Aubrey’s journey into piano teaching took a dramatic turn eight years ago when she was on the brink of burnout. Feeling uninspired and ready to quit, she discovered WunderKeys—a transformative curriculum that reignited her passion and revolutionized her teaching approach. What began as a youthful venture teaching neighborhood kids for $3 per lesson has blossomed into a vibrant, 20-year career filled with creativity, joy, and a renewed love for teaching.
In her studio, Aubrey strives to create an atmosphere that is both fun and productive. “I want it to be fun, first of all. But the most important thing to me is for my students to feel like they are progressing. I remember taking lessons as a child and hated it when my teacher would spend 10 minutes talking to my parents. I wanted to learn and didn’t want to waste any time. So I try to be very wise with our time together in lessons…never a dull moment and the entire lesson is an active endeavor to learn!” she explains.
However, finding the right teaching method was not easy. Aubrey faced challenges with many curriculums that focused on position-based playing for too long. “Whenever I would take my students out of a position, they would get super frustrated. I searched and searched for a proper curriculum that introduced out-of-position playing early on. I did find a few that I liked, but I definitely prefer WunderKeys over them.”
Aubrey discovered WunderKeys eight years ago, just when she needed it most. “I stumbled upon WunderKeys when I was looking for piano games, new innovative teaching ideas, and lesson resources. I was feeling VERY burnt out with teaching and almost decided to quit. When a creative person doesn’t feel like their lessons are creative or inspiring enough, it can feel like you are just a regular teacher. I didn’t want to be a ‘regular teacher’…I wanted to be different than the others. I have a bachelor’s degree in music, so I felt like my piano lessons needed to be more than average.”
WunderKeys turned out to be the perfect fit for Aubrey’s studio. “I appreciate the modern look of the books and their appeal to the age group they are intended for. I agree with the methods of how the books teach everything and the creative ways they are taught and reinforced. I like the piano games and the fantastic free resources that always arrive at the perfect times! The resources are well-made, easy to use, look incredible, and work wonders for putting a smile on my students’ faces,” Aubrey shares.
Aubrey never had to advertise or promote her lessons; her unique teaching style, heavily influenced by WunderKeys, ensured a constant stream of students. “I always have a waiting list and at least 25-30 students a week. But, I do think my teaching style is different than the other teachers in my area, which has everything to do with and is all because of WunderKeys! Maybe word of mouth spreads…and that’s how I’m always full.”
She began integrating WunderKeys into her teaching practice by starting with the blog and incorporating new ideas into her lessons. “When I first discovered WunderKeys, it was TeachPianoToday…and there were no method books yet, only a blog, piano book and piano game clubs, and resources. The blog really made me a better teacher than I’ve ever been. I’m so thankful for it. It made me enjoy teaching again, bringing new ideas and solutions for everything imaginable. I felt so much more accomplished and I actually loved teaching again.”
Aubrey uses WunderKeys materials with students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to grandparents. The impact on her studio has been significant. “I really think many of my students were rescued from quitting piano because of the beautiful and creative music that Andrea has written. Many times, the perfect ‘Andrea Dow song’ was all it took to hook a student and give them the confidence they needed,” Aubrey shares.
The unique features of WunderKeys set it apart from other methods. “Oh, it is so different from other methods! I have probably taught with 85% of the popular methods out there, and I now know for a fact that WunderKeys is…the…best. There is so much more that is learned through WunderKeys methods. The flow/pace is perfect, the illustrations are perfect, the activities are perfect, the repetition is perfect, the supplementary books are perfect, the comics are perfect…it really is the best.”
WunderKeys offers books specifically geared for teens, beginners, and advanced students, filling a significant gap in the market. “There really is not much of a market out there for teen piano method books. I’ve found a few, but none of them are as comprehensive and thorough as WunderKeys. Adults do great with them also. No more ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ and ‘Hot Cross Buns’ for teens and grown-ups! So happy about that!!!”
Aubrey’s students love WunderKeys, and she often lets them choose between different curriculums. “I’d say 98% of the time, they choose WunderKeys,” she notes. Parents have also been impressed with the rapid progress their children make with WunderKeys. “Most students progress rapidly with WunderKeys. One of my students moved away and couldn’t find a teacher that plays games! That student sadly quit piano because the games were her most favorite thing about piano lessons,” Aubrey shares.
The introduction of WunderKeys has significantly lightened the mood in Aubrey’s studio, creating an engaging and enthusiastic learning environment. “I feel like WunderKeys lightens the mood and creates an atmosphere that is very different from other piano teachers’ studios…and the option of having so many songs from the PianoBookClub at my disposal makes a huge difference when trying to find the ‘right’ song for a student.”
Teaching WunderKeys lessons has been more enjoyable for Aubrey compared to other methods. “I really enjoy teaching through the books and using the corresponding resources with them. It sets me apart as a teacher and makes me look very put together and prepared…as if I spent hours getting ready.”
Aubrey’s advice to other piano teachers considering implementing WunderKeys materials is clear: “Give it a chance and read through the entire method book before teaching it so you have a grasp on what is needed for the lessons and what will be happening in each lesson. Know the material…don’t simply read all the words and directions out loud to the student as you teach it. Know what is happening in each unit! Be prepared! Read the blog. Use the free resources. Go all in…don’t just utilize one aspect of WunderKeys. It works best when you use all the extras!”
Aubrey’s journey with WunderKeys is a testament to the transformative power of a well-crafted curriculum. From feeling burnt out and considering quitting, she found a renewed passion for teaching and a creative outlet that continues to inspire both her and her students. With WunderKeys, Aubrey has truly discovered the magic of making music fun, engaging, and profoundly impactful.
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