Exploring Online Discussion Forums for Music Teachers

Online discussion forums and groups are a great way for solopreneurs to brainstorm and troubleshoot with colleagues. Think of them as virtual coffee rooms or water cooler areas.

My first introduction to online music teacher groups was the Canadian Piano Pedagogy Group. Shortly thereafter, I joined a couple of music teacher groups on LinkedIn.

These days, I've been more active in two groups. The first is the Alberta Piano Teachers' Association's Facebook Group (APTA). The second is worldwide - The Art of Piano Pedagogy. 

What I like about these groups is that they aren't limited to where I teach. APTA's FB group has over 70 members from across Alberta, while The Art of Pedagogy has over 3,100 members worldwide. There are variances to how each city state or town, province or state, country or continent tackles the art of music teaching.

By plugging into these groups and into this "world brain" of music education knowledge, music teachers young and old can draw upon this highly dynamic library. Not only that, just like another famous online community that I am part of, these groups also provide encouragement and support when teachers are going through challenging times or life transitions.

If you are feeling a little isolated (which is common for any solopreneur), or you feel like you need to re-energize your teaching without having to travel far, online discussion groups are a great way to go. The solopreneur does not have to be alone!

The Thrill of Helping Others

Shortly after the devastating floods in Southern Alberta (which spilled into British Columbia and Saskatchewan), a friend and I were looking for ways to help. We joined several flood support groups on Facebook, but when we found YYCHelps, we thought, "Hey cool! Someone's on the ball with organizing!" We promptly signed up.

In less than one week, the website and volunteer opportunities processes on YYCHelps were streamlined even more. My friend and I signed up to help with Tide Loads of Hope through the YYCHelps website. Two of the ladies we helped were interviewed in this news clip:

At the same time, I spied a posting for volunteers with some social media savvy. I got excited. Here was something that called to my technical and social media geekiness.

At the volunteer orientation session on June 27, 2013, I signed up to help in two areas. Within six hours, I was appointed to lead the website updates team.

I was leery of the commitment, especially with me heading out the CFMTA Convention early July. The core team member who approached me said, "If you could set it up, I can take over when I return [and you go]."

The core team explained that they wanted a swarm structure for the teams. Everyone is dispensable. The set-up, if done properly, should allow for anyone who can read and use the computer to take over your role.

After just five crazy days of working with my team and setting up the team handbook, we've really gelled while building up something truly exciting. Before leaving for Halifax, I appointed two back-up team leads from within the team, although part of me didn't want to leave. It was just too darn exciting.

Yes, I'm an adrenaline junkie. Being thrown into a project running, trying to get something meaningful set up (and set up well) within a tight timeframe, meeting with and working with a diverse group of like-minded and talented people for a good cause - how could you NOT get high from this?

In the end, my initial fears were about nothing. The bulk of my commitment was during those five days, which involved contacting my team, setting up a schedule, developing a team handbook (Version 1.0 and 1.1) and liaising with the other team members as well as the Core Team.

When I left for the CFMTA national convention, I had complete faith that any member of my team could step up to lead the team successfully. Although I popped in on our team's online chat window my first day away, I was quickly shooed offline. The team was on it. I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

My two back-ups did a superb job while I was away, working the team out of its role prior to my return. When handing the reins back to the Core Team, the team expressed appreciation for the Core Team's efforts and for each member of the team, as well as gratitude for being able to help with the flood relief efforts. Should they need our skills once again further down the road, we're all game.

Although our role in complete, there is still work to be done. I have yet to catch up on all the news and developments on Basecamp and see if there's anything remaining loose ends that I must take care of. As well, there are countless opportunities cropping up in which we as a team can band together - with each other and with others - to make a difference.

On Music and Technology, Teaching Awards and Future Collaborations

Last month, I was named the Tech Teacher of the Year. Last week, I got to pick up the hardware on the other side of the country:

The Tech Teacher of the Year Award is the brainchild of Roland Canada, Music for Young Children and Conservatory Canada. It is the first time that this award has been given out. The representatives involved decided to present the award at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Associations (CFMTA) national convention in Halfiax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The magnitude of the award didn't hit me until I stepped into the ballroom at the World Trade and Convention Centre. The mere thought of standing in front of music teachers from all over North America, many of whom have been teaching for far longer than I, was overwhelming. The realization that I had to come up with a decent acceptance speech was frightening.

Thanks to my previous "lives" - arts marketing and fund development, special events and communications - experience and Divine inspiration kicked in. Ergo, I am familiar with the "lead sheet" of an acceptance speech. All that was left was to decide upon a few salient points while my shaking hands tried to direct my meal into my mouth.

Now I can't remember everything I said. I do remember thanking the sponsors for coming up with the idea and for paying my transportation and accommodation to the convention. I vaguely remember mentioning how difficult it was to put the submission together (my first take was over 10 minutes long!). As well, I mentioned how my students are equally fascinated with old technology, tasking me with finding an old magnetic tape recorder.

My last point is one that I've made several times here: technology doesn't have to be scary. It took me years to get my studio to where it is today. Even then, it wasn't until my involvement with Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir last year that I upped my game on the music and technology front.

Roland Canada hosted a dinner for the participants who were in attendance at the convention. It was inspirational to just meet and chat with this bright individuals and to express the desire to work together.

When I was able to tell the world that I had won the award, I shared my news on Eric Whitacre's Facebook Wall. I know I shouldn't be surprised that he replied. After all, Eric has nurtured a great relationship with his fans and members of Virtual Choir - to the point that he drops into the odd Virtual Choir Google Hangout and has dinner with 10 VC members who decide to go to Vancouver to catch him in concert:

However, knowing how busy he must be, it's still a bit shocking to get a reply from him.

What's next on the horizon? Who knows? I just know that now that I'm back from Halifax, I have to fight the urge to incorporate all the neat ideas I picked up - all at once.

A Look at Pet Stairs and Ramps

Pet Gear Pet Stairs

Last year, I bought these Pet Gear Easy Steps for Maestro. There were a couple of other models and brands that I looked at. This won over the competition because of its sturdy construction.

Alley-oop!

The carpet on the stairs is removable so you can toss the carpet into the wash.

When Maestro was diagnosed with IVDD and arthritis, one of the first things the vet told me was, "No stairs". Going up isn't the problem, going down is. The impact of descending, with all your weight bearing down is hard on the joints - whether you are furry or furless!

My brother discovered the Snoozer Scalloped Pet Ramp:

This Snoozer Scaloped Stairs

The scalloped stairs make it a hybrid between stairs and ramps. They are made of sturdy foam.It took Maestro a while to get used to them, but now he has no challenges. Sometimes, he even sits in the middle!

Alternative Pet Stairs and Ramps

Dog Ramps and Stairs on Amazon

Learning New Grooves

Are you looking for some fun ways to practice this summer? Check out Jonathan Wilson's website, Groove Window. You can learn to play a useful blues licks and funk grooves, like this one that my brother and I performed last year:

Check out this Groove Starter tutorial: