So many piano teachers start out with policies that feel flexible and generous, only to realize later that those same policies can lead to stress, burnout, and constant decision fatigue. In this episode, we’re chatting with Victoria Clark to talk about monthly tuition, makeup lessons, and the kinds of studio policies that actually support the life you want to live. This conversation is practical, honest, and full of ideas that may just shift how you think about running your studio.
Victoria Clark is a piano teacher based on the south coast of England, where she runs a thriving private studio from her home, teaching students of all ages from beginner to intermediate level. Having started teaching piano part time in 2007 alongside a career in pharmaceutical market research, she switched to teaching full time in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. Her studio has been full for a number of years, with a waiting list of students eager to join.
Alongside her teaching, Victoria is passionate about helping other music teachers build studios that work properly for their lives: with clear policies, confident billing, and healthy boundaries. She creates practical resources for teachers, including digital resources, student piano planners with dedicated designs for both adults and children , and supports teachers directly through one-to-one mentoring.
Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.
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