Piano Parent Podcast: helping teachers, parents, and students get the most of their piano lessons.

Rowena Sidler grew up playing piano entirely by ear—and quit traditional lessons after only ten weeks because reading music was so frustrating. Years later, her background in education, computer science, and memory techniques inspired her to create Noteology, an app designed to make note reading more memorable and intuitive.
Rowena and Shelly talk about memory palaces, intervallic reading, quirky characters (including a winged camel!), helping parents learn alongside their piano kids, and the ultimate goal: raising lifelong music makers.
Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/382

In this special episode, Shelly reacts to Eric Church's memorable 2026 commencement speech at the University of North Carolina. Using the six strings of a guitar as a metaphor for life, Church shares timeless lessons about faith, family, resilience, community, and finding your unique voice. Shelly explores how these principles apply not only to graduates, but also to piano parents and the young musicians they're raising. A thoughtful conversation about staying "in tune" with what matters most.

Episode 380 continues the Piano Parent Podcast tradition of celebrating every "zero" episode with a list of 10 things. This time, Shelly shares 10 Life Rules for Young Musicians from Robert Schumann.
These simple but powerful ideas encourage piano students and parents to keep learning, stay humble, care for their instruments, sing more, work well with others, and focus on musical expression instead of just technical skill.
Shelly reflects on how these rules connect to piano lessons, recital preparation, and ensemble playing. The episode ends with Schumann's beautiful reminder that being musical means music lives in your heart and mind—not just in your fingers.
Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/380

Even though this is the Piano Parent Podcast, Shelly realizes she hasn't featured nearly enough actual piano parents on the show!
In this episode, Shelly talks with Kristen Pennington, a homeschool mom and parent of one of Shelly's piano students. Kristen shares the challenges and victories of helping her son Barrett learn piano—especially when frustration and negative self-talk begin to creep in.
Together they discuss:
How to recognize when a child is discouraged
Why attitude matters more than perfect performance
A simple "good attitude chart" that helped Barrett push through frustration
The importance of praising effort instead of perfection
How piano lessons build confidence, resilience, and life skills far beyond the keyboard
If your child has ever said, "I can't do this," this episode will give you encouragement and practical ideas to help them keep going.
"Don't cry. Just try."
Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/379

In this episode, Dr. Michael Clark joins me to share the fascinating story of composer Florence Price and the rediscovery of her music. We also talk about supporting young pianists, meaningful practice habits, and why exploring a wider range of composers can enrich your child's musical journey.
Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/378