January 2024 • Volume 3, Issue 2

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Welcome

Happy new year! As the new year unfolds and you forge your own path (perhaps after diversifying your revenue as highlighted in the previous issue), keep reading for inspiration to create your own unique brand, career, space and self. In this issue, Antonella Di Giulio guides us through the basics of developing a unique brand for your authentic self.

Artina McCain’s entrepreneurial journey will inspire you.

Deborah How gets us organized with tons of ideas for music shelves.

And more—studio tech hacks, website hosting options, insurance for unexpected studio mishaps and The Independent Piano Teacher’s Studio Handbook—we’ve got you covered!

And as 2024 gets underway, please be aware that MTNA is monitoring a new rule from the federal government that went into effect on January 1, 2024. The rule is part of the new “Corporate Transparency Act,” and it requires certain small corporations/LLCs to file a “Beneficial Ownership Information” Report (BOI). Please go to www.fincen.gov/boi for further information and watch for an update/resources in the spring MTNA Business Digest.

Wishing you a joyous new year of productive teaching!

Karen Thickstun, NCTM

MTNA Business Resources Coordinator

♪ Just a Note: For those who have an interest in the topics below, links are provided at the bottom of many of the Digest articles to take you to various MTNA Business Resources sections of the MTNA website.

In the Spotlight

Promoting Your Music Teaching Business

Through Branding

Antonella Di Giulio

Effective branding aims to differentiate a business or an individual from others in a crowded field, establish trust and resonate with the target audience, setting yourself apart in a saturated market. Let’s explore the power of branding. Read more.

Meet the Entrepreneur

Artina McCain

Meet the musicians’ advocate—Artina McCain! She has built a successful career that defies a traditional linear path. Her diversified career portfolio includes performing, teaching, arts administration, recording, speaking, repertoire expansion and advocating for musicians’ wellness. In this video, Artina McCain reflects on her career path and current projects, sharing insights on key experiences and the entrepreneurial mindset that guided her to where she is now. One piece of advice that she would offer to emerging entrepreneurs is to embrace finding a mentor. Watch video. Read transcript.

Life-Work Balance

Show Us Your Shelves!

Deborah H. How

January is a great time to get organized! Need inspiration for how to organize your music? Deborah H. How collected ideas from more than 125 music teachers. Ideas range from DIY bins and binders to custom-made shelves to digital platforms. Personally, I love the “cello” shelves! See photos of all the ideas in this video. Watch video.

Top Five

Top 5 Tech Hacks for the Modern Studio

Ryan Greene

Who doesn’t appreciate creative solutions to common studio challenges? The following hacks aim to enhance aspects of studio organization, management and lesson planning. Read more.

Legal Landscape

Business Insurance 101 for Music Teachers

Part 2: General Liability

Deborah H. How

Insurance is an essential part of running any business. A four-part series of articles debuted in the previous Digest to take a deeper look at insurance for music teachers. In this issue, Part 2 continues with a focus on general liability insurance and will also touch on workers’ compensation for studios/schools who have employees and commercial umbrellas for teachers who carry commercial leases. Read more.

Resource Gems

Elevate Your Online Presence with DIY Website Design

Timothy Stephenson

You do not need to be a web design expert to expand your internet presence with a studio website or online portfolio. There are plenty of resources that make building your own website easy! Read more.

Looking for a Good Read?

The Independent Piano Teacher’s Studio Handbook

by Beth Gigante Klingenstein

Heather Smith, NCTM

The Independent Piano Teacher’s Studio Handbook, by Beth Gigante Klingenstein, is a comprehensive book that explores the multifaceted realm of running a successful teaching studio. Klingenstein navigates through the complexities of studio administration, encompassing finances, zoning regulations, time management and much more. Read More.

Heads Up

• Meet some of the MTNA Business Digest authors in-person at the Atlanta conference! We’ll be presenting a session called “Studio Refresh! Essential Business Topics to Revisit Annually” on Tuesday at 3:30 P.M.

• Would you like to contribute to a future MTNA Business Digest? Contact Karen Thickstun at mtnanet@mtna.org with any ideas or questions you may have. We’d love to hear from you! Guidelines for submission

• We invite you to share the MTNA Business Digest as a resource for the readers of your local or state newsletter, blog, website, webpage or on social media. Digest Archives can be found by clicking here.

• MTNA offers its sincere thanks to all those who contributed their insights, knowledge and experience in this issue of the MTNA Business Digest.

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Phone: (513) 421-1420 or (888) 512-5278

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