Running a Piano Studio on Your Own Terms

Running a Piano Studio on Your Own Terms

In this special episode, Kelly shares highlights from five conversations with alumni of the Outside The Bachs: Scale Program. You'll hear from Claire, Olivia, Katie, Natasha, and Alexandra, five piano instructors who each built a music lesson business on their own terms. If you are a private music teacher looking to grow your studio, raise your rates, or design a teaching schedule that fits your life, this episode offers real stories, practical insight, and proven results. Claire shares how she built a studio of 21 students from zero in just 6-8 months, left her job, and now earns more while taking 8 weeks off each year. She explains why specificity in marketing matters, especially listing adult students first, and how focusing on adult learners brought in more leads than she ever expected. Her studio now supports her other creative projects, and she's confident in her ability to build (and rebuild) a business she fully owns. Olivia walks through how personal development laid the foundation for 3x revenue growth. In 10 months, she grew her oboe and piano studio from 6 to 19 students, left her dance studio job, and now gigs in the same building as her new studio. She shares how mindset shifts like resilience, decisiveness, knowing when to say "no," and letting go of people-pleasing became the catalyst for her refined business. Katie shares how she rebuilt her studio by rebuilding her confidence. Starting from zero, she added 8 students in 6-8 months. She talks about having the language to communicate her ideas with structure and clarity, defining her ideal student without desperation, and feeling empowered to try new offerings like asynchronous lessons and a homeschool choir. Natasha explains how she created a thriving studio in just 90 days. After an uncertain path to growth, she implemented a clear strategy, grew from a few private students to 25, and now has a waitlist for the summer. Alexandra shares how a move to a new neighborhood became a fresh start. With a solid studio policy, confident pricing, and a strong business foundation, she's built real authority and legitimacy outside of higher education or someone else's studio. While all five guests are piano teachers, the takeaways apply to any private studio, regardless of specialty or instrument. This episode is ideal for private music teachers, piano teachers, oboe teachers, studio owners, and anyone who wants to grow their music lesson business, attract adult students, increase monthly income, and build a sustainable teaching career.

Building a Sustainable Private Strings Studio

In this special episode, Kelly sits down with three successful private music studio owners to share real stories of studio growth, increased income, and sustainable teaching schedules. If you are a private music teacher looking to grow your studio, raise your rates, or transition from side income to full-time teaching, this episode offers practical insight and proven results. Jessica shares how building a strong Suzuki program became the foundation of her portfolio music career. By committing to a clear teaching philosophy and long-term vision, she transformed her private lessons from a side offering into a stable, intentional business. She explains how specializing in Suzuki instruction helped her attract aligned families, improve student retention, and create consistent revenue in her music studio. Ainur walks through her six-month studio transformation. After leaving her previous job to focus fully on studio growth, she implemented strategic marketing efforts and built relationships with local schools. She secured a school teaching position, added ideal students, and increased her enrollment.Lydia shares how she scaled her cello studio steadily and sustainably. She explains how transitioning to flat rate tuition created predictable income, reduced stress, and improved communication with families. Although raising prices and restructuring her studio felt intimidating at first, the shift gave her the clarity and confidence to grow. Lydia ultimately added 18 students, left her orchestra job, and built a private music studio that supports creative fulfillment, wedding gigs, and meaningful time off.This episode is ideal for private music teachers, Suzuki instructors, violin teachers, viola teachers, cello teachers, and studio owners who want to grow their music lesson business, increase monthly income, implement flat rate tuition, and build a sustainable teaching career.

The Mindset Behind a Growing Music Studio | Chelsea Tanner & Kelly Riordan

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Chelsea Tanner [https://www.chelseatanner.com/] - flute coach, mindset expert, and college audition coach, to explore how shifting from artist mindset to a true business owner can transform a private teaching studio. Chelsea shares how clarifying her lesson offer, refining her pricing, and getting clear on who she actually wanted to serve led to major growth in studio revenue and sustainability. They discuss the role of flat-rate tuition, stronger organization and communication, and the confidence that comes from treating students as clients (and not just filling spots on a schedule). Chelsea also shares how coaching and mindset work helped her raise prices, say no to misaligned opportunities, and build a studio that supports both her teaching and her work coaching flutists through college auditions. This episode is a must-listen for private music teachers who want to build a focused, aligned studio and for educators ready to step into the role of business owner. ⁠⁠⁠Outside The Bachs- ⁠⁠⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outside-the-bachs-with-kelly-riordan/id1657471223] Resources For Your Private Music Studio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OutsideTheBachs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kelly on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kelly on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician] Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Private Music Instructors, Piano Lesson Teachers, and Music Studio Owners [https://www.facebook.com/groups/privatemusicinstructors]

Building a Flute Studio That Financially Supports Real Life | Anamarie Diaz & Kelly Riordan

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Anamarie of Diaz Flute Studios [https://www.diazflute.com/] to explore how building a private lesson studio can financially support a portfolio career as a musician. Starting from zero students, Anamarie shares how she grew her flute studio into a sustainable business that now supports her family, time off, and has inspired long-term financial goals for her. They discuss her early growth journey, the mindset and business skills that unlocked new opportunities, and how personal finance became a key part of her studio decisions. From hiring another teacher and planning future group offerings to performing more and creating greater flexibility, this conversation highlights how intentional studio growth can open doors far beyond the lesson room. This episode is a must-listen for private music teachers who want a studio that supports both their income and their life. ⁠⁠Outside The Bachs- ⁠⁠⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outside-the-bachs-with-kelly-riordan/id1657471223] Get More Students For Your Private Music Studio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OutsideTheBachs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kelly on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kelly on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician] Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Private Music Instructors, Piano Lesson Teachers, and Music Studio Owners [https://www.facebook.com/groups/privatemusicinstructors]

Run It Like A Business | Aubrey Bergauer & Kelly Riordan

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Aubrey Bergauer to explore what it really means to run a performing arts organization like a business, without sacrificing artistic integrity. Known for her transformational leadership at arts organizations, Aubrey shares data-driven strategies for growing audiences, generating new revenue, and improving retention. They discuss the importance of the newcomer experience, how to turn first-timers into loyal supporters, and what hiring, auditions, and programming might look like for a more inclusive future. Pulling from Aubrey’s groundbreaking book Run It Like a Business, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to see the arts thrive. More about Aubrey [https://www.aubreybergauer.com/] and her book Run It Like A Business [https://www.aubreybergauer.com/book] Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money--Without Losing the Art ⁠Outside The Bachs- ⁠⁠⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outside-the-bachs-with-kelly-riordan/id1657471223] Get More Students For Your Private Music Studio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OutsideTheBachs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://outsidethebachs.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kelly on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kelly on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician] Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Private Music Instructors, Piano Lesson Teachers, and Music Studio Owners [https://www.facebook.com/groups/privatemusicinstructors]