Jul
14

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Reach and Rise: A Virtual Piano Teacher Conference Packed with Practical Teaching Solutions

Category: Conferences, Online Courses Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Join piano teachers from around the world for three days of practical teaching breakthroughs—live, or on your own schedule!

If you’re searching for professional development for piano teachers that delivers practical ideas you can immediately implement in your studio, you’ll love this year’s Reach and Rise Virtual Conference.

Hosted by Piano Teacher Academy, this biennial online conference is designed specifically for independent piano teachers seeking fresh inspiration, effective teaching strategies, and creative solutions to the everyday challenges of teaching.

This year’s theme—Reach and Rise—focuses on helping teachers reach students more effectively with practical, real-world solutions that inspire them to rise in confidence, ability, and artistry.

Whether you’re a new teacher building your first studio or a seasoned educator looking for renewed inspiration, you’ll leave with ideas you can begin using immediately.

This year’s conference features seven internationally respected educators sharing proven strategies to help strengthen every aspect of your teaching.

You’ll discover practical approaches for:

  • Teaching reading, technique, and musicality from Day One
  • Helping students develop productive, independent practice habits
  • Inspiring artistic, expressive performances
  • Teaching effective pedal techniques for students of all levels
  • Improving communication with students and parents
  • Organizing your studio more efficiently with Notion
  • Creating beautiful studio materials quickly with Canva

Presenters include:

  • Dr. Scott McBride Smith
  • Phyllis Alpert Lehrer
  • Amy Chaplin
  • Joy Morin
  • Leila Viss
  • Mona Rejino
  • Catharine Lysinger

Each session is packed with practical demonstrations, immediately usable teaching ideas, and downloadable resources you can apply in your own studio.

Can’t Attend Live? No Problem!

One of the greatest benefits of the Reach and Rise Virtual Conference is its flexibility.

Attend the live webinars July 29–31, 2026 from anywhere in the world using your computer, tablet, or smartphone—or simply watch everything later.

Every registration includes:

✔ Unlimited lifetime access to every video replay

✔ Downloadable handouts and teaching resources

✔ Presenter bonus materials

✔ NEW! Mobile app access so you can learn wherever you are

Watch once—or revisit your favorite sessions again and again. Your access never expires.

Registration Is Open Through July 31

Although our early-bird discount has ended, general registration remains open through July 31.

Because we know professional development is an investment, we’ve made it easier than ever to attend with convenient, interest-free payment plans through Afterpay and Klarna—at no additional cost. You can reserve your place today and spread your payments over time while still receiving immediate access to the conference curriculum when it opens.

Whether you join us live July 29–31 or watch the sessions afterward, you’ll receive lifetime access to every replay, downloadable handouts, teaching resources, and bonus materials, allowing you to revisit the conference whenever you need fresh inspiration.

Don’t wait until the last minute — registration closes July 31 at Midnight (Central).

Flexible, Interest-Free Payment Plans

Professional development should be accessible.

That’s why we offer interest-free payment plans through Afterpay and Klarna—at no additional cost to you.

Choose the payment option that fits your budget while securing your place in the conference today.

Perfect for Busy Piano Teachers

Whether you teach after school, evenings, weekends—or you’re balancing family and studio life—you’ll appreciate the convenience of learning when it works for you.

No travel.

No hotel expenses.

No taking days away from your studio.

Simply attend live or watch whenever your schedule allows—from anywhere in the world.

A Conference You Can Keep

Unlike many conferences that disappear after the event ends, Reach and Rise becomes part of your permanent professional library.

Whenever you need fresh ideas, encouragement, or teaching inspiration, simply log in and revisit the sessions.

Many attendees tell us they return to the presentations year after year as new teaching situations arise.

Special Collegiate Discount

Full-time college piano and pedagogy students receive 50% off conference registration.

If you’re currently a full-time college student, contact Elizabeth Gutierrez at elizabeth@pianoteacheracademy.com for your private discount code.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

If you’re ready to discover practical, proven strategies that strengthen student learning, simplify studio life, and renew your passion for teaching, we’d love to have you join us.

VIEW THE COMPLETE CONFERENCE DETAILS & REGISTER HERE!

  • Live Conference: July 29–31, 2026
  • Registration Ends July 31
  • Interest-Free Payment Plans Available
  • Lifetime Replay Access Included
  • NEW Mobile App Access

We can’t wait to welcome you to Reach and Rise and spend three inspiring days growing together as piano teachers!

May
31

By

REGISTER for the 2024 “Propel to Excel!” Virtual Conference and receive unlimited access to the replays!

Category: Conferences, Online Courses Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

LIVE Attendance Not Required!

Can’t believe it’s time for our biennial VIRTUAL conference – the 2024 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers! Our theme for this year is “Propel to Excel!” with the focus of how piano teachers can extend and expand their curriculum to nurture enthusiasm for lessons and prepare students for a wider world as future hobbyists or professionals.

The 6 sessions will come to you via WEBINAR with VIDEO REPLAYS complete with LIFETIME ACCESS!

CLICK HERE to VIEW the CONFERENCE DETAILS! Flexible payment options are available, including Buy Now, Pay Later.

Our headliner will be the fabulous Marvin Blickenstaff with his opening session on Thursday, June 27, at 10AM Central!


If you don’t know of Marvin (link) and his tremendous gifts as a piano pedagogue, you must experience him. He turned 89 years old in May and he just keeps ticking and offering so much teaching wisdom to piano teachers worldwide. He’ll talk to us about avoiding potential student drop-outs when we can, and how we can rethink ways in which our instruction will captivate students to such a degree that they will only wish to continue lessons. We all need this, right? He’ll also give us an insider’s view of his new book on piano teaching “Inspired Piano Teaching” which was just released in March 2024. I have my signed copy and it’s a complete collection of 60 years of Marvin’s know-how and specific piano teaching tips all inside one handy guide. Such wonderful inspiration! Don’t miss this session!


Besides myself, these 6 presenters will examine ways we can extend and expand student skills to keep young pianists engaged in their music-making and prepped for a future as active musicians.

We often wonder if pre-college students will remain involved in their music after they leave us and go forth in the world. At this conference, our session presenters will guide you in forging new musical ventures for your students, to engage and motivate them to continue lessons for all the possibilities that lie ahead. They’ll provide you with precise steps and guidance for the clarity you need and offer LIVE demonstration with real students! You’ll also have PLENTY of opportunity to ask them questions!

There will be premium bonuses from our presenters also! Even if you can’t attend the LIVE webinars, you’ll receive “forever” access to the video replays and handouts!

Attend the webinar sessions LIVE on June 27-29, 2024 via your computer or mobile device from anywhere in the world AND/OR watch the replays at your leisure later on your own time without expiration!

Yes, I’ll reserve my seat now!

(Note: Full-time college students attend at half-price! Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@pianoteacheracademy.com to inquire.)

Jun
23

By

GRAB EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION for the 2022 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers “Sorting Out the Piano Classics: What to Teach and When”

Category: Classical Music, Conferences, Music History, Online Courses, Webinars Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

It’s time for our biennial VIRTUAL conference – the 2022 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers! Our theme voted by teachers this year is “Sorting Out the Piano Classics: What to Teach and When” While this content already exists as a self-study online course at Piano Teacher Academy, many teachers asked me to present it cohort-style, where we would all view the previously-recorded material together as a group (LIVE via webinar) with plenty of time afterwards for me to answer specific questions. So here’s your chance to receive a complete walk-through of the piano classics, from mid-elementary to early advanced, with teaching tips and advice on the most commonly-taught pieces and how to present them in a logical order of progression. We’ll talk about each grade level specifically, when exactly to start classical piano literature, how to match your methods with particular classical collections, and so much more!

The 7 sessions will come to you via WEBINAR with VIDEO REPLAYS complete with LIFETIME ACCESS!

CLICK HERE to VIEW the CONFERENCE DETAILS! Early-bird discounted registration is underway and expires July 22 at midnight central!

The Conference will begin on Friday, July 22, with a PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION given by Dr. Jane Magrath!

Join us for a special Conference “warm-up!” with renown pedagogue, Jane Magrath. She’ll give us an insider’s view of her new piano teaching guide “Piano Literature for Teaching and Performance” which was just released in 2021. Besides a preview of the content, Jane will discuss how teachers can use this book to discern what is possible for students at various stages of their musical growth. I just received my copy, and wow! It’s updated with all the latest publications for piano students including new composers, neglected composers, and current information on where to find material. Don’t miss this session!

Besides myself, 3 other guest presenters will present sessions on the intricacies of teaching Mozart and Baroque/Classical ornamentation.

Teachers have often asked me for specific guidance and direction in teaching Mozart (so tricky to teach!) and ornamentation rules (how to execute ornaments in varied scenarios). I found experts to help you with both subject areas! They’ll provide you with the pinpointed clarity you need with both LIVE demonstration and close-up video and you’ll also have PLENTY of opportunity to ask them questions!

There will be door prizes for LIVE attendees and coupon codes for all registrants. Even if you can’t attend the LIVE webinars, you’ll receive “forever” access to the video replays and handouts!

Attend the webinar sessions LIVE on July 22 and July 28- 31, 2022 via your computer or mobile device from anywhere in the world AND/OR watch the replays at your leisure later on your own time without expiration!

👉🏼Yes! I’ll RESERVE my EARLY-BIRD SEAT NOW!

Would you like us to send you a reminder before early-bird registration closes for good?

We’ll be glad to do so! Please click HERE to add your name to a list and we’ll send you an email reminder so you don’t miss the savings on registration. Monthly payment plans are also available!

Grab your early bird ticket before it flies away! 

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(Note: Conference registration will continue after the early bird expires.)

Jan
28

By

The MusicEdConnect VIRTUAL Conference starts soon! Feb. 11- 13, 2021

Category: Conferences, Webinars Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Another MusicEdConnect VIRTUAL conference is coming up! and if you’ve never participated in this long-standing virtual conference for piano teachers and music educators , take a look at the stellar line-up of leaders and conference events HERE.

👉🏼 HURRY! Enter “EG21” at check-out HERE and receive $20 off your enrollment. This code expires SATURDAY, Feb. 6, midnight central! 👈🏼

MusicEdConnect 2021 is more interactive than ever and you will definitely want to attend as many sessions LIVE. Joining live is easy. All you need is a free Zoom account. On-demand REPLAYS will be available up to a year afterwards. Nice.

👉🏼 DATES: February 11-13, 2021 👈🏼

You’ll get to know world-renowned presenters and attendees from around the globe personally with sessions, break-out sessions, social gatherings, showcases, exhibitors and more. All the things you’d find with an in-person piano teaching conference without all the travel and extra expense.

👉🏼 REGISTER and view the array of sessions HERE. 👈🏼

I’ve presented sessions at MusicEdConnect in previous years and have LOVED the interactivity between presenters and attendees and the fact that we can chat live with each other, network, and share valuable advice. If you’d like to stay current with all that’s going on in the world of piano teaching, don’t miss out on this one!

Jun
14

By

REGISTRATION IS ON! for the 2020 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers “The Heart and Art of Interpretation”

Category: Conferences, Online Courses, Webinars | Leave a Comment


Not all piano conferences are cancelled!

I am so pleased to bring to you our biennial VIRTUAL conference – the 2020 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers! Our theme this year is “The Heart and Art of Interpretation!” So many teachers have shared with me that interpretation, expression, tone, color, artistry, and all the other elements that could easily fall under the category of “interpretation,” are teaching struggles for them no matter what level they teach. How do we get our students to reach beyond the basic execution of notes and rhythms and play with a commitment to the beauty of sound, color, nuance, and expression? How to we teach them to address “style” in their performances? These questions and many more will be answered in this conference!

The 11 sessions will come to you via WEBINAR with VIDEO REPLAYS complete with LIFETIME ACCESS!

Check out all the details here.

The 2020 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers VIRTUAL Conference will showcase 7 presenters who will deliver lectures on style differences, techniques for communicative performances, imaginative musical thinking, the interpretation of jazz styles, the art of pedaling, and so much more! And this year, we’ve added 4 showcases by major publishers!

You’ll have a chance to interact with these presenters, the showcase clinicians and other participants, ask questions, plus….there will be door prizes for LIVE attendees and coupon codes for all registrants. Even if you can’t attend the LIVE webinars, you’ll receive access to the replays and handouts later!
Attend the webinars and showcases LIVE on June 25- 28, 2020 via your computer or mobile device AND/OR watch the replays at your leisure later on your own time with no expiration!

Yes! I’ll RESERVE my SEAT NOW!

BUT WAIT! Did you miss the 2017 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers with the amazing Marvin Blickenstaff?

You can sign up for the the NEW 2020 VIP Bundle! and receive instant online access to Marvin’s online camp today PLUS receive the “2020 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers – “Heart and Art of Interpretation”  – both at the discounted rate!  View the bundle HERE (it’s available on divided payments!).

Register for just the 2020 camp here

Register for both the 2020 & 2017 camps here

Grab your early bird ticket before it flies away! 

(Note: Conference registration will continue after the early bird expires.)

motionmailapp.com

 Committed to your success!

Elizabeth

Jul
7

By

REGISTRATION IS ON for the 2018 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers “Power UP Practice”- Attend LIVE WEBINARS + Receive LIFETIME ACCESS Replays

Category: Conferences, Online Courses Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

SEE the UPDATE NOTICE at the end of the post! 

So thrilled to welcome you to the 2018 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers with a theme on an all-too-important topic for piano teachers – “Practice.” This year’s event “Power UP Practice!” will come to you via WEBINAR with VIDEO REPLAYS complete with LIFETIME ACCESS! This may be the first conference ever to focus solely on aspects of practicing and the related issues we teachers deal with each and every day.

Check out all the details here.

The 2018 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers will showcase 6 different clinicians who will deliver lectures on practice strategies, techniques, motivation, incentives, mindset, modes of communication, and much more!

You’ll have a chance to interact with these clinicians and other participants, ask questions, plus….there will be door prizes for LIVE attendees. Even if you can’t attend the LIVE webinars, you’ll receive access to the replays and we’ll have a digital goodie bag saved for you.

Attend the webinars LIVE on July 26 and 27, 2018 via your computer or mobile device AND/OR watch at your leisure later on your own time with no expiration!

Yes! I’ll RESERVE my SEAT NOW!

BUT WAIT! Did you miss last year’s Piano Camp for Piano Teachers with the amazing Marvin Blickenstaff?

You can sign up for the the NEW 2018 VIP Bundle! and receive instant online access to Marvin’s online camp today PLUS receive the “2018 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers – Power UP Practice!”  – both at the discounted rate!  View the bundle HERE (and it’s available on split payments!).

Register for just the 2018 camp here

Register for both the 2017 & 2018 camps here

UPDATE! The LIVE webinars have concluded and were just amazing.  Teachers LOVED the sessions and walked away with new tips, tools, and techniques to boost “practicing” with their students and parents!  To celebrate, we’ve extended the PRE-REGISTRATION to MIdnight Central, August 1!  Grab it before it goes away.  You won’t be disappointed! 

motionmailapp.com Committed to your success!

Elizabeth

Aug
31

By

UPDATE! Give to flood victims + invest in your education

Category: Conferences, Online Courses Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

There are no words to express the magnitude of the tragic loss and devastation in Houston/southeastern TX coastal areas due to the catastrophic flood, release of dam waters, and now a chemical plant explosion. A few members of my family plus numerous friends and teaching colleagues have been forced out of their homes and evacuated to shelters having lost everything or in some peril of losing their homes, belongings, livelihoods, etc.

In an effort to give more than just a personal donation and supplies, I want to try and contribute more substantially, especially to my TexasMTA colleagues who will need much help in rebuilding their lives, so…..

Tuesday, August 29 through Monday, Sept. 4 (midnight Central time), 10% of all net course sales at pianoteacheracademy.com will go to the MTNA Benevolence Fund. This fund is used to assist MTNA members affected by disasters.

This incredibly-gifted pedagogue, Marvin Blickenstaff, inspired many teachers this year with his 3 sessions offered as part of the online course: 2017 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers.

Marvin’s course bundle was originally scheduled to end on August 31, but has been extended thru Sept. 4. The investment for the Camp’s 4 sessions (w/ one additional session given by me, Elizabeth Gutierrez) is only $127. Divided payments are available and you receive LIFETIME access to the online videos and handouts.

CLICK HERE to view all the details for the 2017 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers

In addition to the above, you can take advantage of the VIP BUNDLE:

You receive the 2017 Camp course above + Sorting Out the Piano Classics: What to Teach and When. The latter is a comprehensive course with 7+ hours of step-by-step video instruction, plus downloadable handouts. It includes 3 LIVE webinar sessions yearly where I answer your most pressing questions about teaching the classics. You receive LIFETIME access to this course, plus access to each year of webinars! Divided payments are also available.

CLICK HERE to view all the details for the VIP BUNDLE.

Please share with friends….

If you know of other teachers who might benefit from the courses at the Piano Teacher Academy, please share this post via email or spread the word with the social sharing icons at top left.

For those who enroll, I cannot thank you enough and if online courses are not on your radar right now and you feel moved to help, please donate to the MTNA Benevolence Fund, the Houston Food Bank, the Texas Diaper Bank, or to the Red Cross (all of these are trusted direct links).

Much appreciated! Keep all those affected in your thoughts and prayers!

Elizabeth Gutierrez

Aug
11

By

Grab Your ONLINE Piano Camp Here! But only through August 31!

Category: Conferences, Online Courses Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Hey there!

How’s your summer been going?  Can’t believe it’s already August and before you know we’ll be back in the swing of teaching again.  Yikes!  What happened?

Did you miss your own PIANO RETREAT this summer?  We had a fabulous! Piano Camp for Piano Teachers with the brilliant Marvin Blickenstaff on June 30 in San Antonio, TX.  If you couldn’t make it or haven’t yet enrolled in the ONLINE version, grab it by AUGUST 31. After that it will not be available anymore at the Camp pricing. And guess what? There’s now a summer budget-friendly payment plan as well.  🙂

 Read all about it HERE.  And snag it before enrollment closes on AUGUST 31 at midnight!

It includes these 4 Video Sessions:

  • Warm-Ups? Who, Me? Technical Routines for All Ages Marvin Blickenstaff, presenter
  • Performance Practice Made Easy: Rules of Thumb for the Student Marvin Blickenstaff, presenter
  • A Simple Step-by-Step Start to Major Scales, All Without A Book Elizabeth Gutierrez, presenter
  • The End is in the Beginning: Coaching a Piece to Performance Marvin Blickenstaff, presenter

Plus…..

  • Downloadable handouts
  • LIFETIME ACCESS to the videos, in addition to any content upgrades later.
  • A bonus “dessert” video from Marvin.
  • 30-day money back guarantee from date of purchase if you aren’t satisfied.

View on a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile device.  No special software required for viewing.

What Teachers Are Saying…..

“Thank you Elizabeth, thank you Marvin – watching this conference right now on replay and finding so many teaching tips. A true gold mine of piano pedagogy wisdom. Such well spent money and time. The info is multi-level and plentiful – am going to have to write notes upon notes!”

Sarah Arnold – Brussels, Belgium

 

“Marvin’s wealth of wisdom and knowledge is remarkable, but I equally enjoyed his humility, kindness and joyful spirit. Thank you Elizabeth for another wonderful Piano Camp for Piano Teachers. I’m especially excited that I will be able to watch the videos over the next year. You’re a huge blessing to the piano community.”

Ginny Godsey – San Antonio, TX

 

Did you miss last year’s ONLINE Piano Camp for Piano Teachers (now a course called “Sorting Out the Piano Classics:  What to Teach and When”)?  Here’s your chance to enroll in BOTH the 2016 and 2017 ONLINE Camps at a very nice investment price of only $247 (w/ lifetime access).  Even better…. it too is available on a payment plan, but hurry!  This VIP BUNDLE of piano teacher education will also go away on August 31, 2017!

Click HERE to view the BUNDLE contents.

This package also includes 3 yearly Group Coaching Webinars where I answer your pressing questions about teaching classical repertoire.

See You On The Inside!

May
11

By

REGISTER NOW for the 2017 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers with Marvin Blickenstaff – Attend LIVE or ONLINE!

Category: Conferences, Online Courses Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

So excited to announce our guest clinician for this year’s Piano Camp for Piano Teachers, the highly sought-after and beloved Marvin Blickenstaff!  For years Marvin has been providing teachers worldwide with insightfully creative, thoughtful teaching techniques that just work and he’s the one they flock to for workshops, lectures, and master classes.

Now you can see Marvin in-person at the 2017 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers in the lovely San Antonio, TX or at your leisure via your computer or mobile device!

JOIN US on Friday, June  30, 2017 at RBC Pepper South Texas in San Antonio (formerly RBC Music Company) if you would like to see Marvin in action, ask him questions, and share a lovely lunch with him. OR…..Join him via your computer or mobile device beginning on/around July 10 and watch the videotaped lectures from that day.  All participants, both LIVE and online, will have access to the recorded version of the workshop (4 sessions) thru December 31, 2017.

Click HERE to view all the details plus the workshop topics. You may register for either the LIVE workshop on June 30 or the online version.

******IN-PERSON participants:  Seats are still available as of June 25.  If the registration link is open, you may still register.  All of you will have a chance for Q&A with Marvin, you’ll receive lunch on site, plus door prizes and the videos as well!

Yes! I’ll RESERVE my SEAT NOW!

Look forward to seeing you in person on June 30 or ONLINE!

Apr
5

By

SAVE the DATE! Friday, June 30 – San Antonio, TX

Category: Conferences, Online Courses | Leave a Comment

Blog Title - Save the DateI couldn’t be more thrilled to announce our fabulous clinician for the 2017 Piano Camp for Piano Teachers this summer.  Marvin Blickenstaff will be the featured clinician for our day-long piano teacher retreat on Friday, June 30 in San Antonio, TX!

I know that several Texas teachers were disappointed to miss his November appearance at the TMTA Fall Enrichment Conference so now you have another chance!  If you’ve never seen Marvin in action, then you are in for a real treat.   He is truly a teacher’s teacher and he never disappoints.

I’m in the process of selecting 4 diverse topics for the day and will announce all the details soon.  Due to limited space in the Recital Room at RBC Music Company and Marvin’s popularity, seats will go fast so I highly recommend that you pre-register as soon as I send the email to the mailing list (hopefully in just a few days).

Not on the email list? or uncertain if you are?  Join right HERE so you’ll be notified asap.

Live too far away from San Antonio but would love to see Marvin?  The camp will be video recorded and made available for online viewing!  Be sure to join the LIST to take advantage of early-bird online camp registration.

SaveTheDate

 MARK your CALENDARS everyone and start making plans to visit the River City!



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