Being a musician means choosing a life of curiosity and creativity.
But it takes time & intention to keep it going.
Creativity doesn’t disappear.
It just gets buried.
Creativity is built into the learning process, but sometimes it gets lost in the study and practice of music: the analysis and repetitions and familiar routines. The same is true on the teaching side—relying on the same methods, strategies, and approaches.
You love teaching music, but sometimes it feels like you're just going through the motions.
That's where I come in.
Hi, I’m Ashley Danyew.I share creative and pedagogically sound teaching ideas and resources to help you rediscover the creative side of music teaching & learning.
I help music teachers and directors like you find clarity in their work, generate creative ideas, and build confidence—all while continually improving your teaching skills, keeping your students engaged, and managing your time effectively (because as all busy working musicians know, this is essential).
I have a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and over 20 years of music teaching experience in church, community, studio, and college settings. I’ve helped musicians in all stages of their careers develop the skills and strategies they need to lead, teach, and be successful (especially when stepping into a new role, looking to innovate or build something new, or managing multiple part-time jobs and responsibilities).
Let’s do the same for you.
“Pedagogically sound and delivered with a generous clarity.”
“Ashley’s insights on music teaching and learning are pedagogically sound and delivered with a generous clarity that respects the value of traditional practices while investigating new approaches that can be incorporated into your teaching toolkit.”
- Dr. Jason Sifford, NCTM
“Made me a better teacher and a better musician.”
“I really appreciate the work that you do on your blogs and podcasts—I look forward to them every month. It seems you always address an issue I’m experiencing. The wealth of information you share has made me a better teacher and a better musician.”
- Sandra Gereau Fraser, organist and choir director
“Her heart for excellence in teaching is evident.”
“I greatly value Ashley’s approach, knowledge, and gifts as a teacher and as a mentor. Her heart for excellence in teaching is evident in what she provides.”
- Chrissy Talmadge, music teacher
Bio
Ashley Danyew is a musician, educator, researcher, and writer who thinks deeply about how musicians learn, teach, and build sustainable careers.
She has a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and over 20 years of music teaching experience in community, studio, church, and college settings. Ashley manages a private piano studio of K-12 students, hosts the podcast Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning, and has taught over 2,600 music teachers and directors how to develop their skills and teach with confidence through her online courses and workshops.
She has presented at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, MTNA’s TEMPO Conference, and the College Music Society Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. She is featured in the books,The Savvy Music Teacher, The Savvy Musician 2.0, and Generations Z and Alpha Students at the Piano. Her work has been published by Piano Magazine, Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, Oxford University Press Choral Blog, NAfME, MTNA Business Digest, among others. She served as an arts entrepreneur in residence at the Ohio State University and has been a guest presenter in college classes and for music teacher associations and group coaching programs.
Ashley is the Founder and Editor of Musician & Co., equipping classical musicians with the tools and education they need to build sustainable portfolio careers.
When she’s not teaching, researching music education strategies, or writing content for her blog or podcast, you can find her baking biscuits or biscotti, eating pasta, or painting postcard-size acrylic landscapes.
Ashley lives in Rochester, NY with her husband, Steve, and their lab-greyhound rescue, Rory.
Ashley is available for speaking engagements on a variety of pedagogy or entrepreneurship/business topics. Details can be found on the Musician & Co. website.
Select Podcast Features
The Music Teacher Master Mind Podcast: Tax Prep for the Music Teacher
TopMusic Piano Podcast: Creating a Work Retreat with Ashley Danyew
Crushing Classical: How to Manage Your Finances As a Musician
Loud & Clear: Musicpreneurs with Ashley Danyew
The Piano Pantry: Teacher Talk with Ashley Danyew
Why I’ll Never Make It: The Importance of Being a Portfolio Artist
Create. Inspire. Lead.: Preaching to the Choir: Church Jobs and Musicpreneurship
Open Fifth Podcast: Starting a Choir
Music Studio Startup: Creating and Marketing Online Courses
Music and the Church: 10 Ways to Play Music for Fun (and why you should)
Favorites Things Questionnaire
Living in?Rochester, NY
Grew up in?Woodstock, GA
Personality Type?INTJ, Enneagram 1
Favorite Food?Pasta (my love language, Margherita pizza, waffles
Favorite Candy?Haribo gummy bears (the original kind)
Typical Workday?Practicing and working from home in the morning, teaching piano in the afternoon
Weekend Date?Public Market (with a croissant & cappuccino from the cheese shop)
Happy Place?Wandering around the Finger Lakes, being a tourist in NYC, or time spent in Italy
Favorite Writers?Frances Mayes, Peter Mayle, Laura Dave, Ruth Reichl, Mary Oliver, Margaret Renkl, Celest Ng
Hobbies & Interests?Painting, writing, baking, interior design, architecture
What do you collect?Blue-and-white china, art, baskets, Etude magazines, interesting frames, blue mason jars
Favorite Book Quote“The wonderful beauty of the creative life is that no authentic, thoughtful experience, no new glimmer of knowledge, is ever wasted.”
- Keith Sawyer, Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity
What I’m reading these days:
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links on this page.
For more, see my book list.
Ready to rediscover the creative side of music teaching & learning?
Get the knowledge and expertise you need to be the best teacher you can be.
Get the tools you need to plan your teaching year.
From planning lessons/rehearsals to getting organized, reflecting on your teaching practice to working more efficiently as a busy musician, teacher, and director, find what you need in the (mostly free!) resource library.
Get quick pedagogical insights from the field.
Find inspiration, stay current with the latest teaching practices, and get resource recommendations and quick piano teaching ideas and strategies you can use in your studio.