Have you ever wondered exactly what your monthly tuition buys? Most parents aren’t sure exactly what the tuition covers. Private music instruction seems expensive, but lesson fees include much more than my music expertise and your actual lesson time.
Planning and Preparation
Time spent preparing lessons, evaluating new music, and studying the most current interpretations and editions. Time is also spent planning recitals and festivals, and scheduling lessons and annual events. I spend outside of designated lesson time correcting music theory, analyzing and commenting on special video assignments that I give to students when we run out of lesson time, writing recommendations for high schools, colleges, and scholarship applications. I have been teaching online for over 8 years, and have figured out the best way to make online teaching effective, interactive, and fun! At the end of each lesson, students (who have email addresses) and their parents will receive an email with a lesson overview on what we worked on, and our practice goals until the next lesson, upcoming events, and reminders. Students and parents may also sign up to receive text or email reminders for events and updates via Remind. If you are wondering if the years of lessons (usually over 10 years) have paid off for my students, click here to see where my students went to college, and what they are doing now!
Studio Supplies and Maintenance
It takes a lot of equipment and supplies to run piano studios. These costs include: printing, student awards and certificates, recital expenses, tuning, and maintenance of (4) pianos, music publications, website fees, computer equipment upgrades, music theory and composition software, sheet music, and music or software subscriptions. Providing monthly workshops for my students is a unique benefit for my students which requires extra time and an increased monthly budget.
Special Events
Two performance workshops are held on a Saturday monthly (most teachers only have two per year!) live or virtually from September through May, with June recitals celebrating the students’ favorite memorized works. The early workshop is typically at 3:00 pm for kids through middle school, and the late workshop for high school and adult students is held at 4:00. Does it take a lot more time, energy, and money to throw two piano parties a month? Absolutely. My students are worth it, and when you see the progress they make month to month by performing two new memorized pieces, I think you will agree that this unique aspect to my piano studio is worth the time and money spent monthly.
I am not a believer in the “everyone deserves a trophy” philosophy, but I do believe in rewarding hard work, perseverance, an enthusiastic attitude toward learning, and growth, all which leads to the success of the individual student. My annual Awards Workshop celebrates the success of all students who qualify with trophies, plaques, medallions, with our piano family, resulting in camaraderie, encouragement, and a feeling of reaching another milestone for each student. Again, there is no additional fee for this event, and the monthly lesson fee helps to pay for this. Award scholarships may also be awarded annually to deserving high school juniors and seniors.
Professional Fees
I am able to provide many performance opportunities for all of my students, in every level. My students can participate in a range of events, including evaluations, auditions, local, regional, state, or national competitions. I can give this opportunity to all of my students because of my qualifications to join each group. I pay an annual professional association dues to each group.
Continuing Education
It’s important for teachers to continue their own growth as a teacher and performer. I find that taking private coaching lessons, and attending music conferences inspire me as a teacher and a performer. I attend state and national conferences each year. Traveling to conferences is an investment that help to bring new ideas to my teaching and studio. I also pay fees to maintain my national certification. In 2012, I received my Permanent Professional Certification from MTNA for 15 years of national certification. I also keep my Royal Conservatory of Music teaching certifications current.
Business Fees
I have business licenses for each location, liability insurance, special insurance on the pianos. After my studio expenses are cleared, I pay and additional 15.3% self- employment tax in addition to my regular tax payments, just under 50%.
Communication
Commnication is a three-way triangle between the student, parent(s) and teacher. I emphasize direct communication with the student, encouraging communication, responsibility and accountability to help the student grow into complete and independent ownership of their music lessons. Time is also spent keeping students and parents informed of studio activities through the studio newsletters, the Wenjen Piano Studios website, e-mail reminders, and texting. Choosing repertoire and filling out applications take time outside of the lesson. I also volunteer many hours to every organization that provides these student opportunities.
Volunteering in Music Organizations
I was recently elected to a national position, the SW Division Director-Elect for mtna.org. I am currently on the CAPMT State Board as Immediate Past-President and have served as President, President-Elect, Recording Secretary, Piano Auditions and Ensemble Auditions chair, and Southern Festival Chair. I held the Board office of 1st Vice President for MTAC Long Beach for ten years, Webmaster, and Directory committee for the Music Teacher’s Association of Long Beach and was the Piano Auditions Chair and Ensemble Auditions Chair for the California Association of Professional Music Teachers. I have been the Senior Medallion Chair and previously, the Co-Chair for the MTAC South Bay Branch for five years. I brought the Music Student Service League to MTACSB and served as chair for four years. These are all unpaid positions in which I volunteer my time. I also serve as an adjudicator for several events, which requires a full day of evaluating and minimal compensation. I believe in professionalism and the highest standards in my studios.
Volunteering for Students
I believe that volunteering is so meaningful, that I helped my students start the STARS Music Service League, so they can perform their music for senior citizens, get leadership experience, and learn to give back to their community. This not only fulfills some of their community service requirements, it also benefits the students in helping them to think beyond serving themselves, and empowers them to take action to help others.
Lifelong Educational benefits
Music education is expensive, but it is a lifetime investment. Studies have shown that students who practice a keyboard instrument at least 15 minutes daily have scored up to 47% higher on tests than those who do not play an instrument. It is also said that keyboard engages all parts of the brain.
My goal is to give my students a creative outlet, a balanced music education, with the ability for students to help challenge students to grow and be the best that they can be, in all areas of their live. My piano students are able to perform at a highly competitive level, if that is their goal. Some students have other primary areas of focus, and music is a core part of who they are. Most of my students also compete in other areas, such as academic decathlon, chess, dance, soccer, debate team. My students develop skills in speaking, performance, organization, and learn to thrive under any circumstance, whether it is in an interview, performing, or speaking in front of a large audience. My students who studied with me for 8-14 years are regularly accepted into the top colleges and universities in the country, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, UCSB, Harvard University, Georgetown University, Occidental College, and more! Click here to see how my former piano students have excelled and become the top leaders in their high school, college, and post-college careers! I have written many recommendation letters that have helped my students to get into college, receive scholarships, or land their first job as an adult!
Artistic Expression
Most importantly, music is a universal language that we can all share, as audience or performers. Music is diverse and can unify people and cultures. It can help to heal sadness, express emotions, and can even tell a joke. I’ve never come across an adult who regretted taking piano lessons. Some wish that they had practiced more. Many have humorous or fond memories of studying piano with their first music teacher. However, they all feel fortunate that they got to experience a little bit of the magic of music.
You have provided a special gift for yourself or a loved one that can be enjoyed over a lifetime—music. I am privileged to be the piano teacher that you’ve chosen to help bring music into your lives.
Noreen Wenjen, N.C.T.M. Wenjen Piano Studios Copyright © 1999-2021 Noreen Wenjen, Wenjen Piano Studios. All rights reserved. All materials contained in the Wenjenpiano.com website are protected by copyright and trademark laws and may not be used, retransmitted, reproduced, republished, or altered in any way for any purpose. For use, please contact Noreen Wenjen. Reproduction of this Web Site in whole or in part is prohibited without express written permission from Noreen Wenjen. Please contact Noreen Wenjen if you wish to republish this article. Copying for sale, resale, or public distribution of any samples from the Wenjenpiano.com website is strictly prohibited.