How to Network to Get Violin Beginners

This is part 6 of 7 from the blog and video series 7 Steps to Attract More Students and Grow Your Violin Studio (What I Wish I Knew When I Started My Studio 10 Years Ago). 

​The entire series is available as a download in the Music for Young Violinist store.

STEP 6/7: NETWORK

When I moved to Eugene, Oregon 10 years ago and had to build a studio from scratch, I made it my job to go to every party and event I was invited to so I could grow a new network of connections and share the good news about my new violin studio and that I was accepting new students. It was exciting, but also daunting for an introvert like myself. I also had all the local violin teachers over for brunch and helped develop a local association that sponsored play-ins and summer activities.

Make it your job to meet owners of local violin and music shops, local arts organizations and school groups. You may need to reach outside of your comfort zone to create some of these opportunities but I assure you that no effort to connect will go unrewarded.  

• Sponsor a play-in.​

• Join the local youth orchestra or school board meeting.

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• Get listed on the local youth orchestra referral list.

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• Let other teacher’s know you are excited to welcome new students into your studio!

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• Create a local teachers association.

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• Meet local music store owners (even if they are not a string store, they still get asked for violin teacher references).

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• Play at local schools and libraries.

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• Have a local paper write an article about you/your studio.​

• Have a local news station cover your student events.

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• Start a weekly fiddle jam.

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• Start a chamber music program.

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• Invite violin teachers over to play duets.

• Meet teachers of other instruments.

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• Ask existing students if they have friends looking for violin lessons.

Last, but not least, never underestimate the power of food to bring people together for connection. Have other teachers over for a brunch or invite more established teachers out for coffee to pick their brain on how you can expand your services. 

After you have grown your studio to your target size you still must maintain a constant presence in the community. Students come and go and your security and your studio’s stability rely on you staying connected to your community.

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