127: How to Include Composition in Lessons with Amy Ferguson

Composing isn't just for the musically gifted few, it's a skill every piano student can build with the right guidance. Today, I'm chatting with Amy Ferguson, a piano teacher of over 30 years who calls herself a lifelong composer. She shares her own creative process, why she believes composing belongs in every studio, and practical activities you can try with students at any level. Amy also offers a free printable to help students write their very first piece.

Amy shared how she won a Kawai piano through Pianist Magazine's composer competition.She described herself as a lifelong composer, tracing it back to a childhood tape recorder.Her compositional style favors patterns, simple notation, and a big sound.She emphasized storytelling as key to helping students connect emotionally with music.She named Danny Elfman's Nightmare Before Christmas score as a major influence.Amy outlined three reasons composing matters: theory, ownership, and true artistry.She noted that composing confidence carries over into students' other repertoire.She shared an activity where students traded favorite-things cards and composed for each other.Some holiday prompts, like Halloween for minor keys and Mother's/Father's Day gifts.Amy walked through her free "Big Question" printable for a student's first notated piece.She highlighted her Escape Series, teaching navigation terms like repeat signs and codas.Amy encouraged teachers to keep composing open-ended and rule-free.

Links Mentioned

Amy's website: https:www.amyfergusonstudio.comAmy's YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/@AmyFergusonStudioMusicAmy's Facebook page:Amy Ferguson StudioFind out more about Four Chord Composing Course here.

Today's Guest

With enthusiasm and endless passion for music, Amy Ferguson has spent her lifetime sharing and creating music on the piano. ​She received her first piano as a Christmas gift from her parents when she was 1 year old and as a young child she loved to record herself making up songs into a little tape recorder. She’s been happily composing music ever since!

Amy studied piano under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Beckstrand and Dr. Yu-Jane Yang. In college she studied Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, and Secondary Music Education. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with high honors from Weber State University. She has had over 30 years of piano teaching experience and is an active member of the Utah Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, and