Y’all, I love my job. I love teaching music online and all the flexibility it offers my family.
Now that the holidays are over, lessons are back in session. I am ready for a productive and exciting semester. There is quite a bit to be excited about this semester – several students are starting new piano books (some supplemental, some in the next level), everyone is set to start a new theory book, we are preparing for the Indiana Arts Festival. Most exciting of all, I am preparing for yet another maternity leave!
Although I have been teaching music in some form or another for ten years now (I can’t believe it!), I have only been running my piano studio full time since the summer of 2022. Previously, I taught music in a few different public schools, but at the time I was running an after school program and teaching a few piano lessons a week. With a toddler and our second born on his way, we decided it was time for me to leave that full time job and focus on raising our kids. I decided to bring in whatever income I could teaching piano.
What Happened Next…
In July 2022, I had only 5 piano students but I was determined to make running a piano studio my only income. I found Carly Walton and Teach Music Online and learned so much from her online courses.
Many of my first students found me in unconventional ways – including Outschool. Because of that, I have many students from all over the United States! Now that I have taught them for multiple years, I am enrolling their friends and students as well. It is such an honor to get to know so many families from every corner of our nation from the comfort of my own home. Often with at least one of my kids on my lap!
Since I run an online studio, my kids are able to meet and befriend kids of all ages from many different backgrounds. It’s even a great opportunity to teach my kids a little geography!
Why I Love Teaching Online
There are several reasons why I love teaching piano online instead of in person. When we’re online, we have to grow and evolve as teachers. I can’t just lightly tap a student’s shoulder to remind him to sit up straight or write in a student’s music myself. When I’m teaching online, I have to figure out how to communicate concepts to each student in the way that he or she will remember. For example, I now always keep two small pieces of rope by my piano to teach students about ties. For some reason it’s much easier for students to see me tie a rope together than for me to write on a whiteboard.
I Can’t Do It For Them!
I also spend quite a bit of time teaching students how to mark up their own music. Since they’re on the other side of a screen, I can’t circle a note or make a correction in their music for them! Each student must learn what to write if they miss a note repeatedly or how to analyze the chord progression. Since we spend so much time on this during lessons, it has significantly helped practice time during the week. Everyone is learning how to practice.
(If you don’t know how to help your students practice, check out my guide here.)
I Use Technology Multiple Ways
Another reason I love to teach music online is because I can incorporate technology seamlessly. That should be a no-brainer! I am always screen sharing – using Sproutbeat to play theory games, using the Note Rush app, or helping students mark up their music. If I’m not screen sharing, I have my keyboard camera on so students can watch my hands on the piano. Frankly, the camera is rarely on my face! There are so many cool activities to incorporate into your piano lessons.
Teaching Music Online is Flexible!
Above all the rest, though, I love this career because of the flexibility. This summer I will have my second maternity leave since running a piano studio full time. I teach 42 weeks out of the year. When I found out we were expecting another child, I looked at my studio calendar and made changes where I could. I decided to take off 2 weeks for Christmas instead of 3. Then I shortened my Spring Break. I even decided to start my Summer Term a week early so we can at least have a few lessons before this sweet baby comes!
Because I make my own schedule, I am able to honor the policies I have set while still honoring my family and what we will need during that time.
I Can Make Money While I Take Care of the Baby
The best part? I will still make my normal income during maternity leave. Each time I go on maternity leave, I create a 6-8 week plan for my students. Quite a bit of work and planning go into the projects students will do while I’m gone. As a result of that (as well as automated set ups) my income will not falter while I’m taking care of our newest addition.
I spent some time talking with Carly Walton on the Teach Music Online Podcast about my last maternity leave, and I’d love for you to take a listen! I’ve also helped other teachers prepare for their – paid – maternity leaves as piano teachers.
I Get to Help Teachers Like You!
Are you looking for more flexibility in your teaching schedule? Do you have a maternity leave or other long leave coming up? I’d love to chat and help you figure out how to best navigate this time in your life. Reach out and we can set up a time to meet!
