Ohio Christian University (OCU) is now offering a new certificate program in Piano Pedagogy for students majoring in music. This program is valuable for students who wish to open a private piano studio and those who are studying Worship Leadership and plan to teach piano to their congregants. Area piano teachers will also find the Piano Pedagogy Certificate program to be an excellent resource for expanding and honing their pedagogic skills.
Designed for teaching all ages and levels of piano students, this program includes a two- to four-semester hands-on supervised teaching internship through Studio One in Circleville, Ohio. Psychology courses exploring child, adolescent, and cognitive development are also included in the curriculum. Completing this program helps prepare pedagogy students to apply for the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) designation of the Music Teachers National Association.
“This program is an eclectic survey of piano teaching methods,” explains Dr. Rebecca Grooms Johnson, who developed and is instructing the program's curriculum. “We examine the strengths and limitations of various pedagogic methods and teaching techniques, and learn how to apply them to various individual student needs. These needs can include optimal motor skill development, speed and style of learning, and the best use of various genres of repertoire (e.g. classical, hymns, jazz, pop, lead lines) to guide students toward accomplishing their goals for a positive learning experience. Course topics also include best business practices in managing a studio, using current software and apps to support learning, and avoiding teacher burnout.”
Dr. Johnson, who leads and instructs the piano pedagogy certificate program, is a nationally recognized leader in the field of piano pedagogy. She is a past president of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and chaired the Certification Commission that rewrote the requirements for the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music designation from MTNA. She holds degrees from Capital University and The Ohio State University.
To find out more about the Piano Pedagogy Certificate, click here.
Articles of Interest
An Evening With Mark Lee
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University is excited to host an upcoming concert, “An
Evening with Mark Lee,” organized by Living by Faith Ministries. Lee is a
founding member and guitarist for popular Christian rock band Third Day. The
concert will be taking place on Sept. 16 from 7:00-8:30 pm, with doors
opening at 6:00.
Lee will perform songs from Third Day and his album Unshakeable Heart. He
will also share about his book, “Hurt Road,” in which he writes about the
hardships he has faced throughout his life. The concert will include a Q
Ohio Christian University is excited to host an upcoming concert, “An
Evening with Mark Lee,” organized by Living by Faith Ministries. Lee is a
founding member and guitarist for popular Christian rock band Third Day. The
concert will be taking place on Sept. 16 from 7:00-8:30 pm, with doors
opening at 6:00.
Lee will perform songs from Third Day and his album Unshakeable Heart. He
will also
Ohio Christian University is excited to host an upcoming concert, “An
Evening with Mark Lee,” organized by Living by Faith Ministries. Lee is a
founding member and guitarist for popular Christian
Ohio Christian Receives Four New Steinway Designed Pianos
Published: July 24, 2019
As part of a larger goal to become an All-Steinway School, Ohio Christian
University recently purchased four upright Boston model pianos designed by
Steinway
As part of a larger goal to become an All-Steinway School, Ohio Christian
University recently purchased four upright Boston model pianos designed by
Steinway
As part of a larger goal to become an All-Steinway School, Ohio Christian
University recently purchased four upright Boston model pianos designed by
Steinway
OCU To Hold Nashville Styled Songwriting Boot Camp
Published: March 25, 2019
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an experience like they might get in
Nashville if they went to a songwriting conference,” Martin said. “The
order of events is very similar to the conferences I’ve been to.”
The event will be held in OCU’s
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this
Behind the Scenes: Inside Festival of Carols
Published: December 3, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Behind the scenes, behind the curtains of this year’s Festival of Carols,
the perspective is different for the eyes of this observer, who happens to be
part of the creative moment team. The choirs warm their vocal cords until
their voices float in glorious harmonies across the auditorium. The actors
labor in hectic preparation to perform with excellence and seeming
effortlessness.
Learning choreography with live choirs singing was a challenge that Movements
from the Heart (MFTH), the creative movement team, met in the practice time
afforded before the first
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Behind the scenes, behind the curtains of this year’s Festival of Carols,
the perspective is different for the eyes of this observer, who happens to be
part of the creative moment team. The choirs warm their vocal cords until
their voices float in glorious harmonies across the auditorium. The actors
labor in hectic preparation to perform with excellence and seeming
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Behind the scenes, behind the curtains of this year’s Festival of Carols,
the perspective is different for the eyes of this observer, who happens to be
part of the creative
2018 Festival of Carols' 'Peace on Earth' Theme Shares Global Hope
Published: December 2, 2018
Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Festival of Carols, performed in the
Ministry and Performing Arts Center, celebrated Christmas with 'Peace on
Earth' music from around the world. Decorations featured the flags, colors,
and music of peoples across the globe, representing all who look to Christ
and His promise of eternal peace.
The Ohio Christian University Orchestra played the celebration's prelude with
George Edge, conducting, to the attendees who filled the spacious, modern
auditorium.
After University President Jon S. Kulaga opened the celebration with a warm
welcome and prayer,
Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Festival of Carols, performed in the
Ministry and Performing Arts Center, celebrated Christmas with 'Peace on
Earth' music from around the world. Decorations featured the flags, colors,
and music of peoples across the globe, representing all who look to Christ
and His promise of eternal peace.
The Ohio Christian University Orchestra played the celebration's
Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Festival of Carols, performed in the
Ministry and Performing Arts Center, celebrated Christmas with 'Peace on
Earth' music from around the world. Decorations
Archived Articles of Interest
Dr. Rebecca Johnson serves as President of MTNA
Published: October 5, 2016
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university music teachers. During the summer
of 2016 she traveled extensively as a representative of MTNA and presenter.
Immediately after chairing a 3-day meeting of the Board of Directors in July,
Dr. Johnson flew to Europe, where she presented a 60-minute session on
developing self-direction in adult music students at the International
Society of Music Education (ISME) in Glasgow, Scotland. Following
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university music teachers. During the summer
of 2016 she traveled extensively as a representative of MTNA and presenter.
Immediately after chairing a 3-day meeting of the Board of Directors in July,
Dr.
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university
Dean Judges Piano Guild in Michigan
Published: September 19, 2016
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125 students at the Evola Music
Center.
Piano Guild, based in Austin, Texas, judges over 125,000 students every
spring from all over the United States and several foreign countries. The
students prepare from one to fifteen pieces and skills to play for the judge.
95% of those pieces are memorized.
In Detroit, Dean enjoyed meeting some of the international teachers from
Russia and Costa Rica. Dean
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125 students at the Evola Music
Center.
Piano Guild, based in Austin, Texas, judges over 125,000 students every
spring from all over the United States and several foreign countries. The
students prepare
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125
OCU Students Minister Through Drama
Published: September 13, 2016
Ohio Christian University is excited about launching a new semester of the
drama ministry travel team, Living Parables. This group is made up of 14
residential undergraduate students (two teams), including the Student Leaders
Brittany Twining and Haley Fowler. The group is under the direction of Mrs.
Bethany Bolin, who is a graduate of OCU and possesses many years of teaching
and leading drama.
Living Parables ministers in churches, schools and youth events presenting
sketches of real-life circumstances which focus on the gospel as well as
moral values.
Ohio Christian University is excited about launching a new semester of the
drama ministry travel team, Living Parables. This group is made up of 14
residential undergraduate students (two teams), including the Student Leaders
Brittany Twining and Haley Fowler. The group is under the direction of Mrs.
Bethany Bolin, who is a graduate of OCU and possesses many years of teaching
and leading
Ohio Christian University is excited about launching a new semester of the
drama ministry travel team, Living Parables. This group is made up of 14
residential undergraduate students (two teams),
OCU's Ablaze and Tenth Avenue North Rock Ross County Fair
Published: August 12, 2016
CHILLICOTHE - The fair board took a gamble that appeared to pay off.
Thursday night's concert at the Ross County Fair was something the fair board
had never tried before. With the help of Ohio Christian University, it
brought two contemporary Christian bands, OCU's Ablaze and headliner Tenth
Avenue North, to the grandstand.
The grandstand was packed with more than 500 people of all ages cheering,
clapping and even at times dancing along to the music. The high-energy lead
singer of Tenth Avenue North ran up and down into the crowds, jumping and
dancing along with them. The longer the
CHILLICOTHE - The fair board took a gamble that appeared to pay off.
Thursday night's concert at the Ross County Fair was something the fair board
had never tried before. With the help of Ohio Christian University, it
brought two contemporary Christian bands, OCU's Ablaze and headliner Tenth
Avenue North, to the grandstand.
The grandstand was packed with more than 500 people of all ages
CHILLICOTHE - The fair board took a gamble that appeared to pay off.
Thursday night's concert at the Ross County Fair was something the fair board
had never tried before. With the help of Ohio
Chamber String Ensemble to Minister in Japan
Published: August 10, 2016
The excitement is building as the members of Ohio Christian University’s
Chamber String Ensemble prepare for their musical ministry trip to Japan from
August 11-29, 2016. “My wife and I have always had a love for the Japanese
people and a strong desire to share the message of Jesus and salvation with
them,” says Roger Stieg, the ensemble’s director and founder.
“The opportunity that the Chamber Strings have to perform in Japan is a
wonderful new door that God is opening for the music students at Ohio
Christian University”, commented Dr. John Anthony, the Music Department
Chair
The excitement is building as the members of Ohio Christian University’s
Chamber String Ensemble prepare for their musical ministry trip to Japan from
August 11-29, 2016. “My wife and I have always had a love for the Japanese
people and a strong desire to share the message of Jesus and salvation with
them,” says Roger Stieg, the ensemble’s director and founder.
“The opportunity that the
The excitement is building as the members of Ohio Christian University’s
Chamber String Ensemble prepare for their musical ministry trip to Japan from
August 11-29, 2016. “My wife and I have always
