In this inspiring episode of the Teach Music Online Podcast, host Carly Walton chats with Grant Collins, a visionary drum teacher from Australia who has taken his passion for teaching and transformed it into a fully online studio.

Grant’s journey from international performer to online educator is filled with actionable insights, personal stories, and motivational advice for any music teacher looking to make a bigger impact online. Join us to learn how Grant built his “Drum Dojo,” embraced technology, and created a supportive, thriving community for students worldwide.

Episode Highlights:

Grant’s Background and Shift to Online Teaching

• Discover how Grant transitioned from global performance stages to teaching drums online, and what led him to join the Teach Music Online (TMO) membership. Hear about his initial challenges with online setup and how he found the tools and confidence to make his lessons engaging and effective.

Building an Engaging Online Drum Studio with the Drum Dojo

• Grant shares the story behind his innovative "Drum Dojo," a weekly drum workout session where students of all levels come together to practice, improve, and connect. Learn how he recreated an in-studio experience for his online students, fostering a sense of community and motivation.

Embracing Technology to Elevate Online Lessons

• For Grant, technology isn’t a barrier—it’s a tool for deeper connection. He discusses his multi-camera setup, digital handouts, and how platforms like Apple Notes help him offer a high-quality, interactive experience for his students. Get tips on how you can use technology to enhance your own lessons and create a dynamic learning environment.

Retention and Long-Term Student Relationships

• Grant’s philosophy is all about creating meaningful, lasting relationships with his students. Inspired by his wife’s work in personal fitness, he shares how he applies these principles to his own teaching, emphasizing the importance of retention, building community, and viewing each student as part of a larger learning journey.

Scaling with Memberships and Future Goals

• Learn about Grant’s plans to scale his online drum studio using a membership model, offering students a library of lessons and resources they can access anytime. This model helps him reach more students without sacrificing time and provides an affordable way for students to continue their studies.

Advice for Online Music Teachers

• From getting comfortable on camera to creating unique teaching resources, Grant shares practical advice for teachers who are interested in online drum lessons or other forms of virtual music education. He reminds us that every little bit of effort counts—and that perfection isn’t required to make a real difference.

Links Mentioned:

• Visit Grant Collins’ website: grantcollins.com/academy
• Follow Grant on Instagram: @GrantCollinsDrum
• Learn more about Teach Music Online and join the waitlist: teachmusic.online

Join the Teach Music Online Membership Waitlist:

Inspired by Grant’s story? Join the Teach Music Online membership to access resources, courses, and a community of creative educators who are taking their studios online. Whether you’re new to online teaching or looking to elevate your setup, TMO has everything you need to thrive. Join the waitlist at

In this episode, we dive into a topic that can feel a bit intimidating but is actually incredibly powerful: vision planning. Ever feel like setting big goals for your teaching studio is overwhelming? You’re not alone! Vision planning isn’t about some perfect, pie-in-the-sky dream; it’s about creating a real and exciting picture of what you want your studio to look like and achieve. Once you’ve got that clear vision, it becomes easier to stay motivated, keep your focus, and take the steps to make it all happen.

Key Points Covered:

1. Why Vision Planning Matters – Vision planning acts like a personal compass, giving you direction, focus, and energy. It’s all about getting clear on your “why” and creating a real plan for what you want your studio to be.
2. How to Start Vision Planning – We break down five easy questions to guide you in dreaming big for your studio. From imagining your ideal teaching space to defining the kind of student experience you want to offer, these steps make vision planning feel totally doable.
3. Overcoming Common Obstacles – We also tackle common roadblocks that come up during vision planning. Fear, self-doubt, daily habits, and even mindset can hold us back, so we share tips on how to get past these barriers and stay focused on your vision.
4. Bringing Your Vision to Life – Once you’ve created your vision, it’s time to take action! We discuss four easy action steps, from writing your vision down to building a support system, so you can start turning those dreams into reality.

Episode Takeaways:

• Vision planning isn’t about having the “perfect” dream. It’s about crafting a clear, realistic picture of what you want and creating steps to achieve it.
• Breaking down your vision into small goals makes it more achievable and keeps you moving forward.
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can make all the difference. Don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow teachers who understand your journey.

Resources Mentioned:

• Teach Music Online Membership – Join the waitlist for the Teach Music Online membership to gain access to resources, coaching, and a supportive community that can help you make your studio vision a reality.

In today’s episode, we chat with Jess Homewood, a piano teacher who made a major shift from teaching 60 private students a week to fully embracing group piano lessons. Jess shares her journey from experiencing burnout to finding balance in her teaching schedule through group lessons. She discusses how she initially resisted the idea of group lessons, fearing they wouldn’t provide the same value as one-on-one instruction, but soon discovered the incredible benefits of group and individual learning in music.

Throughout our conversation, Jess highlights how group lessons foster community and connection among students, helping them become more independent learners. She also shares how streamlining her teaching days and using studio management software gave her more personal time and reduced the stress of managing her studio.

If you’ve ever wondered how group lessons could work for your music studio, or if you’re looking for strategies to find balance in your teaching life, this episode is for you!

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Jess transitioned from private lessons to group lessons
• The unexpected benefits of group and individual learning in music
• How group lessons foster student independence and community
• Jess’s approach to pricing group lessons vs. private lessons
• Tools and strategies to streamline your teaching schedule and reduce admin time
• How Jess incorporates fun and engagement into her lessons with her No Printout Playbooks

Resources Mentioned:

• No Printout Playbooks by Jess Homewood: https://www.notyourmotherspianostudio.com/
• Teach Music Online Membership

Join the Teach Music Online Community: Looking for more tips to help you grow your music studio? Join our Teach Music Online membership, where you can access resources, courses, and connect with other teachers to take your online teaching to the next level.

Teach Music Online Waitlist

Instagram Growth for music teachers and studio owners

Other resources:

Free Facebook Community

Time management workshop

Online teaching starter kit

The essential music teacher marketing checklist