When I first left the classroom, I was craving freedom.
No more back-to-back classes.
No more duty schedules.
No more bell dictating when I could eat or breathe or use the bathroom.
And I got it. The freedom. The space. The blank calendar.
But what I wasn’t expecting?
Was how hard it would be to figure out my new rhythm.
Because once you get your time back… you suddenly have to decide what to do with it.
And that can be overwhelming.
So if you’re feeling scattered, reactive, or a little too “go with the flow” in your freelance teaching life—this post is for you. I’m sharing exactly how I structure my week as a freelance music educator—so I can teach, rest, and live with clarity and peace.
You don’t have to figure this out by trial and error.
Let’s make your schedule work for you.
Step 1: Start With Your Season
Before you start plugging things into a planner, pause and ask:
- What matters most in this season of life?
- What do I want my days to feel like?
- What’s realistic for my energy and capacity right now?
For me, that meant building a week that gave me:
- Slow mornings
- Teaching blocks in the afternoon
- Protected time for rest, family, and personal projects
Your version might look totally different—and that’s the point.
Your schedule should reflect your values, not your pressure.
Step 2: Set Clear Teaching Hours (That Work for You)
One of the most common freelance mistakes I see?
Letting students fill any open time on your calendar.
At first, it feels flexible.
But eventually, it feels like chaos.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Group similar lessons or classes together
- Teach during your peak energy hours
- Build in a “buffer block” once a week for reschedules or overflow
I teach most of my lessons in the afternoon and classes in the morning, a couple days a week—so I have off mornings for prep or rest, and other days fully open for non-teaching tasks or margin.
Step 3: Give Admin + Planning Tasks Their Own Space
It’s easy to underestimate how much time it takes to run a teaching business.
Lesson prep.
Emails.
Parent communication.
Scheduling.
Invoicing.
Marketing or social media (if you do that).
Parent communication.
Scheduling.
Invoicing.
Marketing or social media (if you do that).
These things need time too.
So instead of letting them sneak in everywhere and steal your peace?
Give them a block of their own.
Maybe that’s:
- Admin Monday afternoons
- Email catch-up on Tuesday + Thursday mornings
- A batch prep session for social media every other Friday
You get to design it. But don’t ignore it.
Step 4: Schedule Personal Time Like It’s a Lesson
Listen, I know how tempting it is to “just squeeze one more student in.”
But here’s the thing:
You didn’t leave burnout… to recreate it with a prettier calendar.
So I block things like:
- Walks during the day
- A Sabbath-style rest on Sunday
- Weekly date nights
- Creative time that’s not “for work”
And I honor those blocks just like I would if they were a paid class.
Your peace is worth protecting.
Want Help Structuring Your Week?
Be sure to listen to Episode 6 of Out of the Music Room for the full breakdown.
I still remember sitting in my car in the school parking lot, running the numbers over and over in my head.
How on earth was I supposed to leave my stable teaching job and somehow bring in the same amount of money—on my own? From scratch? As a freelance music teacher?
It felt impossible… until it wasn’t.
If you’re a teacher thinking about making the leap—or you’ve already leapt and now you’re flailing a little—I want to share what I wish someone had told me sooner.
Not just “you can do it,” but how to actually make the money work.
Because you absolutely can. You just need a plan that works with your life, not against it.
Get Clear on the Real Numbers
The first step to replacing your income? You need to know what you’re actually replacing.
And I don’t mean your gross salary listed in your contract. I mean net, after taxes, after commuting, after all the little expenses that came with being in a classroom all day.
Those emergency Starbucks runs. The stress shopping at Target. The gas. The last-minute supplies you bought for a student.
When I really sat down and did the math, I realized that what I needed each month was less than I thought—but also more layered than I’d considered.
That clarity gave me something I hadn’t had before: a target.
And when you know your target, you can finally build a structure that supports it. Not guesswork. Not wishful thinking. A real, doable plan.
Build Smarter, Not Heavier
The biggest mistake I almost made? Assuming I had to work more to earn more.
I was this close to cramming 30+ one-on-one lessons into every corner of my week. But then I realized—I didn’t leave teaching to burn out in a new way.
The key was diversification.
Instead of just offering private lessons, I built a mix of services that supported both my income goals and my energy:
- Private lessons in voice and piano
- Group classes (more students, same time)
- Homeschool enrichment programs
- Seasonal workshops and camps
- Digital resources and asynchronous learning tools
- Affiliate recommendations for things I already loved and used
Each offer served a different purpose, and together they created a business that was sustainable, profitable, and actually enjoyable.
You don’t need to teach 40 hours a week to hit your number. You just need the right combination of offers.
The Pricing Shift That Changed Everything
Let’s talk about something tender: pricing.
This is where so many amazing educators trip themselves up—not because they’re not worth it, but because they’re used to being underpaid and overgiving.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the shift that changed everything for me:
You’re not charging for your time. You’re charging for the transformation you help create.
That includes:
- Your years of experience and training
- The prep time you don’t bill for but always do
- The emotional energy it takes to show up, week after week
- The confidence and joy your students walk away with
When I started pricing based on value instead of fear or what I thought people could afford, my entire business changed. I showed up differently. My clients showed up differently.
And no surprise—the money started working.
You Deserve More—and That’s Okay
There’s this unspoken belief in the teaching world that we’re supposed to give until we have nothing left. That we shouldn’t want more. That rest or financial security somehow means we care less about our students.
But here’s what I believe now:
You teach better when you’re not exhausted.
You create more when you’re not scrambling.
You serve deeper when your own cup isn’t empty.
You create more when you’re not scrambling.
You serve deeper when your own cup isn’t empty.
Wanting a business that supports your life isn’t greedy. It’s wise.
This isn’t about chasing luxury. It’s about building stability. Sustainability. Options.
One More Thing...
There’s one more piece to this puzzle—something I’ve never heard anyone talk about in teacher-to-freelancer circles. It’s something I had to learn the hard way that first year, and once I understood it, everything clicked into place.
I break it down in detail inside this week’s podcast episode: Episode 4 – Making the Money Work.
Whether you're still in the classroom or you're already out and trying to rebuild your income from the ground up, I made this episode for you.
Give it a listen and let’s walk this out together—one intentional step at a time.
You're not stuck. You're not behind. And you’re definitely not crazy for wanting more.
You’re building something brave. And it’s going to work—if you build it with intention.
Let me just say it up front:
Yes — I’m a composer.
Yes — I could have written my own podcast intro music.
And no — I didn’t.
But not because I didn’t care.
And not because I ran out of time.
And not because I ran out of time.
I chose not to — on purpose.
In fact, I picked a piece I absolutely adore: the Double Violin Concerto in D minor, 1st movement by J.S. Bach. 🎻
Why? Because I love Bach. I connect with it. It reflects my values — structure and flow, soul and discipline, beauty and order.
And that’s the point of this post.
🎶 I Could Have Composed It… But I Didn’t Need To
When I launched my podcast, I had this voice in the back of my head:
“You should write your own theme music. You’re a composer. It would be the perfect showcase.”
But if I’m being honest — I knew that road.
I knew it would lead to days tweaking melodies, second-guessing tone, wondering if it was “good enough,” and maybe even pushing back the launch while I tried to get it just right.
And that’s not what I needed.
What I needed was:
- To launch.
- To start connecting.
- To teach, to encourage, to serve.
I didn’t need to prove I could write music — I do that in other times and spaces.
I needed to choose wisely where to invest my time and energy.
So instead, I picked music that already lived in my bones. Something that resonated with me on a deeper level and said, “This is who I am,” without me needing to write a single note.
🧠 Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
Here’s the bigger takeaway:
Whether you’re composing, teaching, or building a new business — there will always be opportunities to do more.
To prove your skill.
To check every box.
To make it all “custom.”
To check every box.
To make it all “custom.”
But what if your next level isn’t about doing more… it’s about choosing what actually matters?
When we stretch ourselves too thin doing all the things just because we can, we end up robbing ourselves of clarity, creativity, and momentum.
✨ What This Looks Like in Your Business
If you’re a freelance music teacher trying to build something sustainable — online lessons, digital courses, a hybrid studio — I want you to hear this loud and clear:
You don’t have to do everything to prove you're talented.
You don’t have to build it all from scratch to make it meaningful.
You don’t have to be the composer, performer, editor, marketer, admin, AND accountant.
You get to be strategic.
You get to use what already exists — and love it deeply.
You get to protect your energy so you can show up fully in the roles that matter most.
TL;DR (Because: real life)
I didn’t write my own podcast intro music.
I chose Bach — because it’s beautiful, it’s meaningful, and I didn’t need to start from scratch.
And in that choice, I gave myself space to launch, not delay.
To move forward, not spin in circles.
I hope this gives you permission to do the same — in your own way, in your own work.
🎯 If Marketing Is the Thing You Know You Need to Hand Off…
You’re not alone — and you don’t have to DIY your way through all of it.
If your to-do list is full of marketing tasks you secretly dread, I’m your person.
Let’s take it off your plate — so you can get back to creating, teaching, and building the life you actually want.
It’s a custom look at how your business is positioned in your local area — so you can stop guessing, start growing, and finally feel clear on where to go next.
You bring the heart. I’ll bring the strategy. 💛
Ever found yourself thinking…
There has got to be a better way to teach music.
If that thought has been circling your brain lately, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken.
You might still love teaching… but the system you’re in?
That’s another story.
If you’ve been daydreaming about setting your own schedule, choosing your students, building your own curriculum—or honestly, just being able to use the bathroom without asking for coverage—freelance teaching might be worth considering.
But is it really the right fit for you?
Let’s talk about it.
Signs freelance teaching might be your next step:
- You’re still passionate about teaching, but totally burned out by the system
- You want more flexibility for your family, your health, your sanity
- You’re craving more creativity, freedom, or income potential
- You’re drawn to the idea of building something that’s yours
Sound familiar?
But let’s be honest—it’s not all sunshine and schedule freedom.
There are fears (normal ones!), some mindset shifts, and a few red flags that might mean it’s not the right time just yet.
And that’s okay, too.
I talk through all of this in Episode 2 of the podcast, Out of the Music Room.
We cover who freelance teaching is perfect for, what fears are totally normal (but don’t have to stop you), and why this path doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.
🎧 Listen to Episode 2 here: Is Freelance Music Teaching Right for You?
Whether you’re ready to leap or just dipping a toe in, this is your safe place to explore the “what if.”
You’re not behind. You’re not crazy.
You’re right on time.
Let’s talk about the weird, quiet stretches on the freelance music teacher calendar.
You know the ones:
- Summer break
- The holidays
- That awkward post-recital slump
- Mid-January when everyone’s still in pajamas
These seasons can feel like a full stop.
Students travel, families go into hibernation mode, and suddenly your inbox is quieter than you’d like.
So the question is…
Should you stop marketing during these “off” times?
Nope. But you should market differently.
First: Off-seasons aren’t failures—they’re rhythms.
Freelance businesses have seasons, not just schedules.
You’re not doing anything wrong if things slow down in July or January.
But here’s the secret:
How you show up during the quiet seasons sets you up for the busy ones.
How you show up during the quiet seasons sets you up for the busy ones.
Think of it like gardening.
Summer might feel like dry soil… but what you plant now?
That’s what blooms in September.
So what kind of marketing does work in off-seasons?
Here’s what I recommend:
1. Focus on nurturing, not selling.
This is the time to show up with value—tips, encouragement, behind-the-scenes moments. Stay top-of-mind without shouting “Buy from me!”
This is the time to show up with value—tips, encouragement, behind-the-scenes moments. Stay top-of-mind without shouting “Buy from me!”
2. Reconnect with your list.
Summer is a great time to warm up your email audience, run a simple re-engagement sequence, or share a few “what I’m working on” updates.
Summer is a great time to warm up your email audience, run a simple re-engagement sequence, or share a few “what I’m working on” updates.
3. Talk to future students.
Plant seeds for fall enrollment or back-to-school offers. Preview what’s coming, share early-bird bonuses, and invite people to get on your waitlist.
Plant seeds for fall enrollment or back-to-school offers. Preview what’s coming, share early-bird bonuses, and invite people to get on your waitlist.
4. Evaluate and prep.
This is prime time to refresh/redo your website, update your welcome sequence, or build out new evergreen offers. Do the foundational work now so it’s ready when inquiries pick back up.
This is prime time to refresh/redo your website, update your welcome sequence, or build out new evergreen offers. Do the foundational work now so it’s ready when inquiries pick back up.
Want some fresh eyes on your marketing strategy?
I offer 1:1 coaching and custom resources to help you market smarter, not harder—so you're not stuck reinventing the wheel every season.
Shoot me a message or hop into the Freelance Music Teacher Community on Facebook if you want support!
And remember:
A quiet season isn’t a dead end.
It’s a window of opportunity.
