by Rachel | Uncategorized
It’s after 10 pm, and I’m just now getting around to writing today’s blog post. So much for having more spare time now that I’m completely self-employed. Looking back just a few weeks, I was naive to think that owning a full-time private practice was going to allow for a more flexible schedule.
It’s one thing to run a part-time business, but doing so full-time is a completely different ballgame. And as thrilled as I am with my decision to leave my former job, I find myself thinking nostalgically about a time when I actually had a few extra minutes to catch up on my Google Reader, write blog posts in advance, reply to non-work-related email, etc.
Giving lessons and providing music therapy to an average of 13 students per day is the easy part of my business. It’s the administrative and prep work — choosing repertoire, responding to billing inquiries, managing schedules, sending out nightly lesson and session notes, studio upkeep — that leaves me completely exhausted at the end of the day.
But then I remember that I’m 100% in control of my days and my private practice; there is no handbook. I’m writing it as I go, and I’m appreciative of all the lessons I’m learning along the way. I’m also appreciative of my incredibly comfortable bed, which is where I’m headed right now.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
As you might have previously read, I got an iPad 2 for my birthday. The primary reason I wanted one was for use in my studio, and I didn’t waste any time putting it into action yesterday.
Up until this past spring, I’ve sent my students home with written assignment sheets and lesson or music therapy session notes in their binders. However, with so many students to see every day, I hated the thought of going through so much paper — not to mention all the time spent handwriting notes.
So I whipped up a notes template on Pages (a word processing app I have on both my Macbook Pro and iPad 2) and then created a document for each day of the week. Each document has a page dedicated to every student I see on that day, with the notes templates all ready to be completed during lessons and music therapy sessions.
At the end of the day after my last student has left, I copy and paste each student’s lesson/session note into an email to either the student (if he/she is an adult) or the parents. That way, we both have an electronic record of everything that happened in the lesson/session, as well as any assignments.
I also include a reminder at the bottom of my notes template to students and parents that they can log practice time, comments, and questions about that week’s lesson/session in their account on my website.
I knew the iPad 2 would be great for educational music apps and playing and recording music, but this use of it is worth the price alone. Do you use your iPad or another electronic device to write and share lesson or session notes, or do you stick to paper and pen?
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
Thankfully, I’m a little more calm posting this update than I was last time! That looooong to-do list has been tackled and (mostly) conquered, which means I actually have some progress to share with you today. I’m going to post the full album of pictures on my Facebook page pretty soon, but I’ve been itching to show off my hard work thus far on the blog and cannot wait any longer.
While I had my camera out, I went ahead and snapped some exterior shots of my house, which is where my studio is located. I didn’t get a good picture of the entire thing, but you get the idea from these angles.
I spent one entire day this weekend working on the new entryway into the studio. The door to the left of the garage had to be replaced last week, so my first act of duty was to paint it so that it matched the garage door. Next, I washed and repainted the walls in the entryway. I was planning to paint the screen that hides our central vac unit, but then decided I liked it white. (Okay, so in truth, I was really tired by that point…but the white is growing on me!) I didn’t include the shelf to the right of the screen in my picture because I have yet to fill it.
The waiting room now has a coat rack, artwork, and a standing lamp. And today I’m going to pick up the crowning jewel of the room — an awesome coffee table with extra seating. Thank you, dear mother-in-law, for the wonderful birthday gift! That just might call for an update post all by itself. Oh, and Amanda Ellis just sent me pictures of the pillows she made for this room. They are on their way, and will look great in there!
Here is the studio itself. Although it’s smaller than my old one, I love it so much more. I think it’s the coziness that does it for me, actually. It’s also much better organized, because there is a large closet to conceal all the stuff I don’t use on a daily basis. Originally I was planning to put curtains on the windows, but then my mom and mother-in-law convinced me otherwise. I’m extremely happy with that decision now, since both rooms need all the extra natural light they can get.
I am over the moon about how the new studio has shaped up, and can’t stop coming up with excuses to spend time in there. Luckily, I have a very understanding husband :) There are definitely still lots of things to do, and even though I’m not sure when I’ll have time to get to them, somehow it will happen. It always does, it seems!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
On Friday afternoon, the spring session ended and I taught my LAST LESSON EVER in the original Music Therapy Connections studio. My lovely student Grace was happy to pose in a few pictures commemorating the occasion and showing off the extremely empty digs.
The very next day, my helpful (and strong) brothers-in-law came over to help my husband move the last remaining item — the piano — into the new studio. It was sort of sad to close the doors of the room that has served me so well over the past two years; it’s the end of an era.
It won’t stay empty for long: the room will be a temporary home to a few miscellaneous furniture items in the coming weeks. Zach and I had plans to make that happen this weekend, but after all the painting, organizing, picture hanging, and arranging I did over the last three days, my energy is drained.
Speaking of all that, I have lots of pictures to share in my next studio renovation progress update! A lot has happened since my last pathetic update…and you’ll get to see it all later this week.
