In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast I share some reflections on volunteering as a music teacher and how it has looked different in each season of my life. From early years of barely being involved to now serving on a board, I talk about community involvement, mentorship, and professional growth through teacher events. I want to encourage you to think about volunteering in ways that feel sustainable and supportive of your own teaching journey. Sometimes it is as simple as sharing a post or saying thank you and other times it is stepping into leadership and supporting other teachers. Every contribution matters in music education and together we build stronger communities.

In this episode, I’m sharing the questions I asked myself after a year that looked successful on paper but felt… off. I had full classes, amazing students, and met my income goals. But something wasn’t quite right.

So I reworked my schedule. I rethought how many students I actually want to teach, what formats bring me the most energy, and how I define success on my terms.

If you’ve ever found yourself filling every available time slot, feeling like more students equals more success, or wondering how to protect your joy while paying the bills, you’re not alone.

This one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:
My Music Staff 60-day free trial: www.mymusicstaff.com/scrappypianoteacher
Episode 50 on Profit First: go back and listen if you want to rethink how you organize your studio finances

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Keywords: piano teaching, studio management, music education, teaching strategies, group lessons, private lessons, teacher support, teacher burnout, teaching methods, self-care

If you’ve ever felt like jazz and improv sound great in theory but overwhelming in practice, this episode is for you. I’m joined by pianist, educator, and author Quentin Walston to talk about how jazz and improvisation can help teachers re-engage students, fight burnout, and bring more creativity into everyday lessons, without needing a jazz degree to make it happen.

Quentin’s book How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation is written for real teachers who want to normalize improvisation and make jazz feel approachable for students of any age.

We talk about simple ways to start, why it doesn’t have to be complicated, and how just a few minutes of improv can transform your lessons.

Get Quentin’s book: https://thisisjazz.com/product/how-to-teach-jazz-improvisation-book/
Use coupon code TEACHJAZZ for $5 off

Also available on Amazon, MusicNotes (ebook), and Piano Marvel (interactive app with songs only)

Grab my Policy Workbook with templates and tools to help you finally get your studio policies done, available now at www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/calendar-policy-scrappy-session-toolkit-replay-workbook-templates

Join the next Scrappy Session in August all about SOPs for music studios at www.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessions

Is Your Studio Policy a Contract or Just a Really Long PDF?

You’ve got a policy, but is it doing what you think it is?

In this episode, I’m talking about what a studio policy really is and what it is not. I’ll share how mine started, how I completely reworked it, and what finally helped me create something that made sense for both me and my studio families.

We’ll talk about what a policy is meant to do, what does not belong in it, and why short and clear usually works better than long and formal. I will also walk through some of the systems and waivers that can support your policy without overcomplicating it.

You’ll hear real-life takeaways based on experience, along with guidance supported by MTNA, Piano Inspires, and small business best practices.

If you want help writing or updating your policy, join me for the next Scrappy Session on Friday, July 18th at 11:30 am Eastern. We will sit down together, and you’ll get a fill-in-the-blank workbook, a clear outline, and dedicated time to actually get it done.

Register at
www.scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappysessions

To get notified when the Scrappy Studio Policies Booklet is released later this month, subscribe at
www.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode, I’m breaking down how the Profit First system completely changed how I handle money in my studio and why it gave me more peace of mind than any spreadsheet ever did.

I’ll walk you through how it works, how I set it up as a piano teacher, and the mindset shift that made all the difference.

You’ll hear real examples from my studio, a few budgeting truths I had to learn the hard way, and the steps you can take to start simplifying your finances too.

● Includes my Profit First Cheat Sheet for Music Teachers (free download at www.scrappypianoteacher.com)● Real talk on percentages, taxes, owner’s pay, and what to do if numbers overwhelm you● Bonus: How I use Scrappy Sessions to actually get this stuff done

If you’ve ever felt like your studio money disappears before the month ends, this one’s for you.

Subscribe to the email list and find resources at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher, Jaclyn Mrozek interviews pianist and educator William Perry, creator of the Piano Music Database.

What began as a spreadsheet to help one adult student quickly turned into a tool that’s helping teachers across the country save hours of lesson planning.

William shares how the database was built, how teachers are using it to find repertoire by concept, level, mood, and theme, and why it’s quickly becoming a favorite resource in both private studios and pedagogy classrooms.

The conversation also explores how the tool supports living composers, provides preview recordings, and allows teachers to build custom lists for their students.

The best part...it’s currently free to try during the beta period.

Visit pianomusicdatabase.com to create a free account, and join the Piano Music Database Users group on Facebook to stay connected.

Subscribe at www.scrappypianoteacher.com or send an email to [email protected] to connect with Jaclyn

In this episode, Jaclyn Mrozek discusses the importance of implementing flex weeks in teaching to promote work-life balance, a PTO for independent music teachers, as well as mental health.

She emphasizes the need for clear communication with families, along with examples, in regarding changes in studio policies and tuition.

The discussion also highlights the significance of taking time off without guilt and creating a sustainable studio model that supports both teachers and students.

Visit www.scappypianoteacher.com for free resources and more!

In this episode of the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, host Jaclyn Mrozek shares her journey as an independent music teacher, emphasizing the importance of having a teaching philosophy.

She recounts a recent experience accompanying a choir concert, which led her to reflect on her teaching methods and the value of self-questioning. The episode provides insights into crafting a personal teaching philosophy, discussing its significance in shaping studio culture, communication with students and parents, and defining success in music education.

Jaclyn offers a four-part framework for developing a teaching philosophy, encouraging teachers to articulate their purpose, approach, priorities, and vision of success.

Grab the Teaching Philosophy Template Here https://pianokats.kit.com/teachingphilosophy

Beyond Measure Episode 13: Cheers to Simple-Philosophy Building - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-13-cheers-to-simple-philosophy-building/id1530440503?i=1000504950989

Subscribe and more at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

Questions? Contact [email protected]

About The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast
Hosted by Jaci Mrozek
Formerly The Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast

This podcast is for independent piano teachers who love teaching but feel overwhelmed by everything else...scheduling, tuition tracking, parent communication, lesson planning, and running a business.

Whether you teach private piano lessons or group classes, you’ll find practical strategies and real-life solutions to help you run a sustainable music studio without burning out.

Every other Monday, host Jaci Mrozek shares systems, tools, mindset shifts, and conversations with fellow music educators. You’ll learn how to streamline your piano studio, protect your time, and confidently lead your teaching business.

If you’ve ever said, “I wish someone had taught me how to actually run my studio,” this podcast is for you.

Subscribe, leave a review, and let’s get scrappy.

In this episode of the Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast, host Jaclyn Mrozek interviews Sam Reti, founder of Muzie.live, a platform designed to enhance music education through innovative technology.

Sam shares his musical background, the inception of Muzie, and how it evolved during the pandemic to meet the needs of music teachers and students.

The conversation highlights the unique features of Muzie that differentiate it from traditional platforms like Zoom, including tailored audio quality for music lessons, integrated tools for teaching, and the ability to bridge online and in-person lessons seamlessly.

Sam also discusses the platform's capabilities for group lessons and live streaming recitals, making it a versatile tool for music educators.

Sign up for your two week trial at https://www.muzie.live/

Muzie.Live is a virtual music studio offering high fidelity online, hybrid, and in-person lessons, featuring a comprehensive toolkit for engaging students, including a whiteboard, recording, file sharing, scheduling, a dedicated student practice room & more!

Want to Connect?

Jaclyn Mrozek

www.instagram.com/jaclynmrozek_piano

Email: [email protected]

Join the Email List: pianokats.kit.com/profile

Freebie Printables: www.pianokats.com/piano-printables

Buy Jaclyn A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/jaclynmrozek

Intro and Outro Music

Title: "Changes"

Artist: Elizabeth Swift

Courtesy of: Elizabeth Swift Piano, ASCAP

Link to Music:

https://www.elizabethswiftpiano.com/music/p/changes-early-intermediate-jazz-inspired-piano-sheet-music?rq=changes