122: The Kindred Piano Method with Andrea Humphrey

Every piano method reflects the values behind the person who created it. Today, I'm chatting with Andrea Humphrey to explore the story behind the Kindred Piano Method, a series that blends solid piano pedagogy with music from underrepresented composers and cultures, helping teachers create more inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for every student.

• Andrea shared how 30 years of teaching shaped the Kindred Piano Method.
• She explained how the events of 2020 inspired her to rethink traditional method books.
• Andrea described why representation in music education matters for every student.
• How one student's experience sparked the creation of an entirely new method.
• Andrea explained how family songs became the starting point for building the repertoire.
• The importance of including music from diverse cultures and traditions.
• Andrea discussed combining traditional pedagogy with inclusive musical experiences.
• She shared how landmark notes and sight reading are introduced early in the method.
• Why the lesson books include integrated theory instead of separate workbooks.
• Andrea reflected on the four-year journey of writing, designing, and publishing the series.
• How conferences and teacher feedback continue to shape the future of the method.
• Andrea shared her vision of collaborating with composers from around the world.

Links Mentioned

• Andrea's website:Kindred Piano Method
• Andrea's Instagram page:@kindredpiano

Today's Guest Andrea Humphrey (she/her) is the author of the Kindred Piano Method series and has been a piano instructor for over 25 years. After earning a music therapy degree from the University of Minnesota, she began teaching advanced keyboards and music theory at a technical college while opening a private piano studio for younger students. Her musical world expanded years later during an extended assignment in India with her husband and children, where she continued her work as both an instructor and pianist. It became one of the highlights of her career as a music educator, deepening her belief in the value of making music education diverse and available to all. Today, through the Kindred Piano Method, Andrea connects piano students with traditionally underrepresented composers and gives instructors an inclusive, instructor-friendly method they can confidently send into any student's home. 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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