Imposter Syndrome in Piano Teachers

Lately, imposter syndrome feels loud in our industry.

In this episode, I unpack what imposter syndrome actually is, how it connects to burnout, and why it often shows up right after growth in your studio.

If you’ve ever:

• Raised your tuition and then spiraled after one parent questioned it• Compared your recital to someone else’s highlight reel• Felt confident one minute and like a fraud the next• Wondered whether self-doubt means you don’t belong

This conversation is for you.

We explore the research behind the “impostor phenomenon,” first identified in 1978 by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, and discuss how it relates specifically to piano teachers navigating leadership, comparison, perfectionism, and burnout.

You’ll also hear practical reflection questions to ask yourself when you’re deep in the pit, including:

• Is this a skill gap or an identity attack?• Am I discounting measurable evidence of growth?• Am I comparing without context?• Is this incompetence, or am I just exhausted?

Imposter syndrome is not automatically proof that you don’t belong. Sometimes it’s a signal. The key is learning to tell the difference between growth and narrative.

If you’d like to stay in the loop for free teacher meetups, resources, and occasional discounts, make sure you’re on the email list: www.scrappypianoteacher.com

Recital season can bring excitement, nerves, and a whole lot of pressure for both students and teachers. In this Scrappy Snippet, I’m sharing a recent experience that completely reframed how I think about performances and why silent film recitals have become one of my favorite creative options for studios.

I recently participated in a silent film celebration for our local MTNA district, and it ended up being one of the most joyful and collaborative performance experiences I’ve had in a long time. As I reflected on that event, it became clear why this format works so well for students, especially those who struggle with traditional recital anxiety.

In this episode, I talk through:
● what a silent film recital actually is● why teachers and students love this format● how it reduces pressure while still building real musicianship● how you could adapt this idea for your own private studio● what to know about music choices for private versus public events

This episode is meant to feel encouraging and realistic. Silent film recitals don’t replace traditional recitals. They simply offer another option, and sometimes having another option makes all the difference.

If you’re thinking about recital season, you might also enjoy these past episodes that dive deeper into performance preparation and creative recital ideas:

● Preparing Students for Recital Performance with Molly Gebrian (Episode 59)
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scrappy-snippet-preparing-students-for-recital-performance/id1749130212?i=1000732645784

● Episode 037: Recital Prep for the Studio with Janna Williamson
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-037-recital-prep-for-the-studio-with/id1749130212?i=1000695494006

● Episode 008: Creative Recitals with Elizabeth Swift
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-008-creative-recitals-with-elizabeth-swift/id1749130212?i=1000663662428

If this episode sparked an idea or gave you permission to try something new, I’d love for you to save it or share it with another teacher heading into recital season.

In this episode of the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m talking about what “back to basics” actually means for a piano studio that is already full and running.

This conversation came from a season where I realized I had said yes to too many things and needed to pause and ask what was still serving me and what wasn’t. Not because anything was failing, but because things had started to feel heavy and unclear.

We talk about why studios can feel exhausting even when nothing is technically wrong, why burnout often shows up before performance drops, and why resetting a studio can feel so hard once it’s already in motion. I share insights from education psychology, including why motivation usually comes after action, not before, and how early decisions around schedules, policies, and expectations can quietly lock us into systems that no longer fit. Psychology calls this path dependence.

I also walk through four foundational anchors that can help you reset your studio without starting over. This isn’t about tearing everything down or lowering your standards. It’s about clearing out the clutter so the studio you already built can actually support you long term.

If you’re feeling behind even when you’re on top of things, constantly tweaking but never settling, or tired in a way that rest alone doesn’t fix, this episode is for you.

If you want to go deeper with this work, my Studio Reset Cohort is open for registration through February 6. You can find all the details at
scrappypianoteacher.com/reset

I’m also hosting a free Scrappy Circle teacher meetup called Let’s Talk Recitals with Janna Williamson on February 13 at noon Eastern. You can RSVP at
scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappycircle

Thanks so much for listening. I’m really glad you’re here.

In this Ask Me Anything episode, I’m answering real questions submitted by music teachers who are navigating real life situations. This is the first AMA episode, and we’re talking about two topics that come up constantly but are rarely explained simply.

First, I answer a question from a teacher who unexpectedly needed to move and transition students to online lessons. I share my honest thoughts on choosing an online setup, why simple is often best, and how hybrid approaches using recordings can reduce pressure during live lessons.

Next, we dive into taxes. Specifically, where to pay quarterly estimated taxes if you have only ever paid once a year. I am very honest about this being one of my weakest areas, why that is incredibly common among independent music teachers, and why getting teacher specific financial support can make a huge difference.

This episode is for teachers who want reassurance, clarity, and practical next steps without feeling judged or overwhelmed.

Helpful links mentioned in this episode

Studio Reset Cohort
Registration is now open
www.scrappypianoteacher.com/reset

Join my email list
www.scrappypianoteacher.com

Online teaching platforms
Muzie.live
www.muzie.live

Online teaching support and setup help
www.teachmusic.online/blog

Tax help and financial support for music teachers
Tax specific services
www.musicstudiostartup.com/services/

General financial education for musicians
www.musicianandcompany.com

If you have a question you would love answered in a future Ask Me Anything episode, make sure you are on my email list so you can submit it next time.

In this episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by Amy Chaplin from Piano Pantry to talk about digital organization and why it matters far more than most teachers realize.

We discuss how digital clutter quietly drains mental energy, why email overwhelm is so common for music teachers, and how organization systems should support your life rather than add more pressure.

This conversation is especially helpful if your inbox feels out of control, your files are scattered everywhere, or you keep telling yourself you’ll “organize it later.”

● Why digital organization is not a one time project● How cluttered files and inboxes contribute to burnout● Where to start when everything feels overwhelming● The importance of small, maintainable systems● Accountability and learning alongside other teachers● Using tools like Notion in a flexible, realistic way

Organize Your Life with Notion

February 27, March 6, March 13 @ 12:30-2:30pm ET

https://pianopantry.com/notionwait

Organize Your Digital Life (Retreat)

Summer 2026

https://pianopantry.com/digital-organization-retreat/

Organize Your Digital Life (Zoom)

TBA 2026-2027

https://pianopantry.com/organize-your-digital-life/

Subscribe to the Scrappy Piano Teacher

www.scrappypianoteacher.com

This is a Scrappy Snippet episode, which means it is short, lightly edited, and very real.

In this episode, I scroll through piano teacher Facebook posts and react in real time. I share my honest thoughts on recital themes, piano method book debates, and why questions like Bastien vs Faber vs Alfred are often not the real issue for piano teachers.

I talk about how teacher experience matters more than the method book, why the teacher often becomes the method, and how I think about choosing piano methods for young beginners in both private lessons and group piano classes.

If you are a piano teacher looking for piano teaching tips, clarity around method books, or reassurance that you are not doing it wrong, this episode is for you.

I share practical piano pedagogy insight without telling you what you should do, and I focus on helping you think more clearly and confidently as a music teacher.

More Scrappy Snippet episodes and Ask Me Anything episodes are coming.

Thanks for listening.

Join the email list at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

In this episode, I’m talking about studio analytics and what the numbers in your piano studio are actually telling you.

This is not a business heavy episode and it is not about turning teaching into spreadsheets. It is about gaining clarity. Most independent music teachers were trained to teach music, not to analyze how their studio functions as a business. That gap often leads to guessing, frustration, or the feeling that something is off even when you love teaching.

I walk through the key areas successful small businesses pay attention to and translate them into piano teacher language. We talk about predictable income, operating costs, student retention patterns, and studio alignment, along with a real example from my own studio that completely changed how I think about growth and sustainability.

If you have ever wondered whether your piano studio is actually profitable, why students leave, what numbers matter most, or how to make confident decisions instead of hoping you are doing things right, this episode will help you start seeing your studio more clearly.

If you want more support, resources, and honest conversations about teaching and running a sustainable studio, you can join my email list at
www.scrappypianoteacher.com

If you want an easier way to track income, retention, and studio patterns, I personally use MyMusicStaff. You can try it free for 60 days at
www.mymusicstaff.com/scrappypianoteacher

If this episode was helpful, leaving a review or sharing it with another piano teacher helps more independent teachers find clarity and support in their studios.

Thanks so much for listening.

Bonus Episode: Celebrating Piano Teachers Around the World

We talk all the time about music being universal.But teaching is universal too.

This is a special bonus episode of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, created to help ring in the new year and celebrate independent piano teachers from around the world.

I invited teachers from different places to send in a short voice note. Just a quick reflection on teaching, creativity, challenges, and what they’re carrying with them as they look back on 2025 and ahead to 2026.

What stood out to me right away was how similar so many of the thoughts were. Different countries. Different studios. And yet the same questions, the same care for students, and the same love for the work.

This episode is meant to feel light, encouraging, and connective.

It’s a reminder that no matter where you teach, you’re part of something much bigger than your own studio.

Teachers featured in this bonus episode:

• Tim Topham — Melbourne, Australia

• Lydia Tomita — Cotswolds, England

• Juan Cabeza — Madrid, Spain

• Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane — Durban, South Africa

• Mark Weathers — Alaska, USA

• Shannon Saravia— California, USA

• Elizabeth Swift — Ohio, USA

Whether you’re feeling reflective, excited, tired, hopeful, or all of the above, I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone in this work.

Happy New Year, and thank you for being part of this community.