My first bassoon teacher used plastic reeds. They were thin and produced a weak sound, but I didn’t know any better. They were cheaper and easier to play on than cane reeds, so I played on them for a couple of years. Then I switched teachers. Whoa. I quickly learned that plastic reeds were the worst […]
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Every-other-week Lessons
This post is about the every-other-week lesson schedule. I don’t like to put students on this schedule. I try to avoid it at all costs, unless the cost is that the student will have no lessons. Every-other-week lessons are better than no lessons, obviously, so these are the measures I have put into place to […]
Continue readingMore TageCards with Custom Audio Tracks
In lieu of a Christmas recital, my studio sends out personalized eCards to friends and family. Check out our 2015 studio card. The music is a quartet arrangement of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (actually, all the parts were read straight off of a piano part–easiest arrangement I’ve ever done.) The card will open in a […]
Continue readingMore TagGive Yourself a Yearly Raise
Are you making the same amount per lesson this year as you did last year? Do you get stressed out when you think about raising your rates? Here are a few ideas that are meant to motivate you. Every “real” job I’ve ever had gave raises at least annually. Why should teaching music be any […]
Continue readingMore TagLesson Attendance Sheet & Payment Tracker
How good are you at keeping track of your students’ tuition payments? How about their attendance? I haven’t always been good at keeping track of tuition payments and attendance. I always think that I’ll be able to remember if I’ve been paid or not—and then I never can. I ended up teaching more than my […]
Continue readingMore TagTax Tips for Studio Teachers
This series of posts on tax tips was written by guest author Tairsa Mathews. She’s an accountant, bassoonist, and piano teacher in Utah. I am so excited that Jessi asked me to write this series of blog posts. It’s not often that I get to use my accounting degree to discuss my favorite subject: music. […]
Continue readingMore TagShould I be a Sole Proprietor or an LLC?
A guest post by accountant, bassoonist, and piano-teacher, Tairsa Mathews When starting a business (or just adjusting the way you manage your business) there are a lot of options to choose from. Before studying accounting I didn’t know what it meant to be a sole proprietor or a limited liability company. I honestly don’t think […]
Continue readingMore TagKeeping Tax Records
A guest post by accountant, bassoonist, and piano teacher, Tairsa Mathews One of the most important things you can do is to keep accurate records. Keep your receipts, keep your bank account separate, and keep track of the money you make. If ever you are questioned about issues with your taxes, the IRS will almost […]
Continue readingMore TagDo I Need a Business Bank Account?
A guest post by accountant, bassoonist, and piano teacher, Tairsa Mathews To make your accountant VERY happy and your life easier at tax season, I would highly recommend having a bank account that is 100% for your business. You can have an actual business account and write checks from your business name if you choose […]
Continue readingMore TagBusiness Write-offs
A guest post by accountant, bassoonist, and piano teacher, Tairsa Mathews This is my favorite topic! When you buy things for your business, you get to write them off!! This means every time you purchase music, every time you service your instrument, when you buy rewards/prizes for your students, etc., you can write them off […]
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