The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast

Jaclyn Mrozek

The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, formerly The Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast, is a piano teacher podcast for independent piano teachers who love teaching but struggle with running a studio or need some encouragement. I’m Jaclyn Mrozek, a piano teacher and studio owner with 28 plus years of experience, all while homeschooling and raising three kids, so yes, I get it. This podcast covers piano teaching, piano studio business systems, private and group lessons, burnout, and sustainable strategies to help piano teachers build joyful studios with clarity and confidence.

  1. FEB 9 · BONUS

    Scrappy Snippet: Silent Film Recitals for Piano Teachers (Ep 75)

    Recital season can bring excitement, nerves, and a whole lot of pressure for both students and teachers. In this Scrappy Snippet, I’m sharing a recent experience that completely reframed how I think about performances and why silent film recitals have become one of my favorite creative options for studios. I recently participated in a silent film celebration for our local MTNA district, and it ended up being one of the most joyful and collaborative performance experiences I’ve had in a long time. As I reflected on that event, it became clear why this format works so well for students, especially those who struggle with traditional recital anxiety. In this episode, I talk through:● what a silent film recital actually is● why teachers and students love this format● how it reduces pressure while still building real musicianship● how you could adapt this idea for your own private studio● what to know about music choices for private versus public events This episode is meant to feel encouraging and realistic. Silent film recitals don’t replace traditional recitals. They simply offer another option, and sometimes having another option makes all the difference. If you’re thinking about recital season, you might also enjoy these past episodes that dive deeper into performance preparation and creative recital ideas: ● Preparing Students for Recital Performance with Molly Gebrian (Episode 59)https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scrappy-snippet-preparing-students-for-recital-performance/id1749130212?i=1000732645784 ● Episode 037: Recital Prep for the Studio with Janna Williamsonhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-037-recital-prep-for-the-studio-with/id1749130212?i=1000695494006 ● Episode 008: Creative Recitals with Elizabeth Swifthttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-008-creative-recitals-with-elizabeth-swift/id1749130212?i=1000663662428 If this episode sparked an idea or gave you permission to try something new, I’d love for you to save it or share it with another teacher heading into recital season.

    12 min
  2. FEB 2

    Back to Basics: Resetting Your Piano Studio

    In this episode of the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m talking about what “back to basics” actually means for a piano studio that is already full and running. This conversation came from a season where I realized I had said yes to too many things and needed to pause and ask what was still serving me and what wasn’t. Not because anything was failing, but because things had started to feel heavy and unclear. We talk about why studios can feel exhausting even when nothing is technically wrong, why burnout often shows up before performance drops, and why resetting a studio can feel so hard once it’s already in motion. I share insights from education psychology, including why motivation usually comes after action, not before, and how early decisions around schedules, policies, and expectations can quietly lock us into systems that no longer fit. Psychology calls this path dependence. I also walk through four foundational anchors that can help you reset your studio without starting over. This isn’t about tearing everything down or lowering your standards. It’s about clearing out the clutter so the studio you already built can actually support you long term. If you’re feeling behind even when you’re on top of things, constantly tweaking but never settling, or tired in a way that rest alone doesn’t fix, this episode is for you. If you want to go deeper with this work, my Studio Reset Cohort is open for registration through February 6. You can find all the details atscrappypianoteacher.com/reset I’m also hosting a free Scrappy Circle teacher meetup called Let’s Talk Recitals with Janna Williamson on February 13 at noon Eastern. You can RSVP atscrappypianoteacher.com/scrappycircle Thanks so much for listening. I’m really glad you’re here.

    22 min
  3. JAN 26 · BONUS

    AMA #1 Online Lessons and Taxes for Music Teachers (Ep 73)

    In this Ask Me Anything episode, I’m answering real questions submitted by music teachers who are navigating real life situations. This is the first AMA episode, and we’re talking about two topics that come up constantly but are rarely explained simply. First, I answer a question from a teacher who unexpectedly needed to move and transition students to online lessons. I share my honest thoughts on choosing an online setup, why simple is often best, and how hybrid approaches using recordings can reduce pressure during live lessons. Next, we dive into taxes. Specifically, where to pay quarterly estimated taxes if you have only ever paid once a year. I am very honest about this being one of my weakest areas, why that is incredibly common among independent music teachers, and why getting teacher specific financial support can make a huge difference. This episode is for teachers who want reassurance, clarity, and practical next steps without feeling judged or overwhelmed. Helpful links mentioned in this episode Studio Reset CohortRegistration is now openwww.scrappypianoteacher.com/reset Join my email listwww.scrappypianoteacher.com Online teaching platformsMuzie.livewww.muzie.live Online teaching support and setup helpwww.teachmusic.online/blog Tax help and financial support for music teachersTax specific serviceswww.musicstudiostartup.com/services/ General financial education for musicianswww.musicianandcompany.com If you have a question you would love answered in a future Ask Me Anything episode, make sure you are on my email list so you can submit it next time.

    10 min
  4. JAN 5

    What Your Piano Studio Analytics Are Telling You (Ep 70)

    In this episode, I’m talking about studio analytics and what the numbers in your piano studio are actually telling you. This is not a business heavy episode and it is not about turning teaching into spreadsheets. It is about gaining clarity. Most independent music teachers were trained to teach music, not to analyze how their studio functions as a business. That gap often leads to guessing, frustration, or the feeling that something is off even when you love teaching. I walk through the key areas successful small businesses pay attention to and translate them into piano teacher language. We talk about predictable income, operating costs, student retention patterns, and studio alignment, along with a real example from my own studio that completely changed how I think about growth and sustainability. If you have ever wondered whether your piano studio is actually profitable, why students leave, what numbers matter most, or how to make confident decisions instead of hoping you are doing things right, this episode will help you start seeing your studio more clearly. If you want more support, resources, and honest conversations about teaching and running a sustainable studio, you can join my email list atwww.scrappypianoteacher.com If you want an easier way to track income, retention, and studio patterns, I personally use MyMusicStaff. You can try it free for 60 days atwww.mymusicstaff.com/scrappypianoteacher If this episode was helpful, leaving a review or sharing it with another piano teacher helps more independent teachers find clarity and support in their studios. Thanks so much for listening.

    19 min
5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, formerly The Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast, is a piano teacher podcast for independent piano teachers who love teaching but struggle with running a studio or need some encouragement. I’m Jaclyn Mrozek, a piano teacher and studio owner with 28 plus years of experience, all while homeschooling and raising three kids, so yes, I get it. This podcast covers piano teaching, piano studio business systems, private and group lessons, burnout, and sustainable strategies to help piano teachers build joyful studios with clarity and confidence.

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