Conference Program
Friday, August 15th
8:30-9:00 - Coffee and Registration
9:00-9:15 - Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15-10:30 - Teaching Beginners to read
Just as every student is different, there is no singular, patented way to teach students how to read music. However, there are a few tried-and-true paths to
success. Keith will share his practical ways to cultivate strong readers.
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00 - Sight Reading Workshop and Mini-Masterclass
In this workshop, Keith will share his thoughts on the importance of incorporating sight reading, short-study repertoire, and multi-key reading into piano lessons, with strategies for all levels. The session will finish with
three sight-reading volunteers to demonstrate Keith’s tips and tricks for successful “on-the-spot”sight reading.
LUNCH - 12:00-1:15
1:15-2:30 - Dr. Michael Alcorn, psychiatrist - Understanding the stages of normal development as a key to better help and teach students. Teachers and coaches are often in a position to be the first adult to detect when children or adolescents are struggling with mental health concerns. However, in order to understand whether what is being detected is abnormal, it is necessary and beneficial to understand the normal stages of emotional and cognitive development through which individuals must pass on their way to achieving emotional and behavioral maturity.Knowledge of these developmental stages, as well as an understanding of some of the more specific challenges experienced by today's children and teenagers, can assist teachers with helping their students to grow and thrive, not just as musicians, but as individuals in a complex world.
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-4:00 New Music Showcase
Keith will share teaching experiences and insights that led to the creation of his two newest series: Showcase Solos and the Keith Snell Piano Course for the Adult Beginner.
4:00-5:00 Q&A
6:00-8:00
Join us for a no-host dinner at Jimmy's Asian Food Restaurant
550 W Tudor Road
Pleas sign up at registration desk.
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Saturday, August 16th
8:30-9:00 Coffee and Registration
9:00-9:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15-- 10:30 Preparing Successful Performance
Preparation for recitals, festivals, contests, and exams each brings their share of anxiety to students, teachers, and parents! In this session, Keith will map out his step-by-step approach for creating secure and confident performances.
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45 – 12:00 How to Choose Repertoire
(And a Few of My Favourites!)
In this session, Keith reveals his criteria for repertoire selection. He will also share a few of his "go-to" favorites. Ideas from the audience are welcome too!
12:00-1:15 - Lunch Break
1:15-2:30 - Elaine Border LPC, LPC-S: What if discipline in your music
studio felt natural, respectful, and even joyful? In this practical and engaging session, you’ll learn how to apply Love and Logic®—a time-tested approach to behavior, motivation, and boundaries—to your work as a piano teacher. I am going to introduce you to the basic Love and Logic principles, explain
how the brain responds to pressure, and how to hand back problems to avoid power struggles. You will learn how to respond to student resistance, foster responsibility, and reduce stress while building positive relationships with students and families. Whether you teach beginners or advanced musicians,
these simple but powerful tools will help you spend less time managing behavior and more time making
2:30-2:45 - Break
2:45 – 4:00 Teaching with Keith Snell
In this workshop, you will glimpse the daily teaching life of Keith Snell as he offers answers and solutions to questions and conundrums about piano teaching.
4:00 – 5:00 Q & A
6:00-8:00
Join us at the home of Margaret Turner for a Pot-luck Dinner.
Please sign up at the registration desk.
