While I love (love, love love!) the holidays, they tend to be a music momentum killer right smack dab in the middle of the school year.
Returning to lessons after a two week break usually means that I have to really hustle to get my students and their families all fired up again at a typically dreary time of year. Fortunately I have a secret weapon that works wonders…
Magic Words To Start Piano Families Off Right
In today’s post I’m sharing my “Welcome Back To Lessons” letter that I use to get the motivational ball rolling in the new year. But it’s not just some letter I sat down and wrote out all willy-nilly… it is carefully crafted to do exactly what I want it to do…
…keep kids in piano lessons!
Whenever I send out communications to my piano parents, I keep the following in mind: kids quit piano lessons because…
- They lose interest.
- Their parents don’t see the value of music enough to “make it work”
- They are too busy.
- They don’t practice.
…And then I use my communications to ensure that these four points won’t rear their ugly heads in the minds of my piano parents and their children.
I encourage you to read the letter below (copy whatever you like for your own use) and pay attention to how I use a run-of-the-mill communication (i.e. the “Welcome Back Letter”) to address the four bullet points above to help maintain a healthy studio that keeps students coming back year after year after year.
Retain Piano Students With This “Welcome Back” Letter
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!
After a wonderfully refreshing holiday, it is absolutely delightful to have your children back in my studio again!
I wanted to take the time before we launch into the new year to thank each and every one of you for your efforts this past fall. Being a “piano parent” is a big commitment, and I feel so fortunate to be connected with families who see the immense value of music. Learning to play piano can be a life-changing experience and I’m humbled that you have chosen me to be a part of this exciting gift that you continue to give your children.
I’ve spent some of my holiday time planning an exciting second term of lessons and I thought I’d give you a “sneak peek” of just some of what’s to come! This term your children can look forward to:
- Exciting practice incentives, including the very silly “I Mustache You To Practice” Event.
- Our spring ensemble recital – full of duets, trios, audience participation and other fun!
- Our annual CD recording project complete with mini photo-shoots for the CD cover art.
- The amazing piano theory games that have been added to our loaning library.
- The return of our Mail-A-Motive composing activity.
I also wanted to reach out to you to let you know that I very much understand the life of a piano parent. Please know that, while I spend most of my time motivating and assisting your children, I’m also here to support you as well! Working as a parent/child/teacher triangle is the optimal way to ensure your children’s success and enjoyment.
You are always welcome to ask for advice on making home practice work, for updates on your children’s progress or for any other musical assistance you may need.
We’re kicking off the new term of lessons with a practice event designed to get your children excited and motivated right off the bat. Please watch for information coming home next week. I’m always so appreciative of your assistance in these fun events!
Seeing your children grow, improve and learn to love music is truly the most rewarding part of my job. This past term I saw confidence, progress, creativity, pride, feelings of success and major accomplishments on a weekly basis. These are powerful memories your children are making, and these are invaluable skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. What a gift to your children… what a gift to yourselves to experience … and what a gift for me to be a part of!
See you in the studio,
Andrea
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