Music & Arts | Sound Teaching | January 2018

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