May 20, 2026

95: Tony Parlapiano | Holistic Piano Teaching With popMATICS

53 minutes

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) interviews Tony Parlapiano, founder of popMATICS, about his innovative online piano curriculum that focuses on playing by ear, creativity, improvisation, and practical theory. Tony explains how he's built a strong online student community through popMATICS. He also discusses how storytelling and collecting 'musical souvenirs' deepens listening, and how he balances structure with freedom to help students play and create music every day.

In this episode:

How Tony's methods focus on teaching piano through creativity and personal connection rather than traditional method books. He emphasizes understanding music beyond just reading notes, fostering a community where students can explore music freely.

How popMATICS uniquely blends curriculum and an online community that encourages students to learn by doing and sharing experiences. This approach helps students of all levels, from beginners to those with formal music education, to connect with music in a meaningful way.

Tony's concept of "souvenirs" to help students retain musical lessons. This strategy encourages students to find personal connections with music to make learning more engaging and memorable.

The importance of authenticity in Tony's marketing strategy and how he shares content that reflects his teaching philosophy, attracting the right students for his approach to piano.

For those looking to grow as instructors and build your music school, Tony shares his truly innovative approach to teaching piano that emphasizes creativity, community, and understanding music as a life skill. His unique methods foster deep connections with students of all levels and backgrounds, and highlight practical strategies for integrating music into everyday lives of students.

Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators looking to attract more students and create a sustainable business. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.

Tony's links:

popMATICS on TikTok

popMATICS website

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By John Kozicki

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