Legal Landscape: Business Structure Options for Music Teachers

Beth Gigante Klingenstein NCTM

MTNA Business Digest, Volume 1, Issue 4

July 2022

Are you trying to decide on the best business structure for your teaching? OR are you looking for ways to upgrade or change your current teaching situation? Besides the two traditional platforms (independent studio and university faculty) there are other attractive choices available. Offered here are descriptions of several options, their pros and cons, and the legal/tax pluses and minuses of various business types.

Part 1: Teaching Options

• Online teaching
• Entrepreneurism Video: Online Teaching
• Teaching in Student's Homes
Teaching Using a Middle Man to Do the Business Tasks: at home, online or in students’ homes
• Teaching at a For-Profit Organization
• Teaching at a Non-Profit Organization
• Summary of Options
• Summary of Considerations When Choosing an Option

Part 2: When Working for Someone Else: music academy, music store, community school, etc.

• Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Part 3: When Working as Business Owner: tax/legal considerations for various business.

• Business Options for Music Teachers Setting Up a Studio
  MTNA offers this legal document to help members better understand the pluses and minus of Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Company and Corporation.

Beth Gigante Klingenstein, NCTM, is a nationally renowned author and presenter. Recently retired from a career dedicated to teaching and arts administration, she continues to embrace her life-long interest in the business side of teaching.