Keys to Music Learning

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning, Krista and Hannah chat about students who do not practice, have not yet been inspired to practice, or who practice sporadically because of busy schedules and life. 

They talk about ways Edwin Gordon's Music Learning Theory can help alleviate frustrations that may come up when students do not practice. 

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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.

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning, Krista and Hannah chat about module ideas, including a studio folk song project and recital, using modules for teacher brain breaks, and more! 

Mentioned in this episode, is Sarah Boyd's Boogie and Blues webinar.

For more information and to register for a PDLC, visit the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning, Krista and Hannah chat about summer Professional Development Levels Courses through the Gordon Institute for Music Learning. There are a variety of offerings for Summer 2026, including piano courses taught by Krista and Hannah! 

For more information and to register for a PDLC, visit the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.

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

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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.

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.

In this special archival episode, we're honored to share a thoughtful 2021 Q&A with Marilyn Lowe, founder of Music Moves for Piano. Marilyn reflects on her early teaching successes and the moment she realized something deeper was missing in her students’ musicianship. Through her discovery of Edwin E. Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, she found a new path forward.

In this conversation, she offers practical guidance on developing audiation, supporting students’ singing and pattern learning, and helping young musicians grow into confident, independent readers and creators. This episode is a beautiful reminder that true musical understanding goes far beyond the notes on the page.

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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.

In this Between Lessons episode of Keys to Music Learning, Krista and Hannah dive into one of their favorite topics: props! From rhythm sticks and bean bags to pom poms and stretchy bands, they explore how simple materials can transform early childhood classes and beginning piano lessons.

You’ll hear practical, creative ways to use props to strengthen macrobeat and microbeat awareness, support body coordination, prepare keyboard technique, and keep the musical mind fully engaged—all without breaking context. Whether you teach toddlers, keyboard classes, or even high school students, this episode will spark fresh ideas and challenge you to get more mileage out of the props you already own.

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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.

In this first “Between Lessons” quick chat, Krista and Hannah dive into the world of early childhood music education, sharing fresh experiments, big questions, and joyful discoveries from their classrooms.

Krista returns to teaching early childhood at a Montessori school and reflects on the power of immersion, play, and patience. Hannah shares how a summer seminar reshaped her thinking about music literacy, leading her to experiment with looping, overlapping class structures, and emergent music reading.

If you teach young children, or want to better understand where audiation begins, this episode is full of practical ideas and encouragement.

Show Notes
Unveiling Artistry in Early Childhood by Mary Ellen Pinzino
Sarah Boyd, pianovinestudio.com
Joy Morin, colorinmypiano.com

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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.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Amy Chaplin, we go deeper into the messy middle of learning and teaching through Music Learning Theory (MLT). Amy reflects honestly on feeling overwhelmed early in her MLT journey, how those experiences shaped her empathy for teachers, and why “micro progressions” have become central to both her teaching and her professional work.

We talk about tonalities, singing, and audiation, the emotional responses MLT can bring up for teachers, and what it means to share research-based ideas without making others feel “wrong.” Amy also shares the story behind Piano Pantry, her organization coaching, retreats, podcast, and her growing readiness to speak more openly about MLT and tonal learning.

This episode is an encouraging reminder that discomfort is not a sign of failure — it’s often a sign that real learning is happening.

Show Notes
Piano Pantry blog & podcast: https://pianopantry.com
Piano Pantry Podcast: https://pianopantry.com/podcast
Instagram: @pianopantryamy
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
Everyday Musicality Podcast with Heather Shouldice
Music Learning Theory & the work of Edwin E. Gordon
Marilyn Lowe’s Keyboard Games from Music Moves for Piano

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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.

In this episode of Keys to Music Learning, we sit down with pianist, teacher, blogger, and podcaster Amy Chaplin for an honest and thoughtful conversation about her journey as a music educator. Amy shares how her background in choral education shaped her teaching, the moments that left her wanting more for her students, and how she eventually found her way to Music Learning Theory.

We talk about discovering MLT through graduate studies and professional development, the realities of experimenting with new approaches in the piano studio, and the freedom that comes from letting go of “doing it perfectly.” Amy offers practical insights into incorporating singing, audiation, creativity, and micro-progressions into lessons—while still honoring your own teaching style and your students’ needs.

This is a rich, relatable conversation for teachers who are curious about MLT, already using Music Moves for Piano, or simply looking for a more musical, flexible, and student-centered way forward.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive even deeper into Amy’s teaching practices and studio work.

Show Notes

Amy Chaplin
The Piano Pantry Podcast
Music Learning Theory (Edwin E. Gordon)
Music Moves for Piano (Marilyn Lowe)
Keyboard Games (Marilyn Lowe)
Professional Development Leadership Conference (PDLC)

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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.

In Part Two of our conversation with musician and educator James Kessler, we dive deeper into what it really looks like to teach through audiation—across instruments, ages, and experience levels.

James shares candid reflections on his early discomfort with singing and movement, how vulnerability became a powerful teaching tool, and why mentorship is essential when learning to teach through Music Learning Theory. We explore meaningful connections between Music Moves for Piano, Jump Right In, and Developing Musicianship Through Improvisation, including how these approaches support advanced students, ensemble skills, improvisation, and true musical understanding.

This episode also honors the profound influence of Marilyn Lowe, especially her deep understanding of child development and her insistence on centering the needs of the student over the agenda of the teacher. The conversation is honest, practical, and at times emotional—offering reassurance to teachers who may feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or “behind,” and encouragement to trust the process.

Whether you teach piano, band, strings, mallet percussion, or are mentoring other teachers, this episode is a reminder that audiation-based teaching is not just for beginners—it’s a lifelong pathway to musicianship, joy, and connection.

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

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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.

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!

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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.