Introducing the
Private Music Teacher
Studio Management Series
A monthly online workshop series for private music teachers ready to run their studios with clarity and confidence. Topics are focused on boundaries, communication, finances, and long-term sustainability so you can enjoy your work to the fullest.
This is for you if...
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You music privately and want clearer systems for policies, scheduling, and communication.
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You feel confident musically but want more structure around the business side of your studio.
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You’d like to attract students who are a good fit — without constantly reacting or renegotiating boundaries.
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You value thoughtful, practical guidance over one-size-fits-all advice.
Then you're in the right place!
Why this workshop series exists
Musical training alone does not prepare teachers for the realities of running a sustainable studio. Many essential skills — from policies and income planning to communication and administration — are assumed rather than taught.
This workshop series was created to bring clarity and structure to those areas, helping teachers build studios that function sustainably and confidently.
What these workshops will help you do
Nail down your ideal student
Understand how to budget your income and expenses
Learn about strategies for student retention
Develop a marketing plan
Gain confidence to run your own business
Form a lesson policy for your studio
and more!
Workshop features
Here's what you can expect
Live Classes
Every 60 minute workshop will be presented to you on Zoom. For those unable to attend live, the recordings will be available in the participant portal.
Discussion sessions
During and after each workshop there will be some time allotted for questions and discussions. Some workshops will allow for participants to submit content for critique during the session.
Resources
There will be worksheets, checklists, or templates provided as well as real-life examples to accommodate many different learning styles.
Workshop Topics
Foundations: Designing a Studio That Supports You
🗓 Friday, September 11
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Identifying your ideal students' age, level, and commitment
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Setting up a home, travel, online, or mixed studio
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Learning about resources for students with physical or cognitive differences
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Defining your studio vision to allow room for growth
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Understanding that your studio is a business
Branding and Studio Identity
🗓 Friday, October 9
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Establishing branding pillars
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Designing (or refining) a studio logo
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Establishing a colour palette and font pairing
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Making a business card
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Creating your teaching philosophy
Strengthening your Lesson Policy
🗓 Friday, November 13
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Establishing lesson lengths and frequency
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Creating payment models and payment timing
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Planning for cancellations, makeups, and termination
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Deciding about late fees and how to deal with ghosting
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Raising rates
Studio Expenses, Budgeting, and Sustainability
🗓 Friday, December 11
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Establishing fixed vs variable studio expenses
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Knowing what counts as a studio expense (and what doesn’t)
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Purchasing insurance, software, memberships
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Planning for uneven income months
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Evaluating subscriptions and professional costs
Scheduling Systems That Protect Your Time
🗓 Friday, January 8
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Teaching blocks and energy management
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Making time for breaks, prep time, and transitions
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Planning for holidays and studio closures
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Learning about scheduling software (pros, cons, boundaries)
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Considering mental health as a scheduling consideration
Onboarding Students and Families
🗓 Friday, February 12
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Inquiring methods and first contact
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Navigating trial lessons vs interviews
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Knowing red flags and misalignment
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Setting expectations from lesson one
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Onboarding parents (when applicable)
Effective Studio Communication
🗓 Friday, March 12
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Knowing your email vs text vs phone boundaries
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Drafting responses to common questions
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Creating templates for tricky situations
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Conducting progress updates professionally
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Recognizing spam and manipulation
Visibility with Boundaries: Social Media
🗓 Friday, April 9
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Knowing what social media is for in a private studio
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Deciding which platform to choose
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Making content that reflects studio culture and expectations
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Establishing permissions and what not to post
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Creating templates to reuse
Your Studio Website as a Tool
🗓 Friday, May 14
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Prioritizing clarity over aesthetics
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Using your website as a filter
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Placing content correctly
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Choosing language that aligns with your studio
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Finding common website mistakes that create problems
Student Retention and Difficult Situations
🗓 Friday, June 11
🕒 11:00–12:00 pm EST
⏱ 60 minutes
💻 Live on Zoom + replay
💵 $57 CAD
Topics include
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Understanding why students leave (and when that’s okay)
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Observing lack of motivation vs misalignment
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Dealing with chronic under-practicing students
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Being prepared for policy pushback and late payments
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Knowing repertoire selections to increase motivation
Schedule and Format
The workshops will run from September to June on the second Friday of each month at 11 am EST.
The enrolment for these workshops will be open until 10:30 am EST on the day of the workshop.
A Zoom link will be sent to participants upon registration. Replays will be available in the participant portal.
Imagine your studio with
Clear policies
Imagine your studio operating with clear policies and expectations, so administrative decisions feel straightforward rather than reactive. This allows you to spend less time managing logistics and more time focused on teaching.
Predictable income
Imagine having predictable income and a clearer financial picture across the teaching year. With thoughtful tuition structures in place, budgeting and planning become simpler and more reliable.
A strong work-life balance
Imagine defined boundaries around scheduling, communication, and availability. When these structures are clear, your studio supports both your teaching and your personal time.
You should sign up for your first workshop and then consider more!
About Sarah
I am a piano teacher with nearly 20 years of experience teaching in a variety of settings, including music schools, students’ homes, and private studios. In addition to private teaching, I spent five years managing a music lesson centre serving over 400 students and a team of 14 teachers, where I gained extensive experience in studio administration, policy implementation, scheduling, and teacher–student communication.
Education & Professional Credentials
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Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT), Piano Performance
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Associate of the Canadian Conservatory of Music (ACCM), Piano Performance
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Bachelor of Music (BMus), Music Education — McMaster University
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Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher (since 2019)
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Member of the Ontario Registered Music Teacher's Association (since 2017)
I have also received certificates for outstanding teaching excellence from the Canadian International Music Competition and the Quebec International Music Competition, reflecting my students’ consistent success in examinations, festivals, and competitions.
Here's what my students say about learning from me ...
"You're a great teacher and have always been so patient and understanding with me. I always feel inspired to pursue music after lessons and appreciate the attitude you always carry."
Daniel B.