Tag: GIML

Professional Development

2026 Professional Development Opportunities offered by the Gordon Institute for Music Learning

Joy Morin

Hello readers,

Today, I thought I’d pass along information about a few professional development opportunities offered by the Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML) this summer. Taking my first Professional Development Levels Course (PDLC) through GIML back in 2016 was pivotal in setting me on a course to continue to studying music learning more deeply and applying Gordon’s work to my practice as a piano teacher. Since then, I’ve taken three other PDLCs. I highly recommend them.

Below are details about three offerings this summer (2026) of GIML’s Piano Level 1 PDLC.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Dates (in person): July 6-10
Dates (Online Theory): May 17- June 28

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Dates (in person): June 29-July 3
Dates (Online Theory): May 10-June 21

Kammermusiksaal Ehrenbreitstein (Koblenz, Germany)
Dates (in person): July 20-July 24
Dates (Online Theory): May 17- June 28

For more complete details as well as information about GIML’s other 2026 PDLC offerings (choral, early childhood music, elementary general, etc.), click here. For more details about what is covered in GIML’s PDLC Piano Level 1, please visit GIML’s website here.

My tips:

  • If you’d like to know what attending a PDLC is like, check out my blog post links below. If you still have questions, feel free to get in touch and I’ve be happy to correspond with you.
  • I highly recommend applying for a Teacher Enrichment Grant through MTNA to help cover the expenses of attending a PDLC. I know quite a few teachers (including myself) who have successfully gotten funds to cover PDLCs or other professional development projects.
  • It is helpful if you can start reading Gordon’s Learning Sequences in Music book before you start the PDLC, so you won’t have to do all of the reading during the PDLC.

Related:

Professional development has a way of reigniting your teaching like nothing else. I hope you have something great for yourself on the horizon!

Music Learning Theory, Professional Development

2024 Piano Level 2 Certification through the Gordon Institute for Music Learning

Joy Morin

Two days ago was the wrap-up of a Piano Level 2 Professional Development Levels Course (PDLC) through the Gordon Institute for Music Learning held at Eastern Michigan University, just 20 minutes from my home. It was such a great experience, and my heart is full.

We started each morning with Musicianship Time with Natasha Sigmund, GIML faculty member in Early Childhood Music.

Continue reading “2024 Piano Level 2 Certification through the Gordon Institute for Music Learning” →
Conferences, improving as a teacher, Music Learning Theory

2016 GIML Training (2): A Great First Week

Joy Morin

[See previous post: 2016 GIML Training (1): The Adventure Begins]

I’ve had a great first week in Boston for the Piano Certification Course training sponsored by the Gordon Institute of Music Learning (GIML).

Here is a photo of Amy and I standing in front of Brookline Music School, which is hosting the training.

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Continue reading “2016 GIML Training (2): A Great First Week” →

Conferences, Music Learning Theory, Professional Development

2016 GIML Training (1): The Adventure Begins

Joy Morin

edwin gordonToday, an adventure begins: I am heading to Boston for two weeks to receive training in the Piano Certification Course sponsored by the Gordon Institute of Music Learning (GIML). The training is being given by Marilyn Lowe, author of the Music Moves For Piano method, and Jennifer Fisher.

This trip is possible thanks to an MTNA Teacher Enrichment Grant. If you’ve been following this blog for awhile, you might know that I am a huge fan of Edwin Gordon’s work. Having the opportunity to experience this training means a great deal to me.

My adventure buddy is Amy Chaplin (of PianoPantry.com). We are driving well over 10 hours today from our respective homes in Indiana and Ohio.


I definitely plan to blog about our experience, but I am unsure whether I will keep up with blogging during the trip or if I’ll catch up after I return. However, I will definitely be posting some tidbits throughout the two weeks on Instagram or Facebook.

Interesting in learning more about Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory (MLT)? Check out this blog post or Tim Topham’s podcast episode with Marilyn Lowe.

[See next post: 2016 GIML Training (2): A Great First Week]