004: Favorite Things for Teaching Neurodiverse Students with Elizabeth Davis-Everhart

In this episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Davis-Everhart, a passionate piano teacher with a unique approach to teaching neurodiverse students. Elizabeth shares insights from her teaching studio, where she works with a diverse range of students, including those with autism, ADHD, OCD, tic disorders, dyslexia, and more. She discusses her teaching philosophy, emphasizing improvisation in early lessons to create a stress-free learning environment. Elizabeth also reveals her favorite method books, games, and teaching tools, including finger puppets and colored pencils. She sheds light on the often overlooked challenges of dyslexia and offers valuable tips for teachers new to teaching neurodiverse students. Additionally, Elizabeth shares details about her course, Adaptive Piano Pedagogy 101, and exciting upcoming projects, including a podcast on adaptive piano teaching and courses on practical and intentional improvisation for teachers. Tune in to discover Elizabeth's innovative approach to inclusive piano education!

• Elizabeth shared a brief background of her teaching studio, with a mix of in-person and online students.
• She mainly teaches beginners up to teenage years, focusing on students with disabilities like autism, ADHD, OCD, tic disorders, dyslexia, etc.
• Her teaching approach, emphasizing on improvisation in early lessons to get to know the student without stress.
• Her favorite method books and favorite games in her studio.
• She shares a memorable experience of a student playing a Haydn Sonata in their second or third lesson.
• Some of her favorite teaching tools, including finger puppets for ear training, wiggly eyes for finger numbers, erasable music staff whiteboard with magnets, and colored pencils.
• How dyslexia is often overlooked but affects various aspects such as pattern recognition, speaking, hearing, and music.
• Tips and advice for teachers new to teaching neurodiverse students
• Her course, Adaptive Piano Pedagogy 101, designed to empower teachers with tools and knowledge for teaching students with disabilities.
• Elizabeth shared her upcoming projects, including a podcast on adaptive piano teaching and courses on practical and intentional improvisation for teachers.

Links Mentioned

• Download your TopMusicMag January 2024 – Issue 1 here
• Unfazed: Teaching Neurodivergent Students Course
• Dynamic Piano Teaching Podcast

Guest Links Mentioned

• Elizabeth Davis-Everhart Website
• Creative Piano Pedagogy Instagram
• Creative Piano Pedagogy Facebook

Today’s Guest

Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Everhart holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Piano. Elizabeth’s doctoral dissertation, “Approaches to Music Reading for Piano Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder” was the first research document published in that area. For the last 16 years, Elizabeth has taught piano to students of all ages and abilities and currently has both a vibrant in-person studio at her home in Savannah, GA and a virtual studio of students from around the US. Dr. Davis-Everhart is an active presenter for local, state and national music teacher organizations and is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator for piano festivals and competitions. Elizabeth is also the founder of “Creative Piano Pedagogy,” a blog and hub for teaching tips, resources, community events and pedagogy courses on adaptive and creative piano teaching. Elizabeth and her husband James live in beautiful Savannah, GA with their Siberian Husky, Rory. When she’s not teaching, Elizabeth enjoys reading, baking bread, gardening, fishing, and traveling.

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.

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