• Tim announced the winners of the first-ever TopMusic Composition Competition.
• The competition featured four categories:
  • Mini Maestros (ages 5–10)
  • Rising Composers (11–14)
  • Creative Visionaries (15–18)
  • Adults
  
  
• Entries were judged based on PDF scores, not video/audio performance.
• Winners' compositions will be published in the March 2026 issue of TopMusic Sheets.
• Tim played each winning piece live during the announcement session.
• Judges praised students’ use of dynamics, structure, creativity, and notation clarity.
• Honorable mentions were awarded to encourage more creativity and expression.
• Teachers of winning students were recognized for supporting creative teaching.
• Tim highlighted the importance of milestones in creative music education.
• How the competition helped foster confidence and real-world experience for students.
• Future plans include featuring more composers in the monthly sheet music packs.
• Tim encouraged more teachers to participate in the next competition round.

• Find out more about TopMusicSheets here.
• Download your latest TopMusic Magazine here.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

• Jonathan shared the origins of South Shore Piano School, which now serves over 350 students.
• He explained why they focus solely on piano lessons to simplify branding, marketing, and SEO.
• How inconsistent studio policies across schools created confusion and poor teaching cultures.
• How South Shore Piano School prioritizes teacher well-being, including fair pay and benefits.
• Why he decided to create a video to clearly and empathetically explain their new no-make-up policy.
• How the video received overwhelmingly positive responses from parents.
• The emotional toll make-up lessons take on teachers, from scheduling stress to burnout.
• The importance of empathy and analogies to help parents understand the teacher’s perspective.
• How a no-makeup policy actually signals professionalism and earns more respect from families.
• Jonathan highlighted that options like Zoom lessons, asynchronous reviews, and monthly group make-ups help maintain flexibility without compromising structure.
• He advised teachers to invest in marketing, especially SEO, to reduce fear around losing students.
• He encouraged teachers to face the discomfort of policy change as a gateway to healthier, more sustainable studios.

• Watch Jonathan's YouTube Video on Makeup Lessons
• South Shore Piano School Website
• South Shore Piano School Facebook Page
• South Shore Piano School Instagram:@sspianoschool
• Download your latest TopMusic Magazine issue here

• Katherine shared how Piano Safari began with research-based pedagogical practices blended in a creative way.
• The importance of using rote pieces alongside reading to support beginner students.
• Why Piano Safari’s unique blend of intervallic reading and rote learning sets it apart from traditional methods.
• How early use of intervallic reading supports long-term music reading fluency.
• The value of teaching rhythmic patterns through animal rhythms to build recognition and fluency.
• How Piano Safari integrates storytelling and play-based learning to reinforce melodic contour.
• The importance of starting beginners with non-legato to develop a healthy, tension-free technique.
• The benefits of rote teaching and offered strategies for memorization and creative exploration.
• She encouraged students to transpose rote pieces early on to develop keyboard awareness and flexibility.

• Piano Safari Website
• Teaching Piano Safari Facebook Group
• Piano Safari YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/@pianosafari346
• TTTV071: Exploring Piano Safari with Dr Julie Knerr and Katherine Fisher
• Get access to Teaching Advancing Pianist Course

• 10% off Piano Safari

• Tim introduced the episode as a replay from his MTAC conference presentation.
• The session's three core areas: productivity hacks, business time savers, and virtual teams.
• How to help teachers save time, focus on what matters, and increase income.
• Calculating effective hourly rates to understand real income after expenses and taxes.
• How most teachers overestimate their earnings by not factoring in business costs.
• Strategies for improving effective hourly rate including increasing income and reducing hours.
• Tim emphasized using software like My Music Staff to automate scheduling and billing tasks.
• Using cloud storage tools like Dropbox and Google Drive for backups and document sharing.
• How hiring virtual assistants from countries like the Philippines can be a cost-effective way to reduce admin work.

• Find out more about our Lite Membership here.
• Download your latest issue of TopMusic Magazine here.

• Business Systems & Productivity for the 21st Century

• Jonathan shared a brief overview of his background as the Director of the EXCEL Lab at the University of Michigan.
• He explained why musicians often struggle with pricing.
• How building confidence and articulating value are key steps toward charging appropriately.
• The importance of defining a core philosophy or teaching identity was emphasized.
• Why teachers should talk less about cost and more about transformation.
• Jonathan encouraged teachers to shift the conversation from “how much” to “what’s possible.”
• The benefits of customizing your pitch based on the needs of your ideal clients were discussed.
• How storytelling helps students and parents understand the real value of music education.
• How EXCEL at the University of Michigan prepares students for creative careers through coaching.
• The difference between transactional teaching and building long-term trust.
• How teachers can present their programs like a unique learning journey, not just a set of lessons.
• He encouraged educators to reflect on their own success stories as part of their value proposition.
• The importance of embracing an entrepreneurial mindset in the arts was emphasized.
• Tips on how teachers can build confidence in pricing and communication.

• Jonathan's LinkedIn page
• University of Michigan - School of Music Theater and Dance
• University of Michigan - School of Music Theater and Dance Excel Lab

• Maddy shared that she disliked piano practice as a child and lacked motivation during lessons.
• She explained that her early teaching experience with her younger brother was discouraging.
• How her perspective on teaching shifted after working with her first official student at age 16.
• How she experienced burnout and a lack of direction before joining the program.
• She shared why she joined the12WSTto gain business clarity and rebuild her confidence.
• The operations manual module provided her with structure and long-term studio planning tools.
• She highlighted how adding a call-to-action on her website increased student inquiries.
• How the visioning exercise helped her define what she wanted her studio to look and feel like.
• Impementing new teaching strategies that improved engagement and creativity with students.
• How her student with autism flourished through personalized and flexible lesson formats.
• How the program helped her feel more confident in her decisions as a business owner.
• Maddy recommended the program to teachers seeking clarity, systems, and renewed purpose.

• Find out more about the 12wst (12-Week Studio Transformation) here.
• Maddy's website:Adelaide Music LLC
• Maddy's Instagram page:@adelaidemusicllc
• Maddy's Facebook page:Adelaide Music LLC

• Kelly shared a brief overview of her studio as the CEO and Co-Founder of Outside the Bachs.
• She shared her 3-step framework for growing a studio.
• Importance of setting a flat monthly tuition to simplify operations and build confidence with clients.
• Organic marketing strategies like school outreach and community connections.
• How authentic relationships with music teachers can lead to more consistent student referrals.
• She shared her experience of building a studio from scratch after relocating
• She highlighted the value of in-person networking.
• The difference between a free trial lesson and a consultation.
• The importance of authentic social media content.

• Outside The Bachs Website
• Outside The Bachs YouTube Page
• Kelly Riordan’s TikTok Page
• Kelly Riordan’s Instagram: @kellyriordanmusician
• Facebook Group: Private Music Instructors, Piano Lesson Teachers, and Music Studio Owners

• David shared how he went bankrupt in 2009 and rebuilt from scratch by teaching piano in his parents’ basement.
• He explained how early mistakes in pricing and business structure led to major financial challenges.
• The value of resilience and staying focused during adversity was a key theme.
• How he gradually scaled his business to 1,000 students across multiple locations.
• How strategic hiring helped him build a strong leadership team and scale with confidence.
• Marketing strategies like bold messaging and leveraging Google Ads were highlighted.
• The importance of clarity in branding and knowing your “why.”
• David described the process of preparing for a successful business exit and sale.
• How he now coaches other school owners to grow and avoid the mistakes he made.
• Tim and David emphasized the power of systems and automation in building sustainable music schools.

• David Martin's LinkedIn Page
• Explore The Performing Arts School Entrepreneur Podcast with David Martin