how to start a studio?

[dvtuba]

howdy folks,

so, i've been freelancing in my area for about 5 years now and, everyday, it seems like my name gets further and further out there...which is great. the only part of it all that hasn't improved is the prospect of any students. i think i've tried everything i know to try without much luck; i've sent resumes and clips of my playing to every high school within a 45-minute drive and i've contacted local music stores to have my name put on their teacher rosters, but the only prospect i got was from the parent of a senior who was 5 months away from leaving the state for college...as a psych major having no desire to continue the tuba. (apparently, tuba was forced upon her during her senior year. )

i have no plans on leaving this area so i'm more interested in starting a real studio with students that are actually interested in pursuing the tuba in whatever capacity...whether it's throughout their high school career, into their college ensembles, pep bands, marching bands, dci, music schools, whatever!

i just don't know what to do. this kind of stuff seems to be where music schools fail us, with all due respect. i WAS thinking of preparing a short recital and then contacting those same high schools to see if they'd let me present it to some of their students at some point. i dunno. is this a good idea to try? what else can i try?

thanks for any help!

[NDSPTuba]

I don't think a recital or cd of your playing will do anything to help you get students referred to you by High School band directors. You need to go meet them face to face and introduce yourself to them so they can tell if you are a safe and sane person to refer students too. There may already be an instructor that teaches in the area and they are not going to take kids away from them to give to you. Offering to play for them won't do it, they are more interested in your ability to teach the kids not how wonderful a player you are. Being a great player does not mean you can teach some one else how to do it. Or maybe more accurately, someone not being as good a player as you doesn't mean they can't teach it just as well or better than you.

Good luck,

James

[dvtuba]

that's true. i hadn't really thought of that. i guess it's not so much about experience anymore as it is 'this person is safe for your child to be around'. and, i DO spend most of my freelance time subbing, so it's probably ALSO true that i might be inadvertently stepping on some toes.

thanks for the advice, ndsp. i'll see what i can do to arrange some meet-and-greets and take it from there.

btw, "Or maybe more accurately, someone not being as good a player as you doesn't mean they can't teach it just as well or better than you."...i couldn't agree more and would never attempt to recruit students away from any other teachers. i'm just eager to start my OWN studio, meaning MY students not someone else's. just not sure how to do that.

[ken k]

You could go to the school and offer to give a short recital /master class to the low brass players. If you feel comfortable teaching trombone and or euph you may get a few more bites.

Also try the middle schools not just the high schools. I have found that most kids once they hit HS are too busy with sports and other extracurriculars or jobs to take lessons (in other words it just is not a priority, unless the kid is super-serious.) I usually get kids in elementary and or MS and then once they hit HS I lose them to other activities, or they end up missing many lessons due to conflicts.

Also talk to the other tuba players/teachers in the area and see what they do. let them know who you are and they may recommend you to a student who either they can't schedule (or don't want to, you have to watch out for those.)

Also once you get students, have a lesson policy printed to hand to the parent at the first lesson outlining expectations of practice and lesson attendance, possibly charge by the month or semester for x number of lessons and if they miss it is up to them to reschedule.

ken k

[pierso20]

The toughest part of this scenario is the pure fact that you gotta suck up the pennies to make the dollar.

That is, you may need to do a few free clinics at local schools or come help out the band teacher with sectional work. I've found that this is the easiest way to acquire more students. The teacher needs to know who you are, physically, as well as the students. Going to the schools concerts too and showing your support will only help your cause. It is not a quick fix, but it does get your "face" out there, especially to the students...since they, not the director (usually) are paying for you. (UNLESS this is a booster situation, etc.)

I've gotten students by doing sectional work, and saying "hey, I think you could REALLY benefit from lessons" or "lessons could really take you to the next level". Believe me, saying that in person and handing them a card is SOOO much more effective than hoping a band teacher will hand out a little tab or post a flyer on a wall.

When you're sending resume's as well (I posted about this in a different post recently), don't send audio and make sure your resume is only one page. Band teachers have SOO many other things to do, it really isn't worth your effort to create materials that just make it another daunting task for the teacher.

Hope these thoughts help.

Good luck!!

[dvtuba]

WOW, really great advice everyone! thanks so much. i think the general consensus is to take a trip to schools themselves, so i'm assuming it would be best to contact the school before i show up, instead of...just showing up.

at any rate, thanks again and i'll be sure to post an update to kinda chart what worked best.

[bearphonium]

Absoultely check with the schools first, and the band director. Don't know what part of the country you're from, or how big your schools are, but most districts are VERY wary of strangers on their campus; i.e. calling the police wary.