Browse the Blog
Friday Fave: Workflowy
I've lost track of how many times I have mentioned here on the blog that I'm a list-maker. I've also lost track of how many lists I have running on any given day -- on a notepad in my office, in the "Reminders" app of my phone, a Pages document on my computer, and...
Student Spotlight: Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper”
Oh, didn't I tell you that it is teen pop sensation week here at Listen & Learn? :) That wasn't my intention, but I think featuring Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato within the same week qualifies as such. Carrie has been working on this song in voice/guitar lessons...
These Are Our Role Models…Who Are Yours?
I love the second week of every month, because that's when we post a new episode of the Music Therapy Round Table podcast. This month, Kimberly, Michelle and I discuss our role models, both on a personal and professional level. As always, we bring three different...
What Would Justin Bieber Do?
As much as I hate to admit it, these words actually came out of my mouth recently. But I have a good reason, I promise. Hear me out, okay? I have a middle school student who has been taking piano and voice lessons from me for over two years now. This particular...
Rainy Days and Mondays
Today sure is one of them...at least, where I live. But contrary to the lyrics of the Carpenters' song bearing that same title, they don't always get me down. In fact, sometimes they motivate me to buckle down and get to work. The sound of the rain, mixed in with my...
Sunday Singalong: Rise Up (Gala Performance)
Last night, I attended the National Children Protection Training Center's inaugural gala in St. Paul Minnesota. Not only did I attend, but I had the opportunity to perform the song my mom and I wrote, because it was chosen as the winner of their national songwriting...
Friday Fave: I’m Minnesota Bound!
As you read this, I'm either on my way to Minnesota (we hit the road to the airport at 4.30 am...eek!) or already there. A few months back, my mom told me about a songwriting contest being held by a national non-profit organization whose mission is to end child abuse....
Student Spotlight: Adele’s “Someone Like You”
This is the "it" song of the moment in my studio, at least among the teenage girl crowd. I don't mind one bit, because I am a huge Adele fan. Sharing similar tastes in music with my students is kinda fun, not to mention that it makes me seem much cooler to them ;)...
And Now For Something Completely Different…
I spend most of my time writing children's songs, providing music therapy to children, and teaching children how to sing and play instruments. Early on in my career, I realized that I was going to need a non-children-related outlet to keep me balanced, which is why I...