Rock School Proprietor Podcast

Organic reach for Facebook business pages has collapsed, and this episode explains what that means for music studio owners and where to focus content creation instead. In this episode John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) share insights on adapting strategies in a shifting digital landscape to maintain effective engagement and gr...

This episode is part 6 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John shares strategies for managing student behavior during band rehearsals. He explains how to address poor behavior from band members when it comes up, and how to redirect and create a positive environment...

On this Q&A episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York respond to a listener whose long‑time instructor left, opened a competing studio, and poached students. Now a competitor, this instructor also reused photos and reviews from the original school. They unpack what options the studio owner has, explain how co...

Kids are busier than ever with travel sports, marching band, theater and other time-intensive activities, and it’s directly impacting private music lessons. In this episode John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) explore why these shifts are happening and share practical steps studio owners can take to retain student. In this episo...

This episode is part 5 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John shares how to plan, structure, and execute productive band rehearsals. From setting up expectations with students to creating a predictable routine that gets band members working together effectively, J...

On this episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) explores a compelling story about a 13-year-old music student facing challenges and discovering new ways to connect with music. They highlights the importance of personalized teaching, understanding student strengths, and the power of fle...

This episode is part 4 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John shares tips on how to select songs for band programs. He covers the importance of matching song difficulty to student ability, structuring songs predictably, and maintaining variety to keep students eng...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) interviews Tony Parlapiano, founder of popMATICS , about his innovative online piano curriculum that focuses on playing by ear, creativity, improvisation, and practical theory. Tony explains how he's built a strong online student community through popMATICS. He also discusses how storytelling and collecting 'musical...

This episode is part 3 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John shares strategies for effectively grouping students into bands in your music school. This includes using variables like age, ability level, and musical interests in conjunction to find the best fit for...

On this episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) tackle whether music instructors should be classified as employees or independent contractors and why that decision is important for every studio. They break down the criteria the IRS uses to assess classification by behavioral control, f...

This episode is part 2 of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode John offers insight on selecting the ideal instructor to lead band programs, emphasizing qualities like multi-instrumentalism, a producer-like perspective, and decision-making skills. Included: Qualities of...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) talks with Levi Clay—author, transcriber and online instructor—about balancing instant access to tabs, tutorials and AI with the human skills that make music meaningful. The two explore effective teaching strategies, the importance of foundational skills like ear training, and how modern technology influences guitar...

This episode is part of the Building a Band Program series on the Rock School Proprietor podcast, hosted by John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com). In this episode, John shares his insights on how to structure a successful band program, covering planning, goal setting, and anticipating future growth.  Included: Planning your band season Setting achievable goals for stude...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) share two of their latest book recommendations for private music instructors and lesson studio owners. Mandy's pick: Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown , and as the extended title suggests, all the benefits of play-b...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) talks with Brian Carrion, founder of Best Lesson Ever in Friendswood, Texas, about how he is using AI tools to build custom applications for his music school and automate operations in ways that go well beyond the basics most studio owners are experimenting with. Brian is not just using AI to write marketing copy or...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) explore early childhood music education and why starting younger than most studios allow can actually set kids up for long-term musical success. Many private lesson studios set firm age requirements based on assumptions about readiness, like can the child read, or will they p...

Thinking of selling your music school? Or maybe you'd just like to have that option someday? In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) speaks with Jeff Homer, founder of Ensemble Performing Arts . Jeff's built a company that runs over 100 music schools, all through acquisitions from independent owners. In the conversation Jeff explains how to value a studio...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) talk with Amy Nunez from Ensemble Performing Arts on how to make your music school both sustainable and saleable. This is part one of a two-part series with the team from Ensemble about what selling and purchasing a music school is like. Amie is a corporate development manage...

In this conversation, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) explore the intricacies of productivity, focusing on the importance of mindset, planning, and routines. They discuss how self-accountability plays a crucial role in maintaining productivity without a traditional boss. The dialogue delves into personal strategies for effe...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) interviews Shana Pistilli, founder of the Rubato School of Music , discussing the importance of inclusion in music education, particularly for neurodiverse students. Shana shares her background in special education and autism studies, emphasizing the need for understanding and adapting teaching methods to meet the d...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) get real about the unexpected challenges of hiring instructors: the mistakes they made, the emotional weight of being responsible for others, and the mindset shift from solo teacher to leader. In this discussion: Hiring is a crucial aspect of running a small business, and cle...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) speaks with Melanie Bowes, music educator and founder of the KeyNotes Music curriculum. John and Melanie discuss how children actually learn music and why so many traditional music education models don't quit hit the mark. Melanie shares what she has seen firsthand in classrooms, how curriculum design shapes student...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) reflect on the recent passing of Greg Hipskind, founder of QC Rock Academy, and how his authenticity, dedication to teaching, and focus on community created an enduring legacy beyond running a business. This episode explores purpose-driven daily choices, the power of live mus...

In this episode, John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York ( Music Time of Milford ) discuss the importance of educating parents in music lessons. They explore various strategies for setting expectations, providing feedback, and reinforcing learning. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication with parents, the role of repetition in learn...

In this episode John Kozicki ( Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) speaks with Sam Lelouch, founder of lesson studio management software Opus1.io .  Sam recounts how his frustrations with available tools turned into developing a studio management platform built to solve real music-school problems like scheduling, billing, makeups, communication and staff workflows. As co-owner of a...