358: The Best Instrumental Music Teacher Certification

The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

In this episode, we're joined by Rebecca Stewart, the community manager and the head of certification at TopMusic. Join us as we explore the overview of TopMusic Certification Program, reflecting on the first cohort's experiences, and uncover some of the unique features that set this program apart. We discuss the value of certification in terms of live cohort learning, flexibility, and its sharp focus on practical, real-world teaching. Listen in for exclusive excerpts from cohort meetings, where teachers passionately discuss teaching tools, share transformative experiences, and express the profound impact of the certification program. And stay tuned for a special announcement about the upcoming enrollment for the next cohort of the Top Music Certification program. Get ready to be inspired and informed on the latest and greatest in instrumental music education!

• Bec shares some insights into her life and into her dual role as a piano teacher at a school and at her home.
• Overview of the Top Music Certification Program.
• Reflections on the first cohort of Top Music Certification.
• Some unique features of the certification program.
• The value of certification in terms of live cohort learning, flexibility, and focus on practical, real-world teaching.
• Bec and Tim express their enthusiasm for the cohort learning model, gaining insights and building connections with teachers worldwide.
• Some excerpts from the cohort meetings, featuring teachers discussing teaching tools, sharing experiences, and expressing the impact of the certification program.
• Announcement that enrollment for the next cohort of the Top Music Certification program will be opening soon.
• Systematic approach to the playbook, resembling a course guide based on the Presto framework for certification.

Links Mentioned

• TopMusic Certification Program
• Register for the TopMusic Q&A Session

Today’s Guest

Rebecca grew up listening to her three older sisters practice their musical instruments. She delighted in her childhood music lessons and wanted to teach young children in a fun and creative way. Her piano teacher at Melbourne University recommended the Yamaha method, and Rebecca taught with Yamaha Music Education Centres from 1998 to 2018. She loved being a national teacher trainer with Yamaha, and enjoyed opportunities to travel to Toronto and Tokyo for Yamaha teacher development events. In 2016 Rebecca went to Jakarta where her 8-year-old Yamaha student performed his original composition at the Asia Pacific Junior Original Concert. Her first book "Sight Reading Secrets Grade One" was published in 2004, and there are now nine books in the series. In 2023, Rebecca worked with Tim Topham in developing the TopMusic Certification program.

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