"Making money is art. And working is art. And good business is the best art." Andy Warhol

I recently caught wind that - in the NFL world - this past Monday is known as "Black Monday". It's the day after the regular season ends, and traditionally results in the firing of many coaches who have been deemed ineffective that season.

I don't know about you - but the pressure of knowing my job is on the line would be hard enough, let alone adding in the fact that my entire profession knew it, too.

It makes me glad to be a piano teacher. 😀

Fun fact: When I was in grad school, I taught the wife of our University's Head Basketball Coach. Here in Indiana, that's basically "royalty" status.

During our time working together, her husband lost his coaching job because the powers-that-be were unhappy with his record. There were lawyers involved and all kinds of things she wasn't permitted to talk about... (quite the experience, really!)

As the cookie crumbles in the coaching world, they moved to a new school and I lost one of my favorite adult students to date.

Maybe I'm still bitter. 😀

Seriously - I sometimes find myself surprised at how secure the piano teaching profession truly is.

...not to brush past those of us who live in economically-challenged areas and who have dealt with substantial financial hardships. There are definitely challenges that feel unsurmountable, and my heart breaks when I hear of teachers who struggle with their studios due to factors beyond their control.

(NOT FUN) fact: my husband was unexpectedly laid-off during the pandemic in August 2020. It was the surprise of our lives, and it was excruciating. He'd been with his organization for 19 years and never imagined working anywhere else.

It took him over a year to find work (talk about a learning experience!), and I shouldered the task of supporting our family of four solely through my studio. During a pandemic, no less. 😅

As stressful as it was (let's not downplay that), every once and awhile I would marvel that I was able to maintain a more stable income than many of my acquaintances during that difficult season. I have many friends in "traditional" lines of work who took serious financial hits while the world closed down.

Piano teaching was good to me - and for me! - while everything else felt like it was crumbling.

Again, I want to be respectful of those who have encountered very different experiences. I would certainly never claim that piano teaching is an EASY way to earn a stable income.

What I'm celebrating today is the fact that our livelihoods are not always in the hands of one or two people in positions of power.

By and large - as Creatives - *we* are in charge of how we earn our income. We can tweak our offerings, who we're marketing to, and so many other things that people in traditionally "enviable" careers cannot do.

(It may be exhausting, but at least it is flexible!🤣)

I also credit a lengthy teaching history and a brain that never-stops-thinking-about-what-works-and-doesn't-work.

The results of that overly-analytical brain are what inspired the content found in my Studio Foundations Course.

Since launching last year, this course has helped already-fantastic teachers find greater joy and confidence in their work. Their feedback has assured me that these are perspectives our profession NEEDS.

The Studio Foundations Course is a collection of fourteen principles I've established to build a satisfying, effective TeacherLife.

It's NOT a business course, and it's not specific to piano pedagogy. Rather, it's a collection of perspectives I've gleaned from 28+ years of teaching; largely compiled of ideas I never learned in a classroom.

BEST OF ALL: The magic of this course comes in the accompanying workbook. This is not content that can "change your life in 10 easy steps". Rather, these are ideas that will grow and evolve with you over the various iterations of your teaching career.

If you're curious about more of the course content, check out this page, or follow me on Instagram this week as I share more about the fourteen principles.

We begin a new 6-week session on MONDAY, and I hope to see you there!

Aaaaand: Since I'm embracing the idea of REMAINING TEACHABLE this year, I'd love to know: What do YOU hope to learn more of this year?

🥂Cheers to the challenges and flexibilities we enjoy as studio music teachers." 🥂

January Happenings:

January Book Study ...We are up to over 75 people reading with us for our first-ever Beyond Measure Book Study! ​I've shared before I re-read Brené Brown's book, The Gifts of Imperfection, every January. This is your chance to come along for the ride. We "officially" began earlier this month, but if you're still interested in joining, COME ON IN! Sign-Up for more info!

Other Ways I Can Help You:

On the Podcast This week, I'm talking all about PLAY: What it is, what it isn't, and why you don't have to buy a lot of "stuff" to do more of it. Check out Episode 152: Cheers to What it Means to PLAY.​ Links and Transcript Here

New Freebie! To accompany this week's episode, I've created a FREE download for you, titled 16 Ways to Bring More PLAY to Piano Lessons. Click below to find a page of ALL available free downloads. Get Your Free Stuff!

Can't-Live-Without Repertoire You know those pieces that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.? ​ This is one of those. ​ I love Carol Matz; she's one of the hardest workers in our profession. This piece is absolutely a studio favorite. PS: You can also find it in this collection. Check it out!

A Favorite Thing I love watching everyone get organized for the new year! I keep seeing this little life-saver pop up in photos on social media and it makes me happy to know more teachers are learning it's magic for storing flashcards, game pieces, and more. (PS: It's available in various color schemes to fit your choice of decor) Find it on my Favorites List

Patreon Community Great things are happening in the Patreon Community this month! We continue our Monday Morning Power Hours and are adding 20-minute Zoom chats for the Book Study (available to both tiers of membership). Join for $3 or $6 to check it out. Explore the Patreon

Methods, Reconsidered Your method is the vehicle, but you are the driver. Check out my Starter Guide to Making the Most of Your Chosen Method. Learn More Here

NOW: Hit that REPLY button and tell me WHAT YOU ARE HOPING TO LEARN THIS YEAR.

Onward and upward toward celebrating the GOODNESS of being studio music teachers 🥂

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