051: Adding Art to Your Music Studio with Lauren Kushins

Lauren Kushins, co-founder of Art Fundamentals and Art & Soul School of Creative & Performing ARTS, shares her wealth of experience in helping music and dance studios integrate art programs that inspire creativity and boost business growth. With over 30 years of experience as an arts educator, Lauren offers actionable insights on launching art classes, scheduling efficiently, and maximizing the use of studio space. She also highlights the value of combining music and art to create meaningful connections, foster student retention, and enhance community engagement. Tune in to discover how adding art can transform your studio and expand your reach!

• Lauren shared a brief overview of her background and her business, Art Fundamentals.
• How adding art to music studios benefits families by providing creative options for siblings.
• Her art curriculum, specifically designed for seamless integration into music and dance studios.
• The business benefits of adding art classes.
• How scheduling back-to-back classes for siblings or consecutive lessons increases profitability and enrollment.
• Why adding art programs diversifies offerings and creates additional revenue streams for schools.
• Creative opportunities of combining music and art, such as integrating art shows into music recitals.
• Lauren suggests starting with summer art camps to build interest and promote new programs.
• The value of collaboration between different art forms, suggesting it fosters community and enhances creative offerings.
• Importance of starting with group classes, diversifying offerings, and keeping operations simple for long-term success.
• She encourages schools to combine music and art elements for events like recitals and art shows.

Links Mentioned

• Art FUNdamentals Website
• Art FUNdamentals Facebook Page
• Art FUNdamentals Instagram Page
• Lauren's Website: Lauren's Art with Soul
• Lauren's Art School Website: Art and Soul Music Studio

Exclusive Offer for Podcast Listeners:

Connect with Lauren and her team by emailing info@artfundamentals.org. Mention that you heard about them through TopMusic Piano Podcast, and you’ll receive $500 off your initial startup fee and an additional $30 off your monthly fee. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring art into your studio while saving big!

Today's Guest

Lauren Kushins is the co-founder, with Benjie Kushins, of Art Fundamentals and Art & Soul School of Creative & Performing ARTS. Her background is in using the ARTS to teach community well-being. She has traveled internationally providing social services through the use of the arts. Her bachelor’s degree and master’s work focused on using the arts in the social service sector. Art & Soul School has provided educational arts to over 20,000 students in the Bay Area, over the past 22 years and She has been an ARTS educator for over 30 years. In addition, in 2019 she co-founded Art Fundamentals, an Art Program and Curriculum for Music and Dance Studios to help build their studio business and bring more art to children.

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

TopMusicPro 14-Day Free Trial

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL