Transformational Piano Teaching ― Mentoring Students from All Walks of Life

Transformational Piano Teaching: Mentoring Students from All Walks of Life examines the concept of the piano teacher as someone who is more than just a teacher of a musical skill, but also someone who wields tremendous influence on the development of a young person's artistic and empathic potential, as well as their lifelong personal motivational framework. The specific attributes of today's students are explored, including family and peer influences from interpersonal relationships to social media. Additionally, students from specific circumstances are discussed, including those with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and Depression. Finally, motivation of a teacher's students is related to a teacher's own motivation in their work, as a cycle of positivity and achievement will be recommended as a way to keep an instructor's work fresh and exciting.

Derek Kealii Polischuk is Associate Professor of Piano and Director of Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music. An enthusiastic supporter of the education of musicians at every age, ability and background, Polischuk has been a featured presenter at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and the Music Teachers National Association Conference. Polischuk is the founder and artistic director of the Celebrating The Spectrum Piano Festival at Michigan State, which provides a summer music festival opportunity for pianists on the Autism Spectrum. Polischuk's critically acclaimed recordings of chamber music and music for solo piano appear on the Blue Griffin label.