Today, we dive into the world of digital organization with Amy Chaplin and Joy Morin, two passionate music educators who have transformed the way they manage their studios and lives using Notion. They share how Notion helps streamline workflows, reduce scattered files across multiple platforms, and keep everything organized in one place. They also explore why this all-in-one tool is revolutionizing productivity and discuss their Notion for Teachers workshop, designed to help educators set up their Notion pages efficiently. Plus, they wrap up with their top three productivity tips for teachers. If you’re looking to organize your studio and life more effectively, this episode is packed with insights to help you get started!

Amy and Joy shared their thoughts on productivity and efficiency.

The importance of balance and avoiding the ‘hustle and grind’ mindset.

How apps should support the way we work rather than dictating our workflow.

Why Notion stands out as a powerful, customizable tool for organization and productivity.

Why Amy transitioned from Evernote to Notion.

Importance of re-evaluating tools and workflows to ensure they align with evolving needs and preferences.

Joy highlighted the flexibility of Notion, making it a great option for users looking for a customizable note-taking and project management tool.

The differences between Notion and project management tools like Trello, Asana, and Monday.

How they Notion for professional tasks, such as podcast planning and project management.

The use of Notion for personal tasks like travel planning and creating gift ideas for Christmas.

Amy and Joy shared their top three productivity tips for teachers.

Links Mentioned

TopCast Episode 14: Harnessing the Power of the Internet with Joy Morin

TopCast Episode 372: How to Organise Your Music Studio and Life with Amy Chaplin

Forbes Article: $10 Billion Productivity Startup Notion Wants To Build Your AI Everything App

Guest Links Mentioned

Organize Your Life With Notion Workshop

Notion Workshops Waitlist

Joy Morin's Website: ColorInMyPiano.com

Amy Chaplin's Website: PianoPantry.com

An Introduction to Notion – A Customizable Digital Workspace to Organize Everything in Your Life

Your Qs Answered and How I Use Notion to Manage My Piano Studio (Joy Morin)

40 Ways to Use Notion as a Music Professional (Joy Morin)

A Better Option: My Move Out of Evernote and Into Notion (Amy Chaplin)

Episode 105 – Evernote vs. Notion

Episode 109 – Joy & Amy: Ways We Used Notion This Week

Episode 134 – How Jill Gilbert is Using Notion to Manage Her Studio

Episode 135 – How Stephanie Thompson is Using Notion to Manage Her Studio

Episode 136 – How Valerie Merrel is Using Notion to Manage Her Studio

Today's Guest

Amy Chaplin is a pianist, teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. She loves supporting teachers on all things related to teaching, organization, productivity, and life on the Piano Pantry blog and podcast and via her small group digital organization coaching. Amy has enjoyed serving the profession in a variety of ways since 2009, currently serving as a trustee of the Indiana Music Teachers Association. Besides operating her independent piano studio in Northeast Indiana, Amy enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her husband.

Joy Morin, MM, is a pianist, teacher, speaker, composer, and lifelong learner based near Ann Arbor, Michigan. She hosts an annual retreat for piano teachers (pianoteacherretreat.com) and shares articles and resources on her blog, ColorInMyPiano.com. Joy currently serves as Secretary for the Gordon Institute for Music Learning and on the Committee for Young Musicians (Birth to Age 9) for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

In this episode, we’re chatting with Demitris Maddox to explore the key elements of a successful website for music teachers. Demitris shares how he developed a streamlined approach to website design that helps studios attract more students. We discuss the importance of clear messaging, an engaging hero section, and user-friendly navigation that encourages visitors to take action. He also highlights common website mistakes and simple fixes that can make a big difference.

Demitris shared insights on building a strong online presence for music teachers.

The importance of having a professional website to attract students.

He highlighted how a well-designed site can showcase your teaching style and credentials.

The value of clear, engaging content was emphasized to keep visitors interested.

Why an easy-to-navigate layout improves user experience.

How search engine optimization (SEO) can help teachers reach more potential students.

Tips on integrating scheduling tools to streamline lesson bookings.

The importance of mobile-friendly design was stressed for accessibility.

How testimonials and reviews build credibility and trust.

He encouraged teachers to update their websites regularly to stay relevant.

Links Mentioned

Learn more about TopMusicSheets here

Learn more about TopMusicGames here

Demitris Maddox's website: ProvideImpact.com

Hero Section Henry

Today's Guest

Demitris Maddox began his journey in 2016 helping his girlfriend build her thriving piano studio. Drawing from years as the Chief Marketing Officer of that successful studio, where he also provided website services for other music studios along the way, Demitris is now the confident founder of Provide Impact, where he helps private music studios attract more students through his Impact Method which focuses on optimized websites and online marketing.

When he's not in the kitchen experimenting to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, he's on a mission to help private music studios elevate their online presence to attract more students and grow their business. He's put together a free quiz for music teachers who want to know how ready they are for a professional music teaching website. Check it out at MusicTeacherQuiz.com

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Andrea Dow from Teach Piano Today. Andrea shares her unique approach to piano teaching, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, creativity, and building strong teacher-student relationships. We dive into how she and her husband Trevor started Teach Piano Today, how they developed their popular WunderKeys method, and how they’ve kept students engaged through imaginative, game-based learning materials. Andrea also opens up about her own teaching journey, the early influences that shaped her, and how she balances creativity with family life. You’ll come away inspired by the power of storytelling in piano education and how it can transform your studio.

Andrea shared a brief overview of her background and reflected on her early podcasting experience.

She shared her introverted nature and challenges balancing family life.

How piano teaching has evolved toward business and entrepreneurship.

How transitioning from Suzuki to traditional methods shaped her musical path.

Andrea shared how she grew her teaching studio to over 350 students before eventually selling it.

The importance of teacher-student relationships.

How she and her husband Trevor started Teach Piano Today in 2011, motivated by the disparity between classroom learning materials and piano resources.

The storytelling approach in the WunderKeys method, which enhances student engagement and emotional expression.

She emphasized starting composition and improvisation early in lessons.

The value of integrating composing and improvisation early in lessons to foster creativity.

She shared how Trevor’s background supports their resource design.

The importance of game-based learning to build rapport, reduce fear of failure, and reinforce concepts in a fun, memorable way.

Why games are helpful for all ages, including teens and adults.

Links Mentioned

Learn more about TopMusicSheets here

Learn more about TopMusicGames here

Guest Links Mentioned

Teach Piano Today Website

WunderKeys Website

Teach Piano Today Facebook Page

Teach Piano Today Instagram Page

Today's Guest

Andrea Dow, together with her husband Trevor, are the composers, authors, and educators behind TeachPianoToday.com and WunderKeys. Their collaborative work has transformed piano education, providing teachers with imaginative resources that engage students of all ages. From quirky piano books to game-based learning materials, Andrea and Trevor's creations inspire piano teachers worldwide to bring creativity and joy into their lessons. Over the years, they have published 207 piano books, each designed to motivate students and make learning music fun.

Andrea and Trevor live on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. When not composing or creating, Andrea and Trevor balance family life with two teenage daughters, and spend most of their time at the hockey rink or track.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

After wrapping up the Assess, Plan & Execute series, I’m excited to be back hosting this week’s episode with our featured TopMusicSheets composer, Kai Ono. Kai is a versatile musician whose work spans classical, jazz, and popular styles, blending the academic with the intuitive. In our conversation, he shares insights into his creative process, the inspiration behind his bird-themed compositions, and how his diverse musical background influences his teaching and writing. Plus, you’ll hear him perform some of his incredible pieces and discuss how teachers can encourage creativity in their students. Get ready to be inspired by Kai’s unique approach to composition and musicianship!

Kai shared his background in teaching, performing, and composing.

How he learned multiple instruments to write better compositions for different ensembles.

His love for birds and how they inspire his compositions.

Why he has three keyboards, noting that he uses them for different performance settings.

His childhood music education, particularly his experience with the Yamaha Music School.

The importance of early solfège training and improvisation in developing musicianship.

His biggest musical influences, including Debussy, Stevie Wonder, and jazz pianists like Bill Evans.

His pedagogical approach to composition, writing music that helps students develop specific technical skills.

How modal harmony gives him freedom in composition and improvisation.

Kai shared his positive experience working with TopMusicSheets and how the editing process improved his work.

Links Mentioned

Learn more about TopMusicSheets here

Listen to TopMusicSheets Collections on SoundCloud

Find out more about Jam Sessions Course here

Check out TopMusicPro courses here

Guest Links Mentioned

Kai's Instagram Page: @iamokkai

Kai's Music at My-Melodies.com

Today's Guest

Kai Ono is a composer-pianist/singer-songwriter in Queens, NY. A winner of NFMC awards for his classical writing and the ASCAP Herb Alpert Award for his jazz writing, Kai commands a musical style that sways between the cathartic and the intimate, the academic and the intuitive, the traditional and the new. His current artist project, OK KAI, innervated by his neo-soul and folk influences beyond his classical and jazz writing, is his most recent project driven by his love for the marriage of compassion and intellectualism as well as singing with random people in a circle. As an educator, Kai teaches a wide gamut of skills including composition, music theory, playing and improvising popular styles, production, songwriting, and of course classical piano. You can even ask him about his book, For the Birds, which he got published recently as his way of combining all his loves in music (and birds).

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

In this final episode of the Assess, Plan & Execute series, we’re diving into the crucial step of executing your weekly and daily plans. I’ll walk you through how to break down your quarterly goals into manageable tasks, structure your schedule for maximum efficiency, and stay flexible when life happens. Whether you prefer digital tools or pen and paper, this episode will help you build a system that keeps you on track. Let’s put your plan into action and set you up for success!

The importance of executing weekly and daily plans to achieve long-term goals.

Tara shared how she uses Google Calendar to organize tasks and block time effectively.

Her color-coding system to prioritize urgent tasks and reschedule incomplete ones.

She highlighted the importance of morning productivity and how she structures her day accordingly.

How blocking time for personal activities helps maintain work-life balance.

How she tracks priorities by breaking down tasks within each time block.

The value of completing essential tasks first, using the “eat the frog” method.

She recommended creating a routine that aligns with personal productivity peaks.

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Today, we’re continuing the Assess, Plan & Execute series by diving into the next crucial step—executing and assessing your quarterly plan. Now that we’ve mapped out our goals, it’s time to put them into action while regularly evaluating our progress. I’ll share strategies to stay on track, make adjustments when needed, and ensure your quarterly plan is setting you up for success. Let’s keep moving forward and make the most of this quarter!

• Tara shared how quarterly planning helps organize the year without feeling overwhelming.
• She explained that planning three months at a time allows for flexibility when life changes.
• Importance of marking non-negotiable dates like vacations, work commitments, and family events.
• How color-coded sticky notes and dry/wet erase markers help visually organize schedules.
• Her approach to mapping out projects, launches, and major events.
• Why scheduling rest periods after intense work periods is essential for balance.
• Her method for tracking long-term goals, like obtaining her pilot’s license.
• How she plans and schedules social media content to stay consistent.
• The importance of batching content to make posting easier and more manageable.
• How to evaluate the past quarter with a self-assessment.
• Why reviewing accomplishments and challenges helps refine future plans.
• How financial check-ins help track income, expenses, and business growth.
• She encouraged keeping quarterly assessments for future reference and long-term improvement.

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Today, we’re continuing the Assess, Plan & Execute series by diving into the next crucial step — planning your quarter. Now that we’ve mapped out the big picture for the year, it’s time to break it down into actionable, manageable goals. I’ll guide you through setting priorities, aligning your schedule with life’s seasons, and focusing on what truly moves your business forward. Let’s get strategic, stay realistic, and set up the next three months for success!

• The importance of planning quarterly to manage time, money, and goals effectively.
• Tara emphasized that life seasons impact scheduling, requiring flexibility in goal setting.
• Why assessing available time is crucial before committing to new projects or goals.
• How reducing unnecessary tasks, like excessive social media use, can free up time for business growth.
• She highlighted the need to set revenue goals each quarter and track income sources.
• The importance of identifying the primary revenue stream to focus on for each quarter.
• Tara encouraged writing down big dreams and breaking them into small, realistic quarterly goals.
• She recommended setting no more than three key goals per quarter to stay focused.
• How goal setting applies to business projects like launching a summer camp, requiring early preparation and marketing.
• Why batching tasks, such as handling finances on specific days, can improve efficiency.
• The importance of dedicating regular time blocks to work on long-term business goals.

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

In this episode, we’re jumping back into the Assess, Plan & Execute series after a short break. Now that we’ve assessed where we’ve been and mapped out our ideas, it’s time to focus on yearly planning. I’ll walk you through my process for organizing priorities, scheduling non-negotiables, and creating a balanced plan that supports both work and life. Let’s dive back in and take control of your year!

Tara shared that she starts her planning process with a yearly overview to balance work and life.

The importance of bulk scheduling to maintain a structured and manageable workflow.

She uses yearly, quarterly, weekly, and daily planners to stay organized.

Recommendations for using large wall calendars for a clear visual of the year’s schedule.

She plans for launch periods in her various businesses, ensuring she blocks off time accordingly.

Adjusting plans as needed but try to stick to schedule as much as possible.

She assesses each quarter to see if her workload is balanced or needs adjustments.

She encourages others to try her planning methods and share their setups online.

Links Mentioned

Click here to SUBSCRIBE to TopMusic AI Newsletter

Large yearly calendar

Large frame

Sticky notes size 1.5” x 2”

Sticky notes size 0.6” x 3”

Expo dry erase markers

Expo wet erase markers

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Curious about AI and how it can help your teaching studio? In this episode, we're chatting with Tara Wright, the creative force behind the TopMusic AI Podcast and an expert in streamlining music education with technology. Tara shares how AI can save teachers time, enhance creativity, and simplify business tasks — without replacing the human touch. We discuss practical AI tools, the power of well-crafted prompts, and how teachers can start using AI today. Tune in to discover how AI can transform your teaching!

Tara shared a brief overview of her teaching background as a multi-teacher and running a multi-instrument studio for 10 years.

TopMusic AI Podcast, featuring AI-generated segments followed by Tara’s real-life insights.

How Tara uses AI and how she trained AI to replicate her writing style and voice.

Understanding AI  and how to use it as a music teacher.

What are prompts & prompt engineering.

AI’s practical applications for music teachers.

Discussion about AI and its role in music teaching.

The future of AI and online presence.

Using AI in your music teaching studio.

More about TopMusic AI Podcast & newsletter.

Some teacher feedback and adjustments.

Links Mentioned

Find our more about TopMusic AI Podcast here

Click here to subscribe to TopMusic AI Podcast.

ChatGPT

Claude AI

Bard AI (now Gemini)

Today's Guest

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Welcome to the 400th episode of The TopCast. Today, we're celebrating a milestone of the longest-running podcast from TopMusic, dedicated to supporting and inspiring music teachers worldwide. I can hardly believe it’s been a decade of connecting and empowering music teachers all over the world. In this special milestone episode, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Rachel Ehring, host of the TopMusic Piano Podcast and a key part of our podcast family. Together, we take a heartfelt look back on the journey of The TopCast and all the moments that brought us here. We dive into some incredible and unforgettable  memories, answer listener questions, share a few personal stories and plenty of laughs (and even some cat-related laughs!). Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or joined somewhere along the way, this celebration is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey and this amazing community!

Tim reflects on the origins of the podcast, starting with an interview with John Bloomfield in 2015.

The evolution of the podcast's format and branding, from Tim Topham TV to the Creative Piano Teaching Podcast and beyond.

He highlights the launch of other podcasts under the TopMusic brand, including TopMusic Piano Podcast, TopMusic Guitar Podcast, and the new TopMusic AI podcast.

Tim shares the scariest part of starting his business: leaving stable income for an uncertain future.

How he transitioned from full-time teaching to focus fully on his membership business in 2016.

He emphasizes careful risk management and family support when taking big career leaps.

He shares some podcasting advice for podcasters.

Teaching and piano-related insights and advice for newbie teachers.

How TopMusic stays relevant and his 2025 business goal.

Tim's most rewarding milestone and the best business advice he received.

The most valuable part of TopMusicPro membership.

Nepal remains his favorite travel destination after a memorable trek to Everest Base Camp in the early 2000s.

If he weren’t a piano teacher, Tim would love to be a helicopter pilot.

A surprising fact is Tim’s love for cycling, often completing 100 km rides with fellow cyclists.

Tim as a DIY enthusiast, thanks to the skills passed down by his father.

How he enjoys humming basslines and wishes he had learned to play the bass guitar.

Why he loves relaxing to EDM music, finding it calming despite its high-energy nature.

His two Australian Mist cats, one of whom loves Chopin and often naps on the piano.

His bucket list, including obtaining a helicopter pilot’s license to fly his family to unique destinations.

His most adventurous experiences, which is trekking to Everest Base Camp in winter.

Links Mentioned

Interview with John Bloomfield | Taubman Workshops Brisbane

Tim Topham TV Test Recording

The Teach Piano Today Podcast Episode 15: How to use an iPad in your Piano Lessons

TTTV001: Student Composition Tactics with Daniel McFarlane

TopMusic Podcasts & Links

TopMusic Piano Podcast

TopMusic Guitar Podcast

TopMusic AI Podcast

Leave a review for TopCast here

For any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]

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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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