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!

Click Here to Join the Book Club

Of course, one thing you could do to make progress on all of these goals is to subscribe to the Plucky Violin Teacher Newsletter! Every week Mckenzie (sister and fellow teacher) and I send out tips, tricks, and resources just for music teachers about these very topics. Don’t miss out! Sign up today and we will send you our free parent education guide: What Every Suzuki Parent Needs to Know.

The links to the books listed above are affiliate links.  This means that we receive a small percentage of the sale of those items, at no cost to you.  The affiliate payments we receive go towards the cost of hosting and maintenance of the Plucky Violin Teacher site.  Thanks!