TopMusic Piano Podcast25 Okt 2024

040: Dynamic Doodle Co with Megan Schraer

Innovation thrives when creativity meets passion, and today's guest, Megan Schraer, embodies this perfectly. As the new owner of Dynamic Doodle Co., Megan has embraced the challenge of continuing the company’s legacy of providing music educators with engaging and interactive learning materials. In this episode, she shares the exciting, sometimes steep, journey of taking over the business, navigating everything from processing orders to expanding her vision for the company’s growth. Megan also reveals how she integrates Dynamic Doodle Co. resources into her own teaching practice, all while balancing her roles as a piano teacher and mother of two. She speaks to the power of her support system and gives a glimpse into the company’s future, including the introduction of boom cards and music bucks. Listen in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of music education.

Megan shared a brief overview of her background and her music teaching studio.
How she started using Dynamic Doodle Co. products, leading to her taking over the business.
How she uses Composer Chronicles in her studio, including monthly composer spotlights and integrating them into lessons and group activities.
Discussion about using Rhythm Builders and Staff Puzzlers to teach note durations and music notation to students, enhancing visual and hands-on learning.
Megan shared about the new skills she has acquired, such as processing orders, packaging products, and learning production techniques.
How she balances teaching, business responsibilities, and family life.
Some popular Dynamic Doodle Co. resources like Rhythm Builders, Staff Puzzlers, and Composer Chronicles, and how she uses them creatively in her own studio.
Some discusses some future plans and new products like boom cards and music bucks.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Megan Schraer enthusiastically strives to instill a passion for music in her students. Attempting to understand her student's learning style is a very important step to building a relationship with her students. Thereafter, she incorporates a variety of teaching approaches to appeal to each growing musician. Educating her students beyond just the pages of sheet music, Megan demonstrates the interworking of the piano and its mechanics to the student so they better understand how the instrument actually functions while they play. The students will also study famous composers, establish proper technique and artistry, learn music theory, and gain confidence in performing for others. With every lesson, she treasures the privilege of enriching the student's life and she deeply cares about each and every single one of them as individuals.

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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