How to Set Up a Piano Studio:

The Ins and Outs of a Beginning Set-up

INTRODUCTION TO PIANO PEDAGOGY

 

I.          Making the choice!

“You are so lucky.  No matter where you go, people will always need to study piano and music.”  -- Thomas Able, German Physicist studying at the U of I.

 

            It’s true.  Even coming to a city that is as large as El Paso, I can not tell you how many people have approached me, asking if I teach privately.

·        John Kaboff

·        John Nauman

·        Many of the UTEP professors

This is a way to supplement your income and fulfill your destiny as a contributor and promoter of music, something I assure you that EACH ONE OF YOU HAS IN THE DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL

 

II.         Considering the costs

            A.        Expenses

1.         Think realistically for the moment, “What do I need to begin initially?” Make a list: time, commitment, space, piano, piano method books/scores and staff paper. 

2.         Write out a spreadsheet of what you need to be able to cover.

            An example

 

Expenditure

Cost

1.  Time – from 5 to 8 p.m. every night

Change of lifestyle, new priority

2.  Commitment – for one year

Change of lifestyle, new priority

3.  Space – my living room

$0.00

4.  Piano – spinet, rented from Music Store

$45.00/month

5.  Piano Method Books – beginner levels

$100.00 to begin

6.  Ream of staff paper

$20.00 (??)

7.  Promotion

$50.00

                                          Total Expenses

 

                                                     to begin

$215.00

 

3.         Make a list of things you hope you accumulate in the following year, should your studio grow (metronome, flash cards, more books, renting space to hold a formal recital, computers, etc., etc., etc)

 

III.       Preparing Yourself for Success

 

            A.  Plan, Plan, Plan

1.         One must be sure to know several of the method books available for teaching beginning piano.  You will soon find out your teaching limits: there will be students who are too advanced, students with whom you do not work well, your students may not like this or that repertoire, and other barriers.  Assigning the appropriate learning materials to the student is key for success.  So, if you do not know the teaching methods available for teachers today,

            YOU NEED TO GAIN THIS EXPERIENCE FIRST.

            (I am offering Piano Pedagogy next semester, a class for which you may want to register = MUSIC 4394)

2.         How are you going to find your students?

·        Advertisement in the local newspaper/radio

·        Outreach recitals in the local schools, providing a brochure to the kids

·        Flyers on bulletin boards of churches, schools, local library

·        Webpage

 

B.  On Your Terms

The phone will start ringing (probably off the wall once people know how talented you are!)  Things you must have decided BEFORE they call (because they will try to change your mind.  Believe me, they always do…):

1.         When will you teach?

2.         What level of student will you accept?

3.         How much will you charge per lesson?

4.         How will people pay? (per month, per week, per semester?)

5.         Will you offer make-up lessons?

6.         What will you do if you need to cancel a lesson?

7.         Will you take time off for vacation?

 

C.  Financial Responsibilities

You must pay taxes on the money that you make.  You are a self-employed working member of the United States of America, therefore, you pay taxes.  You can investigate how one goes about this at your local library, realizing that you need to withhold a certain percentage of your income for taxes (as you go along).  Or you can pay an accountant to help you with these “red-tape” matters.  Not paying taxes on your teaching income is illegal, and you may be severely penalized!!! 

 

Budgeting and Preparation is the name of the game!
 
 

 

 

 

 


IV.       Lights, Camera, Action

 

                        A.  New Lifestyle

You are now committed to your students and their musical/pianistic growth.  They will see you as role models and

will begin inviting you to their school, church and family events. 

                        B.  Providing Recital Opportunities

                                    These students will grow if they have goals to meet:  recitals! 

                        C.  Providing Motivation

                                    These students will succeed if they see their teaching performing

                                    and making music!!

                        D.  Keeping yourself up to date with the current educational venues and

                              methods

                                      As you start to gain more experience and earn more money, you

                                      can refuel your energies by

·        Joining a professional music organization.  In El Paso, one can belong to the El Paso Music Teachers Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Music Teachers National Association.  These groups have forums, conferences, and magazines available on what’s the newest thing in technology and music, recording, performance, pedagogy, etc., etc., etc

·        Adding new educational methods to your studio teaching.  For example you could offer theory classes, group piano lessons, master classes, music history...

·        Travel and Making New Friends in Music.  Maybe you need to focus on your own playing in order to motivate yourself and your students.  There are many summer music festivals one can attend to spend a couple of weeks just to rejuvenate your musical spirit and soul.

 

                                   

V.        Affirmation that this can be done and is a fulfilling and exciting way to live life.

 

 

 

 

Homework Assignment

Group Project

Organizing a Piano Studio

 

For this project, you will be assigned to a group of nine members, of which you will need to designate a leader.  (We will do this by vote).  This group is starting a new piano studio, all of which the funding will be provided because of the recent death of a millionaire who wanted El Paso to receive your gifts and talents and excellent piano teachers.  No limit is set on the amount of money your group can spend. 

 

The space will be a rented business room/s in the City of El Paso.  Your group will need to determine:

 

1.  What is the name of this studio?  How many teachers will there be connected to it?  What type of music will be taught and which method books will the various teachers use?

2.  What will the set-up of this business look like?  (Individual rooms for private lessons?  One large classroom for a set of electronic keyboards for class piano?  A recital performance area?)

3.  What are all of the expenses and revenue of this business?  Rent for space?  Pianos?  Teaching Materials?  Promotion?  Taxes?  Lesson costs?  And can you project future growth?

4.  When will you offer classes?  Which levels of students will you except?  Can you offer a teaching schedule as part of your presentation?  When and where will the studio have recitals?

 

Once your group has determined all of these factors, you will offer a presentation to the Music 1192 Class, taking up the whole 50 minutes explaining your project, answering any questions from your peers, and selling your ideas.  You will need to go into detail about the aforementioned points.  Lack of material will not sell your idea.  Visual aids such as handouts, drawing/sketches, overheads or PowerPoint presentations are high encouraged.  Group One will present on November 14th and Group Two will present on November 21st.

 

Group One                                                      Group Two

Amy Bloom                                                      Dee Dee Kenney         

Nayeli Lopez                                                    Laura Aguirre

Sam Witt                                                          Susie Compton

Daniel Fraire                                                     Gema Valencia

Gaby Zamora                                                   Mario Hernandez

Thomas Azar                                                    Cris Merritt

Grace Castaneda                                              Adrian Sanchez

Luis del Villar                                                   Sonya Boureslan

Miguel Soto                                                      Miah Lee

 

You will need to work on this project outside of class.  I high suggest dividing the sections up and perhaps calling a meeting to see where you all are collectively.  Be sure to exchange email addresses and phone numbers.  You will need to work independently as well as a group.  (See one group’s handout here):

 


 

 

 

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