073: From Dueling Pianist to Studio Owner with Whitney Maxwell

From dueling pianist to studio owner, Whitney Maxwell shares her remarkable journey of pivoting during the pandemic to open Bloom Music Studio in 2021. In this episode, she talks about how her studio grew rapidly after being featured in the Des Moines Register and how she’s created a welcoming, community-driven environment for students. Whitney also explains her unique lab-based teaching model, which fosters independent learning and helps students progress faster than in traditional private lessons.

• Whitney shared how she opened Bloom Music Studio in 2021 during the pandemic.
• Her transition from a corporate job to full-time teaching after growing her piano studio.
• She discussed her experience of being featured in the Des Moines Register, which led to a dramatic increase in students.
• How her studio offers piano lessons for all ages and is considering expanding to other instruments.
• The importance of infusing personality into her studio's website to attract the right families.
• The benefits of a lab-based teaching structure, encouraging independent learning for students.
• How group lessons allow students to progress faster than in private lessons.
• Advice on managing a teaching team and the benefits of co-teaching in creating community.
• Her passion for creating a strong teacher-student bond through activities and worksheets.
• She recommended that teachers find the pulse of their local community to align their studio’s offerings with what students truly want.

Links Mentioned

• Whitney's website: Bloom Music Studio
• Whitney's Instagram page: @bloommusicstudio
• Whitney's TikTok page: bloommusicstudio

Today’s Guest Whitney Maxwell grew up reading beautiful classical music, studying for 10 years under a Juilliard and Harvard trained teacher and concert pianist. She loved her piano teacher and she loved her lessons. But after some time in corporate America, Whitney somehow ended up traveling the world as a full time dueling piano player. She has been teaching since 2001, and has extensive experience in a variety of curriculums, teaching methods and lesson styles. About Rachel Ehring Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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