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“Every journey begins with a single step.”
—Maya Angelou
Recently back from the MTNA National Conference in Minneapolis, I am feeling renewed and rejuvenated. But also overwhelmed, as is often the case with large conferences, with so many new ideas and directions to explore.
The same is true with this issue—lots of new areas to explore!
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Ready to get more deeply involved in your community? Begin with the Spotlight article for a fresh perspective from Olivia Ellis.
Ready to explore new frontiers with AI? Start with Andrea Miller’s top choices.
Ready to embrace group teaching? Listen to Marie Lee describe her adventure of creating a music school focused on group teaching.
Ready to take a step towards better mental wellness? Read about the journey of Raphaelita Justice.
Curious about what MTNA members shared in the 2024 MTNA Member Survey? The results are in! Click here to explore on your own. I’ll be writing more about these results in future issues. As a member benefit, these results are made available to MTNA members at no cost.
Ready to take the first step? Read on and begin the journey.
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Karen Thickstun, NCTM
MTNA Business Resources Coordinator
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In the Spotlight
A Fresh Perspective to Grassroots Music Advocacy in Your Community
Olivia Ellis, NCTM
Imagine a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn an instrument, raise their voice in song and explore their creativity through music. Grassroots music advocacy is making that vision a reality—one community at a time. It connects people through music and strives to ensure that every child, no matter their background, has access to the transformative power of music education. Read more.
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Meet the Entrepreneur
Marie Lee
This issue’s featured entrepreneur is independent teacher Marie Lee. She says, “I never wanted to be a piano teacher!” But fast forward 30 years and she is owner of Musicality Schools, a group piano school of more than 100 students in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch video. Read transcript.
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Life-Work Balance
Paradise Lost, Strength Gained: A Music Teacher’s Path to Mental Wellness
Raphaelita Justice
Imagine waking up every morning in paradise…the beach only a few yards from your door. Your piano studio is filled with students, buzzing with energy. Each year, you hold your piano recital at a beach house, where afterwards families walk out onto the sand, leis around their necks, smiles wide. Then, a few days later…Read more.
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Top Five
5 MTNA Grants to Support Your Journey
Karen Thickstun, NCTM
Whether exploring a current path, curious about new frontiers or just seeking an adventure, MTNA grants can help you get there! You can also apply for special funding to celebrate MTNA’s 150th Anniversary. The deadline for the most popular grants (by number of applications) is coming up soon on May 1, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Read more
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Legal Landscape
When Does a Performance Need an ASCAP License? A Brief Guide for Independent Music Teachers
Davis Dorrough, NCTM
As an independent music teacher, you’ve likely encountered situations where the rules around music licensing felt unclear. You might wonder whether your student recitals or public performances need a license. Music licensing can be a complex and nuanced topic, but my goal with this article is to provide a clearer understanding of what it is, how it works and how to navigate it. Read more.
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Resource Gems
AI Tools to Amplify Your Studio
Andrea Miller
| The AI landscape is constantly evolving and can seem overwhelming. Are you curious about how to use AI to enhance your studio and boost your effectiveness, but not sure where to start? Here are five practical ways to use AI to support some of the basic tasks in our studios. Read more. | | | |
Looking for a Good Read?
The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and
Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Heather Smith, NCTM
“Always measure backwards” is a principle that has profound implications for music educators, studio owners and performers alike. By shifting our perspective from what is lacking to what has been achieved, we can foster greater motivation, resilience and long-term success. Read more.
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Ask Us Anything!
MTNA Business Network
Welcome to this new segment, designed to meet your needs! This issue’s question comes from an independent teacher in a rural area of Washington.
Question: “I am aware that antitrust law prohibits us from discussing tuition rates at our local association meeting. Can we do a survey of our teachers and ask about tuition rates? I see that MTNA did a membership survey recently.” Read more.
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Heads Up
Key dates referenced in this issue:
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May 1, 2025, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time: Application deadline for MTNA affiliate and member grants
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November 3, 2025, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time: Application deadline for MTNA collegiate grants
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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 on the MTNA website
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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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
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