Review: Upbeat piano teachers Online Lesson academy

Have you ever thought about online or video lessons?

To be honest, until very recently, I hadn't. I like teaching in person. My piano space is limited. I don't have room in my budget right now for new tech. I don't need new students or want to extend my teaching hours. I didn't think my families would ever get on board with remote learning.

All of this changed about a month ago when I started the Online Lesson Academy from the Upbeat Piano Teachers.

I've taken many webinars from the Upbeats, and I'd always been so inspired by them.  This past summer I took part in their Planning Academy, and it was a whole new experience. The live group coaching format of these Academies is unlike anything else out there right now for piano teachers!

This Online Lesson Academy was so inspiring!

Here's what you get:

• a 2+ hour live group coaching session PACKED with information
• a full color workbook that coincides with the coaching to help you take notes and keep track of everything you're learning as well as things you need to do
• assignments along the way that help get you going with your online and video lessons
• 2 live Q&A sessions
• a private Facebook group where you can ask questions and bounce ideas off of the instructors and other participants

What do you learn exactly?

This academy is so jam-packed! You get everything you need to get started teaching online or via video. You'll learn all about the technology needed (and that you probably already have all of the tools you need to get started), different platforms you can use (and exactly how to use them), ideas about scheduling, writing policies, getting parents on board, how the lessons will actually flow, what kind of activities work well in an online format, how to physically set things up at the piano, etc. They really leave no stone unturned.

So what were my favorite parts?

• I really like the Academy format with live coaching and open discussion. It allows you to actively participate in your learning and start putting things into practice right away.
• The assignments are manageable, and after you've completed them, you really do feel ready to give this a go in real life.
• All of my questions were addressed, either in the coaching sessions, the Q&As, or the group discussion.
• I'm really starting to see video lessons especially as a viable make up option for my studio.

A caveat: do not register for this class if you are in a busy season because it is time consuming. Between the live coaching, the group discussion, and the assignments, you really do need a little time every day (and sometimes a little more than a little) to get the most out of the Academy.

That being said, you do get lifetime access to everything, so you can go back at any time to watch or re-watch videos and complete assignments. The group is archived a couple of weeks after the Academy ends, but you are invited to join the private Upbeat Mastermind Group, where you can always continue the discussion or ask questions as things come up.

My over-all impression: This class is WORTH IT! Even if you're just tossing the idea around in the dreamy part of your brain right now, the practical tools and ideas you get from the Online Lesson Academy can open up some brand new possibilities for your studio and your business.

If you're interested in the Online Lesson Academy, you can get more information here. Registration is currently closed, but they do plan to offer more sessions in the future, so definitely check it out.

Have you ever thought about teaching online or video lessons? If so, what's holding you back?