Practice is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. In this episode, we're having a chat with Leslie Thackeray, a dedicated Suzuki violin teacher and the creative force behind The Practice Shoppe. Leslie shares her journey from receiving her first violin at age four to becoming a pioneering music educator known for her innovative teaching methods. They dive into practical tips for making practice fun and enjoyable, insights on parental involvement, and the story behind Leslie's unique products designed to aid music practice. Tune in to discover how Leslie combines her love for violin, teaching, and creativity to inspire young musicians.

• Leslie describes how she started The Practice Shoppe.
• She talks about managing a business with physical products from home.
• How she uses different methods incorporates fun games to motivate practice.
• Tools and tips for effective practice.
• Importance of parental support in organizing and encouraging practice.
• Strategies for parents who aren’t musicians to still effectively guide their children.
• Leslie shares how interactive and visual learning aids are used to reinforce musical concepts and improve practice habits.
• She encourages listeners to share ideas for new products they would like to see.

Links Mentioned

• The Practice Shoppe Website
• The Practice Shoppe Instagram Page
• The Practice Shoppe Facebook Page
• TopCast 391: Meet Brian Shepard, New CEO of MTNA

Today’s Guest

At the age of four, Leslie Thackeray's musical journey began when she received her first violin as a birthday gift. She pursued her passion for music and obtained a BA in Music from the University of Utah. In 2000, she started her teaching career, combining her love for the violin with her enthusiasm for education. Leslie has been an active member of the Suzuki community and is a past president of the Suzuki Association of Utah. In addition, she owns The Practice Shoppe, which allows her to connect her love of music with her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Leslie's life is a harmonious blend of family, music, and education.

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

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