Survey Says: Music Teacher Edition with Karen Thickstun

Say It Clearly: Communicating Studio Changes

Communicating studio changes can feel surprisingly hard.Maybe you are raising tuition, changing your makeup lesson policy, adding flex weeks, switching to autopay, adjusting your lesson model, or simply trying to make the year run a little more smoothly.You know the change needs to happen.But then you open the email to tell your studio families, stare at the blank screen, and wonder, “What exactly am I supposed to say?”In this episode, we are talking about how to communicate studio changes clearly, warmly, and professionally without burying the important information or over explaining your decisions.I share a story from my very short-lived door to door sales era, what it taught me about repetition and clarity, and how that applies to the way we communicate with studio parents.Because parents are busy. They are not living inside our studio teacher brains. They are not thinking about tuition models, flex weeks, makeup policies, and registration deadlines all day long.So if we want families to understand what is changing, why it is changing, and where to find the information later, we need to say it clearly, repeat it with grace, and make the details easy to find.In this episode, we talk about:• Why one email in August is usually not enough• How to announce studio changes without burying the information• Why bullets are your best friend in parent emails• How to explain the reason behind a change without writing a novel• Why you do not need to apologize for running your business• How to use newsletters, waiting areas, policies, registration forms, and portals to reinforce important information• Why repeated reminders are not annoying when they are helpful• How to prepare for follow up questions before they come in• Why you can have clear policies and still offer private grace when it truly fits the situationI also mention the marketing idea often called the Rule of 7. I do not treat it as a proven magic number, but the general idea is useful: people often need to hear or see information more than once before it sticks.As music teachers, we already know this. We do not teach a student one concept one time and expect it to be locked in forever. We come back to it. We explain it another way. We give reminders. Studio communication works the same way.If you want more specific wording examples for tuition changes, autopay, flex weeks, makeup lesson policies, even monthly billing, and newsletter reminders, I have a detailed blog post for you at: www.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappynotesAnd if you missed the Policy Triangle and Calendar Workshop, the replay and workbook are available at: scrappypianoteacher.com/resourcesNext time, we are taking a little break from the admin heavy conversations and talking about something really fun: student informances with Ashley Danyew from Musician and Company.Thanks for listening, teacher friend. Have a fabulous teaching week!

Survey Says: Music Teacher Edition with Karen Thickstun

In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Thickstun, NCTM, MTNA past president and coordinator of MTNA Business Resources and MTNA Business Digest. We talk through some of the fascinating results from the 2024 MTNA Member Survey and what they reveal about independent music teachers, including lesson rates, rate increases, studio policies, marketing, payment methods, student retention, software, and legal considerations. This conversation is such a helpful reminder that while many of us teach independently, we are also part of a much bigger profession. The survey gives us a chance to see what other teachers are experiencing, what challenges are rising to the surface, and what we may want to think through more intentionally in our own studios. Karen and I will also be presenting an MTNA webinar on June 23, 2026, called Communicating Value and Boundaries: Studio Policies That Serve and Protect. And if you want hands-on help outlining your studio policy and calendar, my final Policy Triangle Workshop is coming up on June 19th at noon Eastern. You can join at scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessions. The workshop includes a policy audit from me, even if you need to watch the replay. Next episode: In two weeks, we’ll be talking all about communicating changes to your studio families, along with some fun tips and tricks. Be sure to follow and subscribe! Thanks for supporting this work to help all independent music teachers.

Tuition Pricing With Confidence

Pricing music lessons can feel simple until you actually have to choose the number, put it in your policy, send the email, or say it out loud to a parent. In this episode, Jaci talks about how independent music teachers can build a tuition number with more confidence. Not by copying another teacher’s rate, not by guessing, and not by choosing the number that feels the least awkward, but by using a clearer framework. This episode loosely applies ideas from How to Price Effectively by Utpal Dholakia to independent music teaching. The six pricing pieces discussed are: 1. CostsWhat does it actually cost to run the studio and pay yourself sustainably? 2. Customer ValueWhat are families receiving beyond lesson minutes? 3. Reference PricesWhat expectations or comparison points might families already have, and why should those be treated as context rather than the deciding factor? 4. Value PropositionWhy this studio, at this price? 5. Price ExecutionHow will the price be communicated, rolled out, and implemented? 6. EvaluationAfter the change, did the pricing decision actually support the studio? Jaci also talks about capacity as an important music-teacher-specific layer, because the number of students or teaching hours a teacher can realistically carry directly affects whether pricing is sustainable. The goal is not to find a magical number. The goal is to build a tuition number with a backbone, so you can communicate it clearly and actually follow through. Resources mentioned: Policy Triangle & Calendar Workshop: www.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessions [http://www.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessions] Music Studio Startup Tuition Calculator & Pricing Advice: www.musicstudiostartup.com/how-much-do-i-need-to-charge-for-music-lessons/ [http://www.musicstudiostartup.com/how-much-do-i-need-to-charge-for-music-lessons/] Piano Sensei Tuition Calculator:teachers.pianosensei.com/resources/tuition_calculators/ How to Price Effectively by Utpal Dholakia: https://amzn.to/4nRcucQ [https://amzn.to/4nRcucQ]Affiliate link Subscribe for Scrappy Snippets and teacher resources: www.scrappypianoteacher.com [http://www.scrappypianoteacher.com]

Tuition Models and Real Talk with Eric Branner

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher, I’m joined by Eric Branner for a practical and honest conversation about one of the biggest questions independent music teachers face: How do we structure our tuition, raise rates, and actually get paid in a way that supports a sustainable studio? Eric brings such a helpful mix of real teaching experience and business perspective. He breaks down actual tuition models music teachers are using, why some pricing structures work better than others, and how teachers can think through raising rates without spiraling, apologizing, or guessing. We also talk about what it means to build a music teaching business that is professional, sustainable, personally fulfilling, and rooted in community. Basically, this episode is packed. It is a little longer than normal, but it is full of the kind of real talk independent teachers need when they are making big decisions about their studios. If you are planning for the next school year, reviewing your lesson rates, rethinking your studio policies, or wondering if your current tuition model still makes sense, this conversation is going to give you a lot to think about. ● Different tuition models for independent music teachers● Why “charging by the lesson” can create problems over time● How to think about raising your rates● Why teachers need to understand the value of their time● Building a studio model that supports your real life● The business side of teaching music● Why policies, pricing, and sustainability all connect● What teachers often misunderstand about getting paid● How music teachers can build stronger, more professional studios ● Listen to my episode with Eric Branner on The 440 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jaclyn-mrozek-of-the-scrappy-piano-teacher/id1836525682?i=1000766496600 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jaclyn-mrozek-of-the-scrappy-piano-teacher/id1836525682?i=1000766496600] ● Check out Eric’s book, Lessons: A Modern Guide to the Business of Teaching Music: https://amzn.to/4uKR2IR [https://amzn.to/4uKR2IR] ● Visit The Scrappy Piano Teacher website and join the email list for workshop updates: https://www.scrappypianoteacherpodcast.com [https://www.scrappypianoteacherpodcast.com] I also shared a few summer opportunities coming up for teachers who are ready to start putting some of these ideas into action. Asynchronous Lesson WorkshopMay 29 at noon Eastern A practical workshop for teachers who want simple, useful asynchronous lesson options for weather days, illness, travel weeks, summer flexibility, or those “now what?” moments when a regular live lesson does not make the most sense. Policy Triangle and Calendar WorkshopJune 19 at noon Eastern This workshop will help you connect your teaching philosophy, time and capacity, and financial needs so your studio policies actually support the studio you are trying to build. We will also look at your calendar, because policies only work when your calendar backs them up. Studio Reset CohortJuly 17, July 24, and July 31 This summer cohort will be a focused three week version of the Studio Reset process. We will look at the bigger pieces of your studio, including philosophy, time, money, policies, calendar decisions, and systems, so you can move into the next school year with more clarity. Registration details will be sent to my email list and posted on the website. If the links are not live yet when this episode airs, head to the website and join the list so you do not miss them.

The Marketing Power of Recitals (Ep 83)

Recitals are not just a celebration. They are one of the most powerful marketing opportunities you have all year. In this episode, I’m sharing simple, scrappy ways to turn your recital into a natural marketing cycle without adding more to your plate. From collecting reviews to capturing meaningful content, you will learn how to use what you are already doing to support both studio growth and retention. We’ll cover● Why recitals naturally create the best marketing moments● How to set up a Google Business Profile (no website required)● How to make it easy for families to leave reviews● What to capture during your recital and how to delegate it● How to reuse content for future marketing● What to do if your recital has already passed This episode is all about keeping things simple, practical, and sustainable so your studio can grow without burnout. Resources: Want a free Recital Budgeting Spreadsheet and more? www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/recital-budgeting-spreadsheet-timeline-prep-snapshotRecital Reflection for the AFTER moments of your recital?www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/recital-reflection-toolkitWant support with policies, photo releases, and studio systems?www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/calendar-policy-scrappy-session-toolkit-replay-workbook-templates If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a teacher who needs a scrappy, doable approach to marketing.