The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast

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● Check out Eric’s book, Lessons: A Modern Guide to the Business of Teaching Music:https://amzn.to/4uKR2IR● Visit The Scrappy Piano Teacher website and join the email list for workshop updates:https://www.scrappypianoteacherpodcast.comI 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 EasternA 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 EasternThis 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 31This 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.

Not every music student learns the same way. Most teachers already know that.But what if you had a simple way to name what you are seeing and make more intentional teaching decisions?In this final episode of the Working Genius series, I connect the dots between how students respond in lessons and how we can adjust our teaching without overcomplicating things.This episode covers:Why some students feel unsettled when a piece is not finishedWhy others are ready to move on even if everything is not perfectHow the same teaching decision can lead to completely different reactionsHow to use this framework as a tool, not a labelThis is not about testing students or changing everything you do. It is about refining what you are already noticing and giving it language.ResourcesThe 6 Types of Working Genius book:https://amzn.to/your-affiliate-link-hereWorking Genius Assessment:https://www.workinggenius.com/assessmentScrappy Piano Teacher website:https://www.scrappypianoteacher.comCoda Piano Camp Bundle:https://www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/codas-piano-camp-bundle-camp-coda-the-mysteriously-moving-ballNext Step:Choose one student this week and make one small adjustment based on what energizes them.

Working Genius for Music Teachers: Understanding the 6 TypesThis episode continues the Working Genius series by breaking down all six types and how they show up in teaching, studio management, and everyday work as a music teacher.As independent teachers, we are responsible for every part of our business, from planning and creativity to communication, follow-through, and organization. This framework helps explain why some parts of that work feel natural, while others feel draining.In this episode, you’ll hear:● A simple explanation of the 6 types of Working Genius● How each type shows up in a music studio● Why different types of work feel easier or harder● How this connects to burnout and energyAs you listen, consider:● Which types feel most natural to you● Which ones feel draining● Where you may be working against your natural energyThis episode is designed to help you better understand how you work, so you can begin making more intentional decisions in your studio.Links mentioned in this episode:Working Genius Assessmentwww.workinggenius.com/about/assessmentJaci’s Resourceswww.scrappypianoteacher.com/resourcesCoda Books + Free Samplewww.scrappypianoteacher.com/coda

If you are thinking about offering summer camps in your piano studio but are not sure where to start, this episode is full of ideas from real teachers who are already doing them.In this meetup replay, several piano teachers share creative summer camp concepts they have successfully run in their studios. These ideas range from music and art camps to story based camps, game inspired camps, and interactive music experiences that keep students engaged while reinforcing important musical skills.You will hear practical ideas for structuring camps, themes that capture students’ attention, and ways to make camps work for a small independent studio.If summer programming has ever felt overwhelming, this conversation will give you inspiration and concrete ideas you can adapt for your own students.You can also download the full resource list and spreadsheet of camps mentioned during the meetup.Replay and Camp Resource Listwww.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/summer-camp-ideas-for-piano-teachers-camp-resource-list-teacher-meetup-replayResources mentioned in the conversation:Jennifer FoxxMusic Educator ResourcesCoupon code SUMMERCAMP26 available through March 31musiceducatorresources.com/shopKay LowryPiano Music for Kidswww.pianomusicforkids.com/store/camps-and-group-lessonsCori Bellewww.coribelle.com/piano-teacher-resourcesElizabeth SwiftPixels to Piano Lab Game Inspired Piano Campwww.elizabethswiftpiano.com/music/p/pixels-to-piano-lab-game-inspired-piano-campJaclyn MrozekCoda Storybookswww.scrappypianoteacher.com/codaTo stay connected and receive future resources for music teachers, join the email list atwww.scrappypianoteacher.com

Imposter Syndrome in Piano TeachersLately, imposter syndrome feels loud in our industry.In this episode, I unpack what imposter syndrome actually is, how it connects to burnout, and why it often shows up right after growth in your studio.If you’ve ever:• Raised your tuition and then spiraled after one parent questioned it• Compared your recital to someone else’s highlight reel• Felt confident one minute and like a fraud the next• Wondered whether self-doubt means you don’t belongThis conversation is for you.We explore the research behind the “impostor phenomenon,” first identified in 1978 by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, and discuss how it relates specifically to piano teachers navigating leadership, comparison, perfectionism, and burnout.You’ll also hear practical reflection questions to ask yourself when you’re deep in the pit, including:• Is this a skill gap or an identity attack?• Am I discounting measurable evidence of growth?• Am I comparing without context?• Is this incompetence, or am I just exhausted?Imposter syndrome is not automatically proof that you don’t belong. Sometimes it’s a signal. The key is learning to tell the difference between growth and narrative.If you’d like to stay in the loop for free teacher meetups, resources, and occasional discounts, make sure you’re on the email list: www.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode of the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m talking about what “back to basics” actually means for a piano studio that is already full and running.This conversation came from a season where I realized I had said yes to too many things and needed to pause and ask what was still serving me and what wasn’t. Not because anything was failing, but because things had started to feel heavy and unclear.We talk about why studios can feel exhausting even when nothing is technically wrong, why burnout often shows up before performance drops, and why resetting a studio can feel so hard once it’s already in motion. I share insights from education psychology, including why motivation usually comes after action, not before, and how early decisions around schedules, policies, and expectations can quietly lock us into systems that no longer fit. Psychology calls this path dependence.I also walk through four foundational anchors that can help you reset your studio without starting over. This isn’t about tearing everything down or lowering your standards. It’s about clearing out the clutter so the studio you already built can actually support you long term.If you’re feeling behind even when you’re on top of things, constantly tweaking but never settling, or tired in a way that rest alone doesn’t fix, this episode is for you.If you want to go deeper with this work, my Studio Reset Cohort is open for registration through February 6. You can find all the details atscrappypianoteacher.com/resetI’m also hosting a free Scrappy Circle teacher meetup called Let’s Talk Recitals with Janna Williamson on February 13 at noon Eastern. You can RSVP atscrappypianoteacher.com/scrappycircleThanks so much for listening. I’m really glad you’re here.

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by Amy Chaplin from Piano Pantry to talk about digital organization and why it matters far more than most teachers realize.We discuss how digital clutter quietly drains mental energy, why email overwhelm is so common for music teachers, and how organization systems should support your life rather than add more pressure.This conversation is especially helpful if your inbox feels out of control, your files are scattered everywhere, or you keep telling yourself you’ll “organize it later.”● Why digital organization is not a one time project● How cluttered files and inboxes contribute to burnout● Where to start when everything feels overwhelming● The importance of small, maintainable systems● Accountability and learning alongside other teachers● Using tools like Notion in a flexible, realistic wayOrganize Your Life with NotionFebruary 27, March 6, March 13 @ 12:30-2:30pm EThttps://pianopantry.com/notionwaitOrganize Your Digital Life (Retreat)Summer 2026https://pianopantry.com/digital-organization-retreat/Organize Your Digital Life (Zoom)TBA 2026-2027https://pianopantry.com/organize-your-digital-life/Subscribe to the Scrappy Piano Teacherwww.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode, I’m talking about studio analytics and what the numbers in your piano studio are actually telling you.This is not a business heavy episode and it is not about turning teaching into spreadsheets. It is about gaining clarity. Most independent music teachers were trained to teach music, not to analyze how their studio functions as a business. That gap often leads to guessing, frustration, or the feeling that something is off even when you love teaching.I walk through the key areas successful small businesses pay attention to and translate them into piano teacher language. We talk about predictable income, operating costs, student retention patterns, and studio alignment, along with a real example from my own studio that completely changed how I think about growth and sustainability.If you have ever wondered whether your piano studio is actually profitable, why students leave, what numbers matter most, or how to make confident decisions instead of hoping you are doing things right, this episode will help you start seeing your studio more clearly.If you want more support, resources, and honest conversations about teaching and running a sustainable studio, you can join my email list atwww.scrappypianoteacher.comIf you want an easier way to track income, retention, and studio patterns, I personally use MyMusicStaff. You can try it free for 60 days atwww.mymusicstaff.com/scrappypianoteacherIf this episode was helpful, leaving a review or sharing it with another piano teacher helps more independent teachers find clarity and support in their studios.Thanks so much for listening.

What does it really mean when we say our piano studios are “taking a break”?In this Scrappy Snippet, Jaclyn Mrozek talks through the confusion around winter break, piano practice expectations, and what rest actually looks like for students. December can feel heavy for both teachers and students, and this episode offers a grounded, realistic approach to letting students rest without guilt or pressure.You’ll hear why rest matters from a learning perspective, including insights inspired by Learn Faster, Perform Better by Molly Gebrian. Jaclyn also shares how she personally handles winter break practice in her studio, why she gives students choices, and what she actually sends home with students during this time of year.This episode is for piano teachers who are asking:• Should students practice over winter break• What does “taking a break” really mean in a piano studio• How do we reduce pressure without lowering standards• What should the last week of December lessons look likeJaclyn also shares practical, low-pressure ideas for the final week before break, including optional resources and story-based learning for younger students.Resources mentioned:• Learn Faster, Perform Better by Molly Gebrian• Susan Paradis studio-licensed collections at susanparadis.com• Wendy Stevens’ Beautiful Places series from Compose Create at composecreate.com• Coda’s Ornament holiday piano storybook• December Piano Party Pack

This Scrappy Snippet is a fast December piano resource roundup filled with easy lesson ideas for the busiest month of the year. Perfect for group piano teachers, private teachers, and anyone who needs low prep Christmas activities that work for many ages.In this episode I share● Christmas by Ear for aural work● Nutcracker Rhythm Cup Explorations● Lead sheet Christmas arrangements for teens● Quick December piano games● Composer study ideas● A December performance challenge● And three ways to find more teacher community this monthFull blog with every link mentionedscrappypianoteacher.com/scrappynotes/decemberresourcesFeatured linksDecember Piano Party Packscrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/december-piano-party-packFree Scrappy Circle Teacher Meet Uppianokats.kit.com/decemberscrappycircleWinter Workshop for Teacherspianokats.kit.com/winterworkshopNew episodes drop weekly. Thanks for listening.

This Scrappy Snippet is a five minute studio policy reset for music teachers who want a smoother second half of the teaching year. This is not about rewriting your entire policy or sending long emails to parents. Instead, I guide you through a simple self audit so you can see what is working, what feels fuzzy, and where your boundaries have started to slide.We talk about clarity, communication, exceptions, morale, and the importance of leading your studio with confidence. Think of it like wiping down the counters in your studio grocery store so everything feels calmer and more grounded again.If you missed my Scrappy Snippet called Dont Be the Grumpy Grocery Store, go listen to that next. These two pair together if you are ready for a smoother, clearer, more confident studio season.For more resources for piano teachers and music teachers, visit www.scrappypianoteacher.com.Need help with your policy? I got you with this policy workbook -> www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/calendar-policy-scrappy-session-toolkit-replay-workbook-templates

Ever feel like your piano studio has turned into a grumpy grocery store? In this Scrappy Snippet, I’m talking about what grocery store customer service can teach us about piano teacher leadership, studio systems, and creating a positive studio mindset.Our energy matters. How we show up in lessons affects everything: student morale, parent communication, and even how sustainable our teaching week feels. This one’s for every independent music teacher who’s ever walked into a lesson burned out, unorganized, or on autopilot.Let’s be real. Studio wellness doesn’t come from another planner or policy. It comes from how we manage our time, systems, and boundaries as teachers. So if you’ve ever wondered how to keep your piano studio running smoothly without turning into the grumpy grocery store, this one’s for you.Listen to more episodes of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast wherever you stream.Visit the website for more resources and subscribe at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

Scrappy Snippet: Performance Prep for Piano Recitalswith guest Dr. Molly GebrianIt’s recital season and if your students are anything like mine, they need a little extra help turning their practice mode into performance mode.In this Scrappy Snippet, I chat with Dr. Molly Gebrian about how to prepare students for performance, not just practice. We talk about practical ways to help piano students stay calm, confident, and ready for the stage, from testing “performance readiness” and planning backward from recital dates to fun distraction games and mental practice for younger players.Whether you teach piano, violin, or any other instrument, you’ll walk away with ideas you can use this week to make recital prep smoother and more effective.Mentioned in this episode:● Learn Faster, Perform Better by Dr. Molly Gebrian● Performance testing checklist ideas for older students● Mental practice and memorization tips● Distraction game ideas for younger studentsIf you missed last week’s episode with Molly on how the brain learns music, listen to that first it pairs perfectly with this one.