Time To Practice: Conversations for Parents & Teachers of Music Students

This week I'm excited to be speaking with violinist Anthea Kreston. Anthea is amember of the Delgani Quartet, a former Suzuki kid, and parent of young musicians. She is All Classical Radio's artist in residence for 2026-2027 and author of the new memoir Crescendo: Chronicals of an Adventerous Violinist which is out this week!

Links in this episode:

Positive Practice Workbook by Christine E Goodner

Anthea Kreston's Website: https://antheakreston.com/

Anthea Kreston's Book: https://antheakreston.com/crescendo

Crescendo Reader's Guide

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Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com/

You can email:Christine at http://suzukitriangle.com/ or connect with her on Instagram

Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine

TRANSCRIPT

This week, Christine shares an important perspective shift that can help us support our children or students with ADHD in their music practice, as well as two strategies for practice that can really help. Of course each student with ADHD has their own unique needs and approaches that help, so these ideas are meant to be tailored to the indivudual student and what helps them learn and practice music best.

Links in this episode:

Helping Students Build Focus and Attention Webinar

Individual Rate

Studio Rate

Mayo Clinic Article about ADHD symptoms can be found HERE

A great resource for parents and teachers: ADDITUDE

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Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com/

You can email:Christine at http://suzukitriangle.com/ or connect with her on Instagram

Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine

TRANSCRIPT

This week, pianist Barbie Wong joins me to talk about the late, great Dolly Parton and a few lessons we can take from her life to help us think about supporting the young musicians in our lives.

Links in this Episode

Barbie Wong's website

Musical Nest Community hosted by Christine & Barbie

Book: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton This book appears to be out of print, but you may be able to find it at your local library or used book seller.

Podcast: Dolly Parton's America

Article: Dolly Parton was Excellence

Other Time to Practice Episodes with Barbie Wong

Transcript

This week, Christine Goodner shares some advice and reminders to help us make the most of the fall practice season and get us closer to our goals, so we can look back when we reach the holiday season and see real progress made over the next few months.

Be sure to subscribe or follow wherever you stream podcasts

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Links in this episode

Last week's episode with Sharon Funk

Episode 64 with flute Teacher Trainer Meret Bitticks

Transcript

This week on the Time to Practice podcast, violinist, music educator,and parent Sharon Funk is joining us to talk about music practice at home with her 3-year-old daughter, who is learning Suzuki Guitar. She shares practical advice and real-life examples of how they are making music lessons and practice work for their family at this young age - it was inspiring to hear all of her ideas!

Links in this Episode:

Sharon Funk's Bio: https://upbeatnewhampshire.org/about/our-teachers/sharon-funk/

About the Suzuki Method: https://internationalsuzuki.org/method

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Links to Find Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Helping Your Child Develop a Love of Music: http://suzukitriangle.com/books |

For BULK book orders click HERE

Want to be a part of a future Audio Practice Journal and share your experience? Submit HERE

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Transcript

This week we're kicking off our new season of episodes with a fantastic conversation with violinist, speaker, founder and artistic director of the nonprofit Street Symphony, and now author of a fantastic new memoir called Restrung: Vijay Gupta. We talk about his new book, his article in the Suzuki journal, his journey as a musician and what he's learned along the way. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Links in this Episode:

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Vijay Gupta's website: https://www.vijaygupta.com/

Restrung: A Memoir of Music and Transformation by Vijay Gupta Bookshop.org | Amazon

Find Vijay Gupta on Instagram: http://instagram.com/guptaviolin/

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Transcript

Parents & families of music students - this short and sweet episode is for you!

Time to Practice season 4 starts next week and I can't wait for you to hear it.

Links in this Episode:

Setting Families Up for Success Enrichment Course for Teachers (October 2026)

Sign up for the monthly newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com/

You can email: Christine at http://suzukitriangle.com/ or connect with her on Instagram

Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine

TRANSCRIPT

This week we're wrapping up our Summer of Music practice tips. Today we're speaking with cellist Dr. Michael King about his favorite game for music practice and music lessons, and it may be a great one for you to incorporate into music practice or lessons this week!

Links in this episode:

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Michael King's Website

Suzuki Institute of Seattle

Seattle Cello Choirs

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week we're speaking with Laura Sinclair about three ways she suggests her students stay motivated and engaged in music practice over the summer. She shares great tips with us that work whenever your child's practice needs a boost of inspiration!

Links in this episode:

Upcoming SAA Enrichment Course: Setting Families Up for Success: From Onboarding to Ongoing Support

Laura Sinclair's website: https://lauraksinclair.com/

Laura Sinclair's Instagram

Practice Shoppe Bingo Cards

Listen to Laura's full-length interview on the podcast in Episode 6 HERE

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

By listener request this week's episode has something for everyone whether you're a teacher, parent, or both.

Edmund Sprunger is a Registered Violin Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Author of Helping Parents Practice and Building Violin Skills (two books I personally love and recommend all the time).

He is a frequent guest speaker and clinician at workshops and events supporting Suzuki teachers and Families. Edmund Sprunger is also a psychotherapist in private practice giving him a unique perspective of having studied with Suzuki in Japan, decades of teaching experience, deep care about supporting parents who are supporting their children in practice and his perspective in the field of mental health.

Links in this Episode:

• Edmund Sprunger's Website: https://www.sprungerstudio.com/
• Helping Parents Practice by Edmund Sprunger
• Music Practice Makeover: at Bookshop.org or Amazon.com
• You can email Christine here: Christine at http://suzukitriangle.com/
• Or connect with her on Instagram
• Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine
• Google Form to submit your practice tip for a future podcast
• TRANSCRIPT

This week Laura Nerenberg, performing musician, music educator, and parent, is sharing a practice tip with us and I can't wait for you to hear it! Laura first came on the podcast on episode 127 (link below) if you enjoyed this tip, you'll want to check out our conversation from earlier this year all about practice and improvisation. Meanwhile, I hope this practice tip inspires you this week! Thanks for sharing your tip with us Laura!

Links in this episode:

Laura Nerenberg's website

Laura Nerenberg's full length interview from earlier this season

Parent Talk with Barbie Wong: August 15th at 9am Pacific

Studio Rate: Parent Talk with Barbie Wong (or link to purchase the recording if you're seeing this afer the event)

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week our practice tip is coming parent Anton Van Oosbree, who shares three practice tips he's learned after four years of lessons with his child. These are especially great tips for parents and caregivers who practice with their children!

Links in this episode:

Parent Talk with Barbie Wong: August 15th at 9am Pacific

Studio Rate: Parent Talk with Barbie Wong

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

Transcript

This week Claire Allen is back for an all-new episode on perfectionism and perfectionist thinking in the music studio. We're excited to share our reflections one year after our series aired, including the resources we're finding helpful and what has stuck with us in our teaching and beyond.

Links in this Episode:

This episode is brought to you by my series of books about music practice from parents of young musicians: http://suzukitriangle.com/books

Find the whole Series on Perfectionism from last summer

Big list of Resources About Supporting Perfectionists in the Private Studio

Violinist.com article about Christine & Claire's ASTA presentation

Study on Corrective comments and ADHD

Dodson, W. W. (2022). How ADHD shapes your perceptions, emotions & motivation. ADHD Denmark. Retrieved from https://adhd.dk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Dodson-How-ADHD-Shapes-Your-Perceptions-Emotions-.pdf

Recommended Reading:

How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists by Ellen Hendriksen, PhD

Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Dr. Molly Gebrian

Please Yourself: How to Stop People-Pleasing & Transform the Way You Live by Emma Reed Turrell

Find Claire Allen on Instagram HERE and HERE

Claire Allen's website: http://www.claireallenviolin.com/

Claire Allen's first Time to Practice Episode

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week we're revisiting the kickoff episode of a very popular series from last summer all about supporting perfectionists and perfectionist thinking in the process of learning music. Revisit the first episode, listen to the whole series through the link below, and then join us next week as Christine Goodner and Claire Allen share reflections and what they've been working on for themselves, their teaching, and how they support families they work with related to the topic of perfectionism.

Links in this episode:

Find the whole Series on Perfectionism from last summer

Big list of Resources About Supporting Perfectionists in the Private Studio

Violinist.com article about Christine & Claire's ASTA presentation

Find Claire Allen on Instagram HERE and HERE

Claire Allen's first Time to Practice Episode

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week, our practice tip comes from Alyna Bloecher a parent, Suzuki teacher, and former Suzuki kid. She shares what her family is doing this summer to keep practice engaging and motivating for her family - both adults and kids alike. Enjoy!

Connect with Alyna Bloecher on Instagram

Find Alyna's website HERE

Leslie Thackeray (the Practice Shoppe) on the Time To Practice podcast - episode 57

Sign up for the Time to Practice Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week's short & sweet edition of the Summer Practice Tip series is for the parents and caregivers supporting a young music student in their life!

Join the Musical Nest Community for Teachers - a supportive space for teachers so they feel connected and have resources to support the students and families they work with run by Christine & Frequent guest on the podcast Barbie Wong

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

Email: Christine@SuzukiTriangle.com

TRANSCRIPT

This week, we're continuing our summer practice and motivation tip series with performing musician, music educator, early childhood educator, and parent Annie Reed. Annie shares a strategy that has transformed practice for her children the past few months and I can't wait for you to hear it!

Links in this Episode:

Book: Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family by Ash Brandin

The Game Educator on Instagram

Annie Reed on Instagram

Annie Reed's website

Listen to the episode with Megan Orton on Screen time and Motivation for Music Practice

Be a part of the Summer Podcast Series by sharing your own practice tip or tip about motivation for practice SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE HERE

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

This episode is made possible by Christine's webinar all about developing focus and concentration in music practice. Sign up to watch HERE: http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

TRANSCRIPT

This week we revisit episode 6 and music educator Bryson Tarbet shares his advice for music practice. He shares great advice to think about as you support your young musician in music practice this week!

Bryson Tarbet's website

Bryson Tarbet's podcast That Music Podcast

Be a part of the Summer Podcast Series by sharing your own practice tip or tip about motivation for practice SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE HERE

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

TRANSCRIPT

This week we're continuing our summer practice and motivation tip series with some fantastic advice from violinist, violist, and early childhood music educator Grazzia Rode-Sagastume.

Listen to the first episode on the Time to Practice Podcast with Grazzia Rode-Sagastume in Episode 38

Connect with Grazzia on Instagram

Email Grazzia at gsagastu@uwsp.edu

Be a part of the Summer Podcast Series by sharing your own practice tip or tip about motivation for practice SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE HERE

Sign up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Connect with Christine on Instagram

TRANSCRIPT

Christine shares one simple way to help young musicians build motivation and ownership in music practice.

Support the Podcast & Connect with Christine:

Be a part of the Summer Podcast Series by sharing your own practice tip or tip about motivation for practice SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE HERE

SIgn up for the Monthly Newsletter: http://suzukitriangle.com/Newsletter

Resources at http://suzukitriangle.com

Christine's Books: https://www.Suzukitriangle.com/books

Connect with Christine on Instagram