Studio Management
Webinar Series: 02/16/2018 – Gateway – Spotlight on Parent/Coach Role
The role of the parent or coach with Gateway students can differ quite a bit from the role they play in the Simply Music Piano program. Learn why this is often necessary, ways in which you can still keep parents involved, and hear some real-life…
Value of group vs private lessons
I am starting to get a few inquiries for piano lessons, but I have a hard time expressing the value found in group lessons versus private ones. I know what they are, but I get flustered when that call comes in and I lose my…
Short notice lesson cancellation by student
I had a parent ask for a reschedule after only giving me 11 hours of advance notice that they will miss the lesson. How do I handle this professionally without causing parents to decide to quit? It’s already in my studio policies that they should…
Recognition for students
I have received an email inquiry from a parent initially asking if Simply Music students undertook exams and what concerts were available for students. I responded letting her know that students did not sit formal exams and that often teachers ran concerts for their students.…
Longer lessons for advanced students
I’ve been thinking of implementing longer lessons for my more advanced private students who I think need the time in the upper levels, in particular with all the reading we do. Maybe 45 minutes or hour lessons? One student is requesting an hour lesson and…
Adding new students to group
I have a fairly new student who has completed the Foundation session, the Basics, and Dreams Come True. His friend wants to join him in learning piano, and the mom called me today to say, “May we join the lesson today?”. I also have a…
Student canceling lesson with short notice
I wanted to share a difficult conversation success I had recently: a teenage student attempted to cancel a lesson 30 minutes prior, by saying they were sick. To me, this felt like a classic case of claiming territory, making it necessary for me to let…
Playlist: Parent’s unmet expectations
The parent of a student I’ve had for three years told me that her daughter needs review because she only plays the current songs on her playlist (Level 6). The student’s father travels for months at a time and comes home with expectations to hear…
Siblings learning at different paces
I have a group of home schooled students. Three are siblings. The oldest one catches on much quicker, and the youngest one struggles, especially with blues pieces. There is one other student in that group from a different family. If they were all different families,…
Benefit of requirement-based studio
I just had to let go of a 7-year-old student who was over-committed and not making time to practice. The mom and I are still friends and ended on good terms. I woke up this morning to an email from mom asking if she could…