Business Resources Library

David Cutler’s 'The Savvy Musician 2.0' is one of the most valuable resources available to aspiring musical artists today. With clarity and candor, Cutler outlines what truly matters, unpacking industry standards using real-world examples and showing exactly what it takes to share your work while building a fulfilling artistic life.

Let's talk about volunteering as a teacher. And before you roll your eyes or start feeling guilty or think I can't do this . . . don't worry, this is not a guilt trip, I promise. I've been on both sides—seasons where I couldn't give a thing, and seasons where I've said yes to way more than I should have. And honestly, both have taught me something incredibly important.

As more families turn to AI tools and Google Maps to find piano teachers, having a website is no longer enough—it needs to be discoverable. Learn four simple SEO updates that can help search engines and AI understand your studio and connect you with prospective students. These quick, actionable tips can improve your online visibility without requiring advanced technical knowledge.

Increasingly, retention is less about what happens during the lesson — and more about how students feel about being part of your studio. Simple group experiences can increase connection, strengthen engagement, and keep students enrolled longer.

This issue’s featured entrepreneur is Leila Viss. Many know her as an independent teacher with endless creative ideas, which she shares through online courses, workshops, her newsletter, and conference sessions. Watch her video here to hear her story. Or keep reading for her story in her own words . . .

A thriving studio regularly evaluates its mission and operations, including aspects that inevitably change over time. We can’t escape taxes and insurance! And then there are life changes, including retirement. Often the answers will change as the studio evolves through start-up, growth, maturity, and succession planning. Let’s explore five essential questions that an independent studio owner (or any business) should never stop asking.

Are you thinking ahead about changing jobs, easing into retirement, or vowing never to retire? Some teachers plan for a specific new “third act” in their lives. Others maintain a studio into their nineties! Some changes we plan for; others surprise us. How do we make career decisions at life’s important crossroads?

I’ve often considered piano teaching to be the best job in the world—why?

Ever find yourself overwhelmed by too much to do and too little time, so you “purge” your schedule of all the extra commitments? You feel better for a while, only to find yourself in the exact same situation several months later. Sound familiar?

Starting to wonder about retirement? Financial planning is essential. Equally important are transition challenges such as mindset shifts, identity questions, and new searches for purpose or meaning. Everyone navigates the retirement transition in their own unique way and in their own time. Here is a compilation of resources recommended by contributors in this issue (April 2026) of the 'MTNA Business Digest.'