Schedule: All Times Listed in EDT (click for details)
Thursday, July 14:
12:00-1:25 PM | Welcome, Career Exploration
- Discover the variety of paths you can take as a pianist. Hear from several leading experts about the key decisions they made as they traveled along their career path.
- Panelists:
- Deborah H. How, Westside Music Conservatory: Santa Clarita, CA
- Kassandra Weleck, College Faculty, Pima Community College: Tucson, AZ
- Ruby Chou, Executive Director, Mundi Project: Salt Lake City, UT
- Joy Morin, Color in My Piano: Saline, MI
- Wendy Bachman, RCM Music Examiner: Boalsburg, PA
- Paul Myatt, Co-Founder and Director, Forte Music School: Sydney, AUS
1:35-3:00 PM | Accounting for an Independent Music Studio (Heather Smith)
- Learn relevant accounting topics that all music teachers should consider when running their music studios. Topics include taxes, business structures, payroll, bookkeeping, and budgeting.
3:10-4:35 PM | Marketing and Branding (Deborah H. How)
- Expand your toolkit of marketing and branding principles that will ease the stress of generating new students for your studio in this interactive, hands-on session.
4:35-5:00 PM | Closing Remarks/Share
Friday, July 15:
12:00-1:25 Welcome, Developing a Professional Studio (Kassandra Weleck)
- Consider practical tips for developing a professional studio. Topics include lesson scheduling for avoiding burnout, building and managing your website, and tips on how to easily build and manage your music library.
1:35-3:00 PM | Studio Policies and Communication (Joy Morin)
- Examine the importance of having up-to-date studio policies. Investigate best practices, what to include in your studio policies, what to avoid, and how these policies can protect you and save your sanity.
3:10-4:35 Professional Development and Beyond (Ruby Chou)
- Explore the various benefits of professional associations, formal and informal educational opportunities, volunteerism, and community arts advocacy.
4:35-5:00 Closing Remarks
Schedule is subject to change.
Seminar Lead Bio: Heather Smith
Heather Smith, MM, MBA, maintains a multi-faceted career as a music educator, administrator, and community arts advocate. She is the Director of Development and Advancement for The Frances Clark Center and is an examiner for The Royal Conservatory. Heather serves on the MTNA Development Committee and MTNA Business Network.
Guest Presenter Bio: Wendy Bachman
Wendy Bachman holds both ARCT diplomas from The Royal Conservatory of Music, a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College. Her teachers include Frances Clark, and Louise Goss. Most recently, Mrs. Bachman taught at The Pennsylvania State University and in her home studio. Mrs. Bachman is a US Representative for the RCM Certificate Program and has been a specialist examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music for 28 years.
Guest Presenter Bio: Ruby Chou
Dr. Ruby Chou is a classical pianist, educator, and arts executive based in Salt Lake City. She works with music majors at Weber State University to establish an entrepreneurship mindset for their careers. As the executive director of Mundi Project, a community music nonprofit organization, Dr. Chou focuses on breaking down socioeconomic and generational barriers by providing quality music experiences. She earned a doctoral degree in Music and Human Learning from The University of Texas at Austin.
Guest Presenter Bio: Deborah H. How
Deborah H. How, PhD, MBA is widely known as a connection builder and fundraising architect for music education and performing arts organizations. She travels throughout North America giving lectures/workshops on both studio management and pedagogy topics.
Dr. How is the owner and executive director of the Westside Music Conservatory in Santa Monica, CA; CEO and co-founder of Musical Etudes; CEO and co-founder of Bravura Innovations; and president and co-founder of the Westside Music Foundation (501c3).
Guest Presenter Bio: Joy Morin
Joy Morin is a piano teacher, speaker, writer, and lifelong learner. She holds a Masters degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy and two certifications from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML.org). Joy teaches students of all ages near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her blog can be found at ColorInMyPiano.com.
Guest Presenter Bio: Paul Myatt
Paul Myatt is a passionate piano teacher, performer, author, composer, and workshop presenter. He teaches 60 students in 9 hrs/week at his Forte Music school in Sydney Australia. Paul is co-founder of 26-year-old Forte Music School network with over 7500 students in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Guest Presenter Bio: Kassandra Weleck
Kassandra Jenkins Weleck, NCTM, is currently an adjunct instructor of music at Pima Community College, a private piano instructor in her own studio, and an evaluator for the Music Teachers National Association eFestival program. At present, Kassandra is the MTNA Composition Competition Southwest Division Coordinator, Arizona State Music Teachers Association immediate past president, and the Tucson Music Teachers Association Command Performance chair. Kassandra earned her M.M. degree in Piano Performance & Pedagogy from Arizona State University, and a B.M. in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University.
