by Rachel | Uncategorized
If you are an entrepreneur, own a business of any kind, or plan to someday, stop reading my blog right now and go buy this book.
I have fallen way out of the internet loop, so I only found out that the amazing and inspiring Derek Sivers (founder of CD Baby) published a book because Kat Fulton posted it on Facebook.
Of course, I immediately dropped everything I was doing, downloaded the audio version and consumed the entire thing — it’s only 1.5 hours long — in one sitting.
What I love so much about this book is that, in the author’s true style, he teaches through storytelling. Anything You Want is centered around the development of CD Baby, but it is jam packed with lessons for success. It’s the kind of book I already want to read again, and take notes this time.
Thank you for the heads-up, Kat. And everyone else: go get the book! (It’s super cheap and comes with 200 mp3 downloads, not to mention my wholehearted endorsement.)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
After almost three years of blogging (and over 700 posts), it still amazes me that some people think of me as an “expert” on certain topics related to studio teaching, songwriting, and music therapy. Yet I continue to receive emails and comments from people thanking me for my resources and advice. (Not that I’m complaining — each one of them truly makes my day!)
But I have a list of go-to people that I consider to be the true experts. Lisa Casciola of Kids Sing Studio is one of those people. I first met Lisa on the second day of my music therapy internship, since she was one of my supervisors. I got to spend almost nine months learning from someone with whom I shared many of the same interests and goals. Not only did she help me become a better music therapist, but I also got the bonus of learning about running a teaching studio.
Lisa is the kind of teacher I aspire to be. Her studio holds masterclasses (with famous Broadway performers, no less!), yearly recitals, holiday parties, and offers all kinds of cool classes and summer programs related to music technology and performance. Like me, she teaches students of all abilities.
Just this week, I emailed Lisa and asked for some new repertoire suggestions. She replied almost immediately with a huge list of songs and resources for me. Looking back over the last four years of teaching, I think I owe Lisa for all the songs that have been the biggest hits amongst my students.
So now that I’ve sung Lisa’s praises, I want to know…who is your go-to expert, or the person you look up to as a role model in your field?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Four months ago, I sat down to dinner with my husband at our favorite Thai restaurant and proposed that we renovate two rooms of our house, turning them into my new studio. He looked at me like I was nuts, but I kept talking, and eventually he warmed up to the idea.
Now that it’s complete, Zach couldn’t be happier. He can see how thrilled I am with the finished product, and he gets to reclaim the main part of our house. A win-win situation.
It’s actually a win-win-win situation, because I am positive that my students and their families will love it, too. The entrance is right off of the driveway, there is a dedicated waiting room with plenty of comfy seating, and the studio is bright and inviting.
But instead of just telling you, I want to show you what I mean. I took pictures of every last nook and cranny, and posted all 99 of them on my Facebook page. Go take a look! And be sure to let me know what you think.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I received an email from my friend Lisa Casciola a few weeks back, telling me to apply for the open blogger position at Music Teacher’s Helper. Talk about a dream job: write 1 blog post a month, and in return receive a free unlimited subscription (worth $49/month) to Music Teacher’s Helper (the online software that helps run the business side of my studio/private practice).
So I applied for the job. As part of the application, I had to provide a list of post ideas as well as a sample post which would serve as my inaugural one if hired.
A few days later, I received an email asking if I’d be interested in blogging for Studio Helper, which is the sister site of Music Teacher’s Helper. The Studio Helper blog is geared more towards the management and marketing of a studio, which aligned with my ideas and sample post.
Of course I said yes — because as you know, running my studio is a favorite topic around here! (And I still get the free unlimited subscription to Music Teacher’s Helper.) My first post will appear on the Studio Helper blog next Tuesday, May 24, and the 24th of every month following.
My dad couldn’t believe it when I told him I’d added one more thing to my already busy schedule, but the way I see it, I’m already blogging every single day…so what’s one more blog post a month?!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
When it comes to private practice, scheduling is an art. Usually I don’t mind it at all; in fact, I even look forward to it. But this time around, with over 50 students to schedule, I’m not gonna lie: I was nervous.
I sat down at my computer yesterday with all my students’ preference sheets, prepared for several frustrating hours of work. However, all that worrying was for naught..because I was finished within 45 minutes!
Not only had I managed to fit every last student (54, to be exact) into my pre-determined studio hours, but I even managed to schedule a couple of 15 minute breaks throughout the week. I’ll appreciate myself for doing that later this summer, when I’m in the middle of a 14-student day and in desperate need of a snack or bathroom break :)
Once I had the schedule completed, it was time to email all of my students’ families to let them know their designated day and time. So far I’ve only heard positive feedback, and I’m crossing my fingers and toes that the trend continues. Because one change could lead to a domino effect, especially with so many siblings needing back-to-back time slots.
Have you celebrated a scheduling success lately? It feels good, doesn’t it!
