Piano teachers everywhere have students in their studio with complex needs. Be it visual impairment, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia… the spectrum of differences is wide. And piano teachers everywhere have questions about how to effectively meet the needs of these students.
Advice From A True Expert
In today’s Teach Piano Today podcast, we’re interviewing Dr. Adam Ockelford on the topic of teaching students with special needs. Dr. Ockelford has spent his career working with children with complex needs and the success he has created is astounding.
You may recognize Dr. Ockelford’s name as being the teacher of Derek Paravicini; a concert pianist who is blind and who has severe autism. Derek now tours the world with a busy performance schedule; recently performing for royalty at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
On today’s podcast, Dr. Ockelford discusses:
- Why music education, in particular, is so important for children with special needs.
- The Sounds of Intent project and how can it assist music teachers and therapists.
- The struggles he faced in the early days of teaching Derek and how he overcame them.
- Finding a balance between focusing on “good teaching” vs. focusing on the joy of music making.
- And much, much more!
Dr. Ockelford and Derek Paravicini’s Story
If you’re as fascinated as I was about the teaching relationship between Dr. Ockelford and Derek, be sure to check out the TEDtalk where the two demonstrate Derek’s profound abilities. You can learn more about the Sounds of Intent project discussed in the podcast at www.soundsofintent.org.
Click the player below to listen to today’s podcast or visit our iTunes page to download it to your iPod or smart phone and take us “on-the-go”.
Don’t Forget To Check Out These Great Episodes…
Over the past year we have had the opportunity to speak with many wonderful guests on the Teach Piano Today podcast. If you enjoyed today’s show, you may also want to check out the following three recently released podcast episodes…
The Invented Notations of Children and The Importance of Composing
Is Sleep the Final Piece of the Perfect Practice Puzzle?
If You Encourage Your Piano Parents To Do Just One Thing… Make It This
Leave A Comment