Teach Classroom KinderBach
Classroom KinderBach is a music program for early childhood students in private music studios or education facilities. This curriculum is different than other "Mommy & Me" classes because it familarizes children as young as 3 years old with the piano landscape in a group setting. Classroom KinderBach is a perfect feeder program for piano studios bridging the gap between baby classes and private lessons.
Anyone who loves children and has a passion for teaching music. Whether you already have a music business or you are just looking for some part-time income, Classroom KinderBach provides excellent financial opportunity. Below is a graphic illustrating how CKB can increase the number of early childhood students resulting in more retained students for music teachers and studios.
Have you heard of the benefits of music for preschool children? Many programs have started based on the brain development research. It is significant to note that the most dramatic results were achieved by children who had PIANO lessons, up to 80% higher scores than the nonmusical children.
What does this information mean to you? Well, parents know about the research and they are seeking keyboard-based lessons for their little ones. Are you turning them away? You don't have to anymore. Start children younger with Classroom KinderBach, learning solid music theory in group lessons and fill your private time slots with the graduates. It is a fabulous feeder program. See the above graphic illustrating the potential CKB adds to your business.
Classroom KinderBach is a curriculum you purchase. Our materials are designed so that any teacher may use them for her/his music students. We do make suggestions but it is the teacher's choice on how to implement the program in the studio. KinderBach is flexible to your style and manner of teaching.
Curriculum Layout
Classroom KinderBach is divided into Levels. At present, we have 6 Levels of the curriculum. Three of those (Levels 1 to 3) are ready to teach. Levels 4 to 6 are in development for group classes.
Each Level has 10 weeks of content. We find 30 weeks or 3 Levels fits comfortably within the preschool calendar year. You will be able to teach weekly classes starting in late September or October and finish easily by the following May.
Click here to read Curriculum content by Level.
Classroom Space
This is a keyboard based program so you will need at least one piano or keyboard to teach it.
The activities are either on the floor in 'Circle Time' or at the keyboards. You will need adequate space to accommodate both types of activities. Visit a preschool classroom and you will see the way children are organized. One option is to have the keyboards lining the walls of the room and the middle area left open for Circle Time.
Number of Students
You can use the material with individual students but it is much more profitable for you financially, and the children socially, to offer group lessons. How many students are you comfortable with in your space? Do you have room for 4 kids or 10? For young children (3 years old) you may require an adult to attend class with each child or start a classroom helper parent rotation so you have some assistance. If you are experienced with groups of young children, you will have no trouble determining how many children you would like. If you are not experienced with groups of preschoolers, we suggest starting with 4 children per class and build on that as you become more at ease.
Supplies
Purchasing Teacher packages and Student packages mean that you are all set for content. There is no licensing fees other than the cost of buying these materials. Each student must have his/her own Student package to participate in your classes. It not only makes you look professional but makes your business abide by international copyright law.
For more on Class Supplies see "Start-up Costs" below.
Follow-up course
Children who finish the two years of the current KinderBach curriculum are usually ready to start private lessons. But why stop after two years? This is a new program and we are working on higher levels. We intend to keep the group classes going for an additional 4 years. The end vision of KinderBach is to have children reading music confidently and prepared to go to any other instrument whether privately or part of a band or orchestra.
Whether part-time or full-time, teaching piano classes is a business and you must budget accordingly. It will take some initial investment of time and money but the revenue stream will make it worth your while.
Classroom KinderBach teacher materials are the most economical and convenient. The majority of your class preparation is done for you! Teacher aids, lesson plans, teacher's guide and audio music are on CDs or downloads. Teacher training is included on the DVDs or Online Videos -- how great is that! Your purchase entitles you to use the material for all your CKB students for years. You can get all this for under $300 for the DVD packages. Digital downloads are less and depend on how much of the program you purchase.
Classroom KinderBach student materials may include video for home review - modern multi-media! The beauty of the system is that each student's materials have make up lessons built right in. Teachers do not have to schedule make up times or refund tuition. The convenience is included in the student video packages, a cost that you pass on to your student families. Digitally downloaded work books and pages are a less expensive option - it's up to you!
This initial expense is completely reimbursed to you by the students. We are able to offer the program free of licensing fees because each family is required to purchase a copy of the student materials through you, the teacher.
Proper rhythm instruments set your studio apart and project confidence. You need them because a professional appearance may make all the difference in the amount of tuition you can garner. So it is best to spend a little more up front and reap the rewards later. Budget about $150 to get you started.
Click here for a pdf download list of suggested instruments.
If you already have a piano ... great! You can start KinderBach classes right away. Children can take turns at the piano while the rest use the paper keyboard printout provided or rhythm instruments. Ideally it would be nice to have one keyboard per child, a goal you can work towards in the future but not a restriction to offering classes. Just make sure that the kids have an opportunity to touch a keyboard during the activities demanding it.
Budget generously for laminating and printing of teacher aids. The terrific thing about Classroom KinderBach is that you will only have to do this once. Like rhythm instruments, CKB teacher aids will be used with every class. Each Level has about 50 pages to be cut and laminated into games or tools. Some of the activities will need several copies depending on the number of students per class. You do not have to have the whole year prepared in advance so this cost can be spread out over the months you offer the classes.
You will need crayons, dry erase markers, glue, some scrap paper, tape and index cards as well as a few other craft supplies for classes. Count on providing reward stickers or stamps at your discretion.
Plan the layout for your classes. Paper work and games are included in the floor activities so you will probably want place mats and/or rug squares for the children to have a defined personal work and seating spaces. Do you want to use a larger area rug to protect your living room carpet? Think through how your classes will run and plan accordingly.It's all about spreading the word. Once you have purchased the Teacher Packages, it's time to start marketing. Determine how many students you would like to have and multiply that by seven. That is likely the number of families you will have to approach to fill your classes. Make sure you allow funds for this important task in your budget.
KinderBach wants to help you in every way we can. As soon as you order your Teacher Package, you are provided with a single color brochure that you can print from your computer and hand out to families. Our advertising center is in development but we plan to offer everything from posters to bumper stickers in pdf downloads for FREE so you can reach out to your community. Only CKB teachers will be allowed access to this great resource of graphic art material.
Click here for FULL color Brochure to Parents - Download through the shopping cart.
Designed
in 3 fold style with the back blank for you to put your contact information.
Below is a graph comparing the current number of students in any given studio with the number of potential students made possible because Classroom KinderBach is added to the program options.
If you have a music studio or currently offer piano lessons, you understand the importance of retaining a student for several years. Classroom KinderBach increases the count of students by adding them to your studio at a younger age and then also, increases the number of students you will have in the long run. The benefits go far beyond the immediate income from the classes. That being said, let's work out an estimated income for you. Get out a calculator and follow along.
Tuition
The tuition paid for lessons varies between different areas. Please note that you are offering PIANO lessons which is quite different from the regular preschool music classes. Instrument lessons can be $10 to $25 dollars for a half hour depending on the area. Ask around and find out what the going rate is for 30 minutes of piano lessons in your area. That amount is likely what you will be able to charge per student for a 50 minute group lesson. For the purpose of this estimate, just take a guess now.
Number of Students
How many do you plan to take per class?
This number should be between 4 and 10. It depends on the amount of space you have in your classroom and how many children you would be comfortable with.
Number of Classes
How much time do you want to teach? How many classes per week do you want to offer?
Weeks per Level
Every Level of the Classroom KinderBach program has 10 weeks of lessons (one 50 minute or two 25 minute per week). If you want to know the income of a school year, use 30 weeks or 3 Levels.
Calculation
Take your chosen tuition per week - example: $12
Multiply it by the number of students - example is 6: $12 x 6 = $72 (Note this means $72 per hour! A pretty fair wage)
Multiply that by the number of classes offered per week - example is 4: $72 x 4 = $288
Multiply the result by the weeks per Level - example: $288 x 10 = $2880
If you want to estimate the entire school year of the program, multiply by 3 - example:
$2880 x 3 = $8640*
How did your calculation work out? You can see that teaching Classroom KinderBach is financially rewarding in addition to the benefits you will receive from doing something you like!
*Please note that this amount is gross income before expenses.
Classroom KinderBach is a new program with a unique approach to teaching keyboard. The support system is in development and we are very open to suggestions. What do you need to be successful at this new business? Please tell us.
We have a Classroom KB facebook page -- Click here and 'Like' us today.
A veteran piano teacher with 25 years of experience writing a blog for us about starting classes -- Click here to read.
We plan to have a Teacher's forum for questions and shared solutions. We learn from each other!!
Marketing help - Our advertising center is in development but we plan to offer everything from posters to bumper stickers in pdf downloads for FREE so you can reach out to your community. Only CKB teachers will be allowed access to this great resource of graphic art material.
How do I get trained to teach Classroom KinderBach?
Training for teaching CKB
is on DVDs or Online Videos and in the Teacher Guide book included in your teacher package. It is simple to get started and the videos make teaching easy, adjustable to your style.
How much time does it take to prepare classes?
The most time preparing will be spent in making teacher aids for your first classes. Otherwise, you will review the lesson plan, make adjustments to suit yourself, familarize yourself with the tasks and songs and you are set to go. Initially,
you will likely spend as much time preparing for the class as teaching it. The second time through - 5 minutes and you are ready.
Are there any extra fees?
No. Teacher materials, student materials and perhaps an online membership - that's it. No licensing fee or subscriptions.
What do I need to start classes?
Check above under 'Start-up Costs'
and 'How does the program work?'
I have questions not listed here. Who should I contact?
Click here to send us an email.
There is no sign up process. Simply purchase the teacher package and you are in!
Click here to view Teacher Packages.
Order the "Try It Out!" package with DVD (Shipping and Handling cost)
Order the "Try It Out!" package digital download (FREE)
Click here for ONE color Brochure to Parents - Download through the shopping cart.
Designed in 3 fold style with room to put your contact information.
Click here for FULL color Brochure to Parents - Download through the shopping cart.
Designed
in 3 fold style with the back blank for you to put your contact information.
