Program Calendar
The PTF offers monthly workshops, lectures, and demonstrations given by renowned presenters. Our programs address a variety of topics such as pedagogy, technique, performance psychology, historical and stylistic considerations, jazz, improvisation, and studio management. Meetings will be held on Friday mornings, September through May. All programs will begin at 9:45AM (coffee at 9:15AM), unless otherwise noted. We are planning to meet in person at Jacobs’ new location in Princeton, located in the Windsor Green Shopping Center (3495 US 1 S, Princeton, NJ 08540).
2024-2025 Program Calendar
October 4, 2024
Syllabus Meeting
the Syllabus Committee
Begins at 9:15AM. Members of the Piano Teachers Forum will present all selections from our 2024 Festival Syllabus, Jazz.
November 1, 2024
Marvin Blickenstaff: Interpretation Rules of Thumb
December 6, 2024
Ingrid Clarfield: Top Ten Tips for Making Practice Creative, Efficient and Fun!
January 10, 2025
Jed Distler
February 7, 2025
Robert Durso: Applying the Basics of the Taubman Approach to Intermediate Repertoire
March 7, 2025
Open Forum: What Else Are You Doing In Your Piano Studio?
April 4, 2025
Todd Van Kekerix: What’s Pop Got to Do with It: Building Piano Skills with Today’s Music
Young students are passionate about pop music—it's the soundtrack of their adolescence, filling their car rides, favorite TV shows, and sleepovers. As educators, this presents a golden opportunity to connect with their musical interests. By incorporating pop music into piano lessons, you can boost their enthusiasm and commitment while earning some serious street credibility.
Over a century ago, piano teachers embraced the songbook approach, recognizing the value of familiar tunes in developing musical skills. Today, this strategy is more relevant than ever. Using songs that students already know and love makes lessons more engaging and deeply connected to their world.
Pop music trends change rapidly, so it's essential to "strike while the iron is hot." We'll equip you with the skills to quickly interpret lead sheets and chord charts as soon as new songs are released. Learn how to uncover the best teaching elements each song offers, introduce and reinforce excellent technique through pop music, and confidently navigate those tricky syncopated rhythms.
Join us for an engaging workshop that explores how to meet the needs and desires of students eager to play pop music on the piano. We'll delve into informal music learning practices, analyze how popular musicians hone their craft outside traditional training, and share insights from leading music education experts—as well as my own teaching experiences.
May 2, 2025
Brainstorming/Voting for programs in 2025-2026
In this session we will focus together to plan what all of us would like our next year's programs to be. Share your feelings and thoughts so that your voice is an active part of our Forum. Your vote is important and needed to ensure that a wide variety of perspectives is included. All of us together make the Forum work.
