jazz Archives - Piano Parent Podcast

23 Feb 2026

PPP 376: When Piano Lessons Click: Jazz, Storytelling, and Helping Kids Fall in Love with Music with Susan Staples Bell

Podcast, Teacher Interviewsjazz, Red Camp, Susan Staples Bell, Texas teacher

Have you ever wondered what to do when your child just isn’t connecting with piano lessons?Maybe they’re capable, but not motivated.Maybe they practice, but without joy.Maybe they say they’re “bored.”In today’s episode, I’m visiting with composer and teacher Susan Staples Bell, and we talk about the moment piano lessons click — and how jazz, improvisation, and storytelling can completely change a child’s relationship with music.Susan’s journey is a beautiful combination of nature, nurture, creativity, and courage — and her insights will encourage both parents and teachers alike. Listen to the full episode here Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/4qD0ZmWStK4 From Classical to…

21 Aug 2023

By Shelly Davis

PPP 347: Brock Chart with My-Melodies Publishing (sometimes our trajectory changes with the flip of a coin)

Podcast, Teacher InterviewsBrock Chart, composer, improv, interview, jazz, My-melodies publishing, piano lessons, pop, rock

Enjoy this delightful conversation with Kansas piano teacher, award-winning composer, and founder of My-Melodies Publishing, Brock Chart.Brock Chart is a composer and studio owner in Kansas. Brock composes in many genres and mediums including jazz, pop, educational piano, and film music. He is a proud alumni of KU and was 2022 Composer of the Year by Kansas Federation of Music Clubs.Brock was awarded twice in DownBeat Magazine for composition in large jazz ensemble writing, and small group writing. He was an honorable mention in the 2017 NY Youth Symphony Commissions for his piece, “Down to the Wire”. Brock also composed music for the…

31 Aug 2020

By Shelly Davis

PPP207: Teacher Chat About Church Modes with Jeremy Duck and Travis Lohmann

Music Theory, Podcast, Teacher Chataeolian, church modes, classical, dorian, ionian, jazz, Jeremy Duck, locrian, lydian, mixolydian, phrygian, Travis Lohmann

Just when you thought you had mastered Major and minor scales, you hear the infomercial announcer say, "What, there's more!" With a collection of 12 tones, you would think the Major and minor scales would have all the bases covered. Today's show shares just a few of the other sounds and possibilities that can come from playing various combinations of those 12 tones. On today's teacher chat, Jeremy Duck and Travis Lohmann share both the historical significance and current practical use of Church Modes, or Gregorian Modes. Click here to find other teacher chats. Listen to the full episode here.…

18 Jun 2018

By Shelly Davis

PPP097: A Jazzy Conversation with Wade Cottingham

Podcast, Teacher Interviewsimprov, jazz, Lakewood Piano Lab, piano pronto, Suzuki, Tamir Hendelman

PPP097: A Jazzy Conversation with Wade Cottingham Piano teacher, Wade Cottingham, owner of Lakewood Piano Lab near Dallas, Texas. According to his website, he uses his lab as "a place of discovery and growth". He is more than the typical piano teacher who interacts with their students in the traditional sense, Wade creates jam sessions where each student learns to use their musical voice. Listen to the full episode here Wade's personal piano story... While there was a baby grand piano in Wade's childhood home, his mother was reluctant to enroll him in lessons because of the negative experience she…

Tag: jazz