David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto
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  • My Story
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  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
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  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources

Below are links to all the sights and authors I mentioned in various Workshops  

Improvisation In Classical Music Workshop Outline and Handout
Presenter: David Story, B.M., ARCT, RMT
Date: 730 PM April 20th 2013
Location: Orillia Kawania Festival
Length: one hour

Learn the Music, then “Play”
1. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, all were trained improvisers.
2. Historical Curriculums exists to show us how
3. Artists who improvise past adding ornaments
  • Andras Schiff

  • Friedrich Gulda

  • Glenn Gould

4. Additional information

  • The Baroque Era, An introduction to the keyboard music, Edited by Palmer and Halford, Alfred Masterwork Edition

  • The Classical Era, An introduction to the keyboard music, Edited by Palmer and Halford, Alfred Masterwork Edition

Music Lesson Marketing Workshop
Long and McQuade Burlington April 2013

Top Tips
  1. Model success
  2. Marketing is a daily effort
  3. Build a success library
  4. Know your customers
  5. Build your network

My Favorite Marketing Books And Authors with links

  1. The Little Big Things by Tom Peters
  2. The Sales Bible by Jeffery Gitomer
  3. Anything Book by Seth Godin
  4. How I made $100,000 My First Year as a Piano Teacher By Kristin Yost
  5. Recreational Music Making Handbook for Piano Teachers
  6. The Ulitmate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
  7. Profits Aren't Everything, They're the Only Thing by George Cloutier
  8. The Music Lesson by Victor L. Wooten
  9. The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom
  10. Success Magazine
  11. Brian Tracy International

Sharing our enthusiasms: life-long learning is our key to prosperity and professional happiness

  1. Music lessons to stay sharp

  2. Business clubs to stay focused. I’m a member of Action Coach

  3. Honouring ourselves through the care of our health

  4. Remind ourselves of the issues our students are dealing with. If we can’t present a model of success, its hard to expect our students to find a way.

Marketing 101 Twenty ideas: Values, Goals, Strategies, Tactics, Demographics, Skills

“Don’t dig your well when you are thirsty”

  1. professional website

  2. YouTube channel

  3. blogs

  4. soundcloud

  5. business cards

  6. flyers

  7. metrics

  8. understanding the demographics in your area

  9. discounting: Don't

  10. recitals

  11. cold calls

  12. reconnecting with old students each year

  13. seminars

  14. up-selling services

  15. new offerings

  16. alliances with others professionals for referrals

  17. business clubs

  18. giveaways

  19. networking events

  20. Reconsider your teaching model. Is it 19th c.?

Teacher/Student studio contracts. Ideas on the dreaded, “can we reschedule?” request

My Policy: Cancellation policy: Fees are not refunded for missed lessons. The teacher is not obliged to make up student absences. Lesson missed due to the teacher’s absence
will be made up at a mutually convenient time, or an immediate refund will be
cheerfully given. Sports or other extra curricular activities that conflict with the
student’s lesson time are not the responsibility of the piano teacher. This allows me
to keep lesson fees reasonable, and brings dignity to the job.


Renewal strategies for teachers in mid-career

  1. Get out of your studio, hang with other successful teachers and small business people

  2. Go to concerts

  3. Attend a conference far from home

  4. Workout at the gym

  5. Create a stop doing list of soul sucking activities and students

  6. Take some business classes and shake up your attitude
  7. Recreational Music Making and Baby Boomers Marketing book.

It is an App world

                                                ©2022 David Story
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Winter Concert 2023
  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources