The Music Teacher Master Mind Podcast

Hey teacher friends,

We’ve got a lot to talk about this week, and it’s the GOOD stuff.

On May 5th, The Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast will officially become The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast.

This new name reflects something I’ve come to believe: most independent teachers aren’t looking for polished perfection. They’re looking for clarity, direction, and community that doesn’t require a $5,000 coaching package to access.

The word scrappy isn’t about being scattered, it’s about being resourceful. Strategic. It’s about working with what you’ve got, building systems that support you, and finding clarity even in the middle of the chaos.

Because so many teachers are tired. Tired of chasing the next tool, buying the next big program, or feeling like they’re doing it all wrong.

This rebrand of the podcast isn’t coming to promise an easier path but rather it’s coming to offer real support, grounded strategy, and encouragement from someone who understands what studio life really looks like.

This week, I sat down with Rachel Ehring to talk about collaborative piano work and how it can open up flexible, well-paid opportunities...especially in the summer!

We covered:

• Playing for various events: finding gigs, music choices, timing, client expectations
• Rate-setting and how to value your time and skills
• The hidden benefits of collaborative work on your musicianship

Missed last week’s episode? I talk about burnout, studio systems, and how my SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) basically saved me when my brain was at capacity.

If you're feeling the admin overwhelm, grab the free SOP workbook I created to help you write your first 5 studio procedures without overthinking it.

​Standard Operating Procedures Workbook.pdf​

This is a fillable workbook designed to help you write out 5 core systems in your studio: the repeatable tasks that run in the background but drain your mental energy if they’re not documented.

It includes:

• A completed example SOP
• Templates to walk you through your own
• Prompts to help you reflect, simplify, and stay organized
• Bonus ideas for organizing and automating your systems

​​​Listen to the episode here​

On Deck for The Music Teacher Master Mind Podcast...

On deck for the final episode of The Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast is my interview with Sam Reti, co-creator and owner of Muzie.live.

Sam and I talk about how this powerful platform isn’t just for online teaching, it’s a game-changer for in-person and even group lessons too. We cover how Muzie can simplify lesson tracking, streamline assignments, and create a consistent learning experience across formats. Whether you're teaching virtually, in your studio, or managing multiple students at once, this episode is packed with ideas to make your teaching life easier.

Need a Spring Activity?

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Rhythm Bang Cards This game was inspired by the game Bang! that I started playing with students years ago, based on Joy Morin's www.colorinmypiano.com blog. These rhythms are compatible with Piano Safari animal rhythms and make great fun for any age. Print, cut, and play! Bang! Rhythm Cards

Thank you!

P.S. If you’ve been enjoying the podcast, the free resources, or just appreciate a little real-talk from one teacher to another, you can always bu​y me a coffee here.

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It means a lot, and helps me keep creating things that support this community.

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Either way, I’m so grateful to have you here.

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