Jo McCubbin is a piano teacher and music blogger with over eight years of professional experience based in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. She has built a reputation for combining formal music instruction with digital content to support both students and music enthusiasts. With a background in English Language and Literature and a passion for music education, McCubbin brings a multi-disciplinary approach to her teaching and writing. Her professional path is rooted in classroom instruction, personal mentoring, and a growing online presence that seeks to make music education more accessible and engaging.
Early Education and Academic Foundation
Jo McCubbin completed her secondary education at Ararat High School, where she focused on subjects including English Language and Literature. Although her secondary studies were not exclusively music-centered, her exposure to literature and language formed a strong foundation for her eventual dual career in music education and blogging. This academic background has influenced the way she communicates musical concepts, both in her one-on-one lessons and through her writing.
Her approach often reflects a clarity in communication and a sensitivity to narrative—qualities that are uncommon but valuable in traditional music instruction. Rather than approaching music as a series of techniques alone, she integrates storytelling, context, and emotional understanding into her lessons and posts.
Teaching Career in Music
McCubbin began teaching music professionally in January 2017. Based in St Kilda, Victoria, she has worked primarily as a private piano teacher. Over the years, she has expanded her teaching model to accommodate a range of students—from young beginners to adults returning to piano after years away. Her studio environment focuses on fundamental skills such as note reading, rhythm, technique, and performance confidence.
Her eight-plus years of teaching have been marked by a consistency in student outcomes, with several learners developing long-term relationships with music. Jo is known to emphasize not just the technical but also the creative aspects of learning the piano. Improvisation, musical expression, and personal interpretation are frequently part of her curriculum, helping students find their voice within structured practice.
The location in St Kilda offers a diverse demographic, and McCubbin’s adaptability has allowed her to tailor lessons for a broad age group and skill level. Her lessons generally take place in a home-studio setting or via virtual platforms, especially in recent years where remote learning became essential.
Teaching Methodology
Jo McCubbin follows a student-centric teaching philosophy. Rather than enforcing a rigid set of standards, she designs lesson plans based on the pace and interests of each learner. Her sessions typically combine formal instruction—using classical methods and repertoire—with flexible modules that explore contemporary music, film scores, and original compositions.
In technical terms, her pedagogy focuses on:
- Scales and Technique: Developing finger strength, hand independence, and dynamic control.
- Sight Reading: Encouraging students to interpret new material quickly and confidently.
- Ear Training: Helping students identify intervals, chords, and melodic patterns by ear.
- Theory Integration: Teaching music theory as part of practical application rather than isolated exercises.
- Performance Skills: Building student confidence in front of an audience, whether through informal recitals or digital recordings.
Blogging and Online Content Creation
Alongside teaching, McCubbin maintains a music blog that serves as both an educational tool and a reflection of her professional philosophy. Her blog is aimed at piano students, fellow teachers, and general music enthusiasts who seek practical advice and relatable commentary on music learning.
The topics on her blog include:
- Piano technique breakdowns
- Practice strategies and motivation tips
- Reviews of beginner and intermediate piano books
- Reflections on the teaching experience
- Personal stories about student progress
- Integration of literature and storytelling in music lessons
Her writing style mirrors her teaching—clear, informative, and encouraging. She often shares anecdotes from her studio, offering insights into the daily practice of a piano teacher. These blog posts have helped her reach a broader audience beyond St Kilda, including remote learners and piano teachers looking for peer insights.
Integration of Music and Literature
Jo McCubbin’s educational background in English Literature plays a distinctive role in her teaching and blogging. She frequently draws parallels between music and storytelling. Whether it’s analyzing a piece’s narrative arc or exploring the emotional context behind a composition, she helps students understand music not just as notes and rhythms but as a form of expressive communication.
In her blog, this interdisciplinary perspective shows up in her articles that merge literary analysis with music pedagogy. For instance, she might draw connections between a musical motif and a character’s development in a novel, or discuss how rhythm in poetry mirrors rhythm in music.
This approach also makes her lessons unique for students who may be more linguistically or creatively inclined. For those who respond more to words than to numbers, her method offers a way into music that feels more accessible.
Community Engagement
As a long-term resident and educator in St Kilda, McCubbin has built strong connections within the local community. Although she operates independently rather than through a large institution, she maintains informal collaborations with local musicians, schools, and parent groups.
She occasionally hosts or participates in local recitals, seasonal showcases, and small concerts, giving her students the opportunity to perform in low-pressure settings. These events are designed more as celebrations of progress than formal evaluations, aligning with her philosophy that music should be a joyful and lifelong pursuit.
During times when public events were not possible, such as health-related lockdowns, Jo adapted by organizing virtual performances and collaborative student projects, including online duets and shared video compilations.
Challenges and Adaptations
Like many educators, Jo McCubbin has faced challenges related to changing student expectations, digital transformation, and educational access. The shift toward online learning in 2020 required significant adjustment, particularly for an art form that traditionally relies on physical presence.
To meet these challenges, she invested in digital teaching tools, including:
- High-quality video setups for online lessons
- Interactive sheet music apps
- Cloud-based platforms for sharing assignments
- Virtual metronomes and rhythm games
These tools enabled her to maintain lesson quality and student engagement even in remote settings. Moreover, her blog served as a secondary resource hub, allowing students to access written tutorials and video demonstrations outside of scheduled sessions.
Personal Development and Continuing Education
Though she has been teaching for nearly a decade, McCubbin continues to engage in professional development. She participates in teacher forums, online masterclasses, and music education workshops to stay updated on both piano pedagogy and digital content trends.
Her growth mindset is evident in her blog, where she occasionally documents new discoveries in teaching or reflects on shifts in her methodology. These posts provide transparency and humility, qualities that resonate with readers and fellow educators.
The Role of Music in Student Development
Jo McCubbin strongly believes in the role of music in personal growth. She views piano not only as a skill but as a tool for emotional expression, cognitive development, and self-discipline. Her teaching aims to:
- Improve attention span and memory
- Develop motor coordination
- Encourage creativity
- Build routine and responsibility
- Create emotional outlets for stress and joy
For younger students, she emphasizes early musical exposure as a way to foster listening skills and patience. For adults, she offers flexible approaches that acknowledge their varied schedules and life commitments, ensuring music remains a source of enjoyment rather than stress.
Current Focus and Future Plans
As of 2025, Jo McCubbin continues to teach privately from St Kilda and regularly updates her blog. She is considering expanding her digital presence to include structured online courses or video tutorials for beginners and returning learners. This transition would allow her to scale her teaching impact beyond in-person sessions.
Her plans also include:
- Publishing an eBook of curated blog entries and lesson tips
- Developing printable learning materials for teachers and students
- Partnering with local artists for interdisciplinary workshops
These initiatives reflect her desire to evolve with the changing needs of learners and contribute meaningfully to the broader music education community.
Conclusion
Jo McCubbin represents a balanced integration of tradition and innovation in the music education field. With over eight years of hands-on teaching experience, a blog that demystifies the piano learning process, and a clear commitment to student growth, she continues to influence learners in St Kilda and beyond. Her work reflects the values of consistency, adaptability, and communication—making her a reliable figure in the contemporary piano teaching landscape.
FAQs:
1. Where does Jo McCubbin teach piano?
She teaches privately in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia, offering both in-person and virtual lessons.
2. How long has Jo McCubbin been teaching music?
She has been teaching piano professionally since January 2017.
3. Does Jo McCubbin write about music online?
Yes, she maintains a music blog that covers piano teaching strategies, music book reviews, and creative approaches to learning.
4. What makes Jo McCubbin’s teaching method unique?
Her method blends classical technique with storytelling and creative interpretation, often linking music to literature.
5. Can adults take lessons with Jo McCubbin?
Yes, she teaches students of all ages, including adults who are beginners or returning learners.
