The PRESTO Framework guides music teachers through all the steps they need to follow to build and run a successful music studio.
Private instrumental teachers have a lot of responsibilities.
From maintaining a balance between traditional repertoire and creative activities…
…to managing finances and marketing lessons…
…it can feel like you’re spinning plates, desperately hoping none crash to the floor.
You need PRESTO.
Table of Contents:
It’s several things.
PRESTO is your roadmap and guide to transforming your studio and teaching.
When you’re trying to build and run a thriving studio there’s a lot to think about, plan, carry out, remember to do, factor in…
In fact, it’s just a LOT.
PRESTO gives you a checklist.
A playbook, if you will.
Something to work through and tick off at each stage of your growth.
A logical way to go from “run-of-the-mill” instrumental teacher to stand-out success.
Stop winging it and hoping for the best!
There are seven categories of teacher PRESTO will help.
You know how to teach.
You’re confident in your methods.
And your studio is pretty successful.
But you have bigger dreams.
You’d love to build a respected course/brand behind your name.
You have expertise you want to share with the world…but how do you do it?
You feel like an imposter.
Like you shouldn’t be a teacher.
“This teaching job is just a hobby. You need to get a real job,” is something friends and family have told you.
You lack confidence because you feel you lack the necessary skills.
You’re great at your job.
Your lessons are amazing.
But you have no clue how to market and expand.
The low number of students in your studio makes it seem like it’s just a hobby.
But you know you have what it takes to share your passion for music with everyone, from pre-schoolers to adults.
How do you grow?
You love teaching.
You’re great at it.
But you’re not making much money from it.
That’s because you’re charging peanuts.
You find it hard to say ‘no.’
And your studio policies are non-existent.
You have all the musical know-how, but when it comes to business sense, there’s a gap. A BIG gap.
There was nothing wrong with the way you were taught – it got you to where you are now!
So that’s how you teach your students.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
But a lot of things have changed since then.
Students expect more.
You need to be innovative, creative, and flexible….But how?
You spend every hour of every day thinking about work, talking about work, or actually working.
Your family sees either a shut door, the back of a laptop, or a note on the counter saying, “Teaching ‘til late – dinner’s in the freezer.”
How do you get your time back?
You feel like your whole life is taken up by teaching (and not in a good way).
You’re burnt out.
And what’s more, you have no one to talk to about it.
Your friends and family have 9-5 jobs where they ‘shut down’ when they leave the office.
No one understands you so no one can offer advice.
Short answer? A lot.
Longer answer? You will
Sound good?
PRESTO is an acronym for the six essential areas of running a successful music studio business.
The heart and soul of all music teaching studios is pedagogy – so it’s the fundamental first step of PRESTO.
It focuses on achieving the perfect balance between classical training and creative exploration.
This is also known as Integrated Music Teaching.
As you know, there’s not just one way to teach music.
This area will help you improve your teaching methods with flexible lesson plans.
Encourage your students to be curious with practical activities that foster deep connections between musical elements.
Students typically learn an instrument to be able to play pieces.
Getting those pieces right is vital in engaging and inspiring students – no matter their age or level.
If you’re spending hours and hours trying to figure out the best
This pillar will help you:
✔️ Develop a system to select the right repertoire for your students
✔️ Know how to find and connect pedagogical elements
✔️ Teach pieces in the best way for your students
Every student is different.
You embrace their differences and individual learning styles, interests, and goals.
But that means there’s never a one-size-fits-all approach.
What suits one student might not suit another.
This pillar will help you:
When you first dipped your toe into the music-teaching pool, chances are you didn’t take a moment to work your way through a business course first.
But as your studio started to grow, you began to realize that you’re missing business knowledge.
That isn’t your fault!
This step will help you
✔️ Learn how to structure your business
✔️ Nail your finances
✔️ Create efficient systems that work for you
✔️ Figure out if you’d prefer studio-based or be a traveling teacher
✔️ Explore options of teaching groups, 1-to-1, or a mix
✔️ Automate your admin
✔️ Get on top of your finances
Every student is different.
No single technique approach will work for every student and every instrument.
This step will help you
You’re an awesome teacher.
We know that.
You know that.
Your students know that.
But how can you shout about it to the rest of the world?
Chances are, you’re not a marketing expert. Advertising lessons don’t come naturally to you.
This step will guide you through
✔️ Creating a marketing strategy to attract your ideal students
✔️ Getting your name out to grow a waitlist
✔️ Promoting lessons and studio events
The best place to find PRESTO is in TopMusic Certification.
Launched in 2023, this interactive, one-of-a-kind program will support you through transforming your studio.
Say goodbye to overwhelm, stress, and self-doubt.
Say hello to a fulfilling and rewarding path in music education.
Visit our PRESTO Resource Finder here – the shortcut to a thriving, well-rounded music studio.
