Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs

117 - Debra Mattera on Starting In-School Group Lesson Programs

Many teachers are intrigued by the idea of introducing group lessons into their studios, but may feel like the hurdles to getting started are too high. Today I'm talking to an Ohio-based teacher, Debra Mattera, who started her group lesson program by partnering with other organizations - first a music store and later local elementary schools. We talk about getting the word out to students, pricing, and maintaining strong relationships with important collaborators.  This program happens t...

000 - 2023 MTNA Conference Announcement + Invitation

Will you be in Reno, NV for the MTNA conference next week? Find out how we can meet! Not attending? No worries. We’ve got a great episode coming your way about starting group lesson programs in local schools. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/2023mtnaconferenceannouncement.

116 - Noah Tretter on Opportunities (and Pitfalls!) of Working with Charter Schools

Today I’m talking to Noah Tretter, a guitar teacher who branched out from his private studio in Oregon to start a virtual multi-teacher studio during COVID. One of the unique things about this studio, is the way its founder has tapped into charter school programs as a way of building the student base and making it possible for families to use educational funds provided by their state to pay for music lessons. If this sounds intriguing, listen on.  A full transcript and resources from t...

115 - Celeste Watson on Communicating Through Transitions and Thriving as a Solo Teacher

Today I’m talking to Celeste Watson, the owner of a thriving private piano studio in North Carolina. We cover a lot of studio nuts and bolts in this conversation: things like studio policies, parent communication, handling tuition increases, setting expectations for new students, and much more. But before we get into any of that, we talk about the journey it took for this teacher to get to the place where she could even consider full-time teaching. This journey included facing a playin...

114 - John Atkins on Being a Creative on YouTube and Patreon (Part 2)

Today we’re back with part two of a great conversation with someone you may have encountered on YouTube - The Ukulele Teacher aka John Atkins. John is YouTuber, Patreon creative, and now podcaster who got his start on YouTube back in 2011. We talk about the opportunities and the challenges of being an early user of platforms like Patreon, how monetization on YouTube has changed over time, and how John is continuing to find new creative outlets to keep his work fresh and meaningful.  ...

113 - John Atkins on Being a Creative on YouTube and Patreon (Part 1)

Today we’re back with part one of a great conversation with someone you may have encountered on YouTube - The Ukulele Teacher aka John Atkins. John is YouTuber, Patreon creative, and now podcaster who got his start on YouTube back in 2011. We talk about the opportunities and the challenges of being an early user of platforms like Patreon, how monetization on YouTube has changed over time, and how John is continuing to find new creative outlets to keep his work fresh and meaningful.  ...

112 - Amy Elmore on 3 Mindset Questions to Ask Before Setting Your New Year's Resolutions

Today’s episode is a little different than usual. Amy Elmore (who you may remember from Studio Snapshot 007) is returning to talk about mindset and goal-setting. We’re also pulling back the curtain on a little thing we’ve got in the works to release later this spring. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode112.

111 - Andrea Yahr on Tax Prep Tips and FAQs for 2023

2022 has officially come to a close. With the turn of the calendar, many of us are closing the fiscal years for our businesses and wrapping up our bookkeeping for the year in anticipation of the tax season ahead. I am a HUGE fan of a low-stress tax season and the way to accomplish that is to get started early and tackle one step at a time. Which is why I invited back to the podcast, Andrea Yahr, a certified tax preparer, to get us going. Andrea’s first appearance on the Music Studio St...

110 - 5 Resources to Kickstart 2023

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode110.

109 - Chris Mallet and Robert Miller on Conservatory Ownership to Practice App Founders

Today I’m joined by two guests who have started two businesses together: a thriving, multi-location conservatory, and a practice app to motivate and inspire students. You’ll get to hear about how Chris and Robert manage both  businesses and what they’ve learned along the way. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode109.

108 - Chris Swan on Selling a Studio and Starting Over

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming back Chris Swan, a guest who was on the podcast back in Episode 066. In that episode we talked about Chris’s studio STL Piano Lessons and all the changes he made in his first years in business to get his studio where he wanted it to be. Chris was super transparent about the highs and lows he had experienced as a business owner, and he was really good at articulating the challenges he was facing, and how he was iterating along the way to address those ...

107 - Cheyenne Olson on Using Music Clubs to Relaunch a Studio

Over the next two episodes, you’re going to hear from two teachers who have moved and restarted their studios in new cities. The circumstances are pretty different, so I think you’ll enjoy hearing the contrast between the two experiences. Today I’m joined by a teacher who relocated from Colorado to Utah. We talk about the steps she took and timeline she followed to close one studio and how she went about filling her new studio. Here’s my conversation with Cheyenne Olson. A full transcr...

106 - Leila Viss on Navigating Through a Personal Crisis

Today’s podcast hits on one of the harder aspects of being a music studio owner and one of the harder aspects of life in general: navigating through a personal crisis. In a time of crisis, your world is turned upside down. You might be facing uncertainty, confusion, grief, pain, or a whole host of emotions, but the rest of the world is still turning. And as business owners, taking time away to figure things out may not be as simple as calling your admin and trusting them to take care of ...

105 - Neylan McBaine on How Music Teacher’s Helper Became Duet Partner

If you’ve been a music teacher for a while, you’re probably familiar with the most common studio management systems out there. And you may have noticed in the last year or so that one of these platforms got a makeover and a new name. Music Teacher’s Helper and its counterpart for multi-teacher studios, Studio Helper, have become Duet Partner. Behind the name change and rebrand, there’s also a new owner and CEO. Today I have the privilege of talking to Neylan McBaine about how she came to...

104 - Daniel Dacquisto on Health Insurance for Self-Employed Music Teachers

Today we’re covering a topic that is a huge question for musicians and often a barrier for people considering self-employment. The topic is: health insurance. Whether you have it already, anticipate needing it in the future, or are shopping for it right now during open enrollment, this episode will help you understand what the options are and how you can make an affordable and informed decision. My guest today, Daniel Dacquisto, was super thorough and helpful in breaking down everything yo...

000 - New Episodes Coming Your Way!

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at musicstudiostartup.com/episode000-Fall-2022.

Snapshot 010 - Scarlette Kerr

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/snapshot010.

Snapshot 009 - Christina Whitlock

Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Christina Whitlock. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at M...

Snapshot 008 - Shelly Davis

Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Shelly Davis. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudio...

Snapshot 007 - Amy Elmore

Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Amy Elmore. Here's Amy's snapshot. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be ...

Snapshot 006 - Hannah Graf

Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Hannah Graf. Here’s Hannah's snapshot. A full transcript and resources from this episode ca...

Snapshot 005 - Amy Chaplin

Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Amy Chaplin. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioS...

Snapshot 004 - Steven Potts

We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Steven Potts, owner of Pottshouse Music. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found a...

Snapshot 003 - Abigail Proffitt

Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Abigail Proffitt. Here’s Abigail’s snapshot: A full transcript and resources from this epis...

Snapshot 002 - Candace Hamm

Summary We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Candace Hamm, owner of Candace Hamm Piano Studio. A full transcript and resources from this epi...

Snapshot 001 - Ken Thompson

We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time.  They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Ken Thompson, owner of Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. A full transcript and resources from this epis...

Business Building 101 - Starting June 20!

It’s that time of year again! Time for the summer cohort of Business Building 101. Here’s what a piano teacher, Sophie, says about the course: "The Business Building 101 course was EXACTLY what I was looking for when I wanted to find a way to make my piano studio official. From the moment I signed up, I felt that Andrea was right there to hold my hand throughout the entire course. Her positive and engaging approach allowed me to feel welcome to inquire about any aspect of building my pia...

Grant Competition Winners + Mini Interview: Jenny Bement

I have winners to announce! This week the judges made their final decisions to select the grant competition finalists and grand prize winner. Thanks to the following sponsors for making this year’s grant competition possible: Duet studio management system, Alamo Music Center, Cascade Method, Dynamic Doodle Co., and Virtual Piano Studio. I’ll be announcing those winners on the podcast and also sharing a mini interview with a teacher who has a unique niche and studio mission. Find the sh...

103 - Andrea Miller on Time Management Reset

With the school year coming to a close, I thought this would be a helpful time to talk about how I reset my schedule in times of transition. I’m not talking about goal-setting today, although that might also be part of the “reset” process. What I’m talking about today is more about how I plan my days and weeks to create a rhythm in my life that is conducive to working on those goals. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode103. Bu...

000 - Recital Week Break

102 - Andrea Miller on Weekend Launch Plan for a New Music Studio

Today’s episode was prompted by questions I get from newly-graduated or soon-to-be graduated music majors who are just getting ready to launch their studios and want to know how to get started from nothing. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode102. Get your application in for the $1,000 Studio Launch Grant competition! Deadline: May 15

Mini Interview: Scarlette Kerr on Professionalizing a Private Piano Studio [REBROADCAST]

Today’s mini interview is with Scarlette Kerr, a teacher who went from having a very part-time studio while in grad school to building a strong student roster within seven months, even with COVID happening. We talk about being a musician AND business owner, time management, and self-promotion. Scarlette also happens to be the winner of the startup grant we awarded back in May 2020. Find the show notes and resources mentioned in this episode at musicstudiostartup.com/mini002rebroadcast ...

101 - Andrea Miller on the Entrepreneurial Journey

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode101. Apply Today: $1,000 Studio Launch Grant  Course: Business Building 101 for Music Teachers  

000 - 2022 Studio Launch Grant Competition

Hi! It’s spring break here at Music Studio Startup headquarters, so I’m just jumping on the mic to give you some details on the 2022 studio launch grant competition. This program is for new and newish teachers who have been in business for fewer than three years. If this describes you - I hope you’ll apply. If it's not, I hope you’ll share this with anyone you know - a former student, your MTNA group, or your social media friends and followers. We’re all about helping teachers launch succe...

100 - San Francisco Study Center on Using Fiscal Sponsorship to Launch a Community-Oriented Project Rebroadcast

I’m excited to be bringing the grant competition back this year. The purpose of this grant is to help a new or new-ish music teacher launch their studio. The grand prize includes a $1000 cash grant and host of other tools, products, and training programs from our amazing sponsors, which include: Duet Partner, Fons, Cascade Method, Steve Hughes’ Virtual Piano Studio, Dynamic Doodle Co, and Alamo Music Center. You’ve heard from the entrepreneurs behind several of these businesses already o...

099 - Karen Thickstun on Grant Writing

Today I’m back again with Karen Thickstun for the second part of our discussion on fundraising.  Our topic today is specifically about grants: how to find grants, how to evaluate if your project is a good fit, how to reframe a project to expand the grants you might be eligible for, and much, much more. This topic is especially timely because there are a number of grants available for music teachers with spring deadlines. The Music Teachers National Association has several grants that Kar...

098 - Karen Thickstun on Fundraising

If you hit play on this episode thinking, "I don't have a nonprofit, so fundraising isn't really for me.", I think you'll be surprised by the discussion. Karen covers so many more types of fundraising than I ever would have thought about and talks about how even for-profit studio owners can use fundraising to stretch their impact. Be prepared to take notes! A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode098. 

097 - Stephanie Tennill on Doing Good by Doing Good Business

It seems fitting that this week, right around the two year anniversary of COVID shutting things down in the US, I’d be interviewing the inventor of a mask specifically designed for singers. Today I’m talking to Stephanie Tennill, about what inspired her to design this mask, how she manufactured it, distributed it, and how, even as a for-profit business, she has prioritized helping others and giving back every step of the way. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found...

096 - Andy Fling on Monetizing MakingMusicFun.net Part 2

Today’s podcast is part one of a two-part interview with the founder of a website that will be familiar to a lot of music teachers. That website is makingmusicfun.net. This website is full of sheet music, theory worksheets, music lessons plans, and video lessons.  In our conversation, founder Andy Fling, takes us back to the very beginning of Making Music Fun and talks about how he monetized it from day 1 AND how his monetization strategy has changed over the years as the internet and so...

095 - Andy Fling on Monetizing MakingMusicFun.net Part 1

Today’s podcast is part one of a two-part interview with the founder of a website that will be familiar to a lot of music teachers. That website is makingmusicfun.net. This website is full of sheet music, theory worksheets, music lessons plans, and video lessons.  In our conversation, founder Andy Fling, takes us back to the very beginning of Making Music Fun and talks about how he monetized it from day 1 AND how his monetization strategy has changed over the years as the internet and so...

094 - Anna Fagan on Teaching from an RV

Today’s interview is going to have you rethinking what you thought was possible for the lifestyle of a full-time piano teacher. Today I’m talking to Anna Fagan about how she moved her house and studio on the road during COVID and now lives and teaches full-time from an RV. We talk about how they adapted the RV to create a teaching studio, the tech she uses, and how she guarantees she has the best possible internet connection, no matter where the RV is parked. A full transcript and resour...

093 - Andrea Miller on Business Insights from Tax Returns

This time of year I get a lot of financial questions from teachers. We’ve just gotten through the holiday spending spree, new year’s might have inspired some financial goal-setting, and then there’s the looming tax deadline in April, so there’s a lot to think about. Sometimes the questions I get are really specific to an individual, but lately a bunch of clients and listeners have said “hey, you talk about reviewing financials on a regular basis as a way of getting more familiar with my fi...

092 - Judy Naillon on Starting a Ukulele Program REBROADCAST

You’ll recognize today’s guest from an episode a few weeks ago about the MusiCARES Volunteer Music Teachers Facebook group. Today Judy Naillon returns to talk about how she began offering recreational group ukulele classes to boost her studio income during the summer and expand her network for private lessons. Anyone who struggles with the summer slump or just wants to try something new will be sure to enjoy what Judy has to share. For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudio...

091 - Candace Hamm on Introducing a Conservatory Prep Program

Today’s interview is with a solo teacher who wanted a way to better prepare her students for advanced music studies. Candace Hamm’s solution was to develop an intensive conservatory prep program. Although we talk a lot about the specific program, this interview has plenty to offer for any studio owner. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode091.

090 - Tony Parlapiano on Thriving as a Travel Teacher

Often travel teaching is seen as a way to start a studio if you don’t have a permanent space to use or are trying to break into a new market, but today’s guest built his career in travel teaching for almost two decades. Today’s interview with Tony Parlapiano is chock-full of practical advice on how to make it work as a travel teacher, everything from pricing to policies. There are insights both new and veteran teachers will appreciate. A full transcript and resources from this episode ca...

Mini Interview: Carissa Pitkin-Cox on Knowing “Why”

I’m gearing up for the start of Business Building 101 next week. I’ve already gotten to talk to several of the teachers who are enrolled and they’re a great bunch. Today’s episode is a mini interview with a past Business Building 101 participant - Carissa Pitkin-Cox. In it we talk about having clarity around a studio vision, how that influenced some key decisions and changes for this teacher’s studio (including a rate increase) and how she introduced those changes to families. A full tra...

Business Building 101 Starting January 31!

Today I want to take a few minutes to talk about the upcoming Business Building 101 course! I'm going to talk about what the course is and also what it isn’t. But first, there's been a slight change of plans in the schedule. If you've been listening the last few weeks, you know that the next live cohort was set to start next week!  I'm excited to get this next cohort going, but I will be postponing the start date by one week. My family got covid this week and we just need another week to...

089 - Barbra Weidlein on Building an Informational Site with Integrity and Standards

If you’ve ever searched for information about a college or university level music program, you’ve probably come across the website MajoringInMusic.com. Today I talk to the founder of this incredible resource - Barbra Weidlein. We talk about how she stumbled into entrepreneurship, the inspiration for MajoringInMusic.com and some of the complexities of managing a website designed to serve different stakeholders. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioS...

088 - Andrea Miller on Conducting a Year-End Review and Setting Goals for 2022

Today’s episode is a slightly updated rebroadcast of an episode I released last year around this time. In it, I explained my process for reviewing the past year and setting goals for the year ahead. This has been a year of leveling up for me. I’ve had some incredible professional opportunities come my way that have prompted a lot of personal growth. It’s been challenging in all the ways that make my entrepreneurial heart happy and it’s been a really fun year. My goal-setting has leveled ...

087 - Andrea Miller on Writing a Perfect Thank You Note

I hope you’re all enjoying time with family and friends this holiday season! I’m keeping today’s episode short and sweet so you can keep those holiday vibes going. As music teachers, we are often blessed to receive many, many gifts during the holidays. Where there’s a gift, there’s usually a thank you note to follow! Today I am sharing a super helpful 3-sentence thank you note template to help you knock out that thank you list with heartfelt and  personalized notes in record time. A full...