Rock School Proprietor Podcast

95: Tony Parlapiano | Holistic Piano Teaching With popMATICS

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School [http://michiganrockschool.com] and RockSchoolProprietor.com) interviews Tony Parlapiano, founder of popMATICS [https://popmatics.com/], about his innovative online piano curriculum that focuses on playing by ear, creativity, improvisation, and practical theory. Tony explains how he's built a strong online student community through popMATICS. He also discusses how storytelling and collecting 'musical souvenirs' deepens listening, and how he balances structure with freedom to help students play and create music every day. In this episode: * How Tony's methods focus on teaching piano through creativity and personal connection rather than traditional method books. He emphasizes understanding music beyond just reading notes, fostering a community where students can explore music freely. * How popMATICS uniquely blends curriculum and an online community that encourages students to learn by doing and sharing experiences. This approach helps students of all levels, from beginners to those with formal music education, to connect with music in a meaningful way. * Tony's concept of "souvenirs" to help students retain musical lessons. This strategy encourages students to find personal connections with music to make learning more engaging and memorable. * The importance of authenticity in Tony's marketing strategy and how he shares content that reflects his teaching philosophy, attracting the right students for his approach to piano. For those looking to grow as instructors and build your music school, Tony shares his truly innovative approach to teaching piano that emphasizes creativity, community, and understanding music as a life skill. His unique methods foster deep connections with students of all levels and backgrounds, and highlight practical strategies for integrating music into everyday lives of students.   Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators looking to attract more students and create a sustainable business. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.   Tony's links: * popMATICS on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@popmatics] * popMATICS website [https://popmatics.com/] ------------------------------------------ Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated! Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School [https://www.facebook.com/groups/527746173148760]," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights. Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming [http://rockschoolproprietor.com/book].

94: Grouping Students in Bands -- Part 3 of Band Program Series

This episode is part 3 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School [http://michiganrockschool.com] and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John shares strategies for effectively grouping students into bands in your music school. This includes using variables like age, ability level, and musical interests in conjunction to find the best fit for students to build an engaging group environment that students will love. Included: * Variables for grouping students: age, ability, musical interest * The importance of social development in band rehearsals and finding balance with ability levels * Strategies for flexibility when grouping by age and ability levels * Avoiding some common pitfalls when putting students in groups for your band program. If you're interested in starting a band program in your music teaching studio or looking for ideas to enhance or grow an existing program, this series is for you! In it we will cover how a band program can create a strong community in your studio, increase profit margins, and lead to greater student retention. Interested in the Building a Band Program webinar? We're planning a free live webinar to accompany this series on Friday, July 24, 2026. John will go deeper on these topics and answer your questions directly. If you're interested, send an email to info@rockschoolproprietor.com [info@rockschoolproprietor.com] with the subject line Webinar and we will be in touch with details.   Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.   ------------------------------------------ Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated! Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School [https://www.facebook.com/groups/527746173148760]," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights. Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming [http://rockschoolproprietor.com/book].

93: Employees or Contractors? What Music School Owners Need to Know

On this episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School [http://michiganrockschool.com] and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford [http://www.musictimeofmilford.com]) tackle whether music instructors should be classified as employees or independent contractors and why that decision is important for every studio. They break down the criteria the IRS uses to assess classification by behavioral control, financial control, and the relationship of the parties. John and Mandy also trace how our industry evolved from music-store lessons to dedicated lesson studios, and how the instructor classification may just be slower in that evolution. They also discuss practical considerations like contracts, insurance, background checks, and how employment status shapes studio culture. Topics discussed: * Evolution of music studio business models from retail to education * IRS criteria for classifying employees vs contractors * Legal and tax considerations for music instructors * The importance of consulting professionals for business setup Whether you’re starting a studio or re-evaluating your setup, this episode offers a clear framework to help you rethink instructor roles and make informed decisions.   Interested in the Building a Band Program webinar? We're planning a free live webinar to accompany the Building a Band Program series of episoders on Friday, July 24, 2026. John will go deeper on the topics and answer your questions directly. If you're interested, send an email to info@rockschoolproprietor.com [info@rockschoolproprietor.com] with the subject line Webinar and we will be in touch with details. -------------------------------------- Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated! Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School [https://www.facebook.com/groups/527746173148760]," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights. Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming [http://rockschoolproprietor.com/book].

92: How to Choose Band Instructors -- Part 2 of Band Program Series

This episode is part 2 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School [http://michiganrockschool.com] and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John offers insight on selecting the ideal instructor to lead band programs, emphasizing qualities like multi-instrumentalism, a producer-like perspective, and decision-making skills. Included: * Qualities of effective band instructors * Importance of multi-instrumental skills * Producer-like perspective in band leadership * Decision-making and leadership in band rehearsals * Setting realistic goals and expectations for bands If you're interested in starting a band program in your music teaching studio or looking for ideas to enhance or grow an existing program, this series is for you! In it we will cover how a band program can create a strong community in your studio, increase profit margins, and lead to greater student retention. Interested in the Building a Band Program webinar? We're planning a free live webinar to accompany this series on Friday, July 24, 2026. John will go deeper on these topics and answer your questions directly. If you're interested, send an email to info@rockschoolproprietor.com [info@rockschoolproprietor.com] with the subject line Webinar and we will be in touch with details.   Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.   ------------------------------------------ Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated! Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School [https://www.facebook.com/groups/527746173148760]," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights. Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming [http://rockschoolproprietor.com/book].

91: Levi Clay | Finding Balance in Playing And Learning Music

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School [http://michiganrockschool.com] and RockSchoolProprietor.com) talks with Levi Clay—author, transcriber and online instructor—about balancing instant access to tabs, tutorials and AI with the human skills that make music meaningful. The two explore effective teaching strategies, the importance of foundational skills like ear training, and how modern technology influences guitar learning. In this episode: * The significance of interest-driven learning and curriculum design * The dangers of relying solely on tabs and AI for learning music * Building a musical community through jam nights and social interactions * Teaching students to develop ear training and transcribe songs * The importance of understanding the "why" behind playing music * Future challenges and opportunities in music education amidst AI advances * Encouraging students to internalize instead of depend on technology * Recommendations for instructors to help students so they can eventually "graduate" lessons Remember: The most effective music teachers inspire curiosity, focus on foundational skills, and foster genuine musical community—both online and in-person.   Levi’s Links: https://leviclay.com/ https://guidedpracticeroutines.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/LeviClay [https://www.youtube.com/c/LeviClay]   Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators interested in building and growing their business. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.   ------------------------------------------ Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated! Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School [https://www.facebook.com/groups/527746173148760]," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights. Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming [http://rockschoolproprietor.com/book].