TopMusic Piano Podcast

So many music teachers are incredibly skilled at what they do, but feel unprepared for everything that comes with running a studio. In this episode, w’re talking with Nathalie Simper about developing a CEO mindset as a music teacher, and how confidence, systems, and entrepreneurship can help you build a studio that truly supports your life.
Nathalie shared how musicians follow a traditional path but feel unprepared for real-world careers.
How shifting from “musician” to “music entrepreneur” changed her perspective.
She introduced the CEO mindset framework: confidence, entrepreneurship, and opportunity.
The importance of confidence in both teaching skills and personal identity.
How entrepreneurship skills are essential for running a studio.
Nathalie explained how viewing your studio as a business supports long-term success.
She encouraged teachers to seek out business skills even if they feel unfamiliar.
How opportunity comes from staying open to growth and new directions.
Nathalie shared how early teaching setups often lack structure and systems.
Why systems should be implemented even with just a few students.
How disorganized systems can lead to burnout as studios grow.
She described how automation and recurring payments simplify studio management.
Nathalie emphasized that saving time on admin creates more space for teaching.
She encouraged teachers to set boundaries that support their energy and wellbeing.
How rates should reflect both income needs and value provided.
She encouraged teachers to design studios that align with their desired lifestyle.


Links Mentioned

Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.
Lessons: A Modern Guide to the Business of Teaching Music by Eric Branner


Guest Links

Nathalie's podcast:The Limitless Musician Podcast
Nathalie's Instagram page:@thelimitlessmusician
Freebies for Music Teachers:www.kecreative.com/freebies
The Musician’s Real-World Survival Guide (Free Resource)


Today's Guest



Nathalie Simper is a flutist, private studio owner, and music entrepreneur in North Georgia. She got the music performance degrees and did all the “right things” to build a music career, but still struggled to fill in what wasn’t taught in music school. After learning things through trial and error, she finally decided to invest in the perspective of being a music entrepreneur instead of “just a musician.” Fast forward a few years, and Nathalie has embraced the non-musical things about being a classical musician, using her own failures and successes to support her fellow music entrepreneurs through The Limitless Musician!
About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music


Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

Teaching preschool students can feel both magical and intimidating, especially if you’re used to more structured, one-on-one lessons. In this episode, we're chatting with Laura Kahar to talk about teaching under fives, creating playful learning environments, and what it really looks like to build strong musical foundations from the very beginning. We also dive into the energy and impact of TopMusicLive and why events like this matter so much for teachers.
Laura shared how teaching young children transformed her understanding of music learning.
She explained how small group learning helps preschoolers learn from each other.
The importance of creating a playful and pressure-free learning environment.
How young children respond naturally to music as a first language.
Laura emphasized that teaching under fives is about immersion rather than instruction.
Why teachers should follow the child’s lead instead of rigid lesson plans.
Laura encouraged teachers to embrace flexibility and improvisation in lessons.
She introduced her HEPO framework: hear it, experience it, play it, own it.
How movement and rhythm should come before playing the piano.
She described how short, varied activities support young learners’ attention spans.
Laura explained how progress with young children happens gradually and unexpectedly.
She emphasized focusing on growth moments rather than measurable outcomes.
Laura reflected on the energy and connection experienced at TopMusicLive.
How the event provided reassurance and reduced feelings of isolation.
She highlighted the value of community and collaboration for piano teachers.
She encouraged teachers to attend conferences for inspiration, learning, and connection.


Links Mentioned

Laura's Instagram page:@pocketmusicmama
Laura's website:www.musicnme.com.au
Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.


Today's Guest



Laura Kahar doesn’t just teach music. She redefines how it’s experienced. Founder of 'Music N Me' in Sydney, Australia, she brings over 20 years of music education to designing creative, connected music learning ecosystems. She trains educators globally and consults across studios and early childhood centres, shifting how music is taught and creating learning that truly connects. When not immersed in music education, you’ll find her chasing waves around the world and adventuring through life with her son.
About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music


Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

What if supporting your students didn’t rely on more practice—but on what happens at home? In this episode, Leslie Merritt shares how parents can play a powerful role in their child’s musical development through simple, consistent listening habits. Her approach removes pressure, builds confidence, and helps students connect more deeply with music in a natural and enjoyable way.
Leslie explains that consistent listening at home builds a child’s musical foundation.
She introduces “music immersion” as a simple alternative to theory-heavy learning.
Parents are encouraged to use daily listening instead of structured teaching at home.
Leslie highlights that familiarity with music improves lesson engagement and confidence.
She explains that children learn music naturally through repeated exposure.
The “press play” habit is presented as an easy, low-pressure routine for families.
Leslie emphasizes that parents do not need musical training to support their child.
She discusses how music can help regulate emotions and create calm at home.
Exposure to a wide variety of composers strengthens musical awareness.
Leslie reinforces that empowering parents leads to more consistent student progress.


Links Mentioned

Leslie's Instagram page:@composerstudyclub
Get your TopMusicLive 2026 On Demand Pass here.


Today's Guest



Leslie Merritt is a dedicated music educator and the founder of the Composer Study Club, a program designed to help parents integrate classical music into their children's daily lives with ease. With over 20 years of teaching experience and as a mother of three, Merritt developed her "easy music at home" method to bridge the gap between academic music theory and joyful, low-stress family learning. Her philosophy centers on the belief that music is a foundational tool for developmental readiness—helping children build critical listening skills and emotional regulation through consistent exposure rather than memorization. Through her digital community, she advocates for a balanced approach to music history, frequently highlighting the contributions of often-overlooked women composers alongside historical masters to show that "music is for everyone". Her mission is to empower parents, regardless of their own musical background, to create calmer, more connected homes through curated playlists and simple "press-play" habits.
About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music


Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

As the school year starts to wrap up and recital season approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about the systems that keep everything running behind the scenes. In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the tools, processes, and small tweaks that help me simplify my workload, reduce stress, and keep our conservatory running as smoothly as possible.
Rachel shared how she rebuilt her conservatory systems from scratch after COVID.
She explained how using a studio management platform simplified scheduling and billing.
How automated payments reduced admin work and avoided awkward payment conversations.
Rachel described how she uses a simple interest form as her main website call to action.
Why a low-commitment form helped increase inquiries and new student signups.
How a Google registration form streamlines onboarding for new students.
How linking a welcome packet ensures families understand policies before registering.
Rachel explained how requiring policy agreement avoids confusion later.
She outlined how she organizes multiple recitals to manage a large studio.
Why simple recital systems help create a positive and low-stress experience for families.


Links Mentioned

TMPP 109: Policies to Support the Life You Want with Victoria Clark
TMPP 040: Dynamic Doodle Co with Megan Schraer
Find out more about Fons here.
Recital Compliment Cards from Dynamic Doodle Co
Studio Welcome Packet Template by Holly Hornyan of Clever Keys Music Lessons


About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music


Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

So many piano teachers start out with policies that feel flexible and generous, only to realize later that those same policies can lead to stress, burnout, and constant decision fatigue. In this episode, we're chatting with Victoria Clark to talk about monthly tuition, makeup lessons, and the kinds of studio policies that actually support the life you want to live. This conversation is practical, honest, and full of ideas that may just shift how you think about running your studio.
Victoria shared how she moved from pharmaceutical market research into full-time piano teaching.
Why losing her mother pushed her to build a career around what she truly loved.
The importance of running a studio like a business, not just a passion project.
She explained how clear policies protect a teacher’s time, energy, and income.
Why monthly tuition creates more stability for both teachers and families.
How monthly billing helps smooth income across school breaks and summer holidays.
How automated monthly payments reduce admin and mental load.
The value of presenting tuition as a yearly commitment rather than a per-lesson transaction.
Victoria shared why she no longer offers makeup lessons in her studio.
She explained how makeup lessons become unsustainable as a studio grows.
The importance of applying policies consistently and fairly across all families.
Why studio policies only work when teachers confidently uphold them.
Victoria encouraged teachers to create policies that support both their teaching and personal life.


Links Mentioned

Get your LAST MINUTE ticket for TopMusicLive 2026 here.
Victoria's website:www.victoriaclarkpiano.com
Victoria's Instagram page:@victoriaclarkpiano
Victoria's Facebook page:Victoria Clark Piano
Download your Free Studio Policy Template here
Checkout the Monthly Billing Transition Toolkit here


Today's Guest



Victoria Clark is a piano teacher based on the south coast of England, where she runs a thriving private studio from her home, teaching students of all ages from beginner to intermediate level. Having started teaching piano part time in 2007 alongside a career in pharmaceutical market research, she switched to teaching full time in 2019 and hasn't looked back since. Her studio has been full for a number of years, with a waiting list of students eager to join.

Alongside her teaching, Victoria is passionate about helping other music teachers build studios that work properly for their lives: with clear policies, confident billing, and healthy boundaries. She creates practical resources for teachers, including digital resources, student piano planners with dedicated designs for both adults and children , and supports teachers directly through one-to-one mentoring.
About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.
Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music


Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.
TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.
TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL