Homeschooling Families - Music Lessons

[SDSorority]

I need some help/advice/opinions from homeschooling families. I currently have a full-time job unrelated to music (in an office setting as a secretary) and teach part-time as a private music teacher (piccolo/flute/clarinet/saxophone) in my home in the evenings and on weekends. So, I basically work most of my waking hours . I have gotten to the point where I would like to quit my office job, and just teach private music lessons. I make 2x as much per hour (which means I'd be able to do less hours for the same amount of pay), and enjoy it a whole lot more (music IS what I got my college degree in, after all ). So here's my question for the homeschooling families- how do I market to this demographic? I would like to teach some lessons during the morning or early afternoon, either privately or in small groups. Of course, I couldn't teach public or private school students during this time since they would be in class, but from what I understand, homeschool schedules can be a bit more flexible. My husband was homeschooled from 7th grade through 12th grade, and he said he used to take lessons during the morning hours and worked the rest of his school day around that time. Do you have any suggestions as to how to find homeschool groups to offer my music lessons to? I do live in a big city, so I can imagine that there ARE groups around- I'm just totally new to this idea!!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[ekatiel]

Try googling your city name and "home school alliance" or "home school co-op". I used to teach homeschooling classes at a local home school alliance. It was a neat job, but the tax man does take a hefty chunk of change from you (I guess I could have not filed, but I try to be a mostly honest type of girl). Also, I had trouble with people paying on time/at all and with checks bouncing occasionally. I have an art teacher friend who still teaches at the same alliance and does quite well for herself. --Katie

 

[SDSorority]

Try googling your city name and "home school alliance" or "home school co-op". I used to teach homeschooling classes at a local home school alliance. It was a neat job, but the tax man does take a hefty chunk of change from you (I guess I could have not filed, but I try to be a mostly honest type of girl). Also, I had trouble with people paying on time/at all and with checks bouncing occasionally. I have an art teacher friend who still teaches at the same alliance and does quite well for herself. --Katie

Thanks! I haven't heard those terms before- that'll be a great starting place!

 

[lauradis]

Cash would be the only way to get paid,,, or in disney dollars

 

[Charmel]

I also suggest looking for a co-op in your area. They usually meet once a week. Our co-op offers guitar, piano, and violin. A lot of co-ops are religious based and require teachers to have a church and/or pastor referral though.

If you don't want to go that route then just think of places to place a flyer. Your church, local music stores, etc. Good luck.

 

[party-of-five]

In our area, we have a Homeschool Yahoo group where people can post questions/get answers. But very often someone will post an offering for lessons or classes. It's a good way to reach out to a homeschool audience. The local library is also a good networking resource.

 

[eisforpants]

Try yahoo groups. Google groups and Facebook. You get a couple homeschool kids and are reasonable in price and the word of mouth will take care of the rest. We tend to be a tight knit group and talk a lot about who we like, who we don't etc.

 

[wendow]

I am a homeschool momma who does music lessons for my kids and I love teachers who can do daytime hours rather than having to do them late in the day.

I'd agree with the advice given. Look for yahoo or google groups in your area for homeschoolers. Look for co-ops. Check with area churches for homeschool groups. Our group is through our church and it's a big group.

Good luck to you!

 

[momof3ds]

Try offering a free class to start.

Then, either set yourself up to take credit card payments (if you have a smart phone or ipad - google squareup) and set up a contract with monthly billing or take cash or checks a month ahead.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Try checking in with local libraries. We home schoolers are there so often they usually know who we are They may be able to hook you up with people that can then lead you to their groups.

 

[mom31]

You can also put up ads on craigslist although you'll want to be careful there. I agree with trying through churches. I have a deal with my kids' music teacher where I get a discount because I do a lot of advertising for her with all the various homeschool groups in the area. I would suggest printing up business cards and seeing if you can leave them at various places like the library.

 

[Lilliputian]

One way to attract homeschooling families is to offer to do in-home lessons. A lot of homeschooling families are large families, many with babies, and dropping a child off somewhere for 30 minutes is hard when it's 20 minutes from home and there's a baby and a toddler in the car. You can say that you'll only do in-home lessons if you can be there for 1 hour or 1.5 hours and add a traveling surcharge if you'd like. Many families will have 3 children old enough to do lessons, or even 2 children who'd like 45 minute lessons instead of the usual 30.

 

[Narnia_girl]

One way to attract homeschooling families is to offer to do in-home lessons.

I second this! I loved when my son's cello teacher came to our home!

Also, I work for a symphony orchestra so I'd suggest if you have a community orchestra that you get in touch with them. Consider getting on their sub list for playing at rehearsals and concerts. Most don't pay a lot, but you might get a small stipend, plus it lends to your credibility and name recognition among others who are music minded.

If the local orchestra has an office, call and put your name on the list of teachers. We get calls all the time from parents who are looking for tutors (and we are more comfortable recommending teachers we know/have a relationship with.)

Best wishes!

 

[SDSorority]

I second this! I loved when my son's cello teacher came to our home!

Also, I work for a symphony orchestra so I'd suggest if you have a community orchestra that you get in touch with them. Consider getting on their sub list for playing at rehearsals and concerts. Most don't pay a lot, but you might get a small stipend, plus it lends to your credibility and name recognition among others who are music minded.

If the local orchestra has an office, call and put your name on the list of teachers. We get calls all the time from parents who are looking for tutors (and we are more comfortable recommending teachers we know/have a relationship with.)

Best wishes!

Thanks! I play with two community semi-professional orchestras (one as a full member, and one as a sub member), but never thought about getting in touch with the administration office! Great suggestion!


Thanks everyone, these suggestions are a HUGE help!! I've got me some work to do this weekend!!

 

[PA Princess]

I wanted to add that you may want to also contact local Christian or private schools. The school where I teach has several people who come one day a week to conduct various lessons - kids miss class time to attend a lesson in the school during the day. We do employ two full time music teachers, but the demand for lessons surpasses what these two teachers can do in a week with their other duties (choirs, bands, classes. etc.). You would need to obtain the various clearances, but if you do not already have these, I would highly suggest you obtain them asap.

 

[hsmamato2]

I'll also toss this in.... find local homeschool co-ops,etc in your area,and see if they are looking for music instructors- my kids have always taken group lessons (piano,guitar) and gotten a lot of out of it. I can't afford the monthly cost of a private 25-35.00 per 1/2 hour lesson, but I can afford 10-12.00 per weekly session,along with other kids in the class. (class is usually approx. 45-50 mins) since it's multiple kids in the same room at the same time,it;s more cost and time efficient,and seems to work out.

 

[SDSorority]

Thanks everybody!!