This episode is part 2 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com).

In this episode John offers insight on selecting the ideal instructor to lead band programs, emphasizing qualities like multi-instrumentalism, a producer-like perspective, and decision-making skills.

Included:

If you're interested in starting a band program in your music teaching studio or looking for ideas to enhance or grow an existing program, this series is for you! In it we will cover how a band program can create a strong community in your studio, increase profit margins, and lead to greater student retention.

Interested in the Building a Band Program webinar?

We're planning a free live webinar to accompany this series on Friday, July 24, 2026. John will go deeper on these topics and answer your questions directly. If you're interested, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line Webinar and we will be in touch with details.

Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.

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Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) talks with Levi Clay—author, transcriber and online instructor—about balancing instant access to tabs, tutorials and AI with the human skills that make music meaningful. The two explore effective teaching strategies, the importance of foundational skills like ear training, and how modern technology influences guitar learning.

In this episode:

Remember: The most effective music teachers inspire curiosity, focus on foundational skills, and foster genuine musical community—both online and in-person.

Levi’s Links:

https://leviclay.com/

https://guidedpracticeroutines.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/LeviClay

Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators interested in building and growing their business. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.

------------------------------------------

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

This episode is part of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com).

In this episode, John shares his insights on how to structure a successful band program, covering planning, goal setting, and anticipating future growth. 

Included:

If you're interested in starting a band program in your music teaching studio or looking for ideas to enhance or grow an existing program, this series is for you! In we will cover how a band program can create a strong community in your studio, increase profit margins, and lead to greater student retention.

Interested in the Building a Band Program webinar?

We're planning a free live webinar to accompany this series where John will go deeper on these topics and answer your questions directly. If you're interested, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line Webinar and we will be in touch with details.

Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.

------------------------------------------

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) share two of their latest book recommendations for private music instructors and lesson studio owners.

John's pick: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek, which examines the concept of viewing your business as not a game to be won or lost, but something to play indefinitely -- an infinite game. 

In this episode:

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Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) talks with Brian Carrion, founder of Best Lesson Ever in Friendswood, Texas, about how he is using AI tools to build custom applications for his music school and automate operations in ways that go well beyond the basics most studio owners are experimenting with.

Brian is not just using AI to write marketing copy or generate images. He is using tools like Claude, Lovable, and OpenClaw to create actual software solutions tailored to the specific problems his school faces. The conversation gets practical fast, with John walking through a real use case: building a concert planning app that factors in venue capacity, student experience levels, sibling scheduling, and set length. It is a concrete example of what becomes possible when you start treating AI as a builder, not just an assistant.

In this episode:

If you have been using AI mostly for content creation, Brian's approach is a clear look at what the next level actually looks like.

Brian's website: https://www.bestlessonever.com

--------------------------------------------------

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) explore early childhood music education and why starting younger than most studios allow can actually set kids up for long-term musical success.

If your studio has a minimum age requirement, this conversation will challenge some of the assumptions behind it and give you a practical case for rethinking when music education should begin.

--------------------------------------------------

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

Thinking of selling your music school? Or maybe you'd just like to have that option someday?

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) speaks with Jeff Homer, founder of Ensemble Performing Arts. Jeff's built a company that runs over 100 music schools, all through acquisitions from independent owners. In the conversation Jeff explains how to value a studio, find a buyer, and walks us through Ensemble’s acquisition process from letter of intent to integration, all while preserving each school's legacy and community ties.

In this episode:

 Understanding where most music schools are already great, and how Ensemble "takes the baton" on back-end task like hiring, accounting, taxes, etc.

Marketing and growth strategies that Ensemble uses that any school can apply today.

What the acquisition process and exit planning look like when Ensemble purchases a music or performing arts school.

Jeff also shares practical tips to make your studio attractive to buyers—clean financials, empowered staff, and smarter paid marketing—and outlines what sellers and staff can expect during and after the transition.

Be sure to check out Part One of this conversation with Amie Nunez from Ensemble Performing Arts here -- 85: Amie Nunez | Building a Sellable Music School

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Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) talk with Amy Nunez from Ensemble Performing Arts on how to make your music school both sustainable and saleable. This is part one of a two-part series with the team from Ensemble about what selling and purchasing a music school is like.

Amie is a corporate development manager at Ensemble and shares her journey from music school owner to facilitating studio sales and exit strategies.  As a former school owner herself now working for Ensemble Performing Arts she has a unique perspective. She explains valuation basics, what buyers look for, and simple steps (like a ‘vacation strategy’) to test and strengthen your team and systems.

In this episode:

Learn why reducing owner dependency, documenting systems, training instructors, and cleaning up finances are essential—not just for an eventual sale but for better day‑to‑day operations. 

In Part Two we speak with Jeff Homer, founder of Ensemble Performing Arts.

--------------------------------------------------

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this conversation, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) explore the intricacies of productivity, focusing on the importance of mindset, planning, and routines. They discuss how self-accountability plays a crucial role in maintaining productivity without a traditional boss. The dialogue delves into personal strategies for effective time management, the impact of morning routines, and the challenges of transitioning between different roles in their professional lives. They also touch on the pitfalls of social media and procrastination, emphasizing the need for preparation and consistency in both personal and professional settings.

In this episode:

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Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming. 

In this episode, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) interviews Shana Pistilli, founder of the Rubato School of Music, discussing the importance of inclusion in music education, particularly for neurodiverse students. Shana shares her background in special education and autism studies, emphasizing the need for understanding and adapting teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students. The conversation covers building relationships with parents, managing expectations, creating safe learning environments, and the role of community in fostering a supportive atmosphere for all students. Shayna also highlights the intersection of music education and therapy, providing insights and resources for educators looking to improve their practices.

In this episode:

The episode offers practical tips for instructors and studio owners—how to start conversations with families, adapt lesson plans and group classes, support non-speaking students, and know when to collaborate with music therapists—so you can make your studio more welcoming and effective for every learner.

-------------------------

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Sign up for our email newsletter on the website, and visit the Resources section to get FREE guides to help grow your music school, improve retention, and more.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.