Why Vacations are Essential to Every Studio

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.

But what’s most interesting is that when they come back, they’re just a little bit more focused and motivated than usual.

The same goes for me when I return from vacation. As much as I love spending some time in the sun with no responsibilities, it’s that refreshed and recharged feeling I have when I return that I like the most.

My studio is a happier, more productive place for everyone after being closed for a few days. In addition to my spring break, I greatly value the weeks off before and after the summer session and during the winter holidays.Without them, the risk of burnout — for both teachers and students — is all too high.

Most of my vacations are not spent on a beach; though, I spend much of my vacation time right here in the studio. I recharge for the next session by looking for new repertoire, reorganizing my studio, making contact with parents I might not have had a chance to speak with regarding their students, and brushing up on my own musicianship skills.

Knowing that I can take my time to enjoy these tasks (rather than cram them into a busy day of teaching) eases my stress and gets me excited about my work all over again.

Every studio has a different approach when it comes to vacation time. Mine probably takes more than most, which of course means there is less income flowing during those weeks. And while I definitely feel that financial pain after a two-week vacation period, my opinion is that the benefits more than make up for it.

What are your thoughts on vacation time? The bottom line is that no matter how much or how little you schedule in your studio, you most likely see the same positive results as I do afterwards.