Rock School Proprietor Podcast

Latest Episodes:

65: Q&A Quickfire Episode | Curriculum, Software & Marketing for Music Studios Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

On this Q&A quick-fire episode of Rock School Proprietor Podcast, hosts John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) answer three listener questions studio owners are asking:

Investing in a licensed curriculum for group classes. What to consider, questions to ask, and where to start?
Which studio management software is best? Core features like automatic billing and payment, schedule features, and add-ons.
How to market your lessons when the concept of marketing seems overwhelming?

John and Mandy offer practical advice to help you make choices that have the biggest positive impact on your studio.

Additional resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 16: Unlocking the Secrets of Licensed Curriculum for Music Studios

Episode 6: Mastering Music School Marketing with Adam Wilson - Part 1: Building your Brand

Episode 7: Mastering Music School Marketing with Adam Wilson - Part 2: Your Marketing Plan

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

64: Navigating Competition When a New Studio Moves In Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) discuss the fear and insecurity that arise when a new music studio opens nearby, sharing a personal story about feeling threatened and how that led to mistakes. They explore how to shift from reactive competition to a healthier, more constructive mindset.

Practical takeaways from the discussion:

compete with yourself
learn from others
stay true to your core values
maintain an abundance mindset
protect your mental health
consider collaboration to strengthen your local music community.

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

63: Darvin Lau & Mike Grande | How to Make Recitals & Concerts Profitable Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Studio owner Darvin Lau (BayRidge School of Music) found his concerts costing more than they earned — until Mike Grande (Rock Out Loud Live) helped him change the playbook. On this episode John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com), with help from Mike and Darvin, walk through concrete steps that transformed Darvin's costly concerts into profitable events.

Tips to make it happen:

negotiating venue deals
selling VIP tickets
bundling registrations and tickets
creating band slots instead of solos
hiring photographers
selling merch
leveraging scheduling to retain students

Hosts share practical examples, pricing tips and timing strategies you can use to make your recitals pay for themselves while improving the experience for students, families and staff.

BONUS: download the FREE guide with all the tips form this episode, "How to Turn Student Concerts Into Profitable Events." Get it at https://rockschoolproprietor.com/resources/

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

62: DIY Publicity Tips to Get Your Music School in the News Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

On this episode John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) teach music school owners how to get free publicity. Newspapers, magazines, online outlets, and even TV news are regularly LOOKING for stories to cover. Knowing how to craft newsworthy stories, write effective press releases, build relationships with journalists, and use photos can increase your chances of coverage.

We also explain why publicity can be more valuable than paid ads for long-term credibility and visibility. And the best part is that it doesn't cost you a cent!

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

61: How To Attract the Right Students (And Lose the Wrong Ones) Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) discuss why being selective about students and families helps you build the studio culture you want. They share real examples and practical strategies for setting expectations, protecting staff time, and aligning families with your lesson studio philosophy.

Key takeaways include:

Choosing the right students is crucial for studio culture.
Building community among families enhances the studio experience.
Clear communication of policies helps set expectations.
Parents' expectations for practice should align with studio philosophy.
Creating a positive environment for instructors is essential.
Setting boundaries is necessary for studio management.
Understanding family dynamics can aid in student selection.
Regular feedback from families can improve studio offerings.
A strong community attracts like-minded families.

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

60: Q&A Episode | When Your Star Instructor's Communication Is Horrible Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

On this Q&A episode of Rock School Proprietor Podcast, hosts John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) tackle a messy situation: a talented instructor with persistent communication and scheduling problems who has started teaching elsewhere and even picked up former students privately. They walk through how to decide whether to keep or cut ties, how to open a calm, curiosity-driven conversation, and practical steps to tighten communication and set clear expectations.

Do you have a problem in your studio you think we could help with? Send us a message and we could do a Q & A episode discussing your problem. Click here to send a message to Mandy and John.

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

59: Kristin Blanchard | Engaging Young Musicians in Middle School Band Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) talk with Kristen Blanchard, 2024 Michigan Band Director of the Year. A middle school band director (Muir Middle School) of nearly 30 years, she shares how music education has evolved and how her methods have also changed over the course of her career. Kristin highlights why creating a fun, engaging environment is so important in her band room.

They discuss practical approaches to practice, the value of performance traditions, and how private instructors and school programs can work together to grow lifelong musicians and music lovers.

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

58: Kelly Bennett | Taking Music School Students on Tour Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) Kelly Bennett, co-owner of Valencia School of Music, about taking a group of teenagers from her music school on tour. They discuss all the challenges and successes involved in organizing this huge project. Kelly shares insights on how to create a supportive community for young musicians and the importance of performance opportunities in music education.

Kelly walks through organizing a student band tour from New Jersey to Nashville—covering timeline, budgeting, accommodations, chaperones, rehearsals, workshops, and live performances. She explains lessons learned and how Kelly is refining plans to make future experiences sustainable and meaningful.

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

57: Brady Davies | Music School Acquisitions (The Buyer's Perspective) Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) speaks with Brady Davies, the founder of One Music Schools. Brady shares his family's journey of opening a single piano lesson studio (The Piano Place), expanding to multiple locations, and now leading a company that purchase music schools.

Join us as Brady delves into the intricacies of acquiring music schools, what he looks for in potential buys, and the seamless ways he integrates them into his successful brand while preserving their unique legacies.

In this episode:

Brady offers resources for music school owners looking to sell or improve their operations.
How community and individual student engagement are essential for a successful music school.
The things Brady and his company look for when considering a school for purchase.
What the negotiation and purchase process looks like.
Brady's post-acquisition focus on maintaining the legacy of the school as a priority.
Tips for school owners to make their studio a valuable prospect for sale, even if they aren't looking to sell.

Gain valuable insights into the importance of robust systems and processes in running multiple music schools efficiently, and why these are essential whether you are planning to sell or simply wish to streamline your operations.

Get the FREE eBook, 6 Stages to Selling Your Music School, by visiting OneMusicSchool.com

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

56: Eric Bourassa | What It's Like to Sell Your Music School (The Seller's Perspective) Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast host John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) has a fascinating conversation with Eric Bourassa (UnlimitedGuitar.com), the former owner of the Fort Worth Music Academy. Eric shares why he chose to sell his thriving music business and the personal insights he gained afterward. This episode unveils the intricacies of selling a business, the emotional journey involved, and the surprising regrets that came with it.

In this episode:

Eric emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision for one's career.
The intense emotions involved in selling a business, and how they can influence decisions.
The negotiation process in selling a business requires careful consideration and legal advice.
Building a successful music school involves more than just financial success; community matters.
Transitioning from a brick-and-mortar school to online teaching, and future plans to possibly return to a brick-and-mortar school.

Eric candidly shares his motivations, the challenges he faced in the negotiation process, and how his passion for being a full-time musician influenced his decision. If you're contemplating selling your own music school or simply curious about the journey of a business owner, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and honest reflections.

Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated!

Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights.

Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.

Episode Transcript:

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