July 2024 • Volume 3, Issue 4

View as Webpage

Welcome

It’s summer! I hope you can find time to relax and enjoy a few quiet moments before the hectic fall schedule begins. Now is the perfect time to reflect and “keep the best, throw out the rest.” Let’s refresh for the fall!

Need an Annual Studio Refresh Checklist? Start with the Spotlight article.

Need to re-energize your entrepreneurial journey? Check out Jeremy Siskind’s advice in Meet the Entrepreneur.

Need to stimulate your career path after the pandemic? Explore Timothy Stephenson’s book review of Career Choices in Music Beyond the Pandemic: Musical and Psychological Perspectives.

Need to revitalize your internal studio operations? Explore new ideas in the Top 5 and Resource Gems segments.

Need to rejuvenate the positivity vibe in your teacher mindset? Check out Christina Whitlock’s Zero-Energy List.

Legal News: In April, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a ruling that bans non-compete agreements and clauses in most employment contexts, with very few exceptions. The ruling is scheduled to go into effect on September 4, 2024, although it is being challenged by several lawsuits, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If you hire teachers and include a non-compete clause in the employment contract, read more about this new regulation and how it might change your employment policies.

Karen Thickstun, NCTM

MTNA Business Resources Coordinator

In the Spotlight

Studio Refresh! Essential Business Topics to Revisit Annually

MTNA Business Network

Times change, but strong business practices never go out of style. An annual refresh keeps a studio vibrant, relevant and meeting the needs of students and parents. Compiled by the MTNA Business Network, the Annual Studio Refresh Checklist highlights important studio topics that warrant regular review. Follow along as we explore these key studio topics in more detail. Read More.

Meet the Entrepreneur

Jeremy Siskind

Jeremy Siskind is a jazz pianist, composer and author/publisher who teaches at Fullerton College. In this video, Jeremy reflects on his career path and current projects, sharing insights on key experiences and the entrepreneurial mindset that guided him to where he is now while offering advice for others with similar career goals. Learn more about Jeremy at http://jeremysiskind.com. Watch Video. Read Transcript

Life-Work Balance

The Zero-Energy List: Releasing Unnecessary Burdens of Teacher Life

Christina Whitlock, NCTM

Teachers are emotionally connected to their work in a deep way. After all, students are more than numbers on a spreadsheet; they are long-term investments involving untold hours of planning and care. Essential as it may be, it’s that very emotional connection that sometimes leads us down the wrong path. Read more.

Top Five

Top 5 Ways to Refresh Your Studio

from the Inside Out

MTNA Business Network

If the content of your studio stays the same year after year, it will feel stale to your students no matter what your marketing or website says. Time to mix it up and keep students wondering what will be exciting and different this year! Read more.

Legal Landscape

Business Insurance 101 for Music Teachers, Part 4: Musical Instruments

Deborah H. How

Insurance is an essential part of running any business. This four-part series takes a deeper look at insurance for music teachers. In this issue, Part 4 continues with a focus on musical instrument insurance. Read more. Click here for Part 1 (overview), here for Part 2 (general liability insurance) and here for for Part 3 (professional indemnity, sexual abuse and molestation insurance).

Resource Gems

Refresh and Invigorate Your Recitals!

Timothy Stephenson

Is it time to put a new spin on your recitals? For teacher and student alike, it can become tedious to experience the same recital format two or three times per year (or more!), so it can be helpful and motivating to add some creativity in planning recitals. A little extra thought will pay off! Read more.

Looking for a Good Read?

Career Choices in Music Beyond the Pandemic: Musical and Psychological Perspectives

by Julie Jaffee Nagel

Timothy Stephenson

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, music professionals across the world continue to grapple with the music industry’s changing economic landscape. Juilliard graduate and psychologist Julie Jaffee Nagel offers insights into how musicians can recalibrate their relationships with work and career in the modern, post-pandemic world. Read more.

Heads Up

• 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.

View as Webpage

Music Teachers National Association

600 Vine St., Ste. 1710

Cincinnati, OH 45202

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

mtnanet@mtna.org

www.mtna.org