Chart your way through the wide world of piano method books with free tools that make exploring methods, comparing series, and customizing lessons easier than ever.
More about Your guide
Hey, it’s me, ABR! Here I am at my desk where the PMN magic happens. You can tell it wasn’t a PMN day because you can see the corner of my (quite large) L-shaped desk. Honestly, when I’m working on PMN, even the floor is covered. There are… so many method books. And my office becomes the visual representation of why we need PMN. Imagine all of that just in your head! It’s basically this meme. Or this one.
Anyway, I’m the founder of Tree Frog Solutions, as well as a pianist and educator with a passion for promoting excellence and innovation in piano teaching. To support that mission, I created and maintain PMN (Piano Method Navigator), a hub for method book insights and information.
I also stay active in research, writing, and collaborative projects on topics like mental practice, business administration, technology, communication, and general pedagogy. I’ve had the honor of presenting this work through seminars, workshops, and posters at nationally recognized events including the Music Teachers National Conference, NCKP: The Piano Conference, MusicEdConnect.com, state and local MTNA chapters and conferences, and the Frances Clark Center webinar series.
Previously, I served as Associate Director of Operations, Communications, and Strategic Engagement at the Frances Clark Center, Associate Director of NCKP: The Piano Conference, on faculty at the Faber Piano Institute, and as Associate Director of the Southeastern Piano Festival. I bring nearly two decades of diverse teaching experience, including private lessons, travel teaching, group classes, work at a community music school, and elementary general music.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina. I currently live in Portland, OR, with my husband Ben, our goofy golden retriever, Clive, and our three-legged cat, Charles-François.
Speaking Engagements
Interested in hearing more or chatting in person or online? Schedule a workshop or presentation for your next group meeting or class!
Presentations
Piano Method Navigator: Mapping the World of Beginner Piano Methods
Navigating the world of piano method books can be overwhelming. Piano Method Navigator is a free, comprehensive resource designed to simplify the process, offering tools to help you confidently know your method book options, place transfer students, and develop tailored curricula. Come discover the educational foundations, data-driven design, and expert strategies behind the resource, empowering you to move beyond familiar methods and embrace diverse pedagogical options while charting customized learning paths for every student. Previous iteration of this session featured at MTNA National Conference 2022, current iteration to be presented at MTNA National Conference 2026.
Harmonizing Your Message and Increasing Buy-In: Essential Copywriting Strategies for Piano Teachers, Performers, and Entrepreneurs
As musicians, we write abundantly: webpages, studio policies, festival applications, parental communications, program notes, articles, newsletters, ads, and more. Discover practical tips for compelling copy that aligns your brand, goals, and personality while boosting buy-in from every audience through timeless copywriting strategies, tailored writing tips for common scenarios, and solutions to common challenges. Leave empowered to craft copy that not only informs but inspires and converts.
Mental practice… what exactly is it, is it actually useful, and should I use it in my private lessons?
Mental practice is useless! Unless… you know exactly what it is, how to use it, and why. This session is a beginning guide to understanding, valuing, and applying mental practice strategies successfully with your students. It will cover the eight primary types– taken from an in-depth literature review of relevant sources and cross-referenced with other fields such as psychology and engineering– and equip you with immediate strategies for your studio. Research based, student inspired. Featured at MTNA National Conference 2021 and MusicEdConnect.com Conference 2021.
Don’t Forget to Practice Your Scale…ing!: Supercharge Your Career with a Business Identity Kit, for Piano Teachers, Performers, & Entrepreneurs
From business plans to studio policies, well-crafted documents can supercharge your impact. This session introduces the business strategy kit—a collection of essential documents like branding packages and mission statements that bring clarity, direction, and growth. Far from boring, learn how to creatively shape your vision, solve problems, and scale your career with tools that keep you focused and inspired. Leave with templates and strategies to build a toolkit that evolves as you do.
How to Choose and Use Sight Reading Apps to Enhance Student Learning Experience
So many apps, so little time… but, don’t worry, be app-y! Discover six leading sightreading apps (their pros, cons, and features), why you should use them, and how to implement them into your studio today. Featured at MusicEdConnect.com Conference 2022.
Keyboard Shortcuts: How to Effectively Leverage ChatGPT in the Private Piano Studio
Discover how ChatGPT can lighten the load for piano teachers juggling lesson planning, studio administration, and creative projects. This session provides a practical and balanced introduction to using AI in the private piano studio, covering everything from prompt writing and troubleshooting to creative application ideas and potential pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will learn concrete ways to save time, spark creativity, and improve their workflow, leaving with tools and strategies to complement their teaching without compromising excellence.
Workshops
One-Pager Power: Crafting Documents That Speak Volumes for Your Music Business, Studio, and Projects
Whether you’re structuring your studio, pitching a teaching tool, or advertising a summer camp, a well-crafted one-pager can be the key to capturing attention and driving action. Come learn how to transform your big ideas into concise, compelling documents that influence your audiences to act. Through brainstorming techniques, strategic writing tips, best practices, common pitfalls, and actionable templates, you’ll leave equipped with the skills to create persuasive one-pagers that inform, inspire, and convert.
SCORE STUDY EXPERTS: Using Conductors’ Techniques to Enhance Audiation, Gesture, Understanding, and Conceptualization in the Private Piano Lesson
The piano, an entire orchestra in one instrument. The pianist, the conductor. Bring your pencils and come discover three, immediately-applicable score study techniques– borrowed from band, choral, and orchestra conductors– that will empower your students to understand, hear, and play repertoire with newfound depth. Interactive session. Featured at NCKP 2021: The Piano Conference.
Piano Proverbs: How to Get Your Teaching to Stick
The repeating cycle: you teach, your student forgets. Discover how to make your most repeated phrases STICK, using principles from New York Times best-selling book, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. Interactive session. Featured at MusicEdConnect.com Conference 2022.
From Essentials to Innovation: Everything You Need to Craft a Modern Studio Policy
A studio policy is essential for a profitable, well-run studio, but creating an effective one can be challenging in a rapidly changing world. Come discover a comprehensive, accessible guide to crafting a modern policy, covering traditional elements like payment models and practice expectations, as well as newer considerations like online teaching and DEI. Leave with the practical advice, templates, and resources you need to develop a bespoke policy that meets today’s piano teaching demands.
Piano Method Navigator is here to help you chart your way through the wide world of piano method book series. Learn how to teach piano effectively through different method series by exploring the PMN piano teacher resources. Ultimately, the best piano method book is the one that works for you and your students!