[Click to read Day 1, Day 2, or Day 3.]
I began the morning by recording a podcast episode with my friend and conference roomie, Amy Chaplin of Piano Pantry. Click here to take a listen!
Then, I headed downstairs to attend a showcase session by Alfred Music. Davis Dorrough and crew highlighted a variety of their latest publications, including Rare Recital Treasures edited by Ingrid Jacobson Clarfield and Kevin Chance, a folio of early Florence Price works, Sandpaintings by Connor Chee, Saga Land by Elizabeth Swift (video game inspired pieces for early to mid intermediate levels), Take the Stage by Angela Marshall (creative performance pieces for early to mid elementary levels), and the Solo Celebration series by a variety of Alfred composers. I love hearing about what’s new!
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After checking in on the Alfred session, I went to set up my Marketplace Table featuring my books once again for the day. While there, fellow Ann Arbor teacher Emily Lau stopped by, and we made plans for her to ride partway home with me so she could reconnect with the rest of her family for some summer adventures.
For the rest of the day, I alternated time between attending sessions and spending time at my Marketplace Table or exhibit hall. Among the sessions I heard were “Dyslexia and Piano Study: Creative and Adaptive Pedagogy for the Dyslexic Student” by Olivia Colomaio; “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes (and Fingers!): Join Hypermobility and the Developing Pianist” by Celeste Watson and Bethany Cothern (colleagues of mine who bring together principles from MLT and the Lister-Sink method; “Doing Good by Doing Good Business: Exploring Studio Business Models that Support Student Access and Teacher Wages” by Andrea Miller (of Music Studio Startup); and “The Art of Pedaling: Enhancing Musical Expression through a Practical Guide for Performance Excellence” by Seonju Jo. Lots of great sessions here!
The final session of the conference featured teaching demonstrations — one of my favorite parts of this conference. Sara Ernst, NCKP Program Director, facilitated discussion with four piano teachers as we watched video excerpts from several multi-stage teaching videos. It is always inspiring to see great teachers in action with real students!
After packing up my Marketplace Table, it was time to head for home. The drive home was uneventful, with enjoyable conversation with my colleague, Emily Lau.
Here’s a photo of some of the books I took home from the conference, thanks to freebies generously given by the exhibitors in the exhibit hall and their showcase sessions.
And that’s a wrap! NCKP is always a good conference, and 2025 NCKP did not disappoint. There were so many great sessions to choose from throughout the conference, and it was so much fun to connect with teacher friends both old and new. As usual, I plan to return for the next one — which will occur two years from now in 2027. Maybe I’ll see you then!
Hope you enjoyed reading my 2025 NCKP recap!
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