How to Teach Music Instruments During School Hours

For years, I dreamed of a job that would let me do what I love — teach music, work with children, and still have time for my family.
Like many instrumental teachers, I used to teach after school, late evenings, and weekends. I was constantly tired, driving from house to house, and missing family time.

When I discovered that I could teach music instruments during school hours, everything changed.
It became the perfect balance — joyful mornings, relaxed lessons, and peaceful afternoons. I could finish work by 3:30, pick up my kids, have a glass of wine while cooking dinner, and actually enjoy my evenings again.

And here’s the best part — once one or two schools said yes, I never had to advertise again.
No social media. No marketing. Just a friendly poster in the school newsletter, and suddenly parents started emailing me. Word spread quickly, and my little idea turned into a happy, flexible business.

Now, I teach piano, guitar, and ukulele at small primary schools in Australia. My lessons are simple, structured, and fun — the way I wish I’d been taught as a child.
This job gives me freedom, joy, and meaning every single day.

Although my story started in Australia, this approach can work anywhere — in the UK, the US, Europe, or beyond. Schools everywhere welcome passionate teachers who can bring music and creativity into children’s lives.

In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to teach music instruments during school hours and build your own dream job — one that fits your life, your family, and your love for music.

Step 1: Understand How to Teach Music Instruments During School Hours

When I first started teaching music at primary schools in Australia, I worked for large music teaching agencies that placed teachers in public schools.
It was a great introduction — I learned how school music programs run — but I soon realised it wasn’t the right fit for me.

The schedules were tight, communication went through the agency, and I had little freedom to decide how I taught or which songs my students played.

Now, I focus on small private and independent schools, and I recommend this path to anyone who wants more freedom and joy.
Private schools are usually more flexible and open to creative instrumental teachers who want to teach guitar, piano, or ukulele their own way.

You can build relationships directly with principals and parents, set your own schedule, and grow your music teacher business faster.

In most schools, instrumental programs run during school hours.
Lessons are short — about 20 to 30 minutes — and can be individual, duo, or small-group sessions.

Running my own small music teaching business gave me what agencies couldn’t — freedom, flexibility, and happiness.
It’s a career that fits beautifully around family life and still feels inspiring every day.

Step 2. Get Ready to Teach at Schools – Simple Setup for Your Own Business

When I moved on from agency work and started my own small music-teaching business, I realised how much smoother everything becomes once you have a few basics in place.
Before contacting schools, a little preparation helps you look professional and feel confident.

Here’s what you’ll need before you begin — and remember, I include ready-to-use templates, checklists, and scripts for all of this inside my Start Teaching Music at Schools Toolkit.

• ABN (Australian Business Number) – you’ll need this to invoice parents or schools. To apply for ABN click here
• WWCC (Working With Children Check) – required for every instrumental teacher in Australia.
• Public Liability Insurance – protects you and shows that you’re serious about your work.
• Teaching Policy & Parent Communication Templates – short, polite letters that explain how you run lessons, handle payments, and manage make-up classes.
• Accounting Software – I personally use Xero to manage invoices and track income. It makes the admin side simple and stress-free.
• Canva Poster or Flyer – create a bright, friendly poster that introduces who you are and what you teach (guitar, piano, or ukulele). Include your contact details and a smiling photo with your instrument so schools can see the person behind the lessons.

Once you’ve prepared these essentials, you’ll feel confident approaching any principal.
When schools and parents see how organised you are, they trust you immediately — and that’s where the opportunities start.

If you’d like to save time setting all this up, I’ve created a ready-to-use Start Teaching Music at Schools Toolkit — it includes my exact Canva poster, email templates, policy, and step-by-step Xero setup guide. You can check it out here →.

Setting yourself up this way means you’re ready for success — a little preparation for a job that brings freedom, joy, and the chance to teach your way.

Q&A: Do I Need a Website or Social Media to Start Teaching Piano/ Guitar/ Ukulele at the schools?

No – you really don’t.
When I started teaching music at schools, I didn’t have a website, social media page, or even a logo.
What helped me most was sending a friendly, professional email with a short Canva poster attached.

Schools care more about your approach and reliability than your online presence.
Once you’re established, you can build your website or social media later – but don’t let that stop you from starting now.

I’m proof that you can build a successful school-hours music teaching business without any of that.

Step 3: Finding and Contacting Schools

This is the exciting part – reaching out to schools and offering your lessons.

You don’t need a fancy website or social media to start. I didn’t have any of that when I began teaching music at schools. What worked best for me was sending a kind, professional email with my Canva poster attached.

When I worked for agencies, I was sent to many schools – but I didn’t have much control over my schedule or how I taught. Eventually, I decided to find my own schools. It was the best decision I ever made.

Step 4: What to Say When Meeting the Principal

This moment can feel a little nerve-wracking, but it’s actually one of the most exciting parts. You’re not there to “sell” anything – you’re there to share your passion for music and how your program can bring joy and creativity into their school.

You can say something like:

“Hi! I’m Veronika – I’ve completed my music education in Europe and have experience playing in several bands, orchestras, and singing in a choir. My passion is teaching instrumental music to children, and I would absolutely love to work with schools during school hours.
As a mum with young kids, I can’t do after-school teaching right now, so I’ve created a program that fits perfectly within school hours. I teach piano, guitar, and ukulele in small groups or one-to-one, and there’s no extra admin for the school. I handle everything myself!”

Then I show them my Canva poster (more on that below 👇) and explain how I run my lessons:

• I collect students from their classrooms.
• I communicate directly with parents.
• I invoice parents myself.
• The school doesn’t have to manage a thing.

That always makes principals smile – because it means less work for them!

Why This Works

This short, confident introduction shows that you’re professional, independent, and kind. You’re making the principal’s life easier, not adding work. You’re showing reliability and genuine care for kids’ wellbeing and learning.

It’s not about convincing them – it’s about sharing your enthusiasm. Most principals appreciate teachers who take initiative, speak with warmth, and clearly know how to run things smoothly.

Step 5: Plan a Schedule That Works for Your Life

One of the biggest benefits of teaching music during school hours is flexibility.

Most school lessons run between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
I usually teach in one or two schools per week, and that’s enough to fill my days and still have plenty of time for family and personal life.

Here’s a simple structure that works really well:

• 20 / 30 minutes for individual lessons
• 30 minutes for duos or small groups

This way, you can teach several students in a row, keep lessons focused, and finish by the afternoon.

No driving in the dark.
No weekend exhaustion.
Just calm mornings, happy students, and a balanced life.

For me, that’s everything — I’m a mum, and afternoons are when I want to be with my kids, help with homework, and enjoy a glass of wine while cooking dinner. Working during school hours lets me have the best of both worlds: a meaningful career and time for family.

What If You Prefer Afternoons?

That’s completely fine too. Every teacher’s situation is different, and that’s the beauty of this kind of work — you can shape it your way.

If you don’t have kids and have more time or prefer to work later in the day, you can absolutely offer afternoon lessons too. Some schools might even prefer that. One of my schools once asked me to start in the afternoons first, and then as interest grew, we expanded into mornings as well.

When you first talk to a school, they’ll usually ask about your availability. Sometimes they’ll tell you what days work best for them, or which days they’d like you to start collecting enrolments.

The Best Way to Build Your Schedule

When you begin, it helps to clearly explain what kind of lessons you’re offering — for example, “small group ukulele and guitar lessons during school hours.” That way, schools understand your plan and can help fit you into their timetable.

You can say something like:

“I’m flexible with days and hours — whatever works best for your students and timetable.”

Then, once enrolments start coming in, you’ll see what time slots fill up naturally. Most schools will let you adjust your schedule later if needed.

It’s all about balance — teaching in a way that suits your lifestyle, keeps you happy, and gives students the best experience possible.

Step 6: How to Handle Enrolments and Parent Communication

Once the school agrees to have you, it’s time to start enrolling students. This part might seem a little administrative, but it’s actually very simple — especially in smaller schools.

My Approach to Enrolments

I personally don’t do online enrolments. That system works better for larger schools or music agencies, but in small private schools, you really don’t need it.

On your Canva poster, it’s enough to write your email address ( I don’t give my phone number, but you can add that too) clearly and add a little section at the bottom with instructions like this:

“To enrol, please send an email with your child’s name, class, parent’s name, contact details, chosen instrument, and preferred lesson type (individual, duo, or small group).”

That’s all parents need to know. Once I receive their email, I reply personally with a warm and professional message:

“Thank you for enrolling your child! I’ve attached my policy and included key information below.”

In that email, I include:

• The day I teach at the school and a rough timetable (if ready).
• Lesson cost, paid per term (usually 8–10 lessons depending on the school term).
• Books and materials information — I buy and provide books myself, so parents don’t have to worry about it.
• Details about make-up lessons, if applicable.

All my email and parent communication templates (welcome, reminder, payment follow-ups, thank-you notes) are included in my Start Teaching Music at Schools Toolkit — so you can just copy, personalise, and send.

Music Teaching Policy and Payments

I keep things simple and consistent. Parents love clear rules, but they also appreciate flexibility.

Here’s how I usually structure it:

• Lessons are paid per term (I send an invoice before or at the start of term).
• Payment is due within two weeks.
• If a child misses a lesson due to a school event (like swimming, athletics, or an excursion), I always offer a make-up lesson.
• If they’re sick, I offer a make-up only if I can find a spot. If not, I sometimes fit two students into one lesson.
• I never offer make-up lessons for group lessons — they’re too hard to reschedule.
• I usually leave the last week of term for make-up lessons, unless it’s a shorter term.

You can also choose to charge a small enrolment or materials fee to cover books, folders, or photocopies. I don’t charge it, but it’s completely fine if you do — especially if you provide high-quality materials yourself. (In my toolkit, you’ll find my lesson policy — you can copy it or adjust it to suit your own teaching business)

Keeping Parents Informed

After the first email, I send updates whenever needed – a reminder at the start of each term, a quick message if there’s a change, or an occasional note to celebrate a child’s progress.

You can keep it short, like:

“Hi! Just a quick note to confirm lessons start next week on Wednesday. Looking forward to another great term of music!”

Parents really appreciate those small touches – it shows you’re organised and care about their children.

Why This Works

Small schools thrive on personal connection. Parents feel more comfortable when they’re dealing with a real teacher, not an automated system. This simple process keeps your admin light, your communication warm, and your relationships strong.

That’s how I’ve built trust with every school and every family I’ve worked with – and it works beautifully.

Step 7: Grow Your Teaching Business

Once you’ve settled into one school and things start running smoothly, you’ll be surprised how naturally your teaching business begins to grow.

When you do great work at one school, others start calling.
Principals talk to each other. Parents share your name with friends. Before you know it, your email starts filling up with opportunities.

That’s exactly how my business grew — one school, one term, one happy parent at a time.

How to Grow Naturally

You don’t need to rush or push. Growth in this field comes from reputation and relationships. Here are a few gentle ways to expand:

• Offer group ukulele programs – Schools love them because they’re affordable, social, and fun. You can teach a small class of 4–5 students, and the progress is beautiful to watch.
• Teach duo piano lessons – Two students sharing one piano builds confidence, listening, and teamwork.
• Add simple music theory games – Use colourful flashcards, rhythm challenges, or your own printable resources. Kids learn theory without even realising it.
• Create and sell your own resources – Once you develop your own materials (like flashcards, tab sheets, or beginner packs), you can offer them to parents, other teachers, or online through your website or Etsy store.

You can also add more schools gradually – maybe one morning in a new school next term, or just a few extra students each week.

The best part is that you stay in control. You decide how many students you want, how many schools you take on, and how much you want to earn.

Keep Learning and Building

As your confidence grows, you can explore more opportunities:

• Run holiday workshops or “music fun days” at schools.
• Collaborate with other instrumental teachers.
• Add small group performances or assemblies at the end of each term.
• Create short videos showing your teaching style – that’s how you attract more schools and parents who love your approach.

You can even start teaching other teachers how to do what you do – that’s when you truly become a mentor in this space.

Final Thoughts – Build a Life You Love

If you’ve been struggling with late afternoons, exhaustion, or missing family time, I promise that there’s another way.

Teaching music instruments during school hours gave me freedom, peace, and purpose.
I still get to share what I love — music — but in a way that fits my life.

You can build that too.
A business that grows with you, not against you.
A job where you work with music you love, inspire kids every day, and still have time for your family (and yes — that well-deserved glass of wine at 5 o’clock 🍷).

Start small. Believe in your skills.
You don’t need to know everything to begin — you just need to start.

Ready to start teaching piano, guitar, or ukulele during school hours — but want all the templates, scripts, and checklists done for you?

NEXT STEP: If you’re ready to start your own school-hours teaching journey,
my Start Teaching Music at Schools Toolkit includes all my templates, scripts, and resources — everything you need to start with confidence.

👉 Get it here – and start teaching your way – confidently and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Teach Music Instruments During School Hours

Q: Do I need a music degree to teach at primary schools?

A: No, you don’t.
Many schools care more about your experience, passion, and ability to connect with children than formal qualifications.
I personally don’t have a formal Australian degree in music education — I studied music in Europe, played in bands and orchestras, and built my teaching approach through real classroom experience.
If you can inspire children and teach clearly, schools will value you.

Q: Can I teach more than one instrument — like piano, guitar, and ukulele?

A: Absolutely!
That’s one of the biggest advantages of running your own small instrumental program.
I teach piano, guitar, and ukulele during school hours, and it keeps lessons fun, varied, and in demand.
You can offer one instrument per student, or even small mixed-instrument groups for duets and ensemble

Q: Can I start even if I’m not in Australia?

A: Yes!
This approach works beautifully in many countries — the UK, Europe, the US, or anywhere with primary or elementary schools.
The structure might vary, but the concept is the same: bring your passion for instrumental music directly into schools during the day.
Schools everywhere love teachers who make learning joyful and easy to manage.

Q: Do I need a website or social media to start?

A: Not at all.
I started with no website, no social media, and no logo — just a professional email and a Canva poster.
Once schools said yes, parents contacted me directly through my email.
When your program grows, you can build a website or social media later — but it’s not necessary to begin.

Q: What if I’m shy or nervous about approaching schools?

A: That’s completely normal.
I was nervous too at first!
The truth is, principals and school staff are usually kind and supportive — they love teachers who take initiative.
Just smile, speak clearly, and show that you love teaching kids.
You don’t have to sound perfect — just genuine. That’s what makes people remember you.

Q: How many schools should I start with?

A: One is enough to start!
Focus on doing a great job at one school first.
Once parents and principals see the difference you make, other schools will start calling.
That’s how my business grew naturally — one happy parent, one term, one school at a time.

Q: Can I do this part-time while working elsewhere?

A: Definitely.
Many teachers start with one morning or one day a week at a school.
You can grow slowly, adjust your hours each term, and eventually build it into your full-time job if you wish.
That’s the beauty of it — you’re in control of your schedule and your growth.

Q: What’s the best part of teaching during school hours?

A: The balance.
You finish by 3:30, avoid the late-night lessons, and still get to share music with children who truly enjoy it.
For me, it’s the dream — meaningful work, creative teaching, and time left for my own family (and that 5 o’clock glass of wine 🍷).

About Mrs A

Hi, I’m Veronika – also known as Mrs A.
I’m a passionate music teacher, mum, and creator of Smiley Note and Music with Mrs A. After completing my music education in Europe, I spent years performing in bands, orchestras, and choirs — but my true calling turned out to be helping children discover the joy of music.

When I moved to Australia, I found my dream path — teaching instrumental music at primary schools during school hours. It allowed me to combine my love for music, teaching, and family life. No stress, no late nights — just meaningful, happy work that makes a difference.

Through my articles, videos, and resources, I now help music teachers, aspiring educators, and parents find joy and confidence in teaching and learning music the simple way — through fun songs, group lessons, and connection.

If you’d like to learn more about building your own music teaching career during school hours, or just want inspiration to bring more music into your life, you’re in the right place.