Homeschool Music Mastery: Kathryn Brunner’s Innovative Approach From Early Childhood Audiation To Jazz Piano Education
Last week I interviewed my good friend, fellow music educator and homeschool mom, Kathryn Brunner on the Music in Our Homeschool podcast! Below I share the highlights from our recent episode. Her passion is in homeschool music for early childhood, as well as piano education. Kathryn brought an abundance of insight and passion to help you gain accessible, engaging ways to integrate music education into your homeschool curriculum.
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.
The Magic of Early Childhood Music Education
Kathryn and I share a common bond in our dedication to early childhood music and movement education. Both certified with Musikgarten, we’ve seen first-hand how powerful the right musical foundation can be for young learners. However, Kathryn has taken her expertise a step further by incorporating piano education into her curriculum at Musik at Home.
The Philosophy Behind Audiation-Based Piano Instruction
One of the core elements of Kathryn’s teaching philosophy is the concept of audiation. Similar to how we grasp and form sentences in our minds before speaking, audiation allows individuals to internalize and understand music before playing or singing it. This method offers a holistic approach, focusing on patterns, rhythms, and tonal structures rather than isolated notes.
The analogy Kathryn uses is brilliant: “Just as we wouldn’t focus on individual letters when learning to speak, music students shouldn’t get stuck on individual notes.” This shift from sight to sound-first-learning transforms music education, making it more intuitive and engaging for learners of all ages.
See the reel that Kathryn referenced in the podcast episode, where her daughter took what she learned through many years of audiation-based music instructions and improvised a song on the piano.
Musik at Home: Making Music Education Accessible
Kathryn’s online studio, Musik at Home., brings the richness of her teaching to families everywhere. Her approach is innovative, offering video classes that simulate a live studio experience. Whether it’s your baby’s first rhythm lesson or your preschooler’s introduction to musical patterns, Kathryn’s method ensures each child feels a part of a “class” even from their living room.
Creative Keys: Nordic Adventures for Piano Instruction
For children aged 5 to 10, Kathryn’s innovative program, Creative Keys Nordic Adventures, merges literature, stories, and imagination with learning to play the piano. Inspired by Nordic themes from beloved books, this program immerses children in a narrative before connecting the story to corresponding music patterns and rhythms. This imaginative approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also deeply memorable.
Here are some of the Nordic-themed books Kathryn was inspired by:
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- Lief the Lucky by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
- The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lingren
- Children of the North Lights by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
Jazz for All Ages with Creative Keys: Jazz Chords
In response to a growing interest in jazz and a request for piano instruction for teens and adults, Kathryn introduced Creative Keys: Jazz Chords. The course, developed by Kathryn’s former student Asa Nero, combines Asa’s deep knowledge of jazz with his passion for teaching. With six original jazz tunes and straightforward instruction in jazz chords, this course demystifies jazz piano for learners of all levels.
What sets the jazz course apart is its affordability and accessibility. Instead of paying hefty fees for private lessons, students can access high-quality instruction for a fraction of the cost.
If you’re interested in just the jazz book with chords and original songs (no video instruction), you can get that here: Jazz Chords book
The Impact of Music on Learning and Development
Kathryn emphasizes the far-reaching benefits of music education, particularly for young children. “Music education is powerful,” she notes, explaining how repeated musical experiences carve creative pathways in the brain. Just as we wouldn’t let children quit math learning math just because it’s hard and a student doesn’t enjoy it, Kathryn believes we should persevere with music education, even when it gets challenging.
Making Early Childhood Audiation Music Education a Family Affair
As we wrapped up our conversation, Kathryn shared ways to include more music and early childhood audiation in daily life. From playing favorite songs repeatedly to structured lessons, these musical experiences fill a child’s “music aptitude tank,” fostering a lifelong love of music.
If you’re eager to learn more about Kathryn Brunner and her programs, visit her website at My Musik at Home website and follow her @musikathome on Instagram.
Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just beginning your journey, integrating music into your curriculum has never been easier or more delightful. Let’s keep the music alive in our homes!
See the YouTube Video “How to Teach Music to Kids Ages 5-10 at Home?” here:
Listen to the Podcast Episode “34: Homeschool Music Mastery: Kathryn Brunner’s Innovative Approach From Early Childhood Audiation To Jazz Piano Education”:
Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Read the Podcast Transcript here.
Related Posts:
- Musical and Life Benefits from Musik at Home Classes
- How to do Music at Home with Musik at Home!
- The Best Ways to Effortlessly Schedule Music Education in Your Homeschool to Make Sure It Will Happen (E29)
- Piano for Preschoolers with KinderBach
- Any Parent Can Teach Piano At Home!
