For years, students, parents, and teachers have asked me, “How is it that your students always perform so well and love what they’re doing?” It’s true that my unique teaching techniques help, but I believe the biggest difference stems from my philosophy of teaching. That philosophy is deceptively simple: To be successful, you must base your teaching on relationships. Once you’ve established these mutually trusting relationships, you’ll not only be a better teacher, you’ll enjoy the process more, and your students will be happier and more successful.

I decided to write the Music for Life series in response to requests I’ve received from all types of music teachers, from private studio teachers to those teaching at the college level. To follow in the series are books for students and parents, and instrument specific teaching techniques books. You’ll find these books to be not at all theoretical, but filled with helpful strategies and practical hints you can immediately apply in your studio.  In this volume, Making Music and Enriching Lives written to music teachers, I’ve included practical strategies and techniques to help increase both your results and  enjoyment of teaching. Best of all, you’ll inspire  students to develop a life long love of music: Music for Life. 

With each chapter I’ll challenge you to implement as many new ideas as possible into your next day of teaching. My goal is for you to build a studio of students who love playing their instruments and look forward to their lessons. I want you to be the teacher every student is clamoring for! First, let’s start with an overview of the principles discussed in Part One that form the foundation of the Music for Life approach.