Piano studio text, email, and phone Do's and Don'ts (and when to talk in person)
Want to avoid misunderstandings with your piano parents? Following these Do's and Don'ts for text, email, phone and in-person conversations will set you apart as a professional. Tone is everything. Set yourself up for success! … continue reading →
Piano teachers: The #1 tip to simplify rate raises and make-up lessons
Have you ever needed to increase the fees you charge for piano lessons but agonized over how to make the announcement? Or, have you ever wondered if there's an easier way to organize make-up lessons? There's one simple solution that has the power to fix both problems. In this post, discover policy terminology that will reframe your rate increases and protect your free time from make-up lessons. … continue reading →
Scheduling Piano Lessons - 3 NEW kick-off openers to start the lesson year
Are you overwhelmed in the first weeks of your piano lesson year? Too many emails, messages, students to schedule and find music for? Here are three scheduling solutions to ease the pressures of your year's kick-off. They're people-friendly and designed to allow you, students and parents optimal lesson formats for learning to start off just right. … continue reading →
Piano student motivation: How 'Vacation Lessons' work for summer and for kids who struggle
Sometimes your students need a break! It could be a summer break or maybe life is just overwhelming. But the problem is that you still need income. Vacation Lessons offer a break from PRACTICING without a break from lessons altogether. Curious as to how this would work? There are tons of things you can do to engage your students and keep them coming back. … continue reading →
Piano Recital Time: 8 Tips to help your Beginner students play their very best
How well do your beginners handle their very first recital? Over my career I've developed 8 strategies to ease beginners into their first performing experience to help them feel comfortable, to help them learn from older students and to encourage the very best duet playing they can. Even if you've already had your spring recital, you'll want to take a look. These ideas might be a game changer for your beginners. … continue reading →
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Part III: Mozart, a French folk song and beyond [Printables]
Mozart and Ah! vous dirai-je, maman (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)! This is the making of a folk song and then how a composer redefined it. In Part III we trace the transformation from the earlier madrigal, La Mantovana, to the French Ah! vous dirai-je, maman. But when Mozart wrote his Theme and Variations, did he only base them on the French folk song? Evidence in his music shows otherwise. … continue reading →
RCM Piano 2022 Celebration Series, 6th Edition
To celebrate the new RCM 2022 Piano Syllabus and series, The Royal Conservatory of Music is planning a livestream launch event on April 27th, 2022. Teachers may qualify for FREE books! In this blog post is a link to register and a free printable of repertoire. Read about the new series, the composers and the goals of the editors and the president. … continue reading →
Piano Studio business claims: Home expenses, work expenses and industry codes, oh my!
When you file your income tax, are you claiming everything you can? Reduce the amount of tax you owe and keep more of the money you earn. Find out about claiming home expenses, work expenses, industry codes and more! … continue reading →
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Part II: La Mantovana branches into the major key [Printables]
Not only did trained musicians love the original Twinkle music (called La Mantovana), but so did folk musicians. As the music spread across Europe in the 18th Century, it transformed and changed in several fascinating ways. In this post we explore versions that kept features of the original tune but changed from the original minor to major. … continue reading →
Rebekah Maxner 