Hey Teacher Friend,

and happy (finally) February! ❤️

We made it through what was a very, very long January for a lot of us. So I am ALL about getting through February and making the best of this incredibly cold winter, at least where I am, and to those of you soaking up the vitamin D in the sun, this is still for you too ;)

First, I’m excited about this week’s podcast because I’ve been thinking about this topic for quite a few weeks and I have been itching to get it out in the world.

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This Week’s Podcast Episode Back to Basics

This week’s podcast episode is all about going back to basics in your piano studio.

I’m not talking about starting over, undoing years of hard work, or doing less because something is wrong. What I talk about instead is what it looks like to examine the structure underneath your studio when things technically look fine, but there is still burnout and maybe even some resentment creeping in.

That feeling of being on top of things while also feeling worn down is more common than we like to admit. This episode is about noticing that feeling, understanding why it happens, and giving yourself permission to pause and look at your studio with fresh eyes.

I would love to know if this episode resonates with you!

​Listen Here!​

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Studio Reset Cohort Registration Closes Friday

​The Studio Reset Cohort was actually born out of this idea of back to basics that has been simmering in my brain since November.

This is a deep dive where we take an intentional look at every facet of your studio. We are doing a deep dive, in one manageable chunk at a time during a 6 week cohort. We are going to clear the cobwebs, refine what matters, and set up systems that actually support you.

Registration for the cohort closes this Friday, and spots are limited.

Only a few spots remain along with one scholarship. If finances are the main thing holding you back, I strongly encourage you to apply before registration closes. See the link in the description.​

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A Few Valentine Favorites I Use Every Year ❤️❤️

Who is excited for Valentine’s Day? I wanted to share three resources I tend to grab every single year because they are simple, flexible, and actually get used.

❤️ Heart Circle of Fifths Freebie This is exactly what it sounds like. A blank circle of fifths, shaped into a heart. I laminate it and use it with multiple levels.

One simple game idea is to place a candy heart or Skittle for each sharp being added as you move around the circle. For example, C has none, G gets one, D gets two, A gets three, and so on. Younger students can focus on counting and placement, while older students can name keys, identify sharps, or play scales or tonic chords.

❤️ Hearts and Clover Game from Susan Paradis I bought this years and years ago, and it has remained a staple in my studio. My students still love it.

It’s fantastic for beginning note reading on the staff and reviewing white keys, and it works across multiple ages without feeling babyish. This is one of those games that earns a permanent spot in the studio.

❤️ Piano Valentine Printable from Joy Morin at Color In My Piano This is a free, fun, and very accessible Valentine activity that’s easy to drop into a lesson. Low prep, student friendly, and perfect for this time of year.

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Free Scrappy Circle Meetup Let’s Talk Recitals

I also wanted to invite you to our next free Scrappy Circle meetup. 🎉

It’s called Let’s Talk Recitals, and I’ll be joined by special guest Jana Williamson. This is a relaxed, no strings attached Zoom conversation where we’ll talk honestly about recitals. What works, what feels stressful, and how different studios approach them.

It’s happening on February 13th at noon Eastern, and it’s completely free. If recitals bring up questions or mixed feelings for you or you simply want to hang out with awesome teachers, you’re very welcome to join us.

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Ask Me Anything Always Open

I hope you enjoyed last week’s Ask Me Anything Scrappy Snippet. It was honestly a lot of fun to do.

I promised I would keep this open, so that’s exactly what I’m doing. If you ever have a question you’d love me to address on the podcast, you can send it anytime through my Ask Me Anything form.​

You can ask me anything about studios, teaching, systems, boundaries, cat problems, or truly anything at all. I don’t even care. I just think they’re fun.

Thanks for being here and for listening. Also, congrats on making it through January. ☃️

Jaci