I'm finally beginning to make the transition from being a mobile piano teacher to having a home studio. Today I had my first student come to me and it went great...I'm not looking forward to letting go of my students I've had (some for years) who live far from me...but it must be done....I'm feeling twinges of relief mixed with sadness.

I offer empathy of having to leave students behind, M.

I've done that 3 times moving from CA to NY to CA to WA and each time the closing of one door and the opening of the new door were fairly long term challenges to fill the schedule in a new community. For you, it is similar although you haven't moved your household and your community is known to you, you are meeting and greeting new families and saying good bye to old friends who you are no longer servicing.

When your week gets filled at your new location where they come to you, you will then begin to establish the familiarity of a regular schedule again. One that probably will work a whole lot better for you removing your time and effort to get around a busy region of the country trying to be on time.

I did the lessons in the home route when we moved back to CA and then again on to WA. It took me about a year here to transition to lessons in my home schedule and I dropped the at home lessons as the kids themselves dropped lessons.

Life happens and there are things we have to do to take care of our needs and that's what you've decided to do. I wish you great success at rebuilding locally! It's just a matter of time now!

Betty

Good for you!
I've had such positive, fulfilling experiences from teaching from my home. Much more so than commuting to a studio or students' homes. Hope all goes well for you!

Trillingadventurer,
It's sounds like a wonderful new beginning. After mourning the loss of your former students, then you can focus on the new students...and celebrate the new beginnings. Congratulations on opening your home studio!
Ann

Thanks everyone...today is another commuting day...but hopefully not for long. It may take a couple of years before everything is here but at least the ball is rolling!

Good Luck!!! When I was just starting out in Boston, I mostly taught at students' homes. I know how tough that is... When I moved to New York, I promised myself I would never start doing that because it is so hard to transition out of it when you already have lots of students.

So, I know what you're going through, and I know you will be really happy in the long run when you aren't having to schlep yourself around anymore.

Congrats, seems you're movin' on up to the Big Time!

John, LOL! Very funny! Thanks for the laugh.