Happy Friday! I’m writing this as many of you are amidst your travels to the 2025 MTNA Conference in Minneapolis. While I’m going to miss it, I’m feeling good about my decision to stay home this year and am looking forward to having a two-week Spring Break “staycation” at home (although we’ll get our camper out for a couple nights to break it in. 🙂
You may or may not have noticed that I’ve been switching up the featured images for Friday Finds posts recently. I love the idea of keeping these a little more personal with photos rather than just generic images with posts names. In fact, I went through this phase several years ago but had a hard time keeping up with the practice because I just didn’t take a lot of photos at the time.
As technology changes and media becomes more apart of daily life, I found myself drawn to the desire to once again use real-life images to lead these posts–something that speaks to the time that has lapsed.
Growing up in an evangelical household, I’ve enjoyed learning more about liturgical practices in adulthood and exploring what a balance between the two look like in my life. This is the second year I’ve used Bitter and Sweet: A Journey into Easter by Tsh Oxenreider through Lent. I’m drawn to it mostly because it includes a playlist on Spotify with one song per day to accompany the devotion.
That’s just the start of all I have for you on this Friday in March, 2025. Enjoy!
1
My students have been working through our annual March Minute Madness challenge. I have a high school student who asked about an app he could use to practice when he’s not sitting at the piano. We found a nice, free, simple note flashcards app in the app store called “Flash Notes Flash Cards.”
2
If you are still frantically trying to finish up taxes, listen in to the Music Studio Startup podcast with Andrea Miller episode #162 where she has a CPA talk through deductions for music teachers.
3
Nicola Cantan shared on her podcast something that’s been working for her in recent months to help set the mood of her morning – Morning Memos.
4
You heard me rave about Chili Crisp Fried Eggs in the past. Here’s a new one! Heavy Cream Fried Eggs. Oh yeah! It doesn’t take much.
(I’ll admit, I have hereditary cholesterol issues so I have to be careful how often I enjoy these but it’s a nice change of pace once in awhile or just a nice way to use up any lingering heavy cream after a recipe.)
5
I have a student who really wants to learn Claire de Lune but he’s just not quite ready for it yet (although he’s determined to start trying). Luckily, I came across an arrangement by Chrissy Ricker that has appeased him nicely. 🙂
6
I have been using this Mira Coffee Mug for the past year and I adore it. I’m not a big coffee drinker so while they have a 16oz version, mine is the 12oz. It’s the perfect amount – a cup and a half. Unfortunately the “Taffy Pink” color I snatched last year is not currently available but they have some other colorful options.
7
This time last year, I finally took the plunge and treated myself to a color consult with Created Colorful. You send them photos with all kinds of colors wrapped around you. They will assess those photos then ask you for another round with more specific colors.
Then you get an detailed assessment that includes not only just tips on colors for clothes, but ideas for makeup as well. I was shocked how much info they included. What a difference this has made in making clothes shopping a (little) more fun (I still don’t love it! I do it because I have to LOL.)
If you’re interested, you can use my affiliate link to get $20 (they have an audio course that I enjoyed as well that was worth the purchase). use the discount code AMY CHAPLIN at checkout.
8
MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) is kicking off a new virtual conference event “Tempo” this April (2025). Rather than just trying to turn the in-person conference into virtual access, they’re now doing a full separate conference. Those who purchase the in-person conference get the virtual one for free. (I was part of the planning committee which was a fun experience. 🙂
9
The Lister-Sink Method: Principles of Injury-Preventative Keyboard Technique by Scarlette Kerr (Music Learning Academy)
10
I’m starting a new offering in my Patreon community called Exploring Audiation-Based Instruction in Everyday Piano Methods. This will be a monthly one-hour teacher chat where we talk about ways to incorporate activities that foster the “minds ear” with our students (and for us!). Starting Wednesday, April 2 from 11am-12pm Eastern Time. Recordings will be available. Join at the $7 level on Patreon: PianoPantry.com/patreon
