In this inspiring episode, Leila Viss shares how nearly 40 years of piano teaching, church musicianship, and personal resilience have shaped her creative voice. She opens up about her journey through trauma, healing, and the power of expressive arts—introducing tools like her Cupcake Improv Pack and the Creativity Pyramid. From hands-on group pedagogy at MTNA to guiding students from improvisation, Leila encourages teachers to embrace curiosity, let go of perfectionism, and find their own “bliss station.” Whether you're stuck in an improv rut or just need a creative spark, this conversation will leave you energized and ready to reconnect with your musical imagination.

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Leila Viss creates imaginative, tech-savvy resources for her in-person and online piano studio and website. She founded Space to Create where she empowers pianists and teachers to connect with their creativity through improvisation, composition, and arranging. A longtime church musician and dynamic speaker, she co-authored Found in the Wake, a memoir of loss and resilience. Viss is Colorado’s 2024 MTNA Foundation Fellow and a 2025 Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Recognition Award recipient.

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.

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