Setting up piano studio - expected income in Canada

[green]

I was teaching overseas to expat families for many years and have recently returned to Canada. In my area, generally the fees are 30/45/60min=30/40/50CDN. 60CDN/h is where it seems to max out for teachers with MM or even one who has a Phd and a very impressive CV.

I charged 55/h overseas then went up to 66/h for the last few months before I left. I'm just wondering for those folks who may be set up in Canada, what kind of income do you make/month and how have you set up your studio for that to be stable each month? Do you teach group lessons, lessons by skype, or programs such as garage band or composition lessons?

Over seas it was a never ending struggle to maintain a stable income with students canceling, forgetting to pay on time, summer holidays, etc. I taught 3 hours for 5-6 days/week, with some homeschoolers during the day, however rents in Canada are much higher, and with the higher cost of living I am afraid that  unless I can pull 4-6k/m consistently then I may pursue other options than trying to struggle with a studio that at the end of the day just isn't cutting it.

I realize that if done right it most certainly can work, but I think in most cases I see that it is mothers who teach on the side out of their home with a husband who also works, and who are perhaps not so concerned about hitting a consistent income each month to pay bills etc., but in my own case I would be flying solo and so these are, unfortunately, considerations that I must take into account.

I was advised by one teacher to focus on group lessons, as that is a cheaper option for parents, is often more fun for students starting out, and it works out to be a significantly higher income for the teacher. Anyone with experience here?

Thanks for any feedback you may have.

[keypeg]

In my area, generally the fees are 30/45/60min=30/40/50CDN. 60CDN/h is where it seems to max out for teachers with MM or even one who has a Phd and a very impressive CV.

..... however rents in Canada are much higher, and with the higher cost of living I am afraid that  unless I can pull 4-6k/m consistently then I may pursue other options than trying to struggle with a studio that at the end of the day just isn't cutting it.

I can't address the teaching part, but good heavens - $4,000 - $6,000 a month?  We're living on an average of $2,000 most months (2 persons), and in my profession $50/hour is good.  You must be in an incredibly expensive part of Canada.  Dunno - 6K/month sounds like the lap of luxury.  People make that?

[perfect_pitch]

I can't address the teaching part, but good heavens - $4,000 - $6,000 a month? 

Hate to say it, but as a piano teacher in Australia who is teaching full time - that's what I'm earning (approx. $6,000 USD) a month. That's what we call a full-time wage in Australia.

I do work hard for it though... Perhaps you should come to Australia.     

[diomedes]

Rates are lower than you're estimating and getting students is usually a hassle. But if you're like me and don't care for a vacations and expensive grocery bills, it can work. Yes, rent is impractical in many ways with Canada.

Also, having very high credentials PhD etc influces nothing, a masters wouldn't change my situation one bit in terms of marketability.

[green]

Ive put some ads out, I will just have to see what happens from those. For individual lessons 40/50/60 CDN, with the expectation that parents may opt for group lessons at 20/30/40 per student. I have never taught group lessons but I just cant see how I could survive on individual lessons here alone.

In the past its taken 6m to a year to build a student base, and more like a year or more as it has always been word of mouth.

[keypeg]

Hate to say it, but as a piano teacher in Australia who is teaching full time - that's what I'm earning (approx. $6,000 USD) a month. That's what we call a full-time wage in Australia.

I do work hard for it though... Perhaps you should come to Australia.     

And I'm living on a bit more than 1/3 of that in Canada.  Therefore I question that one "has" to earn that much to survive over here.

[quantum]

In larger cities in Canada, I have heard of $75-100 per hour for a well established professor or person with a lot of credentials.  Cost of living is high in certain areas.  For example, recent reports suggest that the average cost of a detached home in Vancouver at around $1.83 million. 

In my area I would estimate $50-75 per hour as an average for someone with a music degree.  High school / university students that teach in music schools get around $17-22 per hour (of course that does not take into account what the school charges its students). 

I would suggest you check your area music schools an see what they charge and the programs they are offering.  It may be as simple as looking on their website.  This will give you an idea of the local market. 

[klavieronin]

And I'm living on a bit more than 1/3 of that in Canada.  Therefore I question that one "has" to earn that much to survive over here.

The cost of living in Australia is quite high (at least in the major cities) so we generally have to earn a bit more to get by. A studio apartment in Sydney for example can cost up to and even over $500 per week.

[keypeg]

The opening post was about Canada specifically, because the OP moved to Canada.  As I understand it, Green thinks that to make ends meet you must earn $4,000 - $6,000 per month, and for me even reaching the lower figure most months is an extraordinary and rare feat.  I know that people live on less than that here.  It is specifically about Canada (not Australia or elsewhere).  My response was not about what a piano teacher might charge per hour here, which is another aspect, only this first one, because it surprised me.

[klavieronin]

The opening post was about Canada specifically, because the OP moved to Canada.  As I understand it, Green thinks that to make ends meet you must earn $4,000 - $6,000 per month, and for me even reaching the lower figure most months is an extraordinary and rare feat.  I know that people live on less than that here.  It is specifically about Canada (not Australia or elsewhere).  My response was not about what a piano teacher might charge per hour here, which is another aspect, only this first one, because it surprised me.

Fair point. Out of Interest, what is the going hourly rate for piano lessons in Canada? Average here in Australia is about $60/hr.

[green]

Most studios seems to be 30-40/h, 50 being less usual, and a very few accomplished performers with MM at about 60. That's on the West coast.