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

Rest Notes and Refresh: Why Summer Breaks Can Be Helpful for Private Music Teachers

In the world of private music teaching, it’s easy to feel like you’re always "on stage." Each lesson demands focus, warmth, and high-level guidance—and over time, that can wear even the most passionate instructor down. That’s why building a purposeful summer break into your studio calendar isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. I personally take 10 weeks off, but that is because I have my 3 kids home with me all day, every day. And balancing that family life, keeping my own kids entertained and a regular teaching schedule and balancing summer vacations just doesn’t work for our family right now.

🎼 The Harmony of Taking a Break

A summer slowdown is about more than just catching your breath:

Preventing Burnout: Teaching music is deeply rewarding, but it’s also emotionally and mentally intensive. A seasonal pause helps you refuel, both personally and creatively.

Reorganizing Systems: Summer is a prime time to refine scheduling practices, revamp policies, declutter studio materials, or upgrade technology.

Researching & Reinvigorating: With fewer lesson hours, you can experiment with new repertoire, explore fresh teaching methods, or deep-dive into pedagogy books that spark new ideas for fall.

📯 The Trade-Offs to Consider

Taking time off also requires strategy, especially when your studio is your livelihood:

Income Gaps: A full summer break can interrupt your cash flow. To prepare, consider:

• Spreading tuition over 12 months.

• Establishing a summer-specific savings cushion.

• Offering prepaid summer lesson packages or digital resources.

Retention Risk: If you pause completely, some students may drift away or seek other options. Clear communication, early scheduling, or offering a light-touch summer program can help maintain continuity or even a midsummer break get-together. Ice cream social with a mini group lesson attached to it.

🎶 Flexible Summer Rhythms That Work

You don’t have to choose between full throttle and complete silence. Try one of these tuned-down alternatives:

Teach every other week: Offers Balance - Students stay engaged and you still get rest and time to recharge

Teach 1 month in the summer like July while taking June and August Off: A clean end, start, reset rhythm that honors both momentum and downtime

Offer Camp Style Intensives: One or two theme weeks with group or private sessions- great for scheduling and income

Go Lighter, not silent: Offer fewer lesson slots or switch to virtual check-ins to check on their progress. Aim to send an email at least 3 weeks BEFORE you start teaching to confirm lesson times with your students and to see how many, if any, openings you have for the next school year.

🎹 No Break? No Problem—Teaching Through the Summer

For some studio owners, pausing during the summer simply isn’t practical—or even desirable. Maybe you love the consistency, rely on the income, or find joy in helping students make progress year-round. Teaching through the summer can absolutely work, especially with a few thoughtful adjustments:

Shift the Focus: Consider relaxing your regular curriculum to allow for creative detours—like student-led projects, fun repertoire, or theory games.

Adjust Expectations: Lighter attendance and vacation schedules can make summers feel more flexible. Use this time to encourage casual learning and exploration.

Capitalize on Availability: Students often have more free time in summer, which can lead to more focused practice, lesson intensives, or scheduling flexibility.

Build Momentum: For newer students or beginners, continuing lessons keeps their progress steady and helps build strong foundational habits.

The key is to communicate clearly with families about your summer policies in your studio policy and remind them early in the spring, so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

At its best, summer becomes a beautiful fermata—a pause, yes, but full of intention and grace if you choose to take a summer brek. Whether you fully rest or shift into a lighter tempo or keep going, planning your summer can protect your artistry and your business in the long run. Plus it’s your studio, you get to make the rules.

So take a breath. Reset your rhythm. Your studio (and your sanity) will thank you.

Happy Teaching!

Becky

Free Guide: Build a Stronger Music Studio Policy in Just 5 Steps!

Crafting the perfect studio policy can be overwhelming, but having a rock-solid foundation makes all the difference! If you're building—or refining—your Private Music Studio Policy, make sure you're covering the essential elements that protect both you and your students.

But here's the catch—rather than giving everything away here, I’ve created a FREE download that lays out the 5 essential elements you absolutely need to include in your policy. If you want a truly structured and effective agreement, this ebook will guide you through the process step-by-step.

Why is a Studio Policy So Important?

Your studio policy isn’t just a formality—it’s the agreement that ensures clarity and professionalism in your teaching business. Without a strong policy, you may run into:

✅ Unclear lesson commitments

✅ Payment confusion

✅ No-shows or last-minute cancellations

✅ Unexpected student withdrawals

✅ Lack of accountability

Get Your Free Guide!

Rather than guessing what should go into your policy, I’ve already done the work for you. My FREE ebook—5 Essential Elements for a Rock-Solid Private Music Studio Policy—covers the key details you need to make sure your policy supports your business and keeps things running smoothly.

Grab your copy today! Don't leave your studio policy up to chance—set yourself up for success from the start. Download it now and take control of your studio! 🎵

Happy Teaching,

Becky