping up an academic year. Mentioned in this Episode: Episo...
00:19:33
May 16, 2022
Episode 77:  Cheers to Highlighting Accomplishments
Episode 77: Cheers to Highlighting Acc...
With the end of another school year on the horizon, I think it's more important than ever to spend some time helpi...
00:14:35
May 09, 2022
Episode 76: Cheers to My Zero-Energy List
Episode 76: Cheers to My Zero-Energy Li...
Today I’m sharing my Zero Energy List; which is a collection of three things I downright refuse to spend mental ...
00:21:32
May 02, 2022
Episode 75: Cheers to Recital Magic
Episode 75: Cheers to Recital Magic
Today’s episode is an impromptu set of post-recital reflections, geared towards making sure teachers aren’t gu...
00:22:29
April 25, 2022
Episode 74: Cheers to the Chatty Ones
Episode 74: Cheers to the Chatty Ones
Today we talk strategy when it comes to those strong verbal processors (aka: The Chatty Ones).   Mentioned ...
00:19:32
April 18, 2022
Episode 73: Cheers to Being a Teacher in the World
Episode 73: Cheers to Being a Teacher i...
...just a quick little story from last week (of course, with a music teacher twist).  Related to this episod...
00:10:54
April 11, 2022
Episode 72: Cheers to Better than Perfect
Episode 72: Cheers to Better than Perfe...
In response to last week's episode on disappointment, today I'm offering five things that are BETTER than being pe...
00:16:18
April 04, 2022
Episode 71:  Cheers to Bouncing Back When You Disappoint Yourself
Episode 71: Cheers to Bouncing Back Wh...
The aftershocks of falling short of our own expectations can be a difficult part of musician/music teacher life. &...
00:21:33
March 28, 2022
Episode 70: Cheers to a Pep Talk for Spring
Episode 70: Cheers to a Pep Talk for Sp...
There’s a lot to love about spring, but the teacher’s schedule is not necessarily one of them… Email an...
00:20:13
March 21, 2022
Episode 69:  Cheers to Studio Families (A Spring Break Replay)
Episode 69: Cheers to Studio Families ...
Today's episode is a replay of Episode 11 (Cheers to Believing the Best). It dovetails nicely with last week's epi...
00:18:59
March 14, 2022
Episode 68: Cheers to Symbiotic Studio Relationships
Episode 68: Cheers to Symbiotic Studio ...
Today's episode tells the story of how a 4th grade Latin lesson led me to one of my most fundamental beliefs about...
00:20:23
March 07, 2022
Episode 67: Cheers to The Best Advice I Received as a Student
Episode 67: Cheers to The Best Advice I...
What do driving a car and performing a musical instrument have in common? It turns out, a lot… Mentioned in thi...
00:13:24
February 28, 2022
Episode 66: Cheers to Preparing Students for Performance (Part 3: Action Items)
Episode 66: Cheers to Preparing Student...
Part three of the series highlights some of my favorite actionable preparation tips, as well as introduces my (sim...
00:21:50
February 21, 2022
Episode 65: Cheers to Preparing Students for Performance (Part 2: Mindset)
Episode 65: Cheers to Preparing Student...
Today, in the second of a three-part series on prepping students for performance, we tackle mindset. I’m sharing...
00:23:00
February 14, 2022
Episode 64:  Cheers to Preparing Students for Performance (Part 1: Timelines)
Episode 64: Cheers to Preparing Studen...
The first episode in this series on Preparing Students for Performance focuses on the #1 stumbling block students ...
00:23:43
February 07, 2022
Episode 63: Cheers to Recurring Life Lessons
Episode 63: Cheers to Recurring Life Le...
I'm curious: Do you feel like there is a particular lesson life seems to teach you over and over again?  ...
00:15:17
January 31, 2022
Episode 62:  Cheers to Not Missing the Point
Episode 62: Cheers to Not Missing the ...
We are ALL guilty of "missing the point" from time to time. Today's episode includes reflections from a favorite b...
00:16:28
January 24, 2022
Episode 61: Cheers to the Challenging Ones
Episode 61: Cheers to the Challenging O...
Challenging students:  We've all been there, done that - right?  Today, I hope to help you make the most...
00:20:36
January 17, 2022
Episode 60: Cheers to “Spending” Time
Episode 60: Cheers to “Spending” Ti...
Today, I offer you a break from the rest of the world’s New Year chatter to “be a better you”, and, instead,...
00:19:01
January 10, 2022
Episode 59: Cheers to Welcoming 2022
Episode 59: Cheers to Welcoming 2022
Today we welcome 2022 with an “extended toast”, along with a BIG announcement on how you can begin supporting ...
00:13:33
January 03, 2022
Episode 58: Cheers to Wrapping Up 2021
Episode 58: Cheers to Wrapping Up 2021
Short and sweet, this extended toast is being offered up today in hopes of encouraging you to reflect on your most...
00:07:33
December 27, 2021
Episode 57: Cheers to Naming What You Want
Episode 57: Cheers to Naming What You W...
Being in a service-oriented profession, I think we can sometimes get lost in thinking of the many needs/wants of o...
00:10:13
December 20, 2021
Episode 56: Cheers to Embracing Change
Episode 56: Cheers to Embracing Change
So much of the time, our studio struggles come down to changes we don’t expect or resist (for whatever reason). ...
00:14:16
December 13, 2021
Episode 55: Cheers to Making Favors Known
Episode 55: Cheers to Making Favors Kno...
After spending the last two weeks talking about avoiding exceptions, I thought it fitting to wrap up this series b...
00:16:47
December 06, 2021
Episode 54: Cheers to Sanity-Saving Policies
Episode 54: Cheers to Sanity-Saving Pol...
Today’s episode explores three policies most saving my sanity this season of life. * Mentioned in this episode...
00:19:49
November 29, 2021
Episode 53: Cheers to Considering Exceptions
Episode 53: Cheers to Considering Excep...
As teachers and business-owners, we are faced with requests for exceptions ALL THE TIME. As a general rule, I te...
00:14:51
November 22, 2021
Episode 52: Cheers to Navigating a Lesson When Your Student Hasn’t Practiced
Episode 52: Cheers to Navigating a Less...
This episode serves as a follow-up to last week’s Practice Manifesto. Links mentioned: December Performance ...
00:22:58
November 15, 2021
Episode 51: Cheers to My Practice Manifesto
Episode 51: Cheers to My Practice Manif...
Student practice is an undeniable staple of music study success. But - as any seasoned studio teacher knows, some ...
00:18:51
November 08, 2021
Episode 50: Cheers to Your Questions…and My Answers
Episode 50: Cheers to Your Questions…...
In our first-ever Q+A episode, Christina tackles listener questions.
00:17:47
November 01, 2021
Episode 49: Cheers to My Rule of Three
Episode 49: Cheers to My Rule of Three
Join Christina for an introduction to the Rule of Three: her favorite piece of marital-advice-turned-teaching-stra...
00:17:31
October 25, 2021
Episode 48: Cheers to Your Inner Critic (a follow-up)
Episode 48: Cheers to Your Inner Critic...
Responses to last week’s episode on dealing with our inner critics were so strong, I felt it worthy of our time ...
00:19:18
October 18, 2021
Episode 47: Cheers to Your Inner Critic
Episode 47: Cheers to Your Inner Critic
In a society that often tells us to ignore/stomp/conquer our inner-critics, I’m offering an alternative perspect...
00:17:58
October 11, 2021
Episode 46: Cheers to Lessons Learned (and Confirmed)
Episode 46: Cheers to Lessons Learned (...
The Beyond Measure Podcast turns ONE today (well, technically, tomorrow…)! 🥳 In celebration, I am sharing f...
00:21:11
October 04, 2021
Episode 45: Cheers to Naming Your Objective
Episode 45: Cheers to Naming Your Objec...
One of my most beneficial takeaways from graduate school was the importance of naming my objective: in lesson plan...
00:14:14
September 27, 2021
Episode 44: Cheers to the Relentless Defense of Imagination
Episode 44: Cheers to the Relentless De...
I think most music teachers would agree that Imagination and Creativity rank pretty high on our list of human prio...
00:17:02
September 20, 2021
Episode 43: Cheers to Studio Mantras
Episode 43: Cheers to Studio Mantras
Keeping with last week’s theme of making our words count, Christina shares a simple yearly practice of selecting...
00:22:22
September 13, 2021
Episode 42: Cheers to Talking Less
Episode 42: Cheers to Talking Less
The ability to speak succinctly is a strength in many effective educators, but it doesn’t always come naturally ...
00:16:54
September 06, 2021
Episode 41: Cheers to Solid Before Spectacular
Episode 41: Cheers to Solid Before Spec...
With the definite risk of oversharing, today I talk about the importance of being solid, before striving for spect...
00:19:55
August 30, 2021
Episode 40: Cheers to Pulling Yourself Out of a Funk
Episode 40: Cheers to Pulling Yourself ...
Even the most enthusiastic teachers have days that feel hard. Today we’re talking about my favorite tips to get ...
00:21:38
August 23, 2021
Episode 39: Cheers to Making Peace with Student Exits
Episode 39: Cheers to Making Peace with...
Today, we tackle everyone’s least-favorite truth of teaching: Sometimes, students quit. It’s gut-wrenchingly h...
00:21:08
August 16, 2021
Episode 38: Cheers to a Less-Conventional August
Episode 38: Cheers to a Less-Convention...
Getting back into the swing of a new academic year can often feel like an uphill battle. Today, Christina shares a...
00:21:44
July 19, 2021
Episode 37: Cheers to Money Talk
Episode 37: Cheers to Money Talk
Talking about money may be one of the least-loved aspects of running an independent music studio, but (of course!)...
00:18:34
July 12, 2021
Episode 36: Cheers to Teacher Truths
Episode 36: Cheers to Teacher Truths
Today’s episode features three of my “12 Teacher Truths” I use in pedagogy courses for pre-college and unive...
00:18:35
July 05, 2021
Episode 35: Cheers to Easier Than You Think
Episode 35: Cheers to Easier Than You T...
How many times do we lose sleep over a looming change, only to realize later the THOUGHT of making change was *so*...
00:16:59
June 28, 2021
Episode 34: Cheers to Online Engagement
Episode 34: Cheers to Online Engagement...
In this SUPERSIZED episode, Christina shares her Top 10 personal rules for interacting with other teachers online....
00:26:37
June 21, 2021
Episode 33: Cheers to Crazy Talk
Episode 33: Cheers to Crazy Talk
By necessity, independent music teachers tend to be a fairly rational bunch. BUT - when was the last time you let ...
00:19:23
June 14, 2021
Episode 32: Cheers to “Tell Me More”
Episode 32: Cheers to “Tell Me More...
Today, we’re talking about a game-changing phrase that can make us better educators, as well as better humans. B...
00:16:49
June 07, 2021
Episode 31: Cheers to Challenging Colleagues
Episode 31: Cheers to Challenging Colle...
Last week was all warm and fuzzy, as we talked about the benefits of befriending our local colleagues...but let’...
00:18:39
May 31, 2021
Episode 30: Cheers to YOUR Local Teacher Friends
Episode 30: Cheers to YOUR Local Teache...
Beyond Measure is BACK after a refreshing 2-week hiatus, and today Christina is offering up her #1 piece of advice...
00:19:08
May 24, 2021
Episode 29: Cheers to Acknowledging Rest
Episode 29: Cheers to Acknowledging Res...
Let’s face it: especially this time of year, rest is HARD for ambitious teachers. Rather than making you feel gu...
00:21:07
May 03, 2021
Episode 28: Cheers to My Happy Birthday Obsession
Episode 28: Cheers to My Happy Birthday...
The Happy Birthday song is one of the most frequent requests musicians receive, at every level of study. It also s...
00:23:30
April 26, 2021
Episode 27: Cheers to Recital Success (part 2)
Episode 27: Cheers to Recital Success (...
Your Anytime Piano Teacher Friend is back with the motherload of recital thoughts in today’s episode. Let’s ge...
00:24:37
April 19, 2021
Episode 26: Cheers to Recital Success (part 1)
Episode 26: Cheers to Recital Success (...
Recitals get a bum reputation sometimes, but they hold enormous potential for happy students and happy families! T...
00:20:30
April 12, 2021
Episode 25: Cheers to The Small Stuff
Episode 25: Cheers to The Small Stuff
Today we’re talking about the importance of paying attention to The Small Stuff, because it’s oftentimes more ...
00:20:15
April 05, 2021
Episode 24: Cheers to Adjudication Success
Episode 24: Cheers to Adjudication Succ...
Many of us get requests to adjudicate events throughout the year, but judges’ training is often minimal, at best...
00:18:59
March 29, 2021
Episode 23: Cheers to The Musician You Are Today
Episode 23: Cheers to The Musician You ...
For all its (countless!) benefits, music study can sometimes foster a sneaky spirit of discontentment. After all, ...
00:18:15
March 22, 2021
Episode 22: Cheers to Questioning Techniques
Episode 22: Cheers to Questioning Techn...
Asking more questions is a (nearly) fool-proof way to deepen the engagement level of your students. Let’s encour...
00:16:33
March 15, 2021
Episode 21: Cheers to Considering Performance Anxiety
Episode 21: Cheers to Considering Perfo...
There are volumes upon volumes of research concerning the best ways to cope with performance anxiety available, bu...
00:19:46
March 08, 2021
Episode 20: Cheers to Preserving Gratitude
Episode 20: Cheers to Preserving Gratit...
What’s a teacher to do when we know our brain holds tight to negative feedback, while dismissing positive words ...
00:20:28
March 01, 2021
Episode 19: Cheers to Making the Most of Online Lessons
Episode 19: Cheers to Making the Most o...
Ah, virtual lessons: love ‘em or hate ‘em, their existence in our profession is, at this point, inevitable. Le...
00:24:00
February 22, 2021
Episode 18: Cheers to Teacher Warm-Ups
Episode 18: Cheers to Teacher Warm-Ups
I probably don’t have to sell you on the importance of warming-up as a musician, but have you ever considered wh...
00:17:26
February 15, 2021
Episode 17: Cheers to Finishing “Up”
Episode 17: Cheers to Finishing “Up...
In recent years it has dawned on me how much more attention we give the START of our lessons than the END of our t...
00:16:10
February 08, 2021
Episode 16: Cheers to Page Turning Stories
Episode 16: Cheers to Page Turning Stor...
A recent restless night led me to realize I have a strange number of memories connected to the often-uncelebrated ...
00:16:35
February 01, 2021
Episode 15: Cheers to Asking Questions
Episode 15: Cheers to Asking Questions
As we wrap up the New Year Series on self-reflection practices for music teachers, I am suggesting two simple-but-...
00:16:06
January 25, 2021
Episode 14: Cheers to Student Evaluations
Episode 14: Cheers to Student Evaluatio...
Writing student evaluations can feel like a daunting task, but - done right - it can be a mutually-beneficial part...
00:22:06
January 18, 2021
Episode 13: Cheers to Simple Philosophy-Building
Episode 13: Cheers to Simple Philosophy...
A written philosophy of teaching can be enormously helpful in many ways, but - like so many things - we tend to ma...
00:17:51
January 11, 2021
Episode 12: Cheers to One Word (for Teachers)
Episode 12: Cheers to One Word (for Tea...
Today’s episode puts a teacher-twist on the traditional “One Word” Philosophy. This tried-and-true strategy ...
00:25:40
January 04, 2021
Episode 11: Cheers to Believing the Best
Episode 11: Cheers to Believing the Bes...
2020 has put us all through the wringer (and a few spin cycles!). Listen in for a mini-guide to understanding conf...
00:19:22
December 14, 2020
Episode 10: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Considerations, Part 2
Episode 10: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Consi...
Join me for the second (and final) brainstorm of holiday studio activities this year. There’s a little something...
00:19:21
December 07, 2020
Episode 9: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Considerations - Part 1
Episode 9: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Consid...
Traditions can be lovely, but can also leave us stuck in the status-quo, giving us very little return on investmen...
00:24:34
November 30, 2020
Episode 8: Cheers to Giving Thanks
Episode 8: Cheers to Giving Thanks
As creatives, it’s important to make sure we are supporting our own. So, today, we celebrate and give thanks for...
00:18:49
November 23, 2020
Episode 7: Cheers to Laughter
Episode 7: Cheers to Laughter
As you and I continue to build our podcast friendship, I thought it was time we simply shared a few laughs (the ki...
00:22:08
November 16, 2020
Episode 6: Cheers to Being Wrong
Episode 6: Cheers to Being Wrong
I know it’s hard to believe - but none of us are right 100% of the time (even music teachers!). Today, I’m pro...
00:18:55
November 09, 2020
Episode 5: Cheers to the Quiet Ones
Episode 5: Cheers to the Quiet Ones
Teaching fact #792: We never know exactly what our quiet students are thinking. Let’s ponder hard-to-read studen...
00:22:20
November 02, 2020
Episode 4: Cheers to Why
Episode 4: Cheers to Why
Join me for a reflective episode today, as we consider the very first question I was asked in my first piano pedag...
00:18:44
October 26, 2020
Episode 3: Cheers to Seasons
Episode 3: Cheers to Seasons
Whether we take the time to notice it or not, our studios steadily change seasons from year to year. Take a deep b...
00:15:36
October 19, 2020
Episode 2: Cheers to Enough
Episode 2: Cheers to Enough
The term “enough” is dicey for musicians. We know there is never “enough” practice time, and we often feel...
00:20:58
October 12, 2020
Episode 1: Cheers to Teachers!
Episode 1: Cheers to Teachers!
Pandemic life or not, only music teachers know how much of our time and energy it *actually* takes to keep our stu...
00:24:44
October 05, 2020
Trailer
Trailer
An under-sixty-second glimpse of the Beyond Measure Podcast with Christina Whitlock.
00:00:58
August 29, 2020

Guest Podcast Appearances