by Rachel | Uncategorized
For the first time in five years, I will not be returning to school tomorrow with the rest of my former colleagues at The Hope Institute. It’s a strange feeling, for sure.
People have been asking all summer how it feels to be completely self-employed, but I haven’t really been able to give a good answer yet since school has been out. However, I will be able to do so after tomorrow, because then I think it truly will feel “real” to me.
I always loved those first few weeks back: catching up with coworkers, the excitement of a fresh new start, meeting new students. Those things I will definitely miss. But having my days free to plan, write songs, and create new resources for my students before they arrive for their lessons and music therapy sessions in the afternoon? That will be the bees’ knees.
Although my fall session doesn’t begin until Monday, tomorrow kicks off a brand new chapter in my life. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
The countdown is finally over. After waiting anxiously all summer long, Kimberly Sena Moore, Michelle Erfurt and I are thrilled to launch Music Therapy Pro.
Music Therapy Pro is a community. Music Therapy Pro is exclusive information and valuable resources. Music Therapy Pro is all of the following:
- Receiving the business training you didn’t get in school.
- Becoming a savvy networker, online and offline.
- Empowering both beginners and experts.
- Accessing an exclusive online community.
- Downloading relevant information and resources…instantly.
- Learning through bonus monthly podcasts.
- Watching quality step-by-step “how to” videos.
Head on over to Music Therapy Pro to watch a video that gives you the full scoop, and take advantage of our charter membership, which we’ll only be offering for a limited time. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Monday was a tough day. I had to say goodbye to two of my very first students ever as a professional music therapist. Addy was only a few months old when she started participating in my music therapy group, and Jordynn, her big sister, was my #1 helper during our group time as well as a piano student.
Fast forward four years. Their family is moving, so Monday was our last day together. You would think I’d have been more well-equipped to say goodbye after just doing so to over 100 students when I left my job at The Hope Institute, but I wasn’t. As hard as I tried not to cry, I was unsuccessful. I have just come to accept the fact that I’m no good at farewells!
I can’t imagine how hard it is to be a classroom teacher, having to say goodbye to an entire class of students every single year. The perk of being a music therapist and studio teacher is working long-term with the same students, and getting to watch them grow up and reach all kinds of milestones.
I know there are more goodbyes in my future, because that’s life…but that doesn’t make them any easier.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I have found that some methods are more effective than others when it comes to keeping parents up-to-date with their music students’ progress. As in, my old method didn’t work so well…but luckily, my new one does.
Old method: I sent a form home in each student’s binder outlining that day’s assignments, practice tips, and new repertoire. There was a space where daily practice could be recorded, as well as a signature line for both parent and student. While I did have a handful of families who very diligently filled this out each week, most did not.
New method: I send an email to parents (and/or students, if they are old enough to receive email) outlining that day’s assignments, practice tips, and new repertoire. While not all families record practice time in the log provided on my website, many of them respond to my emails with notes of their own, or even specific questions related to the lesson.
I wrote about my method for taking notes during lessons in a previous post, in case you’re curious. But the purpose for today’s post is to stress the importance of parents being involved in their students’ education.
Just today I received an email from a parent:
Thanks for this great information every week! I like being able to show Elly what she needs to do/remind her what she needs to work on.
If the parent values his or her child’s progress, then the child is more likely to do so, as well. My most motivated students are those who are encouraged (but not forced) to practice at home, and whose parents take the time to respond to my feedback and pass it along to their children.
When I was growing up, my mom dropped me off for my piano lesson, I was sent home with nothing but my current piece or book each week, and there was never any communication between her and my teacher. No wonder I didn’t apply myself very well back then!
I love the fact that my students’ parents call me on my cell phone to discuss practice strategies, chat with me before and after lessons, and keep in touch regularly via email and Facebook. All of the above makes me a better teacher, and my students are more successful as a result.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Self-employment can be scary at first. After making the decision to leave my full-time job in order to expand my private practice and teaching studio, I did what I thought was the most logical thing, and took on as many new students as I could. More students, more income, less worries…right?
But what I didn’t factor into that equation was “less time” and “more stress”. I’ve already written about my jam-packed schedule once this month, but thought the topic was worth revisiting after I received this tweet:
It was meant in good fun, of course, but Sarah makes a good point. Most sane people probably wouldn’t schedule 14+ half hour lessons and/or music therapy sessions in one day.
The good news is that I absolutely love my students and the work I do with them. Yes, the days are long, but I’m not sitting in an office, bored, watching the clock count down to quitting time.
But I will admit that maybe I’m a little close to crossing the line separating a healthy workload from too much. I haven’t done so yet, though, and intend to keep it that way. That’s what my waiting list is for!
Sarah’s tweet sparked my curiosity, and now I want to know: what is your definition of too much as far as the number of lessons/sessions per day or week? Have you crossed that line? And if so, how did you handle it?
