First, allow me to apologize for the delay in getting the invoicing issues completed. However, we have narrowed down the problem with recurring invoices and as such we need to rework the invoicing model. Until that is fixed, please do not edit recurring invoices. This includes adding a new student to the list, changing a package or changing the start date. Instead, create a new...
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I’ve often blogged ideas and advice for growing your studio, and in the past few years I’ve managed to triple my load of piano students.
You may find it odd that this spring, I’ve actually decided to let go of my private lesson students and move solely to group lesson teaching. Yup — I’m downsizing.
It was a difficult decision because I’ve been teaching private lessons for longer and built a close relationships with my students and their families, but we recently welcomed home our second child through adoption, and it has become clear to me that I need to be at home more to meet the needs of my own children.
And so begins the awkward process of letting go of students.
Studio Helper has a new survey! As always, Studio Helper is interested in your feedback. We strive to make Studio Helper as user friendly as possible and we want our customers happy. Please take a moment of your time and complete the survey by following the link below. Thank you for participating! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X82ZK8Z ...
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Spring is here and the phone is ringing! As I respond to the many phone calls I have received about studying piano, I was inspired to do a little research on how to best handle the phone interview. Even though many of my first contacts come through email, I always make a phone call before scheduling a live interview. This spring, I have had more phone calls than emails, which is an unexpected trend. I wonder if it has to do with the many fraud emails that are now out there. Be wary of any emails that ask for your bank account information to transfer funds. I delete them immediately!
At any rate, Joanne Haroutounian in her book Fourth Finger on B-Flat recommends having a fact sheet of information close to your phone that includes pertinent information that you would like to share with prospective clients about your studio. This can include your tuition rates, lesson length, philosophy, available times, and offerings beyond lessons.
A few years back, I was invited to join my local chapter of the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs. At first, I was completely intimidated. Most of the members had been teaching piano, voice, and other instruments for many years — some even longer than I’ve been alive! I was relatively new to teaching, since it was something I did in addition to providing music therapy.
But it was nice to be part of a group, and I’ve become more and more involved since joining. I’ve learned so much about music education from my fellow members, and yesterday, I had the opportunity to give back by presenting on a topic that is close to my heart: teaching music to children with special needs.