In this episode of Keys to Music Learning, Krista Jadro and Hannah Mayo welcome music educator James Kessler for a wide-ranging conversation about his musical journey and the experiences that shaped his audiation-centered teaching philosophy.

James shares his early immersion in classical music, his love of jazz and improvisation, and his winding path through performance, composition, and music education. Along the way, he reflects on sound-before-sight learning, solfege, human development, and how working with neurodiverse students deeply influenced his teaching.

Part 1 focuses on James’s background and the intuitive practices he used long before discovering Music Learning Theory—setting the stage for his eventual connection to audiation-based approaches such as Developing Musicianship through Improvisation, Jump Right In: The Instrumental Series, and Music Moves for Piano.

Developing Musicianship through Improvisation, by Christopher Azzara and Richard Grunow
Jump Right In: The Instrumental Series, by Richard Grunow, Edwin Gordon, and Christopher Azzara
Music Moves for Piano, by Marilyn Lowe

Support Keys to Music Learning through the Keys to Music Learning Community!

Join us on Facebook!
Introduction to Audiation-based Piano Instruction and Music Moves for Piano

Ready to learn more about audiation-based piano instruction and Music Moves for Piano? Visit Music Learning Academy for online courses, webinars, and resources.

Want to dive into audiation-based piano instruction? Check out Music Moves for Piano by Marilyn Lowe.