Simpedia

Samali D., Australia

I have 45 students mostly in shared lessons of 2-3 and the rest are private lessons. I do 15 hours contact teaching time. I also homeschool 2 kids, so time wise it works very well for me.

In the very last teacher training that Neil conducted in 2003 Dec (for us here in Perth WA) he talked to us about the efficiency and economical nature of shared lessons. I have certainly found this to be true. I have a very low attrition rate and thus I am not required to spend much time on advertising and admin.

At times I find shared lessons more challenging to teach than private lessons, but I love having more people in the room and the energy that that generates. I am able to talk convincingly about shared lessons because I really believe in the benefits of the shared environment. Hence the efficiency of my phone calls I think.

Of course I still teach privately but I do not take private beginners anymore. I either match people up myself or I suggest that they find a friend or two to join them (similar age and ability of course). I have never had a parent or student have a problem with this. Parents are just happy to have the opportunity to get a place with me and begin in what ever way I suggest.

Georgia H., Australia

Just adding to Samali’s comments about her studio. Great idea about suggesting shared lessons to all enquiries. I started teaching shared lessons this year and I agree it’s the way to go.

I had one mum put a group of 5 together herself. 4 of them remain with me and it works beautifully. They all know each other from school and live in the same street. My studio is not big, and having 5 (and parents) was pushing it for space, but I was lucky there were twins and so one less adult. I have 43 students at present and I don’t have space for more after school, so when I get enquiries, I suggest that they may like to find a friend to share lessons so that when a place comes up they are all ready to start. I also have 2 families that are learning together. Mum, dad and 2 children.

Recently I had 2 teenage friends start lessons and they love it and get together on the weekends and play their songs.
They are also excited about being able to do duets together. I’m finding that in Perth now when I talk about Simply Music, people have heard about it from someone, somewhere who is having lessons. Word of mouth is the best advertising.