Four Resolutions for Music Teachers

This post was originally published on the Plucky Violin Teacher Blog on December 31, 2015 so links and resources may not be current.

This Year Could Be Your Best Year Ever…January is my very favorite time of year. A fresh start. A new beginning. The possibilities are endless! I am trying to keep my goals simple for this year. This year is going to be the year of “health.” Pregnancy was hard on me this last time, and I am just not feeling as strong or energetic as I did before. My focus on health this coming year encompasses not just physical health, but my spiritual, emotional, and my relationship health.  Then I wondered, “Hmm…how is my studio’s health?”

It occurred to me that there are a few things I need to do, or continue to do, to keep my music teaching business healthy. Do these ring true for you too?


Four Resolutions for Music Teachers

1. Protect your passion. Your most valuable asset is your love of music and your instrument. Resolve this year to take steps to protect that passion. Find opportunities to perform yourself. Attend local concerts. Take lessons. Listen to beautiful performances every day. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Taking lessons from Nathan Cole (LA Phil) on Artistworks.com is only $30 a month. Pick something that motivates and inspires you, and go after it.

2. Start experimenting with using technology in your teaching. Piano Maestro or Smart Scales are great apps to start with if you have an iPad. TimTopham.com is a great resource for more technology ideas in the studio. Kids today respond really well to these things. It’s the world they know and love!

3. Take your business seriously. Commit today to running your studio like a business. For tips on marketing and running your studio like a business check out this book by Bree Lewis. It’s on sale for $20 off until midnight tonight!

​4. Commit to your continuing teaching education. If you can’t invest in more teacher training right now check out the free teaching resources on Coursera or stringpedagogy.com. You can also join the Plucky Music Teacher Book Club. In January, we are reading The Savvy Music Teacher so you can hit two goals there—improving your teaching AND your business!