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

In this episode of the Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast, Jaclyn Mrozek and Rachel Ehring discuss the role of collaborative pianists and how teachers can leverage accompanying gigs to supplement their income during the summer.

In this conversation, Rachel and Jaclyn discuss the intricacies of playing music for weddings, including selecting appropriate music, understanding the importance of timing, and the essential questions musicians should ask clients.

They also delve into the financial aspects of being a musician, such as managing music costs and setting rates. The discussion highlights the value of collaboration in enhancing musicianship and encourages musicians to embrace opportunities in accompanying.

Rachel's Website: https://rachelehring.com

Rachel'sInstagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/rachelehring/

Collaborative Pianists' Rate Calculator: https://skilled-trailblazer-7766.kit.com/b5e06d175a

Free 30-minute Workshop to increase your income as a pianist: https://skilled-trailblazer-7766.ck.page/a77faf8007

Connect with Jaclyn: bio.site/jaclynmrozek

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

In this episode, Jaclyn Mrozek discusses her personal experiences with burnout and imposter syndrome as a music teacher.

She emphasizes the importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in maintaining a stable teaching environment, especially during challenging times.

Jaclyn provides practical advice on creating effective SOPs to streamline studio management and reduce stress, ultimately supporting teachers in their professional journey.

Want the FREE Standard Operating Procedures Workbook for Music Teachers? Grab it here -> https://pianokats.kit.com/sopworkbookRegistration for the Bootcamp is OPEN! Registrants before April 18th will receive a free 1 hour post consult. Space is limited. https://pianokats.kit.com/products/music-studio-bootcamp-2025

New newsletter coming soon to begin to celebrate the 1 Year Anniversary of The Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast! Join the Scrappy Piano Teacher newsletter here pianokats.kit.com/scrappy

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

In this episode of the Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast, host Jaclyn Mrozek welcomes Dorla Aparicio to discuss summer piano lessons and the innovative Piano Pyramid curriculum.

Dorla shares her journey from Costa Rica to Texas, her teaching philosophy, and the structure of her summer piano camps and clubs.

The conversation highlights the importance of engaging students through multi-level group lessons, effective lesson planning, and creating a fun learning environment for young musicians.

They explore curriculum design for different age groups, the importance of engaging activities, and the flexibility of summer piano programs.

***

Summer Curriculums: https://www.pianopyramid.com/piano-pyramid-store/piano-camps

Piano Pyramid® Academy: https://www.pianopyramid.com/ppaoffer-20

Multilevel Group Piano Ensembles: https://www.pianopyramid.com/piano-pyramid-store/multilevel-ensembles

***

Music Studio Bootcamp Waitlist https://pianokats.kit.com/musicstudiobootcamp

Buy Jaci a coffee buymeacoffee.com/jaclynmrozek

Contact Jaci [email protected]

***

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

In this episode of the Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast, Jaclyn Mrozek interviews Nicola Canton about the upcoming Teacher Turbo Boost conference.

They discuss the evolution of the conference from in-person to online, the importance of community among teachers, and the unique challenges faced by today's students.

Nicola shares insights on how to engage students effectively, the significance of creating a safe space for creativity, and practical strategies for addressing generational differences in teaching. The conversation culminates in details about the conference schedule and registration.

Join the Teacher Turboboost: Z to Alpha: What We Can Do To Help Today's Students

vibrantmusic.lpages.co/teacher-turboboost-2025/

Nicola's Pages:

www.vibrantmusicteaching.com

colourfulkeys.ie

vividpractice.com

Join the Music Teacher Bootcamphttps://pianokats.kit.com/musicstudiobootcamp
Buy Jaclyn A Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/jaclynmrozek⁠

Jaclyn on IG

www.instagram.com/jaclynmrozek_piano

Email: [email protected]

Consultation Calendar: Appointments 2 — Piano Kats Music Education

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

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

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

In this episode, Jaclyn Mrozek and Sarah Boyd reflect on their experiences at the MTNA 2025 conference, sharing highlights, personal connections, and valuable lessons learned.

They discuss the importance of community in music education, memorable sessions, and unexpected moments that enriched their experience.

The conversation emphasizes the significance of networking, innovative teaching techniques, and the joy of meeting fellow educators.

***

Links Mentioned:

MTNA Website: www.mtna.orgMTNA TEMPO Online Conference:

www.mtna.org/Tempo/TEMPO_Home/Tempo/Home.aspx?hkey=9c893606-51df-43b0-9b1f-43aa684e85b0

Connect with your state and local chapter! www.mtna.org/MTNA/Connect/State_Portal.aspx

Music Teacher Bootcamp Waitlist: pianokats.kit.com/e0aff276b4

***

Connect!

Connect with Jaclyn: bio.site/jaclynmrozek

Connect with Sarah: www.instagram.com/pianovinestudio/

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

In this episode of the Music Teacher Mastermind podcast, host Jaclyn Mrozek discusses the upcoming Music Studio Bootcamp designed for independent music teachers.

She reflects on her early teaching experiences, the challenges of navigating information overload, and the importance of revising teaching practices.

The bootcamp aims to provide a structured and supportive environment for teachers to refine their policies, pricing, and systems while fostering a community of collaboration.

Jaclyn emphasizes the need for teachers to evolve their practices and encourages listeners to take actionable steps towards improving their studios.

Join the Waitlist!

pianokats.kit.com/e0aff276b4

***

Want to Connect?

Jaclyn Mrozek

www.instagram.com/jaclynmrozek_piano

Email: [email protected]

Consultation Calendar: Appointments 2 — Piano Kats Music Education

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