inBachs / Inside a University Lecture on Business of Private Music Lessons

When I step into a university classroom, it becomes clear right away that students are highly trained as performers, but almost none of them have been taught how to actually build a career teaching.

That gap is exactly why I started speaking on this topic. For most musicians, performance training is top-notch, but the roadmap to actually make a living through independent private teaching is missing.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to teach full college classes and speak to music majors about what private studio life really looks like. The results are powerful. Students walk away seeing private teaching not as a fallback, but as a legitimate career path where they can:

• Build a full studio roster faster than they thought possible

• Earn sustainably without burning out of the music industry

• Shape their schedule around the life they want to live

These aren’t abstract theories. They’re real-world lessons pulled straight from our community of independent teachers who are making private studios thrive today.

Lessons learned from the classroom
One of the biggest takeaways from teaching these sessions is how quickly students connect with the idea of independence. Once they see examples of teachers earning more than their professors within a year of graduation, they realize this isn’t an alternate universe. It’s a path that’s available right now with the right tools.

That’s why I continue to bring Outside The Bachs into universities across the country. It changes the way young musicians see their futures.

Looking ahead
I already have several universities booked for early 2026, and I can’t wait to keep sharing these lessons. If you are connected with a professor, department chair, or program that would benefit from this kind of workshop, I’d love to hear from you.

Reply to this email or visit outsidethebachs.com/live-events to learn more.

— Kelly Riordan