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Introducing the

Private Music Teacher
Studio Management Series

A weekly online summer 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 are confident starting the school year of teaching.

Sarah Molenaar
Image by Scott Kelley

This is for you if...

  • You music privately and want clearer systems for policies, scheduling, and communication.

  • You feel confident musically but want more structure around the business side of your studio.

  • You’d like to attract students who are a good fit — without constantly reacting or renegotiating boundaries.

  • 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

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Live Classes

Every 90-minute workshop will be presented to you on Zoom. For those unable to attend live, the recordings will be available in the participant portal.

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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.

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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

🗓 Wednesday July 8

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

💵 $67 CAD

Topics include

  • Identifying your ideal students' age, level, and commitment

  • Setting up a home, travel, online, or mixed studio

  • Learning about resources for students with physical or cognitive differences

  • Defining your studio vision to allow room for growth

  • Understanding that your studio is a business

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Policies and Boundaries

🗓 Wednesday July 15

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

Topics include

  • Creating attendance and cancellation policies

  • Establishing communication boundaries

  • Understanding payment expectations & rates

  • Reducing emotional negotiation 

  • Preparing for termination situations

Image by Jakub Żerdzicki

Scheduling Systems That Protect Your Time

🗓 Wednesday July 22

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

 Topics include

  • Teaching blocks and energy management

  • Making time for breaks, prep time, and transitions

  • Planning for holidays and studio closures

  • Learning about scheduling software

  • Considering mental health and burnout

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Branding and Studio Identity

🗓 Wednesday July 29

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

 

Topics include

  • Establishing branding pillars

  • Designing (or refining) a studio logo

  • Establishing a colour palette and font pairing

  • Making a business card

  • Creating your teaching philosophy 

computer and cup of coffee

Studio Website: Structure, Clarity, and Copy

🗓 Wednesday August 5

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

Topics include

  • Structuring your website for clarity and easy navigation 

  • Establishing strong first impressions online

  • Crafting SEO-friendly content for your target students

  • Creating a clear visitor experience 

  • Incorporating your branding 

Image by Glenn Carstens-Peters

Marketing and Onboarding

🗓 Wednesday August 12

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

Topics include

  • Designing social media posts that attract ideal students

  • Building referral systems and advertising strategies

  • Recognizing spam, red-flags, and misaligned inquiries

  • Navigating trial lessons and interviews with confidence

  • Using your marketing to filter the right students

Image by Van Tay Media

Studio Expenses, Budgeting, and Sustainability

🗓 Wednesday August 19

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

Topics include

  • Establishing fixed vs variable studio expenses

  • Diversifying your income streams

  • Purchasing insurance, software, memberships

  • Planning for uneven income months

  • Evaluating subscriptions and professional costs

Image by Towfiqu barbhuiya

Student Engagement and Retention

🗓 Wednesday August 26

🕒 11:00–12:30 pm EST

⏱ 90 minutes

💻 Live on Zoom + replay

​💵 $67 CAD

Topics include​

  • Understanding why students leave (and when that’s okay)

  • Dealing with chronic under-practicing students

  • Handling parent/teacher communication

  • Encouraging long-term commitment to your studio

  • Exploring supplementary repertoire to encourage retention

Image by Aron Visuals
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Schedule and Format

The workshops will run from July 8 to August 26 on Wednesdays 11 am EST.

 

Enrolment will be open until 10 am on the day of each 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

  • Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT), Piano Performance

  • Associate of the Canadian Conservatory of Music (ACCM), Piano Performance

  • Bachelor of Music (BMus), Music Education — McMaster University

  • Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher (since 2019)

  • 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.

Sarah Molenaar

Here's what my students say about learning from me ...

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"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.

FAQ

Ready to register?

You’re welcome to sign up for as many workshops as you like or register for the full series.

 

Registration is now open.

Contact Information

Sarah Molenaar

Wurtemburg Street

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

613-241-5722

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©2025 by Sarah Molenaar

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