In 2007, I took on my first piano student as a way to supplement the income I earned at my full-time school job as a music therapist. By 2008, I was traveling to students’ homes 5 days a week and had almost 20 students (while still working full-time at the school). In 2009, I opened a dedicated studio at my home and was able to teach 25 students in the evenings…all while still working long days.
After four years of juggling a crazy schedule, I resigned from my full-time school position and was officially 100% self-employed as a studio owner. Today marks one year since doing so, and I haven’t looked back once!
It’s been an eye-opening year, and I’ve learned countless lessons about business, teaching, and finding balance. I’ve talked with many fellow music educators and music therapists who are anxious to follow this same path in the future, so in case you are one of them, here are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned.
Since I opened up my studio ten years ago, I have required all parents to attend a year-end parent/teacher conference. The conference is always scheduled the week after spring term ends. This year it will be the first week in June. Every parent is required to attend in order to register for lessons in the next year. Parents sign up for 30-minute time slots per child. Students that are age 15 or older may join their parents but it is not required.
When I wrap up another year of lessons, I always like to send out a studio report to my current students, and post a link to it on my website and studio Facebook page for prospective students to see. I do this for many reasons. At the end of the year, some students are feeling burned out with school, end of the year recitals and activities, and feel a bit down on themselves. I find that reminding them of all their accomplishments from the past year can help them feel proud and encouraged rather than stressed out and anxious. As current and prospective parents consider lessons for the following year, I also like to remind them about what my studio has to offer, and what sorts of things they have to look forward to in the year ahead.
April is an interesting month in my studio. My students’ spring breaks fall on different weeks throughout the month, so each week is a little lighter than usual.