Series I - Selecting Your Ideal Student, A Year Round Curriculum and Networking
So you’re ready to go out to the world and start your own studio. You start brainstorming and ask many questions. How do I get myself out there? How do I attract students to take lessons from me? What should I focus my lessons on? What level of students am I wanting to teach? Although these questions may seem daunting at first, there are plenty of ways to start without feeling lost.
What kind of student do I want to teach?
This may seem like a silly question to ask, but it is very important to consider. I’ve met so many outstanding band directors and private teachers, and they know what works for them.
My first clarinet student just graduated college this last spring. And like every other college graduates, she was looking for a band directing gig. I gave her many leads of schools that were still looking for band directors, most of them being high school jobs. She mentioned to me that she preferred teaching at the middle school level. I thought about it for a while, and I realized that she had an amazing quality to nurture a young student’s interest in music and the ability to encourage them to grow as future musicians.
For me, I enjoy working with high school students and helping them improve their foundation. This allowed me to assist these students to achieve their high school goals and guide each child on a route to potentially enter a college music programs.
A Year Round Curriculum
Each school, school district, and state have numerous events that students prepare for every year. Use these events to your advantage and utilize them in your curriculum. In San Antonio, Texas, I’ve created a curriculum for both middle and high school students based on these events. Listed below are the events that these students can utilize the help of a private instructor to improve their performance.
Middle School Students
Region Band Auditions
Solo & Ensemble Auditions
Auditions for Band Placements for the Next Year
High School Students
District Band Auditions
Region Band Auditions
Area Band Auditions
All-State Band Auditions
Solo & Ensemble Auditions
College Auditions (Seniors)
Auditions for Band Placements for the Next Year
Although these auditions kept the student engaged in their lesson assignments and band activities, I also supplemented the lessons with clarinet foundations that boosted the student’s skill level.
Networking
Network, network, network!!! In any profession, networking is ALWAYS key! Anyone you meet in our field can lead to endless possibilities. Every band director you meet can be a potential GOLD MINE of possible students or even exposure. Directors may be looking for a private instructor to add on their list of teachers for their students. A private instructor may be overwhelmed with too many students and might need someone else to alleviate the workload. ANYTHING is possible!
I remember starting out teacher two students pro-bono. Before I continue, I will say that it paid off so much. I laid the law down. I required these students to do year round lessons. But the moment they lost interests or continuously come into lessons unprepared, I was ready drop them from the studio. They came in prepared and eager to learn, and I shared my expertise with them. These students grew into a mature musician, played with purpose, and became amazing players. When they would audition or played, they received glowing compliments. I let my hard work speak for itself. Other students and teachers would ask them, “Who is your clarinet teacher?” They would say proudly, “Shaun Guzman.” I immediately had positive exposure!
Your local music retailers are perfect people to know. Almost essential! Some retailers offer lesson programs within their stores, and sometimes they may allow you to leave business cards, pamphlets, and/or flyers for their customers. Retailers are more than happy to make sure that the products you use are readily available to purchase for you and your students. The sales associates and education representatives in the stores always know what’s going on in their communities!