How I Became a Traveling Music Teacher and You Can, Too!
I’m excited to share a bit about my journey—how I became a traveling music teacher and why online teaching has been the key to building my dream life. Whether you’re thinking about taking your studio online or dreaming of traveling while teaching, I’m here to help you see just how possible it really is!
Why I Started Teaching Music Online
Let’s start with the big question—why did I decide to take my teaching online? For many years, I was doing what a lot of you are probably familiar with: driving to student after student, spending hours in traffic, and feeling totally burnt out. I was juggling multiple jobs, teaching at a high school, and running my own private piano studio on the side. The exhaustion was real!
At one point, I had two students I absolutely adored—sisters who were moving out of state. I was devastated. I didn’t want to lose them, so I asked their mom, “How about we try Skype lessons?” This was way back before online teaching was popular (think 2012!), and I had no idea if it would even work. But guess what? It did! That was my lightbulb moment. I realized that online teaching could be my future.
Traveling the World And Living My Dream As A Family And Music Teacher
Fast forward a couple of years, and I made the shift to teaching half online and half in person. I had built a solid online student base and loved the flexibility it gave me. But things got even more exciting when my husband (a marketer and photographer) and I started dreaming about becoming digital nomads—working remotely while traveling the world. It seemed like a crazy idea at first, but I thought, “Why not give it a try?”
We sold everything, packed up, and hit the road with our baby girl. I shifted my studio entirely online and began teaching from anywhere—whether it was a camper van in Australia, a cozy house in Spain, or even while house-sitting in London. Teaching music online allowed us to live our dream life as a traveling family.
What You Need to Be a Successful Traveling Music Teacher
You might be thinking, “That sounds amazing, but how do I make it work?” Don’t worry! I’ve been there, and I’ve figured out the essential tools and strategies to successfully teach music while traveling. Here are a few things that made it all possible for me:
Reliable Internet – You need to be sure you’ll have a good connection wherever you’re teaching. I’ve taught from resorts, Airbnbs, and even camper vans, but having a strong internet connection is non-negotiable.
Portable Equipment – One of my best investments was a MIDI keyboard that I could easily travel with. It made demonstrating during lessons so much easier, even when I was on the go.
Pre-recorded Videos – Before we started traveling full-time, I spent time creating over 600 instructional videos for my students. I recorded myself playing through all the method books I teach from, so if I was ever in a spot with a less-than-perfect connection, I could send a video instead of doing live demonstrations.
Flexibility – Being a traveling music teacher means you have to be ready to adapt. I’ve taught at all hours of the day, from different time zones around the world. But that flexibility is also one of the best parts—students love the convenience, and I love being able to fit lessons into my travel schedule!
The Benefits of Teaching Music Online as a Traveling Teacher
There are so many perks to being a traveling music teacher. Not only do you get to explore new places, but you also open up opportunities to teach students from all over the world. Here’s why I love it:
No More Traffic – Say goodbye to endless hours spent in the car, rushing between students! Teaching online means you can do it from the comfort of wherever you are—whether that’s a cozy café in Europe or your home office.
Flexibility for Your Schedule – I love the freedom I have to set my own schedule. When you’re teaching online, time zones can actually work to your advantage. For example, I’ve taught students in Texas, Utah, and even Reno all in one day, without having to leave my house.
More Family Time – As a mom of two, teaching online has allowed me to spend more time with my family. I’m able to balance work and family life in a way that wouldn’t be possible if I were still driving to students or teaching in a school.
Reach More Students – The internet has allowed me to expand my student base far beyond my local area. I’ve taught students from Texas to Boston, and even some internationally! Being a traveling music teacher means you can reach students anywhere and everywhere.
How You Can Start Teaching Music While Traveling
If you’ve been dreaming about becoming a traveling music teacher, now is the time to start! Here’s how you can make the leap:
Shift Your Studio Online – If you’re not already teaching online, the first step is to move your lessons to a virtual format. It might feel overwhelming at first, but trust me—it gets easier with practice. You’ll need tools like Zoom or Skype, a webcam, and some basic online teaching software.
Build Your Student Base – Referrals have been key for me. When my students moved away, I was able to keep teaching them online, and they referred me to others. Word of mouth is powerful, and before you know it, you’ll have students from all over.
Get Organized – Organization is key, especially when you’re traveling. I use tools like Google Docs and Google Drive to keep everything in one place. This helps me manage lesson materials, student notes, and scheduling no matter where I am.
Embrace the Flexibility – One of the best parts about being a traveling music teacher is the freedom. Don’t be afraid to set up lessons during different times of day or even teach from new and exciting locations. Your students will love the unique experiences you can bring to their lessons.
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Traveling Music Teacher
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my journey, it’s that teaching music online can open up so many opportunities. Whether you want to travel full-time like I did or just create more flexibility in your life, teaching music online makes it possible. You can keep doing what you love—teaching—without the burnout of commuting and long days.
So, if you’re ready to start your journey as a traveling music teacher, know that it’s totally doable. It just takes a little planning, the right tools, and the willingness to embrace the adventure. And trust me, once you start, you won’t look back!
Want to Build a Successful Online Music Studio Like I have?
If you’re ready to take your online music teaching business to the next level, then the Teach Music Online membership is exactly what you need! Inside the membership, I share everything I’ve learned about how to run a thriving music teaching business—from marketing and finding students to managing your studio and teaching with confidence.
Want to learn more about how you can join this incredible community? Head over now to get all the details and be part of a supportive network of music teachers who are building their dream businesses—just like you!