E139: Behind the Scenes of Growing a Multi-Teacher Music Studio with Brooke Schrager

Teach Music Online

Are you a music teacher wondering how to grow your music studio from a one-person show to a thriving, multi-teacher business? Brooke Schrager's journey is full of insight and practical tips that might be just what you need to grow your music studio.

Brooke Schrager was just like many music teachers—passionate about teaching but unfulfilled by the constraints of a traditional classroom. She decided to launch her own studio, imagining a cozy setup with about 30 students. Fast forward a few months, and Brooke found herself with 40 students and a waitlist that stretched on and on.

Little did she know that this would be the first step in going from public school music teacher, to building what is now a flourishing music studio with 26 instructors and over 300 students in the Chicago area.

Enjoy this episode filled with tips for expanding your teaching studio!

Resources for your music teacher business mentioned in this episode:

Teach Music Online Waitlist

Other resources:

Free Facebook Community

Time management workshop

Online teaching starter kit

The essential music teacher marketing checklist

Instagram Growth for music teachers and studio owners

Key Timestamps:

[03:45] – Brooke’s Background and Studio Beginnings

Brooke talks about her early days as a music teacher and what led her to start her own studio in 2016. She shares how her initial goal of managing 30 students quickly grew beyond her expectations.

[07:30] – The Decision to Hire Other Teachers

Facing a massive waitlist and an overwhelming workload, Brooke discusses her pivotal decision to bring on her first instructor and how that set the stage for future growth.

[10:20] – Challenges of Building a Multi-Teacher Studio

Brooke opens up about the struggles she faced while growing her team, from finding the right teachers to creating a cohesive culture within her studio.

[13:50] – How Teach Music Online Supported Her Journey

Brooke highlights how the Teach Music Online membership provided her with the technical know-how and community support needed to transition her studio online. She emphasizes the role of Carly’s webinars in helping her keep students engaged and maintain her studio’s momentum during a challenging time.

[18:15] – Balancing Business and Passion for Teaching

Brooke reflects on how she manages the administrative side of running a large studio while still staying connected to her passion for teaching and supporting her students and teachers.

[22:00] – Advice for Aspiring Studio Owners

Brooke offers her top tips for music teachers looking to grow their own studios, from trusting the process and building a strong network to staying true to your vision.

[27:45] – The Power of Community and Collaboration

Brooke shares how fostering a strong sense of community among her teachers has been essential to her studio’s success and growth.

[31:30] – Navigating Challenges as a Studio Owner

She discusses some of the unexpected challenges she’s faced as a studio owner and the strategies she’s developed to handle them effectively.

[36:00] – Final Thoughts and the Reward of Studio Ownership

Brooke wraps up the episode by sharing the joy and fulfillment she finds in running her studio and the importance of creating a positive, supportive environment for both teachers and students.