The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

Creativity isn't just a nice-to-have for our students, it might be the very thing that eases their anxiety and helps them build a lifetime love of music. Today, I'm chatting with one of my favourite return guests, Leila Viss, who's back to talk about the link between creativity and anxiety, her book Found in the Wake, and the four principles she uses to get even the most hesitant improviser playing beyond the page. We also dig into her composiums for teachers and what's really changed for piano teachers in the ten years since we first talked creativity together.
Tim explained why creativity and improvising is this month's show theme.
Why "Calm is not the opposite of anxiety, creativity is" resonated deeply with Leila.
Tim highlighted stats showing art and writing reduce anxiety and trauma.
Why Leila co-wrote Found in the Wake with her family.
How creativity has shifted from a soapbox topic to mainstream over ten years.
She explained her four principles: permission, choice, boundaries, curiosity.
How the "choice architecture" idea uses a spaghetti sauce aisle analogy.
How composiums help teachers create and give feedback together.
Why boundaries reduce students' anxiety around too many options.
How movement and drumming keep students actively engaged in lessons.
Why connecting theory to repertoire matters for students.


Links Mentioned

Find out more about the Spotlight Session with Kevin Olson here.
Get sample of Stuart Storer's TopMusicSheets collection here:topmusic.co/tms76
472: 3 Super Quick But Super Fun Improv Activities with Susan Staples Bell
Get sample of Susan’s TopMusicSheets collection here:topmusic.co/tms53
Search TopCast podcast episodes here: topmusic.co/podcastsearch


Guest Links

Leila's website:www.leilaviss.com
Leila's Instagram:@leilaviss
Leila's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/88pianokeys/


Today’s Guest



Leila Viss creates imaginative, tech-savvy resources for her in-person and online piano studio and website. She founded Space to Create where she empowers pianists and teachers to connect with their creativity through improvisation, composition, and arranging. A longtime church musician and dynamic speaker, she co-authored Found in the Wake, a memoir of loss and resilience. Leila is Colorado’s 2024 MTNA Foundation Fellow and a 2025 Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Recognition Award recipient.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Creativity doesn't have to take over your whole lesson to make a big impact. Today, I'm chatting with Susan Staples Bell about three super quick improvisation activities that you can use with students of any age, even if you've only got a few minutes to spare. We also explore how simple, creative moments can strengthen musicianship, build confidence, and help students become more independent musicians.
Tim introduced TopMusic's August theme on improvisation and composition.
Susan shared a simple black-key improv activity called Swimming With Koi.
She explained how patterns make improvisation feel more natural.
Tim highlighted why creativity belongs throughout every lesson.
Susan shared ways to encourage reluctant improvisers.
She demonstrated how pentascales create quick improvisation success.
Tim explained how improvisation reinforces theory and harmony.
Susan showed how limiting note choices sparks creativity.
She highlighted the importance of connecting improvisation with repertoire.
Tim explained how integrated teaching builds stronger musicianship.
Susan shared practical resources for teaching composition.
The importance of giving students ownership of their music was highlighted.


Links Mentioned

Get sample of Susan's TopMusicSheets collection here:topmusic.co/tms53
Find out more about the Spotlight Session with Kevin Olson here.
TopCast 381: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer: Susan Staples Bell
Search TopCast podcast episodes here:topmusic.co/podcastsearch


Guest Links

Susan's Website:susanstaplesbellmusic.com
Susan's YouTube Channel:www.youtube.com/@SusanStaplesBellMusic
Susan's Facebook page:www.facebook.com/susan.staples.bell.composer
Susan's Instagram:@ssmbell.music


Today's Guest



Susan Staples Bell is a composer, piano educator, and clinician whose creative teaching resources are used by independent teachers worldwide. With over 30 years' experience, she helps students become not just confident readers but expressive, creative musicians, blending solid pedagogy with storytelling, improvisation, and hands-on play. Through her original music and method books like Exploring Improvisation, she gives teachers practical ways to bring creativity into everyday lessons, even when time is tight.Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Group teaching doesn't have to mean giving up individual attention. Today, I'm sharing a chat I had with Lynnette Barney about how she's refined her overlapping lesson model to give students the best of private instruction, collaborative learning, and independent work in a single visit. Even though we recorded this a little while ago, the ideas are just as relevant today for building stronger communities and more sustainable music studios.
Tim explained how Lynnette redesigned her overlapping lesson model.
She shared why shorter private lessons improved student focus.
She explained how lab time builds independent learners.
The benefits of combining private and group learning.
Lynnette shared how Tonara extends learning between lessons.
She explained why she hired teaching assistants to support her studio.
Tim highlighted the value of collaborative lesson planning.
Lynnette shared how community improves student retention.
She explained why making music together motivates students.
Tim highlighted the flexibility of different group teaching models.
Lynnette encouraged teachers to experiment and stay focused on their why.
The importance of building a sustainable teaching business was highlighted.


Links Mentioned

Lynnette's website: Creative Keys
TopCast Episode 35: Teaching outside the box with Lynnette Barney
Download the Financial Case Study of Overlapping Group Teaching with Lynette Barney


Today's Guest



Lynnette Barney has been a music educator in Tucson for over thirty years. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA), and Tucson Music Teachers Association (TMTA) and has served as treasurer, state conference co-chair, committee chair and member, and in other positions. Ms. Barney was chosen as the ASMTA Janice McCurnin-Beatrice Searles Honored Teacher in May, 2025.

As a collaborative musician she has accompanied choirs, musical theater productions, voice lessons, and ballet classes. She also serves as a church musician and enjoys presenting at state, national and online music teacher conferences. She has studied with Dr. Rex Woods, Dr. Jeffrey Shumway, and David Glen Hatch. She’s been featured on podcasts and blogs with Nicola Canton, Jennifer Foxx, and Tim Topham.

Ms. Barney seeks to preparing students to be lifelong musicians and has enjoyed preparing her students to accompany school, college, and church choirs; earn college piano scholarships; serve as church organists; share music with their families; and play for their own love of the piano.
Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

If you've ever wondered what students can do independently while you're teaching another lesson, this episode is for you. I'm sharing a training from one of our TopMusicPro group teaching courses, where Nicola Cantan introduces the concept of "lab time"— a simple but powerful way to keep students engaged in meaningful, independent learning. Whether you're already experimenting with overlapping lessons or just curious about group teaching, this episode will give you plenty of practical ideas to explore.
Tim introduces lab time as a key strategy for successful overlapping lessons.
Nicola Cantan explains how lab time supports purposeful independent learning.
Lab stations can include iPads, digital pianos, games, theory books, or computers.
Students use lab time while another student receives individual instruction.
Lab activities reinforce lesson concepts through additional guided practice.
Independent work is best suited to students who can read and follow directions.
Nicola recommends using headphones, MIDI-enabled apps, and durable equipment.
Teachers can charge a small additional fee to cover equipment and software costs.
Lab time helps build student independence while increasing studio efficiency.
Tim encourages teachers to start small by adding a short lab session to one lesson.

Links Mentioned
Learn more about Make More, Teach Less with Pairs, Buddies and Labs Course
Check out TopMusic Courses here

Thank you for tuning in!
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial
Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

When people think about group teaching, they often focus on the financial benefits. While teaching more students at once can certainly increase income and reduce burnout, I've discovered an even greater advantage. In this episode, I'm share why building a strong community in your studio is the real secret behind successful group teaching, and how it can improve student engagement, retention, and the overall learning experience.
Why community is the greatest benefit of group teaching.
How making music together helps students build friendships and feel a sense of belonging.
How strong social connections improve student retention and encourage regular attendance.
Why group teaching does not always require teaching many students at the same time.
Fflexible group teaching models, including rotating sessions and monthly group classes.
How group teaching can help teachers reach more students while reducing burnout.
He encouraged teachers to explore group teaching gradually


Links Mentioned

Find out more about the Spotlight Session with Marie Lee here.


Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL