The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast

Teaching follows a rhythm and some months feel heavier than others. In this episode I talk about the seasons of a teaching year, why certain months can feel overwhelming, and how the science behind decision fatigue and burnout explains the stress independent teachers carry. You will hear simple shifts that help you move through the hard seasons with more clarity, more energy, and less mental load.I also share a few ideas for simplifying December lessons and preparing for spring so you can protect your energy instead of running on empty. Understanding these patterns helps you stop blaming yourself and start supporting yourself with routines that work.If you want ready to use ideas for December, the December Piano Party Pack is available on my site. The Winter Workshop opens soon and will guide you through building systems that support your teaching life all year long.You deserve a studio that fits your life. You deserve to feel steady in every season.Grab the December Piano Party Pack www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/december-piano-party-packVisit the website for more Black Friday Deals www.scrappypianoteacher.comSubscribe for all updates! https://pianokats.kit.com/scrappy

This Scrappy Snippet is a five minute studio policy reset for music teachers who want a smoother second half of the teaching year. This is not about rewriting your entire policy or sending long emails to parents. Instead, I guide you through a simple self audit so you can see what is working, what feels fuzzy, and where your boundaries have started to slide.We talk about clarity, communication, exceptions, morale, and the importance of leading your studio with confidence. Think of it like wiping down the counters in your studio grocery store so everything feels calmer and more grounded again.If you missed my Scrappy Snippet called Dont Be the Grumpy Grocery Store, go listen to that next. These two pair together if you are ready for a smoother, clearer, more confident studio season.For more resources for piano teachers and music teachers, visit www.scrappypianoteacher.com.Need help with your policy? I got you with this policy workbook -> www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/calendar-policy-scrappy-session-toolkit-replay-workbook-templates

Partner lessons, also called buddy lessons, have become one of my favorite formats in the studio. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I teach and structure them, what a 45 minute format looks like, and how I decide which students to pair together. I’ll walk through how partner lessons help with scheduling, practice motivation, and even teacher burnout.If you’ve ever wondered how to find a balance between group and private piano lessons, or how to bring collaboration into your studio without doubling your hours, this episode will help you get started. You’ll hear how I plan lessons in ten minute segments, how I build in flexibility for different personalities and skill levels, and how partner lessons can support overscheduled students while keeping your teaching flow simple and steady.Whether you call them partner piano lessons, buddy lessons, or duet lessons, these strategies will help you save time, improve studio organization, and create more connection in your teaching week.Have questions or want to connect? Reach out and subscribe at jaclyn@scrappypianoteacher.comCheck out Boom Cards for your studio at boomlearning.com

Ever feel like your piano studio has turned into a grumpy grocery store? In this Scrappy Snippet, I’m talking about what grocery store customer service can teach us about piano teacher leadership, studio systems, and creating a positive studio mindset.Our energy matters. How we show up in lessons affects everything: student morale, parent communication, and even how sustainable our teaching week feels. This one’s for every independent music teacher who’s ever walked into a lesson burned out, unorganized, or on autopilot.Let’s be real. Studio wellness doesn’t come from another planner or policy. It comes from how we manage our time, systems, and boundaries as teachers. So if you’ve ever wondered how to keep your piano studio running smoothly without turning into the grumpy grocery store, this one’s for you.Listen to more episodes of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast wherever you stream.Visit the website for more resources and subscribe at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges for independent teachers: how to actually be seen and found in a crowded world of lessons, listings, and local studios.Using data from the 2024 MTNA Member Survey, we’ll look at what real teachers are doing for visibility and why word of mouth alone isn’t enough anymore. You’ll learn what’s working right now and get simple, no-fluff ways to make your studio stand out without feeling salesy.We’ll talk about:● Why visibility isn’t vanity and what that really means for teachers● Easy ways to boost your online presence and attract new students● How a free Google Business profile can help parents find your studio● Setting small visibility goals to keep your studio growing● The value of MTNA membership and how their data can guide smarter studio decisionsBecause marketing isn’t about bragging. It’s about helping the right families find you.Tune in for a mix of encouragement, real talk, and actionable studio strategy. And stay tuned for a quick mention of my upcoming Burnout Armor workshop that will help teachers protect their time and energy before spring hits.Check out the MTNA 2024 Survey Here - www.mtna.org/MTNA/Business_Resources/General/2024_Member_Survey.aspxSubscribe for Updates - www.scrappypianoteacher.com60 Day MyMusicStaff Affiliate Link - www.mymusicstaff.com/scrappypianoteacher

Scrappy Snippet: Performance Prep for Piano Recitalswith guest Dr. Molly GebrianIt’s recital season and if your students are anything like mine, they need a little extra help turning their practice mode into performance mode.In this Scrappy Snippet, I chat with Dr. Molly Gebrian about how to prepare students for performance, not just practice. We talk about practical ways to help piano students stay calm, confident, and ready for the stage, from testing “performance readiness” and planning backward from recital dates to fun distraction games and mental practice for younger players.Whether you teach piano, violin, or any other instrument, you’ll walk away with ideas you can use this week to make recital prep smoother and more effective.Mentioned in this episode:● Learn Faster, Perform Better by Dr. Molly Gebrian● Performance testing checklist ideas for older students● Mental practice and memorization tips● Distraction game ideas for younger studentsIf you missed last week’s episode with Molly on how the brain learns music, listen to that first it pairs perfectly with this one.

Have you ever had a student come to a piano lesson saying they practiced all week, but it sounds exactly the same as it did before? Or they look at you with that frustrated face and say, “I swear it sounded better at home”? In this episode, we’re talking about why that happens and what’s really going on inside the brain when students practice music.My guest today is Dr. Molly Gebrian, a professional violist and cognitive neuroscientist who teaches at the New England Conservatory. She’s the author of Learn Faster, Perform Better, a book that connects the science of learning and memory with music practice and performance. Molly shares what the research says about how the brain actually learns, why breaks and rest time matter more than we think, and how we can use brain-based strategies to help piano students make real progress between lessons.We talk about what effective piano practice really looks like, how to teach students to practice smarter instead of longer, and how small changes in how we structure lessons can make a big difference. This conversation is full of practical takeaways that you can start using right away in your studio.If you want to understand the neuroscience behind music learning and piano practice, this episode will completely change how you think about progress.Grab your autumn beverage and listen in.And don’t miss next week’s short bonus episode where Molly and I talk about how to prepare students for holiday recitals using these same ideas on brain-based learning and memory.Buy the Book: Learn Faster, Perform Better (affiliate link) - https://amzn.to/4qpdjL1Molly's Website - www.mollygebrian.comJoin the FREE Lunch and Learn Book Discussion on Learn Better, Perform Faster by registering HERE

Can We Really Control Piano Practice? Reflections from My Studio WorkshopIn this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher, I share reflections from the OhioMTA state conference and walk you through a practice workshop I held in my studio. Together we will think about how practice strategies, student engagement, and teaching philosophy connect to real life for our students.We all know piano practice is one of the hardest parts of piano teaching. In this episode you will hear how I approached practice routines with my students, how I explained the difference between practicing playing and performing, and why creating a practice workshop can help students build confidence. This is encouragement for teachers who want practical piano practice tips that actually make sense in the lesson.Here are some of the takeaways from this episode ● Piano practice is the number one challenge for many teachers ● Encouragement and perspective matter more than guilt ● Leadership in piano teaching means guiding students in how to practice ● A practice workshop can support both students and parents ● Self care strategies for teachers help prevent burnout and keep us strong for our studentsThis episode is for any teacher looking for ways to help students build realistic practice habits at home. It is about teaching students what to practice, how to practice ,and how to connect piano practicing to their daily lives.For more resources visit scrappypianoteacher.com and subscribe for access to my full practice workshop lesson plan, and check out the abacus blog post mentioned at composecreate.com/get-rid-of-mindless-practice/

When makeup lessons or online lessons simply are not realistic, asynchronous lessons can keep your students learning and give you peace of mind.As teachers, we all know that life happens. Snow days, sick days, sports schedules, or just plain burnout. In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast I am talking about one of my favorite backup tools: asynchronous lessons.I share how I first stumbled into them, why my students actually preferred them over online lessons, and the two main ways I use them in my studio today. You will also hear my step by step process for creating simple 15 minute lessons that keep students practicing and engaged without overwhelming families or you.And because it has been a tough week in the world, I close with a reminder of just how important our role is as music teachers. We are not just teaching scales and pieces. We are giving students a voice, modeling empathy, and creating a safe joyful space that they will carry with them for years.If you have been curious about asynchronous lessons or just need a little encouragement for the road, this one is for you.Try out MyMusicStaff Studio Softward for 60 days FREE at mymusicstaff.com/scrappypianoteacher

Makeup lessons are one of the most debated topics in piano teaching. In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I share how I approach teaching policies and studio management and why clear boundaries around makeup lessons and flex weeks have helped me protect both my time and my students’ progress.I tie in a personal Pilates story that shows how accountability systems keep both students and teachers on track. I also walk through popular approaches teachers use for makeup lessons like group classes, swaps, virtual lessons, and asynchronous teaching. Finally, I explain how I now build makeup weeks along with flex weeks into my studio calendar for students and use flex weeks for myself to create margin and sustainability.If you have ever felt drained by makeup lessons or wondered how to set clear studio policies that work, this episode will help you sort through your options and find what fits your studio.Listen to Ep 48 The Raise You Didn't Know You Needed (all about flex weeks) https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/the-raise-you-didnt-know-you-needed-ep-48/id1749130212?i=1000709880746Keywords: piano teaching, makeup lessons, Pilates, teaching policies, studio management, teacher accountability, flex weeks, student engagement, music education, teaching strategies

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast I share some reflections on volunteering as a music teacher and how it has looked different in each season of my life. From early years of barely being involved to now serving on a board, I talk about community involvement, mentorship, and professional growth through teacher events. I want to encourage you to think about volunteering in ways that feel sustainable and supportive of your own teaching journey. Sometimes it is as simple as sharing a post or saying thank you and other times it is stepping into leadership and supporting other teachers. Every contribution matters in music education and together we build stronger communities.

If you’ve ever felt like jazz and improv sound great in theory but overwhelming in practice, this episode is for you. I’m joined by pianist, educator, and author Quentin Walston to talk about how jazz and improvisation can help teachers re-engage students, fight burnout, and bring more creativity into everyday lessons, without needing a jazz degree to make it happen.Quentin’s book How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation is written for real teachers who want to normalize improvisation and make jazz feel approachable for students of any age.We talk about simple ways to start, why it doesn’t have to be complicated, and how just a few minutes of improv can transform your lessons.Get Quentin’s book: https://thisisjazz.com/product/how-to-teach-jazz-improvisation-book/Use coupon code TEACHJAZZ for $5 offAlso available on Amazon, MusicNotes (ebook), and Piano Marvel (interactive app with songs only)Grab my Policy Workbook with templates and tools to help you finally get your studio policies done, available now at www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/calendar-policy-scrappy-session-toolkit-replay-workbook-templatesJoin the next Scrappy Session in August all about SOPs for music studios at www.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessions

Is Your Studio Policy a Contract or Just a Really Long PDF?You’ve got a policy, but is it doing what you think it is?In this episode, I’m talking about what a studio policy really is and what it is not. I’ll share how mine started, how I completely reworked it, and what finally helped me create something that made sense for both me and my studio families.We’ll talk about what a policy is meant to do, what does not belong in it, and why short and clear usually works better than long and formal. I will also walk through some of the systems and waivers that can support your policy without overcomplicating it.You’ll hear real-life takeaways based on experience, along with guidance supported by MTNA, Piano Inspires, and small business best practices.If you want help writing or updating your policy, join me for the next Scrappy Session on Friday, July 18th at 11:30 am Eastern. We will sit down together, and you’ll get a fill-in-the-blank workbook, a clear outline, and dedicated time to actually get it done.Register atwww.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessionsTo get notified when the Scrappy Studio Policies Booklet is released later this month, subscribe atwww.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode, I’m breaking down how the Profit First system completely changed how I handle money in my studio and why it gave me more peace of mind than any spreadsheet ever did. I’ll walk you through how it works, how I set it up as a piano teacher, and the mindset shift that made all the difference. You’ll hear real examples from my studio, a few budgeting truths I had to learn the hard way, and the steps you can take to start simplifying your finances too.● Includes my Profit First Cheat Sheet for Music Teachers (free download at www.scrappypianoteacher.com)● Real talk on percentages, taxes, owner’s pay, and what to do if numbers overwhelm you● Bonus: How I use Scrappy Sessions to actually get this stuff doneIf you’ve ever felt like your studio money disappears before the month ends, this one’s for you.Subscribe to the email list and find resources at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher, Jaclyn Mrozek interviews pianist and educator William Perry, creator of the Piano Music Database. What began as a spreadsheet to help one adult student quickly turned into a tool that’s helping teachers across the country save hours of lesson planning.William shares how the database was built, how teachers are using it to find repertoire by concept, level, mood, and theme, and why it’s quickly becoming a favorite resource in both private studios and pedagogy classrooms. The conversation also explores how the tool supports living composers, provides preview recordings, and allows teachers to build custom lists for their students.The best part...it’s currently free to try during the beta period.Visit pianomusicdatabase.com to create a free account, and join the Piano Music Database Users group on Facebook to stay connected.Subscribe at www.scrappypianoteacher.com or send an email to jaclyn@scrappypianoteacher.com to connect with Jaclyn