Building character. Fostering excellence.
PEDAGOGY SEMINARS 
When: October 11, 18, and 25, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM CST
Where: Kawai Piano Gallery OR via Zoom
Who: all music teachers
Why: to take your teaching to the next level
How: click here to reserve your spot
Cost: $20 per lecture OR $50 for all 3 lectures (click here for payment)
Attendees will have access to the recorded lectures for 3 months following the course. For an additional fee, you may also receive personalized feedback and follow-up work to help you implement the concepts into your teaching.
1) Why Do Students Quit? - How to Be an Effective Teacher - October 11, 2022
appropriate for all instruments
This seminar is focused on the topic of student retention. It is no secret that the majority of students who start lessons will quit before becoming proficient on their instrument. But at the same time there are a number of teachers who seem to know a secret, and an overwhelming majority of their students study music for many years and treasure their experience. What is their secret? The purpose of our seminar is to put intangibles into words and practical instructions. We need to learn to understand our students and what motivates and inspires them. Then we can capture their attention and educate them on the best ways to reach their goals, while at the same time expanding their horizons. This lecture sets the framework for the entire series; it emphasizes the importance of creating structure and communicating it effectively to parents. The second and third lectures are practical applications of the principles outlined here.
2) Teaching Beginners: Teach Skills, Not Pieces - October 18, 2022
focusing on piano teachers
Teaching effectively starts with setting appropriate goals for each student and helping them reach those goals. This lecture focuses on what to do during the first few lessons and how to take each student from the first few notes to the early beginner’s repertoire. Participants are given practical advice on the progression of skills and pieces, how to teach each skill, and how skills build upon each other, thereby preparing students to master the classical repertoire. For those starting a teaching career this seminar provides guidance on teaching your beginning students effectively. For established teachers, it will serve as a source of new ideas and inspiration
3) Life After Coursebooks: Teaching Not Just to Play, but to Love Classical Music - October 25, 2022
focusing on piano teachers
This session is dedicated to teaching late beginning and early intermediate classical repertoire. Topics include the development of fundamental piano skills (as covered in the previous lecture) and how to apply them to express feelings and ideas with music. The importance of teaching different styles of music and how to make each period relevant to modern children is emphasized. A vital period in the development of each student, this is the time when children are introduced to classical music; they learn to listen to it, relate to it, and communicate feelings and ideas through it. The teacher who is able to navigate this period successfully will have a studio of motivated students who love and understand classical music.
About the Instructors: Ekaterina Ryndina Loudermilk is a professional pianist and a teacher with more than 20 years of experience. She is a graduate of Rice University and Gnessins Music Academy in Moscow. Ekaterina has performed and competed internationally, and is a highly sought-after teacher and speaker.
Dr. Matthew Loudermilk is a preeminent teacher, arts advocate, speaker and teacher trainer. He is a graduate of Case Western University and Rice University and the University of Houston.
Matthew and Ekaterina are co-founders and directors of the International Music Academy in Houston, which is revolutionizing the approach to children's music education in Texas. Together, they are hands-on-directors, working with children and adults, training and mentoring young teachers, and lecturing, all while continuing to have active performing careers, both as soloists and duo partners. Their students repeatedly win prizes in State, National, and International competitions and perform joyfully in America and abroad. The most notable achievements include 2nd place at MTNA National Competition in Senior Duet Category, 1st place at TMTA (the largest competition in Texas), Chopin Youth Competition, the HTMC Prodigy Competition, Baylor Waco Competition, Clear Lake Symphony Concerto Competition, Houston Young Artists, Texas State Piano Competition, Fredryk Chopin Society of Texas Competition, Music Doing Good and Kawai-SNG International Competition.