Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Piano Studio “Go Dark” This Summer

On your final day of teaching before the summer, you probably want nothing more than to wave goodbye to your piano students, switch off the lights, shut the studio door and begin a long and relaxing break.

But, as you may have guessed, this is a mistake. Letting your studio go dark is like taking a sledgehammer to all of the positive momentum you have worked so hard to create for the last 10 months.

And when momentum fades, your studio will not grow.

So does this mean you have to teach through the summer? Absolutely not! While some teachers continue teaching through the summer months, others opt to take a break. But if you do take a break, it means that you should find ways to keep your studio in contact with your families, your potential families, and your community.

In today’s post we’re sharing 5 things you can do to keep your piano studio from fading from the spotlight this summer. Then, when another year of teaching begins, instead of searching for students you’ll be padding your waitlist!

5 Ways To Keep Your Studio Front And Center This Summer

A piano studio is a business and a business should never look like it’s taking a break… even during an expected hiatus like a summer holiday. But this doesn’t mean you can’t kick back and relax; it just means a little bit of careful planning is needed to make sure your studio doesn’t disappear into the darkness.

So, let’s look at five simple things you can do that will make a big difference this summer:

1. Ten Minute Tuesdays

When it comes to summer practice, we should all be realistic; it simply cannot compete with practice during the school year. But, it should not be forgotten! So, this summer, send your studio families an email every Tuesday, reminding them to encourage their children to try to find just 10 minutes a day to devote to piano practice.

By doing so, you will be keeping in touch with your families, while tuning up your students. Then, when it’s time to return to lessons, you have eliminated the possibility of families dropping out before the year begins. After all, who would pull their children from piano lessons after watching them practice during the lazy days of summer?! 😉

2. A Summer Recital Series

Unlike the dark winter months (when we all lock ourselves away in the warmth of our homes) during the summer months, families are desperately looking for social activities to fill those warm evenings.

So, why not host a summer recital series? This doesn’t have to be a complicated affair at a rented venue. Instead, consider inviting a small number of performers and their families to your own home for an evening of music and an outdoor picnic. In addition to keeping in constant contact, this more intimate approach will help families connect with you on a more personal level… leading to a devoted fan base that will stay with you for years.

3. Stay In Touch On Social Media

Your studio parents spend a ton of time on their phones. So, don’t let them forget you on Facebook! Stick to a summer schedule when it comes to your social media pages. Consider daily posts such as: Friday Music Fun Facts, Theory Tip Thursdays, and Sunday Fun-Day Play Lists.

Make sure to encourage social media reactions by asking your studio families to comment on your posts. To increase the likelihood that families will comment on your posts, consider sending them on a digital scavenger hunt or encouraging them to post photos or videos of practice time.

4. A Mid-Summer Piano Party

Kids are more likely to be motivated to continue with music if they know that they can enjoy it with friends. By hosting a Mid-Summer Piano Party, kids will get to enjoy making music with their friends.

Sometimes, piano lessons risk a certain perception of isolation for kids. And when kids feel like they are the only one engaged in a certain activity they can lose the motivation to continue. So, take every opportunity you can to remind them that many of their peers on the same wonderful musical journey.

5. Share Your Professional Development

During the summer months you finally have time to check out those new piano books you’ve been wanting to use, or those new piano games you’ve been wanting to play, or that composing tool you’ve been wanting to test. Whatever you discover, be sure to keep your studio families posted. Few things reflect more positively on a piano studio, than a teacher who is constantly looking for exciting ways to engage and motivate her students.

Let Your Studio Families Know You’re Starting This…

If you really want to grow your studio next year, let your studio families know that you are now using the Wunderkeys Method Books, authored by Andrea and Trevor of Teach Piano Today. With all three preschool books and all three primer books now available, teachers using WunderKeys are growing their studios at a rapid rate. Check out our Success Stories here to learn about teachers who had this to say about WunderKeys:

“My students cry if they have to miss class.”

“Overnight, I had twelve people sign up.”

“There is no other method that can compete.”