By Patrick Fritz Our studio is offering a challenge to our students - “100 Days of Practice in a Row Challenge.” This means practicing “in a meaningful way” for 100 uninterrupted days with no break. The only allowable excuses for missing a day are illness, traveling outside of the country, or family emergency. I was inspired to try this idea by many other experienced teachers who challenge...
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How do you determine if you are meeting the needs of your customers? Periodically, I have created surveys for my students to evaluate my teaching and my studio programs. In the past, I have used the MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) assessment tools and have also developed custom surveys. I have usually handed out hard copies of assessments and it has been a very valuable tool. This is the first year I have used an online survey, though they have been around awhile!
Survey Monkey is an excellent option for creating an online survey. Sign up is easy and available through a Google or Facebook account if you prefer. Most importantly it is free! However, one drawback is that a free account only allows a total of ten questions. I did have to scale back on questions, but a shorter survey may be more likely to get filled out. If you want more questions and more services, you can upgrade your account for a monthly fee.
Last month, I signed up for a 30 day yoga challenge at my local yoga studio to raise money for a music education non-profit. The idea is I pledge to go to class every day for 30 days straight and raise at least $10 a day from sponsors. I did the whole challenge (except for one sick day...
Read MoreIt’s that time of year where parents and students alike are gearing up for summer. Vacations are being planned, plane tickets booked and everyone looks forward with great anticipation to relaxation and good times. What most people are not gearing up for are summer music lessons. I’ve heard many arguments both for and against summer lessons. For some, you’re just going against the grain/trying to reinvent the...
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I’ve often blogged ideas and advice for growing your studio, and in the past few years I’ve managed to triple my load of piano students.
You may find it odd that this spring, I’ve actually decided to let go of my private lesson students and move solely to group lesson teaching. Yup — I’m downsizing.
It was a difficult decision because I’ve been teaching private lessons for longer and built a close relationships with my students and their families, but we recently welcomed home our second child through adoption, and it has become clear to me that I need to be at home more to meet the needs of my own children.
And so begins the awkward process of letting go of students.