The Great Reset: Transitioning Your Music Studio from 2025 to 2026

As we wrap up another year of music-making, performances, and student growth, it’s time for one of my favorite annual traditions in studio management: the Great Reset. This is the moment when we shift our studios from one year to the next with clarity, organization, and a fresh start. It’s a simple ritual, but it sets the tone for a smooth and successful year ahead.

Below, I’m sharing the exact steps I take inside my own studio—and the same workflow I teach in the Keep Your Studio Running section of my online course, Successful Music Studio Strategies. If you love structure, clean systems, and starting the year with everything in its place, this reset will feel incredibly satisfying.

Updating Your Templates for 2026

Every December, I begin by updating my core studio templates—the ones I rely on all year long.

Lesson Summary Templates

These are the backbone of my student records. I update the year from 2025 to 2026 in the main template, not the individual student files. That way, once the master version is refreshed, I can simply copy and paste it into each student’s account folder. It keeps everything consistent and saves a tremendous amount of time.

Payment Receipt Templates

Same process here: update the year, double-check your studio info, and make sure everything reflects the new teaching cycle. These templates are used constantly, so having them polished and ready makes a big difference in your day-to-day workflow.

Once the main templates are updated, I pull up the 2025 versions and transfer any relevant information into the new 2026 files. It’s quick, clean, and ensures nothing gets lost in the transition.

Gathering Your 2025 Receipts

The Great Reset is also the perfect moment to collect every receipt from the past year—digital and physical. Whether it’s sheet music, mileage, software subscriptions, or studio supplies, this is the time to gather it all into one place.

If you’ve been keeping up with this monthly, great. If not, no worries—this is your chance to get everything organized before tax season sneaks up on you.

Updating Your Total Money Earned Sheet

Your Total Money Earned sheet is one of the most important documents in your studio. Before closing out the year, make sure:

• All 2025 income is entered

• Any late December payments are recorded

• Your yearly total is accurate

• Your multi-year tracking sheet reflects the final number

This gives you a clear picture of your studio’s growth, helps you plan confidently for the year ahead, and gets you ready for the upcoming tax season.

A Fresh Start for a New Year

Once these pieces are in place, your studio is officially reset and ready for 2026. It’s a small investment of time that pays off all year long—less stress, fewer surprises, and a beautifully organized foundation for your teaching, creativity, and business goals.

If you want a deeper walkthrough of each step, all of these documents and processes are included in the Keep Your Studio Running module of Successful Music Studio Strategies. It’s designed to help you build a studio that’s not just functional, but thriving for years to come.

Here’s to a strong, streamlined, and inspired 2026.

Happy Teaching!

Becky

FREE 2025 Pre-Made Holiday Themed Canva Recital Program Templates

Need help with a quick and easy recital program? I made 6 different Holiday Themed Recital Program Templates this year, you can use them using Canva.com. (not paid or advertising, just an actual service I use.)

You can create a FREE ACCOUNT to get access, and be sure to save the templates to your account before you make changes so everyone can access them as they are now.

Happy Teaching!

Becky

How I’m Keeping Students Motivated Through The Holidays (And How You Can Too!)

As music teachers, we know the holiday season can be magical—but also chaotic. Between concerts, travel, and shifting schedules, it’s easy for students to lose momentum. And for studio owners (especially those rebuilding or teaching part-time), it can feel like a scramble just to keep things running.

That’s exactly why I created the Holiday Practice Challenge Bundle—a print-and-go resource designed to help you keep students engaged from October through December, without adding more to your plate.

🎁 What’s Inside the Challenge

This bundle includes:

• ✅ Three monthly practice charts (October, November, December)

• 🎨 A color-by-number tracker for visual motivation

• 📜 Clear challenge rules and how it works

• 🌟 Weekly bonus tasks (technical, creative, listening-based)

• 🛠️ A customizable start chart so you can tailor it to your studio

• 🎁 A prize basket system to spark joy and consistency

It’s festive, flexible, and designed to work for you—whether you’re teaching full-time or rebuilding your studio from home.

💡 Why This Matters

This challenge isn’t just about practice—it’s about connection. It helps students feel seen, supported, and excited to play. And it helps you feel like the studio owner you want to be, even during the busiest months of the year.

If you’re looking for a low-pressure way to re-engage your students and bring some seasonal sparkle to your studio, this is it.

👉 [Grab the Holiday Practice Challenge for $29.95]

✨ What’s Coming Next?

Suppose you’re ready to go even deeper. In that case, I’m also working on a Studio Starter Toolkit—a $47 resource packed with the basic essentials to help you launch or relaunch your studio with clarity and confidence. It’s perfect for teachers who want to turn their passion into a sustainable business.

Stay tuned for more on that soon. For now, let’s make holiday practice magical.

Happy Teaching,

Becky

5 Essential Marketing Techniques to Boost Your Music Teaching Business

If your music teaching studio feels more echo chamber than concert hall lately, you're not alone. Many talented instructors struggle to attract a steady flow of students—not because they aren’t skilled, but because they aren’t marketing effectively. Here are five essential marketing strategies to help turn things around and bring life back to your studio.

1. Define Your Unique Brand

• Pinpoint your strengths: Are you known for preparing students for conservatories? Making lessons fun for kids? Supporting adult beginners?

• Craft your story: Share what makes your approach distinct on your website and social media.

• Use consistent visuals: Choose a logo, colors, and design style that reflect your personality and teaching style.

Your brand is what makes people remember you—it’s not just a name, it’s an experience.

2. Build a High-Quality Website

• Make it mobile-friendly: Most parents and students search on their phones first.

• Include testimonials, pricing, and scheduling tools: Transparency builds trust.

• Showcase your studio vibe: Photos, videos, and sample lesson clips add a human touch.

If your website doesn’t inspire someone to click “Book a Lesson,” it’s time for a makeover.

3. Leverage Local SEO & Directories

• Claim your Google Business profile: This gets you on the map—literally.

• Use keywords like “piano lessons near me” or “violin teacher in [your town]” in your website copy.

• Get listed on directories: MusicTeacher.com, TakeLessons, and Thumbtack are just a start.

When your studio is hard to find online, it's like playing music into the void.

4. Create Community Connections

• Offer free workshops or open houses at local schools or community centers.

• Partner with music stores and libraries: Ask to leave flyers or give mini demos.

• Volunteer at events: Presence builds visibility and credibility.

• Join a local ensemble: This has been the biggest attractor for me. People see me perform, as if I teach and I hand them a business card or tell them how to access my website.

A familiar face becomes a trusted teacher faster than any ad ever could.

5. Amp Up Your Social Media Game

• Post short reels or stories of your students (with permission!) to show progress and excitement.

• Share tips and mini tutorials: "How to practice scales without going crazy" goes a long way.

• Engage with your local community: Comment on school pages, tag local groups, and participate in trending challenges.

• Join the local mom’s group on Facebook: People are always asking for music teacher information on there and the more often your name comes up, the more other mom’s notice

Social media isn’t just noise—it’s your microphone to reach future students.

✨ Final Note: If you’re struggling to fill vacancies in your music studio, marketing is not optional—it’s your lifeline. Start small, pick one or two of these techniques, and build from there. As your visibility grows, so will your student roster.

Happy Teaching!

Becky

Back to School, Back to Lessons: Starting the New Year Strong as a Music Teacher

There’s a special kind of magic in the air when the school year begins—new pencils, fresh notebooks, and the hum of possibility. As music teachers, we don’t just dive into rhythm and repertoire; we help shape the confidence, discipline, and creativity of our students. And that first week back? It's our overture to what can be a transformative year.

Whether you're running a private studio or teaching in a school setting, here are a few reflections and strategies to help you kick off the new teaching year with purpose and spark:

Reset & Reflect: What’s Changed?

Before the students walk through the door, take a moment for yourself. Reflect on what worked last year—and what didn’t. Were your students motivated? Did lessons feel purposeful? Use these reflections to tweak your approach. A small shift in your teaching rhythm can lead to big changes in engagement.

Establish Your Studio Vibe Early

The tone you set in the first lessons will carry through the year. Don’t just teach—create a culture. Introduce studio policies with warmth and clarity, share your enthusiasm for the music you’ll explore, and show students (and parents) that you value communication and consistency.

Some ideas:

• A welcome newsletter or email outlining expectations

• A studio calendar with lesson dates and performance opportunities

• A shared document where students can track their progress and goals

Make Goals a Conversation

Start the year by talking with each student about their aspirations. Are they prepping for challenges in band or auditions? Hoping to learn to play by ear? Wanting to write their own song? Set individual goals together, write them down, and revisit them monthly. That intentionality gives lessons direction—and students ownership.

Celebrate More Than Achievement

Success isn’t just mastering a new piece—it’s showing up, trying again, and learning how to listen. Consider ways to celebrate your students beyond recitals:

• Highlight weekly “effort awards”

• Share progress with parents via short notes or recordings

• Post achievements on a studio bulletin board or social media

The more visible their growth, the more motivated they’ll become.

Keep Growing Yourself

Teachers need fuel too. Join a local music teacher group like MTNA, look for community ensembles or groups you can join, dig into new repertoire, or collaborate with other educators. Growth isn’t just for students—your passion and curiosity are contagious, and they keep your teaching fresh.

Listen with Intent

Every student comes with a story—especially at the start of a new year. Some have practiced all summer, others are coming in cold. Some are excited, others anxious. Take the time to listen to where they are musically and emotionally. It’s the best way to meet them where they are—and help guide them forward.

Final Note

The back-to-school season isn’t just about routines and checklists. It’s about reigniting purpose, reconnecting with students, and renewing your own love for teaching. So take a deep breath, tune your heart as well as your instruments, and dive in.

Here’s to a vibrant year filled with music, momentum, and meaningful moments.

Happy Teaching!

Becky