108: Solo or Collaborative… Which Would You Choose?

As I wrap up this series on performance anxiety, I wanted to spend one more episode talking about something that has shaped my own performing life in a big way: collaborative piano. In this episode, I'm reflecting on the differences between solo and collaborative performing, what accompanying has taught me as a musician and teacher, and why it might be worth exploring if you’ve never considered it before.

Rachel compared the unique challenges of solo and collaborative performing.
Why collaborative performing feels less intimidating than solo playing.
How accompanying has strengthened her listening and musical flexibility.
Rachel how collaborative work helps pianists become more responsive musicians.
How accompanying young students builds both musical and teaching skills.
The importance of adjusting quickly when students lose their place.
How collaborative work can create valuable paid opportunities for pianists.
Common gig options such as choirs, soloists, weddings, and theater.
Rachel encouraged teachers to explore low-pressure ways to start accompanying.
She introduced her new collaborative pianist rate calculator to help teachers price gigs confidently.

Links Mentioned

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 RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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