TRACY SELLE
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​Follow Your Dreams -
Inside AND Outside Your Piano Studio

​
​

Book Club Announcement (For January)

12/14/2017

 
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The Upbeat Book Club will be diving into a new book next month and we'd love to have you join us!

It's fun, it's free, and best of all - you'll get motivation to keep you going! (Click here to see selections from the past.)

Here's the Scoop:

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​January Book: Thinking as You Play (Teaching Piano in Individual and Group Lessons) by Sylvia Coats 

Start Date: January 8, 2018

How long will it last? This session will last 10 weeks, ending on March 17, 2018.

What's the reading schedule? Join our FB group to get in on the discussion and download the reading schedule.

What do you need to do?

Grab your book right away! Take note that this book is not available in Kindle, so you'll need to go ahead and get a physical copy.  Or put this book on your Christmas wish list! Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime to get free 2-day shipping! (Make sure you cancel before the month trial ends to avoid a charge.)​​

Join our FB group! If you want to get information through email, register for our newsletter.​ ​​​

Oh - and find your highlighters. This looks like a great book!
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Registration is now open for Upbeat Piano Teachers! We have webinars about everything from growing your studio to using technology to teaching group lessons and summer camps! 
​
Enroll now to get lifetime access and an invitation to our FB Mastermind group! ​
​Note: Some of links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Book Club Announcement (For October)

10/12/2017

 
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The Upbeat Book Club is diving into our new book and we'd love to have you join us!

It's fun, it's free, and best of all - you'll get motivation to keep you going! (Click here to see selections from the past.)

Here's the Scoop

Current Book:: The Piano Practice Physician's Handbook by Nicola Cantan

Start Date: October 9, 2017 (That's this week!)

How long will it last? This session will last 8 weeks, ending in early December.

What's the reading schedule? Join our FB group to get in on the discussion and download the reading schedule.

What do you need to do?

  • Grab your book right away! It's available in paperback and Kindle. Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime to get free 2-day shipping! (Make sure you cancel before the month trial ends to avoid a charge.)​

  • Join our FB group! If you want to get information through email, register for our newsletter.
​
  • Oh - and grab your highlighters. Trust me - you'll need them!
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Registration is still open!

Registration is now open for Upbeat Piano Teachers! We have webinars about everything from growing your studio to using technology to teaching group lessons and summer camps! 
​
Enroll now to get lifetime access and an invitation to our FB Mastermind group! 

Book Club Announcement (For May)

5/3/2017

 
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The Upbeat Book Club kicked off last summer and already over 600 piano teachers have jumped on board! 

If you haven't joined our club, we'd LOVE to have you! It's fun and FREE! (If you're curious about our past selections, click here.)

Here's the Scoop!​

  • ​​Next Book: Lessons with Matt by Nick Ambrosino
​
  • Start Date: May 15, 2017
 
  • How long will it last? This session will last 7 weeks, ending the last week of June.
 
  • Where: The discussion will be in our FB group. Click here to join.
​
  • What's the reading schedule? We'll release this soon!

  • BONUS! Nick Ambrosino is creating a discussion guide for us to use! How cool is that?!

What Do You Need to Do?

  • Grab your book right away! It's available in paperback and Kindle. Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime to get free 2-day shipping! (Make sure you cancel before the month trial ends to avoid a charge.)​

  • Join our FB group! If you want to get information through email, register for our newsletter.
​
  • Oh - and grab your highlighters. Trust me - you'll need them!

Registration is still open!


We have webinars about everything from growing your studio to using technology to teaching group lessons and summer camps! 

Click here to learn more!​ (At checkout use LAST5 for $5 off ANY webinar. Registration ends May 10!)
​
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Note: Some of links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

Too Tired to be Fun & Creative?

8/31/2016

 
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You know those books that stay with you long after you finish the last page?

That's how I feel about The Dynamic Studio by Philip Johnston.

I chose this as the launch book for the book club because it's one I read years ago and absolutely loved. I knew it'd be the perfect selection to get everyone excited about fall lessons.

From the very first page, Philip challenged me, excited me, and helped me see all the possibilities that exist with my studio.


My Teaching Rut

When I first read this book, I was exhausted and truthfully, a little depressed. My son had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was a rough time for our family - emotionally and financially. Of course, learning to care for Matthew became the top priority and teaching got pushed to the back-burner.

Before I knew it, I was in a massive teaching rut and I'm sure my students noticed. Oh sure - I tried to appear upbeat and excited, but in hindsight, my lessons were boring. I was simply going through the motions and putting very little effort into lessons.

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm sure my students suffered from my lack of enthusiasm.

Shortly after Matthew's diagnosis, I discovered The Dynamic Studio. The description pulled me in immediately. How to keep students? Dazzle parents? It sounded like fun and oh how I needed some fun.


This Book Has Changed Me

With every page that I read, I found this weight being lifted from my shoulders. Philip gave me hope. I realized that adding a few minor tweaks to my studio could have a tremendous impact on my students. I could bring back the fun for all of us.

Not only did my enthusiasm return, my studio doubled in size. I even wrote a book - 101 Piano Practice Tips. It was wonderful to feel like my "old self" and enjoy piano lessons again.


Some of My Favorite Quotes

"We cannot continue to teach the same way we were taught, because the students we're working with are not simply more contemporary versions of what we once were. They're just not."

"It's about switching the focus from curriculum and methods to being able to engage today's students compellingly enough to keep them."

"Establish a Theory And Pizza evening. Which of your students might be laughing for the first time in a theory lesson, instead of looking at their watch?"

"You have to actively create reasons to stay. The key is to make sure the reasons to stay is long, and regularly being added to."

What are those reasons? In The Dynamic Studio, Philip shares his ideas with you and helps you think outside the box so that you come up with your own reasons.

Such good stuff. 


What's Your Story?

Faith is a big part of my life and by the grace of God, I got through those tough years. Our family adjusted to our "new normal" and my teaching life is back on track.

I say all this to encourage you. Life is tough and things don't always go the way we want, but you do have choices.

And it decides with hope. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you that there are other alternatives. You really can do something different.

As Philip would say, "
"Make a decision as CEO of your teaching studio - which is exactly what your are - and create change."
​

You can do it!
​

​​(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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    Hi there! I'm Tracy Selle. A Christian wife, mom, and author of 101 Piano Practice Tips. I'm also a piano teacher and founder of Upbeat Piano Teachers.

    Here's a little secret - I'm not always upbeat, but I do strive for an upbeat lifestyle!

    The truth is - I love teaching piano. But....I also love being a wife and mom.  And I believe with God - it's ALL possible!

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  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Upbeat Webinars
  • Book Club
  • Store
    • Upbeat Webinars
    • Free Game!
    • My Books
    • The Shepherd's Adventure
    • Wise Men Matching Game
  • FREE RESOURCES!
    • Color a Key - Practice Chart
    • Valentine Printable
    • Summer Camp Checklist
    • Rainy Day Toolbox (for Preschoolers)
    • "What's Hot?" (Teens & Tweens Resource)
    • Super Monkey Music Game
    • Christmas Practice Charts
  • Blog