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Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs
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 Jess Homewood. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/snapshot034. Music Studio Business Building 101: Summer 2025 cohort happening now! MSS Entrepreneurs Hub + Mastermind MSS Studio Launch Grant Competition Business Finance for Music Teachers
The Elementary Music Summit® is back for its fourth summer, offering five days of content-specific professional development tailored for elementary music teachers. Bryson shares all the exciting details about this year's event, happening July 7–11, including 28 expert speakers, live sessions with 24-hour replay access, and new features. Whether you attend for free or upgrade to the All Access Pass, the Summit provides practical, accessible ideas to help you create engaging, joyful, and balanced music classrooms. Tune in to discover why this Summit is Bryson's favorite event of the year and how it can support your growth as an elementary music educator. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:51 What to Expect This Year 3:32 How the Summit Grew — And Why It Matters to You Links and Resources: Elementary Newbie Guide Disabilities Guide Steady Beat Survival Guide Join That Music Teacher Community The Elementary Music Summit® Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we'd love to hear from you!
Not all PD is created equal—and if you've ever sat through a session on a math curriculum you don't teach, you already know that. In this episode, Bryson breaks down why content-specific professional development is a must for music teachers and how to start advocating for it in your district. He shares three key reasons why general PD often misses the mark for music educators and offers actionable steps for finding, requesting, and justifying music-focused learning—especially with the support of national organizations and case studies. Whether you're tired of irrelevant sessions or looking for ways to stay current and inspired, this episode will help you build the case for PD that actually speaks your language. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:01 3 Concrete Reasons Why Content-Specific PD Matters 6:04 How to Advocate Effectively 7:52 Where to Start Taking Action 9:10 Breaking Out of “Music Teacher Island” 11:22 Takeaways Links and Resources: Elementary Newbie Guide Disabilities Guide Steady Beat Survival Guide Join That Music Teacher Community The Elementary Music Summit® Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we'd love to hear from you!
The Willingdon Elementary School choir has been chosen to perform the national anthem at the Grand Prix. Music Teacher and Choir Director, Nick Batzios and students Eve Gartshore and Sienna Lowrie spoke with Andrew Carter.
Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs
A new cohort of our Business Building 101 course is starting this week! If you're launching a studio, rebuilding after a move, or just want to build a more intentional, financially sustainable business, this course is designed to help you do exactly that—with clarity, structure, and support. And today's guest is a perfect example of what can happen when you combine a fresh start with the right tools. Mimi Zhang is the 2024 grand prize winner of our Studio Launch Grant competition. As part of her prize package, Mimi received a $1,000 startup grant, gift cards to Alamo Music and Alfred Publishing, and enrollment in the Music Studio Startup Business Building 101 course, and more—all of which she put to great use as she launched her studio in a brand-new city. When Mimi won the grant competition, she had just finished grad school, moved across the country, and was starting from scratch. In less than a year, she grew her studio from just three in-person students to nearly 40, added group classes, implemented strong business systems, and started building the studio she really wanted. In our conversation, Mimi shares the strategies that helped her grow quickly and sustainably, the mindset shifts that made a big difference early on, and how she's continuing to evolve her studio now that the foundation is in place. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode167. Music Studio Business Building 101: Summer 2025 cohort starting this week! MSS Entrepreneurs Hub + Mastermind MSS Studio Launch Grant Competition Business Finance for Music Teachers
Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs
Today's episode is part two of a super interesting two-part conversation with Sam Reti, a music teacher and a visionary behind the popular online music lesson platform Muzie.Live. If you haven't listened to the first part, I highly encourage you to go back and listen to that one too. In this episode, Sam shares how a college class at Berkeley, countless Uber and Lyft rides and a whole lot of Chipotle burritos helped launch his first business. And why learning when to quit was just as important as knowing when to keep going. We talk about how the first app idea morphed into a second, and then a third, which is the music we know today. We talk about the decision to bootstrap instead of raising investor money, how Sam adapted when his original business idea didn't pan out, and what he's learned about growing a customer base organically in the music education world. Sam gives an honest behind the scenes look at startup life complete with all the messy, unglamorous realities you don't usually hear about. Here's my conversation with Sam. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode166. MSS Entrepreneurs Hub + Mastermind MSS Studio Launch Grant Competition Music Studio Business Building 101 Business Finance for Music Teachers
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into the exciting yet sometimes nerve-wracking process of preparing for a music teacher interview. Whether you're fresh out of college or exploring new opportunities, Bryson has tons of advice to help you stand out and land that dream job. With insights from his own experience and tips from serving on hiring committees, this episode is packed with useful ideas to help you feel more confident and prepared. Whether you're wondering how to present your teaching style or what key questions to ask, Bryson's got you covered! Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:29 Bryson's Experience with Interviews & Hiring Committees 3:42 What to Know Before the Interview 5:15 What to Expect During the Interview 6:13 Bonus Tip for First-Time Interviewees 6:52 Questions To Ask The Interviewer 7:41 How a Teaching Portfolio Can Leave a Lasting Impression 9:44 Takeaways Links and Resources: Elementary Newbie Guide Disabilities Guide Steady Beat Survival Guide Join That Music Teacher Community
Welcome to the first of our summer bite-sized practice tip episodes! I hope this series will include some fun ideas, reminders you haven't thought about in a while, and ideas you want to share with your family, your studio, and anyone in your life incorporating music practiece into their week. Today Christine Goodner is sharing 5 ways to avoid decision fatigue when it comes to summer practice schedules. Links in this Episode: Google form to submit your practice tip for a future podcast Link to the Musical Nest Community hosted by Christine Goodner & Barbie Wong You can email Christine here: Christine at SuzukiTriangle.com Or connect with her on Instagram Transcript
On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, a Marengo music teacher breaks down the barrier between students who love music and students who typically join a school band.
What happens when a rock-obsessed music teacher turns her classroom into a stage for The Struts? In this joyful and heartwarming episode, Leah sits down with Janelle, a passionate K-5 educator from Maine who's crafted an entire music curriculum around our favorite band. From teaching xylophone with “She Makes Me Feel Like” to analyzing the intros of “Black Swan” and “Could Have Been Me,” Janelle brings The Struts' music alive for her students with mashups, live performance clips, and even bucket drumming routines. You'll hear how her fandom began thanks to a third grader, how she met Luke, and how her classroom is creating the next generation of Strutters—one epic lesson at a time. This one's a love letter to music education, Struts superfans, and the power of a great song to spark something magical. Don't miss this backstage pass to the coolest classroom in rock. Listen now — because school's never sounded this good Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Music Ed Insights, Alan and Steve welcome longtime listener Michael Kosiek and Carlisle High School principal Andrea Hoekstra. They share how Carlisle's flexible approach to professional development allows teachers—especially music educators—to focus on learning that's relevant to their subject areas. Hear practical advice for how teachers and administrators can work together to create PD that truly supports professional growth.
Most impressive Victorian structure in Canada! Once the prestigious, Alma's Ladies College. With a deep and powerful legend around a once Music Teacher named Angela. But, does history support the ghost. Let's find out!---SKIP TO WEEK'S GHOST STORY AT 10:09 MIN MARKCOMMENT AND READ ARTICLES CONTACT FORM
Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs
Today's episode is part one of a super interesting two-part conversation with Sam Reti, a music teacher and the visionary behind the popular online music lesson platform Muzie.Live. In this episode, Sam shares how a college class at Berkeley, countless Uber and Lyft rides, and a whole lot of Chipotle burritos helped launch his first business. And why learning when to quit was just as important as knowing when to keep going. We talk about how his first app idea morphed into a second and then a third, which is the Muzie we know today. We talk about the decision to bootstrap instead of raising investor money. How Sam adapted when his original business idea didn't pan out, and what he's learned about growing a customer base organically in the music education world. Sam gives an honest behind the scenes look at startup life complete with all the messy unglamorous realities you don't usually hear about. Here's my conversation with Sam. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode165. MSS Entrepreneurs Hub + Mastermind MSS Studio Launch Grant Competition Music Studio Business Building 101 Business Finance for Music Teachers
This week our guest is someone who really inspires me as a teacher: music eductor, pianist, podcaster, author and more from Ireland: Nicola Cantan. Links in this episode: Nicola Cantan's Website: Vibrantmusicteaching.com Nicola Cantan's blog Practice Pie by Nicola Cantan Transcript Find Christine's Books on Bookshop.org HERE Connect with Christine on Instagram
Alan and Steve respond to a message from a listener who asks a bold but important question: Are high school music teachers doing too much? From overloaded calendars to student burnout, they explore what drives the packed schedules—and how to lead strong programs without running ourselves or our students into the ground.
During this week in 1996, Roosevelt Elementary School in Fargo, North Dakota, celebrated its 75th anniversary. Among the honored guests was one of the school's most beloved retired teachers: 91-year-old music instructor Martha Hook.
Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs
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 financial picture, but what exactly should I be reviewing?” And they're totally right, I haven't been very specific here. So today I'm going to do that. I'm going to show you how to find some key numbers on your tax return that can give you powerful insights into your business and personal finances. A full transcript along, with printable + digital resources to supplement this episode, can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode164.
Are you posting regularly on Instagram, trying to get new students—but it feels like you're shouting into the void with zero engagement? Been there.When I started marketing my online music lessons on IG, it was crickets. But now? My studio has brought in 100 enrollments in the past 6 months just from Instagram. And no, it wasn't luck—it came down to a few key strategies that helped build momentum, boost engagement, and bring in students FAST (even from a brand new account).In this episode, I'm sharing 3 Secrets to Find Students FAST Using Instagram as an Online Music Teacher—so you can start filling your lessons ASAP. And don't miss the third secret—it's a total game-changer that helps you reach more people and keep those student inquiries rolling in on autopilot!PS: Check out how I went from 0 to 45 new online students in 60 days without referrals, local fliers, or posting in Facebook Groups! Link below
Links in this episode: Articles referenced in this podcast: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6392-stress-coping-with-lifes-stressors https://www.drmichellerozen.com/beating-burnout/stop-getting-overwhelmed/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-savvy-psychologist/202005/8-strategies-to-manage-overwhelming-feelings Transcript Find Christine's Books on Bookshop.org HERE Connect with Christine on Instagram
Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs
If you've ever thought about expanding from being a solo, independent teacher to hiring teachers and assumed your first step would be to rent a commercial space, think again. Today's guest shares how the studio she started with a few students in her living room eventually grew to serve 200 students and took over her family's entire home. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode163. Tax Insights Workshop Thur. April 24 @ 10am Central Sign up for that workshop at https://www.musicstudiostartup.com/taxinsights/. MSS Entrepreneurs Hub + Mastermind MSS Studio Launch Grant Competition Music Studio Business Building 101 Business Finance for Music Teachers
Tired of waiting around for new students to find you? Ready to fill your online teaching schedule with learners who are *actually* excited to work with you? Same. For years, private music teachers have been told to rely on word-of-mouth or sign up on a teaching platform. But if you're here, you already know—there's a better way. You want a system that puts *you* in control. One where inquiries come in consistently, your calendar is booked, and your studio is growing in a sustainable way. In this episode, I'm sharing the 3 BEST ways to find students to teach online as a private music teacher—so you can stop guessing and start building a thriving studio. Make sure to stick around ‘til the end, because I'm also revealing the *key* way to automate this process and save yourself hours every week. Let's dive in!PS: Check out how I went from 0 to 45 new online students in 60 days without referrals, local fliers, or posting in Facebook Groups! Link below
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Adrian Gordon, a seasoned music educator with over 20 years of experience, as he shares his insights on building a thriving music program. Discover how to connect with students, foster creativity, and overcome common challenges in music education. Whether you're a music teacher or simply passionate about the arts, this episode offers valuable advice and motivation. Show notes and bio: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e884 Key Takeaways: Prioritize self-care to sustain your energy and passion. Remember your "why" to stay focused on the impact of music education. Meet students where they are and set incremental goals. Build a community through fun, engaging activities outside the classroom. Emphasize the importance of patience and discipline in mastering music. Tune in to learn how to create a supportive and dynamic environment for your students. Don't forget to check out Adrian Gordon's book, "Note to Self," and share this episode with your favorite music teacher!