388: Tim and Bec React to a Creative Piano Lesson from 1984!

The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

Today, we’re chatting with our very own Rebecca Stewart, a talented piano instructor and the Community Manager and Head of Certification at TopMusic. With a professional journey that includes over two decades of teaching with Yamaha Music Education Centres, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. We dive into a nostalgic video from 1984, showcasing Rebecca's childhood piano lessons with Dr. Edward Gifford. This episode highlights their discussion on creative teaching techniques like whole-body learning, solfège, and transposition. We also reflect on how these innovative methods shaped Rebecca's approach to music education and their relevance in today's teaching environment. Tune in to explore the intersection of past memories and modern advancements in music pedagogy.

• Rebecca shared a brief overview of her work background and her roles at TopMusic.
• She introduced a video of her childhood piano lessons with Dr. Edward Gifford.
• Discussion of various teaching techniques seen in the video, including movement and physical interaction and they highlight the novelty and effectiveness of Dr. Gifford’s methods.
• Tim shares his own music lesson experiences.
• Rebecca reflects on her accent and undiagnosed ADHD during her childhood.
• Importance of whole-body learning and physical movement in music education.
• Discussion on sensory memories contributing to learning experiences, usage of solfège and sneaky repetition in lessons.
• The importance of teaching transposition to children.
• Benefits of singing and playing simple melodies for enhancing sight-reading skills.
• Tim and Rebecca reflect on physical and imaginative engagement in music.
• Edward’s impact on Rebecca’s teaching methods.
• How a blended approach to music teaching contributes to long-term appreciation and understanding.

Links Mentioned

• Click here to watch the YouTube video of this interview
• Link to Tim's childhood piano lesson YouTube video
• TopCast Episode 387: A New Pathway to TopMusic Teacher Certification

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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