Purposeful Piano Pedagogy: Thoughtful Conversations on Teaching, Calling, & Craft
Purposeful Piano Pedagogy is a podcast for piano teachers, piano pedagogy students, & music educators who want to teach with intention, integrity, and care.
Hosted by an experienced piano pedagogue and teacher educator, this podcast explores piano teaching as formational work - examining the deeper questions behind technique, curriculum, assessment, studio culture, and teacher identity. Through reflective conversations and practical insight, episodes engage the intersections of teaching, calling, & craft asking not only how to teach piano, but why.
Topics include:
- Piano pedagogy & teaching philosophy
- Technique, musicianship, & curriculum design
- Teacher formation, sustainability, & burnout
- Student-centered & humane teaching practices
- Studio systems, assessment, & long-term musical growth
Some episodes are philosophical. Others are rooted in real studio practice. All are guided by the conviction that piano teaching is never neutral —& that every pedagogical choice shapes both the student & the teacher.
Purposeful Piano Pedagogy is for independent piano teachers, collegiate instructors, & pedagogy students who are seeking clarity, depth, and longevity in their teaching.
Episodes
53 episodes
PPP: E7 - Teaching for Musical Identity
Teaching for Musical Identity Moving Beyond Skills to FormationWhat are your students really learning in your studio?Beyond repertoire, technique, and theory, every lesson is shaping something deeper: a student...
PPP: E6 - The Emotional Climate of the Studio
What if the most powerful factor shaping your students’ learning isn’t your method book—but how they feel in your studio?In this episode of Purposeful Piano Pedagogy, we explore how the emotional climate you create influences ev...
PPP: E5 - Technique and Musicianship with Purpose
Topics covered in this episode: 1. Redefining technique2. Musicianship as structural vs. supplemental3. Teaching technique through sound4. The role of slow practice (It's probably not what you think it is!)<...
PPP: E4 - Purposeful Studio Systems
In this episode, Dr. Christina Mathis explores the importance of systems - primarily policies, curriculum, and assessments - and how solid systems can benefit piano studios. Key points: Every studio already has syst...
PPP: E3 - The Inner Life of the Teacher
What is the role of the teacher’s inner life in purposeful pedagogy? Themes discussed in this episode: A teacher’s inner life forms the foundation of purposeful pedagogy.Purposeful pedagogy asks us...
PPP: E2 - What Do You Believe about Your Students?
What do you believe about your students? Themes discussed in this episode: beliefs shape every lesson. most of us carry assumptions that we don't even realize. most of our belief...
PPP: E1 - What Is Purposeful Piano Pedagogy?
What do we mean by Purposeful Piano Pedagogy? Key points: pedagogy is never neutral. purpose is not the same as efficiency. teaching is formational work. Reflec...
Purposeful Piano Pedagogy - Launch Episode
In this episode, Christina shares a little about what the last 4 months have been like and how they have shaped the future of her podcast. Welcome to Purposeful Piano Pedagogy!
E45: Rhythm over Routine
In this episode, Christina discusses the importance of developing a rhythm that can fluctuate with our lives over a strict routine that will make us feel guilty if it's broken. Live with rhythm, teach with grace, and let the music f...
E44: Reflections on What I Learned from CMA's First Year
In this episode, Christina shares the wins, losses, and lessons learned from CMA's exciting first year as well as changes that will be made in the future to guarantee even more success.
E43: Advice for New Teachers
On this episode, Christina shares 5 pieces of advice for new piano teachers. It's probably not what you expect! You can read the written version of this episode at christinamathis.com/blog. Grab your favorite drink. Get comfy. Let's...
E42: Propaganda I'm Not Falling For: Piano Teacher Edition
Join Christina as she shares the top 5 popular beliefs in the piano teaching world and why she isn't falling for them anymore. You can read the written version of this podcast at christinamathis.com/blog. Grab your favorite drink. G...
E41: Life & Podcast Update
After an unexpected blogging/podcasting hiatus due to the busyness of the spring season, Christina is back with an update on what has kept her so busy and on a new direction for the podcast.
E40: The Power of What If for Music Students
In this episode, Christina disccuses how asking "what if?" in our role as learners can keep our minds open to new possibilities.
E39: The Power of What If - How these 2 little words can transform piano lessons for any teacher
Drawing on the wisdom of Adam Grant in his book Think Again, Dr. Christina Mathis begins a series on The Power of What If and how these two little words can transform our lives in various aspects of musicianship - starting with an episode speci...
E38: What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do
In this crazy, chaotic world, the pressure to create, to heal, to contribute can feel overwhelming. What if you don't feel called? What if your soul is tired? What can you do when you don't know what to do? Join Dr. Mathis as she sh...
E37: Wintering for Musicians
On this episode, Christina discusses the book Wintering by Katherine May and how it can apply to us as musicians. She shares how being intentional about resting during slower seasons brings growth in our busier seasons. Wi...
E36: My Artist's Oath
In this episode, Christina discusses Meredith Hite-Estevez's book The Artist's Joy: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Embracing Imperfection, and Loving Your Creative Life and shares her own artist's oath that she wrote after reading this bo...
E35: A Musician's Advent - Love - The Ultimate Gift
Welcome to our special Advent series - Musician's Advent. In this series, Christina will combine the practice of advent with a focus on how we as musicians can embrace the peace and hope of the season in the midst of the busyness that ...
E34: A Musician's Advent - Joy - The Joyful Proclamation of the Coming Saviour
Welcome to our special Advent series - Musician's Advent. In this series, Christina will combine the practice of advent with a focus on how we as musicians can embrace the peace and hope of the season in the midst of the busyness that ...
E33: Musician's Advent - Harmony - Creating Harmony in Chaos
Welcome to our special Advent series - Musician's Advent. In this series, Christina will combine the practice of advent with a focus on how we as musicians can embrace the peace and hope of the season in the midst of the busyness that ...
E32: Musician's Advent - Peace - Cultivating Stillness in Practice
Welcome to our special Advent series - Musician's Advent. In this series, Christina will combine the practice of advent with a focus on how we as musicians can embrace the peace and hope of the season in the midst of the busyness that ...
E 31: Thanksgiving Thoughts
Hello, friends! We will return to our wellness series in the new year, but for now, let's embrace the fullness of the holiday season - starting with a special Thanksgiving episode!