There was a season where I wore exhaustion like a badge of honor.
Teaching back-to-back classes by day. Private lessons after school.
Grading during lunch. Rehearsals at night.
Squeezing lesson planning, laundry, and marketing into whatever spare seconds I could find.
It looked like commitment on the outside.
But inside?
It felt like burnout.
And here’s the wild part: I actually believed that was what success was supposed to look like.
Maybe you’ve believed it too?
The Lie of “Hustle Culture” in Music Ed
We’ve been fed this idea that if we just work harder, say yes to more gigs, pick up extra students, volunteer for one more after-school program… then it’ll all finally click.
But here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way):
🎯 Hustle doesn’t guarantee results.
🎯 Working harder doesn’t always mean working smarter.
🎯 That “dream job” starts to feel like a trap when there’s no margin left for your own life.
🎯 Working harder doesn’t always mean working smarter.
🎯 That “dream job” starts to feel like a trap when there’s no margin left for your own life.
And if you’re exhausted, stretched thin, and quietly resenting the job you once loved… you are not alone.
So… What Does Build a Sustainable Music Biz?
If you’re done with survival mode and ready for something better, here’s what I want you to know:
1. You Don’t Need to Be Busy to Be Impactful
Some of my most profitable and peaceful weeks happened when I taught fewer students—because I had the right ones, in the right model, with the right systems.
When you know what actually moves the needle? You stop wasting time on what doesn’t.
2. Simplicity is Your Superpower
You don’t need 5 social platforms, 17 pricing tiers, or a jam-packed calendar to make this work.
You need one solid offer, one aligned audience, and a system that supports your life.
This is what I help other music teachers build every day—freedom-based teaching businesses that actually feel good to run.
3. Time Freedom Shouldn’t Be a Bonus—It Should Be the Blueprint
You didn’t start dreaming of freelancing so you could be more overwhelmed.
You want:
- Flexibility.
- Family time.
- The ability to nap on a Tuesday if your toddler was up all night. 😅
Let’s build your business with that in mind from the start.
Hustle Isn’t the Goal. Harmony Is.
You can hold high standards and healthy boundaries.
You can build a business you love without burning out.
You can grow your income and your joy at the same time.
If that’s what you want? You’re not lazy.
You’re wise.
And you're exactly who I created my programs, resources, and this community for. 💛
Ready to Build a Music Business That Doesn't Require Burnout?
Start here 👇
✅ Free Quick Start Marketing Guide for Music Teachers
It’s your first step toward building a business that grows—without grinding yourself into the ground.
You're not behind. You're just getting started. And I’m cheering wildly for you. 💛
As a freelance music teacher, you may have encountered various misconceptions about the profession. In this blog post, I will debunk some of the most common myths surrounding freelance music teaching and reveal the truths behind them. Let’s dive in!
Myth #1: You Have to Work Evenings if You're a Freelance Teacher
Truth: This is a prevalent myth that many aspiring music teachers believe. While it’s true that some freelance music teachers choose to work evenings to accommodate students' schedules, it is not a requirement. One of the greatest advantages of being a freelance teacher is the flexibility it offers. You can set your own hours and create a schedule that best suits you and your family.Personally, I have structured my teaching hours to avoid evening work altogether. There are plenty of opportunities to teach during the day, especially with homeschooled students, retirees, or adult learners who have flexible schedules. Remember, as a freelance music teacher, you are in control of your time!
Myth #2: You Can't Make a Living Teaching Freelance Music Unless You Work Crazy Long Hours
Truth: This myth often discourages talented musicians from pursuing a career in teaching. The reality is that you can absolutely make a comfortable living as a freelance music teacher without working excessively long hours.The key is to structure your offerings effectively. By diversifying your services, setting appropriate rates, and managing your time wisely, you can create a sustainable income while working reasonable hours. In my case, I maintain a thriving teaching practice with only 15-20 hours of work per week. Of course, there are exceptions—like concert weeks when everyone in the music world tends to put in extra hours—but that’s part of the excitement!
Myth #3: Freelance Teaching Only Works if Your Spouse Holds the Insurance
Truth: While having a spouse with employer-provided insurance can be beneficial, it is not essential for successful freelance teaching. Many self-employed individuals can secure health coverage through various options. In my family’s case, both my husband and I are self-employed, and we utilize health sharing programs (currently this specific one but we have used others in the past and saved a lot!) as an affordable alternative to traditional insurance. It’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of different health coverage options based on your family's specific needs.
Being a freelance music teacher allows you to create a career that fits your life rather than conforming to traditional job structures. By debunking these myths, I hope to encourage more talented musicians to explore the rewarding path of freelance teaching. Join us in the Freelance Music Teachers group on FB and stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll tackle more myths and share additional insights into this fulfilling career!
There are a lot of myths about teaching music freelance that I've heard from my coaching clients and others that I am going to debunk in a new blog series, so here it goes. :)
Myths about Teaching Freelance Debunked, Part 1
#1 If I want to teach freelance, I have to teach private lessons.
Nope! I do teach a couple private lessons (currently I only have 4 private students), but that is not the bulk of what I do. Mostly, I teach choirs (3 different groups) and elementary music classes during the day!
#2 If I want to teach private lessons, I have to give up my evenings and weekends.
Also no! All of the lessons I've taught from my home as a self-employed individual have been during the day. Occasionally I'll offer makeup lessons on a Saturday or an evening, but all of my lessons (at one point I had 13 private lesson students) have been during the day. How do I find students to fit this need? Homeschoolers, retired folks, and online students in other time zones are the three easiest ways, in my experience.
#3 Self-employed people pay double taxes.
While I am no tax expert (so don't take my comments as advice, just my own experience!), I have never paid double in taxes because I am self-employed. There are SO MANY things we can deduct by being self-employed that my taxes are no worse than someone who is an employee, and I have free control of my schedule, work part-time with full-time pay, and don't have nearly the amount unnecessary paperwork or meetings as employed people do. To me, the perks are worth it!
If you'd like more budgeting 101 for self-employed music teacher tips, you can grab that here. I'm all about saving you time where I had to learn the long way through living it. :)
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If this was helpful for you and you'd like to stay tuned for part 2, you can join my free group where we talk about this kind of thing all the time. I post the blogs, informative videos, and discount codes to my coaching & courses here.
