I am a piano teacher but haven’t gotten any degree in pedagogy. I took one pedagogy class in college and loved teaching. Since then I’ve been running my own studio the best I know how. I really care about my students and want them to succeed, but I feel like because I don’t have a […]
Business
What’s the Purpose of Your Studio?
In the latest newsletter from Character First!, column writer Gene Linzey asks the question, “What’s the Purpose of Your Business?” He shares the responses he received from several business owners and then reveals what he considers the correct answer: To serve others without a selfish motive. I was immediately compelled to ask myself the same […]
Monday Mailbag – Not Giving Credit for Missed Lessons
Do you credit students for missed lessons if they let you know in advance that they’ll be gone? Also, do you charge for holding a space open for a student such as the one you mentioned that was moving or say if they had a long term injury such as a broken wrist? I had […]
Monday Mailbag – Lesson Scheduling Nightmares
After 5 years of private teaching, my students are growing older and have many more conflicts in scheduling. Do you expect your students to be present every week (I do) and if they can’t, do you give them vacations or how do you make it work? What are your lesson attendance policies and do you have […]
Monday Mailbag – Music Magazines
I have never ordered music/piano magazines and would like to get started. What’s your advice? Here are the three that I receive and really enjoy: American Music Teacher – automatically included in MTNA membership; lots of great articles and current info. Clavier Companion – good interviews, teaching tips, etc. Listen – a more generic music […]
Should You Be Practicing Right Now?
So, I figured out what I’m going to get all my students for Christmas this year. A framed copy of this: Anyone else with me on this?! 🙂 Visit the Odd Quartet website to print out your own pdf of the poster. (HT: LaDona’s Music Studio)
