047: A Review of Preschool Piano Methods with Abigail Proffitt

Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by our guest, Abigail Proffitt, who specializes in preschool and neurodivergent students and teaches classical piano through a playful and repertoire-rich approach. In this episode, we'll dive deep into various preschool piano methods, featuring a detailed discussion on books like Piano Adventures, WunderKeys, Celebrate Piano, and many more. Abigail shares her invaluable insights, practical tips, and expert advice on creating an engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experience for young piano students. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting, this episode is packed with resources and inspiration to enhance your teaching journey.

• Abigail shared her journey to becoming a piano teacher and her passion for teaching.
• Her online business for music teachers, offering music theory resources and workshops.
• Her experiences teaching preschoolers, both in groups and private lessons.
• Emphasis on playful, sound-based learning, using games and improvisation.
• Advice for and tips for teachers to better understand and teach preschoolers.
• The importance of a strong rhythmic foundation for better sight-reading skills.
• Discussion on specific curriculums such as Piano Adventures, WunderKeys, Celebrate Piano, Music for Little Mozarts, Music Play Curriculum, Piano Safari, etc.
• Importance of a combination of different methods over relying on one.
• Abigail shared some practical tips and encourages not focusing too heavily on hand shape for very young children.
• She shared details about her Preschool Piano Crash Course.

Method Books Mentioned

• The Whole-Brain Child Book by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson
• The Power of Play Book by David Elkind
• How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen Book by by Joanna Faber
• Faber Piano Adventures
• WunderKeys
• Celebrate Piano!
• Music for Little Mozarts
• Music Play
• Theory Made Fun by Kevin Olson
• Piano Safari
• Piano Safari Friends

Guest Links Mentioned

• Whole Foundation Method Etsy Shop
• Proffitt Piano Studio Instagram Page
• Proffitt Piano Studio Facebook Page
• TopCast 349: Selling Your Teaching Resources on Etsy with Abigail Proffitt

Today’s Guest

Abigail Proffitt is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with a BMus in Piano Pedagogy. Her studio is based in North Texas, where she specializes in preschool and neurodivergent students. Abigail teaches classical piano using a play-based, repertoire-rich approach and she loves equipping other teachers to do the same!

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.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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