We all know and love Joy to the World as a classic Christmas carol — but did you know it wasn't originally written for Christmas? And it's not in Handel's Messiah either! In this episode, I share the fascinating history behind one of our most familiar hymns, how it's connected (and not connected) to Handel, and how its message points forward to something in the future, not just back to the past.

We did it! The PIANOVEMBER 2025 Practice Challenge is complete with over 51,000 practice tallies! 🏆🎉

In this week's episode, Shelly celebrates the top participants, gives shoutouts to amazing teachers, and wraps things up with a fun holiday music mystery replay: Down in History.

Learn more at www.pianoparentpodcast.com/371

Episode 370: 10 Finger Activities for Young Pianists – Shelly Davis brings you ten creative, screen‑free, fun activities to build fine motor strength and coordination in young piano students. Perfect for preschoolers or beginners, these ideas support your child's readiness and growth at the piano. Visit pianoparentpodcast.com/370 for links, downloads, and bonus resources.

Teens and tweens may act like they don't need us—but deep down, they do. In this episode, we talk about why big kids still crave attention, how to reconnect through meaningful conversation, and why monitoring our own screen time is just as important as managing theirs.

🎧 Full episode at: www.pianoparentpodcast.com/369

In this episode, Shelly discusses three open-ended questions she regularly asks her piano students to enhance their learning experience.

These questions are designed to empower students to analyze their performances, take ownership of their practice strategies, and decide the progression of their pieces.

Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/368

Getting your kid to the piano to practice and them knowing what to practice are two very different things. On today's show we'll talk about....

• How to build a strong habit of practice
• The "practice sandwich" technique: fun → challenge → fun
• Interleaved / goal‑oriented practice strategies
• Why ugly practice is still practice
• Motivation tools: incentives, "eat the frog," and more
• The PIANOVEMBER Practice Challenge (join us!)

Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/367

Human Nature Delays (and How Piano Parents & Students Can Overcome Them)
Join me as I explore why we often intend to practice or start something important—but delay instead. We'll talk about the intention‑action gap, share stories of what that feels like, and give you concrete, doable strategies for piano students and their parents.

Learn more at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/366

In this episode of the Piano Parent Podcast, host Shelly Davis chats with Michael Hemsworth, author, educator, and founder of New Songs Music School in California.

Michael shares his journey from piano kid to leading a music school with over 1,300 students, and reveals the heart behind his new book, "Mr. Michael's Music Maker Manual: A Guide for Growing Creative Children." They discuss the power of nurturing creativity, why every child's musical path is unique, and how parents can be strong advocates in their child's artistic journey.

Learn more about Michael's book at newsongsmusic.com/manual

Visit PianoParentPodcast.com/365