I just got back from dumping off baby clothes at The Gospel Mission here in Kalamazoo. This is after I spent almost all of yesterday researching, organizing, ironing, and photographing those same baby clothes to sell on eBay and make my $20. Is my inconsistency a personality flaw? Most definitely. But, at least I figured … Continue reading »
Ideas for summer teaching in the private studio.
I’m about to start my third summer as a voice teacher in Kalamazoo. So far, it’s just been trying out new ideas in terms of finding what works with students and families in my locale and how I want to run my business. This summer, I emailed a flyer to my current students (most of … Continue reading »
How to have more colleagues (or how to make singer-friends in a new city).
A few months ago, I emailed the local private voice teachers and asked if they wanted to meet for coffee. For some reason, it felt strange, like I was upsetting the balance of nature, but I suppose those feelings were based on how I imagined that they would react. I was almost positive they would … Continue reading »
Making a master calendar for professional freelance musicians.
For some years now, I’ve been making what I call a “Master Calendar.” My first one was very simple, a few pages with each month of the year listed and some white space underneath it. And now they are much more elaborate and include my daughter’s artwork as well (see photo from 2010 where I … Continue reading »
Write an arts grant, yes, you! You can do it.
Have you ever considered writing a grant? I’m surprised at how many of my colleagues raise their eyebrows at grant writing. Perhaps because my undergrad degree is in Psychology (unlike some of my more musically proficient counterparts) and I’ve written a ton of papers, it only seems natural to write an arts grant. But start thinking of … Continue reading »
Modern repertoire for the contemporary student.
[My background: When I began singing lessons at age 14, I learned the 24 Italian Songs & Arias and a slew of handsome show tunes by the wonderful Mrs. Carolyn Seeman of Toledo, Ohio. After starting my “Opera career” at the Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music, I bailed when I had to learn languages. I was self-taught … Continue reading »
Goodwill is good business, especially for artists.
Admittedly, I’m not a business scholar, or even close, but I am a customer and I know how goodwill affects my perception of a company. Goodwill adds a sort of fairy-dust to my relationship with a place. It’s just that unexpected grace that makes you feel loyal and become an outwardly supportive fan. I have … Continue reading »
Music and teaching websites to advertise your voice studio online.
There are many online databases and services that will help potential students find a private lesson teacher in the instrument of their choice. This is a great way to be in the online world of private music teachers because you might get more traffic from a general listing service versus one focused on vocal lessons. … Continue reading »
Just for voice teachers: Online spots to advertise your studio.
Luckily, the legwork is different now and we can advertise ourselves from home, no longer having to place a newspaper ad or hang flyers. Of course I would do these things if you have time and/or money to do them because it will increase your potential student base to those who are not as technologically … Continue reading »
