January 2017
SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS
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Interview with Christine Cumberledge, 2017 Music Educator of the Year
Q&A With Nick White
In The Arts with Laura: Tax Bill Passes
Lesson Retention Through Structured Goal Setting
Interview with Christine Cumberledge, 2017 Music Educator of the Year I wanted to be in class with her. My ju-
time. What is your most rewarding
nior high experience was not great, but I
teaching experience so far?
loved the clarinet. We moved at the start of high school, and I had two great band
When I was younger, I wanted to build
directors who took an interest in me,
a great band program and I was pretty
Francis Badrak and Andy Davidson. Un-
competitive. Winning the TMEA Hon-
til that point, I had not ever had a private
or Band for Texas was a true profession-
lesson! I was able to take lessons pri-
al highlight in my career, but my goals
vately with Mr. Larry Mentzer, Principal
have changed as I have gotten older.
Clarinet of the San Antonio Symphony
I still hold my students to a very high
throughout high school and it changed
standard, but we focus more on creat-
my path! He helped me get a fabulous
ing great adults instead of winning. I
Buffet R-13 that I still play today and it
have found that when that became my
helped lead to a scholarship to the Uni-
focus, making great music became easi-
Each December, Music & Arts honors
versity of North Texas. Before graduat-
er. We spend a lot of time talking about
a music educator with the Music Ed-
ing, a friend suggested I student teach
the future and how education can take
ucator of the Year Award. This award
with her father, Joseph Grzybowski at
you places. Seeing young people work
is reserved for an educator who shows
L.D. Bell High School and Steve Madsen
through difficult situations has been
outstanding achievement in music ed-
at Bedford Junior High. They are both
the best reward. For example, a former
ucation. After looking through Chris-
master teachers who taught me how to
student was homeless for a while. Each
tine Cumberledge’s nominations, refer-
be a band director. I ended up teach-
night, the family parked in a Wal-Mart
ences, and resume, it was clear she was
ing with Mr. Madsen for three more
parking lot so she could do homework.
the winner. Renier Fee, Marketing Direc-
years before I became the director in the
Throughout this difficult time, the stu-
tor at Music & Arts, had the privilege of
same district at Central Junior High.
dent maintained all A’s in her classes. I
interviewing this year’s winner to learn
During that time, Mr. Grzybowski took
have had students go from a tough situ-
more about her contributions to music
his band to The Midwest Clinic and Mr.
ation to earning a full scholarship to col-
education.
Madsen won honor band for Texas. We
lege. After 20 years of teaching, most of
have some amazing teachers in the Dal-
my “rewarding experiences” are seeing
Congrats on receiving the Music & Arts
las-Fort Worth area, so you don’t have to
students achieve.
2017 Music Educator of the Year award.
go far to improve your craft. Even now,
I’m humbled to meet you! Let’s start off
I bring in clinicians and other teach-
One of your student recommendation
with your background. What early life
ers who can make us better. Melodi-
letters tugged at my heartstrings. Your
moments led to you becoming a music
anne Mallow comes to my school several
student wrote: “At home I don’t real-
educator?
times a year for what I call “quality con-
ly have someone who pushes me to be
trol.” I want my students to see that you
better or lets me know they care about
never stop learning!
me. But every day you encourage us to
A lot of stars aligned to allow me to
be the best we can and it’s because you
end up where I am today. Ironically, I only joined the beginner band because
You’ve been teaching for 20 years and
care about us.” How did that make you
my friend was playing the clarinet and
have accumulated many awards in that
feel to read that?
2 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | January 2018
It tugs at my heartstrings too! I am pret-
Your Music & Arts Educational Repre-
at least half a dozen nights, but David is
ty demanding with my students, but
sentative, David Hill, is also a strong
always there, ready to go over informa-
they know my heart is in the right place.
supporter of your award. What role
tion with parents once the student has
I believe when someone understands the
does he play in making your curricu-
chosen an instrument.
discipline it takes to be good at an in-
lum work?
strument, they can apply that work eth-
What are your professional goals in
ic to be successful anywhere. I think it is
I can’t imagine how much harder teach-
one of the reasons music education is so
ing band would be without David Hill!
important. When it is time to work, we
He visits Central each week to check on
My principal is fond of saying to teach-
take it seriously, but we play hard too! A
us, take in repairs, or just lend some ad-
ers, “go down fighting each day.” If we
colleague once told me, “You manage to
vice. He has a unique perspective. Da-
are a better player at the end of the day,
get every last drop of effort out of your
vid brings the instruments, mouthpiec-
it is a victory. Professionally, I hope to
students.” Sometimes, as a teacher, you
es, and supplies needed for tryouts. I am
take a band to The Midwest Clinic in the
can see the potential before students see
a bit of a control freak about placing stu-
near future. My daughter will be in the
it in themselves. I think motivator and
dents on the right instrument, so my as-
band program in just a few short years
supporter are just some of the many hats
sistant and I meet with every parent and
and I imagine that will make life even
a teacher wears every day.
student one-on-one. This process takes
more interesting!
2018?
Read the complete interview at www.MusicArts.com/TheVault
How Are We Doing? We are still the Nation’s Largest Lesson Program! 33,000
35% of Students have been taking lessons for over 12 months.
Piano & Guitar Lessons Piano & Guitar Lessons represent 49% of the total represent 49% of the total Student Population Student Population
Over 1,000 students have been taking 5 years or more, and the longest tenured student has been enrolled since 1994 in Rockville, Maryland!
Orchestral Strings and Voice are the Orchestral Strings and types Voice over are the fastest growing lesson the fastest growing types over the lastlesson 2 years. last 2 years.
153 Lesson Studio 154 Locations Lesson Studio Locations
The average lesson The average lesson student is 10 years old student is 10 years old
23,000
M&A
Guitar Center
We have 2,469 Teachers
But 15% of our students are adults! But 15% of our students are adults! January 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 3
Q&A With Nick White BY H A N N A H B E S T, R E G I O N A L L E S S O N M A N A G E R
on another human being in a positive
First 5 Minutes
way…” For Nick, it was this fulfillment
“Ask how the student is doing. This
that trumped the jobs of the past.
means personally, and not just with regard to the music they’re working on.
Then Nick shared an experience with
Sometimes the full lesson may need to
me that was a turning point for him that
be altered depending on the mood, and
really led him to teach music full time.
you have to pick something completely
He had a friend that was struggling with
different to play or do.
a particular student and felt that the lessons weren’t fun.
Next 5 -10 Minutes Review of the last week. This should go
I sat down with Nick White, a combo teacher in our Durham Music & Arts
“Lessons really should be broken into
beyond how you’re doing. Ask if they
store to talk about how he runs his
two aspects of music: the technical and
had any tricky spots. Was the piece too
lesson studio. What I learned was so
the emotional. It needs to have that
hard or too easy? Is there anything that
much more about inspiring students
balance. With my friend and his student,
can be reviewed together?
and less about the lessons themselves.
the balance in the lesson was focused too much on the technical side of the
Next 10 Minutes
One of the first questions I asked
music and less on the emotional side.
Set them up for the following week.
Nick was how he knew he wanted
Try to find a game or something to give
Teach them a new concept and
to be a teacher. He responded with,
the student freedom. If you can give
demonstrate the piece for them. Keep
“I did an internship for a company
them freedom in the lesson to choose
things moving. The song shouldn’t last
after graduating high school”. After
what song they want (within reason
for more than two weeks (unless it’s a
some discussion he told me that it
and skill level), they will be more in
song they chose for themselves or if
was through this experience and a
control and able to have an emotional
they’re getting ready for a performance).
conversation with his father that he
connection to the music.
Try to keep the pages turning in the lesson. This will help the student feel
realized that teaching students and seeing their joy in learning a new
As we continued talking, I became
success.
instrument was more fulfilling than
interested in how Nick used the allotted
the other types of positions he’d had
lesson time to achieve success. I asked
Last 10 Minutes
in the years leading up to this point in
how he structured his lessons to ensure
Just have fun. Use this time to gauge
time. The jobs of the past, “didn’t make
musical progress, while allowing
where the student is as an individual.”
me feel like I was doing something for
freedom to be present for the student?
the greater good; having an influence
Here’s his rough breakdown:
N I C K W H I T E is a multi instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. The former front man of Bears in the City and Parallel Lives has performed in the Southwest United States for the past 6 years solo, and as an accompanist and with bands. His debut album “Forgotten Long Ago” with the band Bears in the City had tracks featured on the soundtrack to indie film “Welcome to Forever” as well as making Resound Magazine’s “Best albums of 2014”. White was praised by WRAL in their “Best of Hopscotch 2016’ as a comedic accompanist, White has performed with legends such as Kevin McDonald, Emo Phillips and Jill Bernard as well as members of Second City and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Nick has been teaching Voice, Piano, Percussion and Guitar for the past 5 years as well as coaching middle school and high school rock bands.
4 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | January 2018
In The Arts with Laura: Tax Bill Passes BY LAURA ZOLFO, REGIONAL LESSON MANAGER
2. The Standard Deduction will
applies to your expenses in
increase from $6,350 single ($12,700
generating W-2 income and not to
married) to $12,000 single ($24,000
1099 income. [All M&A Instructors
married). However, the personal
are Independent Contractors, filing
exemption of $4,050 is eliminated.
under a 1099]
Offsetting this is the child tax credit, which will increase from $1,000 to A fantastic resource for the professional
$2,000 in the Senate bill.
above-the-line deduction for teacher classroom expenses from $250 to
musician, FinanceForMusicians. com offers insight and services on
5. The Senate version increased the
3. With a higher standard deduction, it
$500. You do not have to itemize to
understanding and having control of
will be more difficult for musicians
take this deduction. Let’s hope this
your financial options. Managed by
to have enough itemized deductions
makes it into the final bill.
Scott Stratton out of Dallas, TX, his
to claim a tax deduction. As a
blog recently offered some valuable
reminder, itemized deductions
While I cannot provide personal tax
insight on what the new Tax Bill will
currently include state and local
advice to non-clients, I can make some
mean for the professional musician. I
income, sales and property taxes,
general recommendations you may
felt his commentary on this topic would
mortgage interest, charitable
want to consider for your own tax
be highly relevant to the M&A teacher.
donations, and miscellaneous
situation. Review your sources of 1099/
Here are some of his highlights:
itemized deductions such as
Schedule C income. If you have both
unreimbursed employee expenses.
W-2 and 1099 income, you will want to tie your expenses to your Schedule C
The bill applies to your 2018 tax year, so your 2017 tax return (due April 15, 2018)
4. Also eliminated are the
business expenses instead of Schedule
is still under the old rules. Here is an
Miscellaneous Itemized
A itemized deductions starting in
overview of significant changes which
Deductions. This category includes
2018. If you are primarily W-2, having
will be relevant to musicians as you
unreimbursed employee expenses
some 1099 gigs may allow you to claim
prepare your taxes.
which are very significant to many
expenses which will otherwise be lost.
musicians. You will no longer be able to claim the following as
Scott Stratton is a Financial Advisor and
current seven bracket structure, but
itemized deductions: tools and
a professional trombonist in the Dallas,
lowers everyone’s marginal tax rate
supplies, required clothing, home
Texas area. FinanceForMusicians.com
by a percent or two. Additionally,
office expenses, mileage and
is an informational blog, and supported
the income levels for these brackets
travel, union dues or professional
by Stratton’s firm: Good Life Wealth
are increased at the high end.
organization dues. Again, this
Management.
1. The Senate version keeps our
ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: The Teacher Best Practices Seminar is now available online! Use the following link to view the seminar: https://images.miretail.com/Content/AboutMA/index.html#/?_k=akyv0v January 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 5
Lesson Retention Through Structured Goal Setting BY M A R I O P E R R E T T, S A XO P H O N E I N S T R U C T O R I N N E W T O N , M A
The reality is turnover is inevitable
found that the shared investment of time
and will happen for any number of
& commitment between the parent &
reasons but it can be minimized if
child in the process keeps the musical
managed properly. Communication
inspiration and enjoyment of the
and expectations must involve both
experience lasting.
the student and parent. This is a key component, which is the foundation of
Discuss your teaching approach and
retention success.
what can be expected with your clients. Outline your process of what you do and
As a private lesson instructor, one embarks on a vocation that has a very unique place in music education. We support and enrich every school band director’s program, whose players come to study with us. We also help every aspiring adult to rediscover his or her passion for music. We fill a unique and necessary niche in music education for sure. You might be doing this part time or, like myself, you are a full time private instructor/performer. The flexibility and independence is a great aspect of private lesson instruction, but you still have to hustle to keep a steady client base. I look at myself like any other tradesman and strive to offer the best quality service and experience I can to keep my clients coming back for more. In short, my philosophy is ‘excellent quality equals high retention’. There are many components to providing a great experience for your students, but having a good lesson structure, clear communication and using goal setting are three strong pillars that will support your retention. 6 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | January 2018
The first step starts with the first lesson.
how you do it and why it is successful.
First impressions are an extremely
Inspire them with the confidence that
important experience. A good clear
they need to do to make the lessons a
beginning will sets the course. (For
success.
the purposes of this article I am going to focus on younger students
I let my prospective clients (parent
rather that adult students but much
& student) know that they must treat
of this philosophy still applies.) Set
their lessons in the same manner
the expectation of engagement of the
as they would any of their other
parent in the lesson process. They don’t
“regular “classes in school. Practicing
need to have any musical experience
is homework. Most students have
or ability to be involved and helping
some kind of study routines for their
in the process. I am a parent and I
schoolwork and if properly pointed out
am not a genius in math, science, but
to them they will transfer over their
I am engaged in the success of my
methods & routines to their musical
son’s education. There is a long list of
studies. If they apply the same study
educational studies that support this;
habits to their instrument as they do
music lessons should be no different.
their other studies success is almost inevitable. Block out practice time and
Give your clients a path to success
teach an effective method of practice.
and outline the musical journey for
Ask a student how they study for a math
parent and student to take together.
quiz or a vocabulary test and they have
Share with them how much fun music
an immediate detailed answer.
can be from your own experience and passion. Then teach them the steps
When I ask a new student how they
they must take to achieve the results
practice I either get a blank look or a
they seek. Don’t assume they know,
simple statement about playing songs a
what is obvious to you may not be to
couple of times. Let them know practice
your prospective students/parents. I
isn’t just about repetition, give them
a framework to make their practicing
discussing how to improve weak spots
your own goals in order to grow as a
meaningful & effective, not random.
inspire continued work and practice
teacher & musician.
Teach students & parents how to
which sets up another important
practice through developing a routine.
element in the process, goal setting.
Teaching is demanding and there are
The ability to link and equate the “legitimacy” (for lack of a better term) of
certainly days that seem very long and S.M.A.R.T Goals.
times when you feel a little burned
their music lessons to their other school
out. Applying the expectations you
studies is a concept that has been a
Every successful person sets goals. The
set for your students to yourself as a
valuable tool in motivating my students.
path varies but one consistent element
teacher and player will minimize those
is the setting of short term and long-
days. Do you have a clear curriculum
Now that you have them signed up, keep
term goals. A simple and powerful
for the year for each student? Are you
them rolling and keep them engaged!
motivational tool that is one more
charting their progress in a way that
Lesson material and tone is obviously
supporting element that helps keep
can be seen and the parent can relate
important. If your clients feel that
things focused. Attached is a simple
to. Are you assigning and documenting
there is a mechanism and a structure
form I use. Have your student’s fill them
specific goals other than the week-
to what you are presenting they will
out and put them up on the wall where
to-week lessons? Set that example
feel they are getting somewhere. With
they practice.
for your students to follow. If you do
lessons stacked back-to-back it is not
provide that kind of environment and
always possible to have a detailed
I have used variations on this over the
experience then both student & parent
conversation about progress, with
years and I am always surprised how
will respond.
parents, this is why I give detailed
it can keeps me accountable to others Lessons
quarterly or semester reports to all
and myself. Goals and benchmarks are
my clients. It is a report card like any
certainly not just for your students.
other they receive in their education. A
Set them for yourself as an example to
paragraph of detailed evaluations that reinforces accountability in the students mind gives the parent a metric which to measure and chart their child’s progress. Now anyone with ears can hear sour notes or musical progress so why bother with a report card? For the same reason
Name
S.M.A.R.T. GOALS
MY SPECIFIC MUSIC GOALS Goal 1 Action
gym, and so many other areas of our
Measurable
Action
life. Having detailed feedback helps us
Attainable
Goal 3
Evaluation of skills is very important
Realistic
Action
piece of progress and does not have to
Time Bound
Goal 4
be a negative experience. Outlining
parents who will continue to invest in
Date
Goal 2
focus on what we need to do to succeed.
Happy engaged students equal happy
their child’s enrichment. MY MUSICAL GOALS your students. You must continue with
Specific
it is done in schools, at your job, at your
in Music. Lessons in Life.
Action
our strengths builds confidence and
GOALS FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS M A R I O P E R R E T T is a saxophone instructor at Music & Arts in Newton,STRUCTURE MA. He received a B.A. in Music Education from CREATIVITY TECHNIQUE Berklee College of Music. He has been a professional musician & band leader for over 20 years, having toured and performed in Practice every day Learn more songs Know my notes & scales Apply a good practice routineand regional Listen toartists. more music clubs and at music festivals through out the U.S. Learn and Europe a number of national Mario my major and scalesrecording with Show up on time to lessons for my instrument articulations has over 25 years teaching experience in Boston Play areaclean public schools, at the University of Massachusetts, andListen privately. Play in tune with good tone Play with strong, solid breath
Attend lessons consistently
Write my own music Learn to improvise Perform
January 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 7
Inside the Lesson Studio with Hannah BY H A N N A H B E S T, M & A R E G I O N A L L E S S O N M A N A G E R
Q “This past month was my first
that much of what is taught in a
recital is coming up. Dad could be the
holiday season with M&A. I didn’t
weekly lesson requires follow up and
audience at home for a run through of
realize how many lessons students
practice at home. Can you help?”
a song. Then, a sibling can pretend to
would not be attending. Is there any way to still make up those lessons?”
A “Yes, you sure can. Contact your local store and see if there is a studio
A “You’re absolutely right. Most of
be an audience member on a different night of the week. All of this helps the
what is taught in a lesson is verification
student feel more comfortable playing in
from week to week that practice at
front of others.”
home is occurring and many families
available. You’re able to make up lessons don’t realize what their role is in the
Q “Last year, we had a major
on alternate days or times that differ
success of learning an instrument. For
snowstorm hit my area and I lost a
from your regular teaching day to do
example, with homework from school,
good bit of income because the store
make-up lessons. The main thing to
parents have a better understanding of
kept irregular hours. What can I do to
ensure that you do is to notify the store
what is expected; that they’ll need to ask
make this better moving forward?”
team (it helps to record it on your sign in about the homework and possibly help sheet) that you’ve made up a previously
the student with an assigned project.
A “We’ve come up with some steps
credited holiday lesson. By doing this,
With sports, families often understand
that can help keep your income the
the sales team will know to add charges
that practice is needed each week and
same and lessons consistent on bad
to your student’s account.”
the amount of time required to make
weather days:
progress.
1. Communicate. It’s important to call
Q “Recently a colleague of mine
To help parents and adult students
participated in the Pointers for Players become more involved, it’s essential to
the store and parent if the weather is bad. 2. Talk to parents. Parents want to get
event and was successful in securing
set up the expectation from the very
some new students. I’m a brass
beginning. Let families know at the
their money’s worth, so many would
teacher and would really like to have
first lesson the realistic expectation
be more than willing to reschedule
a similar event for my instrument.
for the progress that can be made in a
around the weather.
What can you recommend?”
weekly lesson. This includes the level of
3. Call the store. There could be an
involvement needed from various family
opening on another day to teach
members and the amount of practice
your lessons. Managers want you to
we haven’t had as much success (yet)
that may be required based on specific
be able to teach your students and
running band and orchestra clinics
goals. Also, be sure to include that
continue the learning process!
because we’ve found that the students
expectations exist even for a student
tend to be more varied in the existing
that’s just taking lessons to ‘have fun’.
A “Yes! This is a great idea! Nationally,
4. Plan ahead. If the news is predicting bad weather days before it happens, it is possible to teach lessons prior
knowledge of their instrument. That being said, we welcome all types of
Even if you’re unable to convey this
to the storm hitting on a different
clinics and would like to encourage you
expectation in the first lesson, check
day. By tuning in to your weather
to schedule a clinic for your instrument
in with families before or after each
station, you could easily protect
with your Store Manager.”
lesson to relay progress. In addition to
your hard earned money! The Store
giving a progress update, let the family
Manager can easily work with you
know what level of involvement may be
on this.”
Q “I would really like some advice with helping my parents understand 8 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | December 2017
needed at that time. For example, say a